The Riksbank is Sweden’s central bank and a public authority under the Riksdag (the Swedish parliament). We shall contribute to a well-functioning economy by ensuring that inflation – the general rate of increase in prices in the economy – remains low and stable, that the financial system is stable and efficient, and that payments can be made both in normal times and during crises and periods of heightened alert. We are also the only body authorised to issue cash in the form of banknotes and coins.
Why have we been given these tasks? Why are they important for the functioning of society? To answer these questions, one must understand what money is, the functions it fulfils, how it is created, and the Riksbank’s role in the monetary system.
The question of the nature and characteristics of money has become increasingly topical over the past decade. Traditional money – cash – has increasingly been replaced by digital money, and we have also seen the emergence of new money like digital assets in the form of what are known as crypto-assets. Furthermore, an increasing number of central banks have discussed the possibility of introducing central bank digital currencies – a form of digital cash issued by the central bank – which are intended to be accessible to everyone.