SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS: A system of accounts nations have with International Monetary Fund that are used to settle any balance of payments deficits. In essence, SDRs are simply an international currency that makes it easier to conduct all sorts of international transactions. In decades past, when gold was used as the primary international currency, any balance of payments deficits was paid with gold. However, in 1967 this system of SDRs was established in lieu of sending gold all over the globe. See also | International Monetary Fund | balance of payments | money | currency | foreign trade | gold standard |
