BND - Brunei Dollar

The history of Brunei Dollar

At the beginning of the 20th century, Brunei was a protectorate of the United Kingdom, using various currencies, such as the Straits dollar starting in 1906, the Malayan dollar from 1939, and the Malaya and British Borneo dollar from 1953.

In 1967, Brunei issued its own national currency known as the Brunei dollar. The currency replaced the Malaya and British Borneo dollar, marking the nation's independence. The fixed exchange rate with the Singapore dollar is based on an agreement between the two countries, allowing the two currencies to be used interchangeably in both nations.

Today, the Brunei dollar is considered one of the most stable currencies in Brunei and Southeast Asia. Additionally, other currencies such as the Singapore dollar and USD are widely accepted in shops and hotels in the country.

Brunei Dollar denominations

Currently, the denominations of the Brunei dollar in circulation are:

Brunei coins

All coins issued and circulated in Brunei feature Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, on the obverse. The reverse of each coin displays the year and a unique local design, showcasing various symbols of the country.

• 1 cent

• 5 cents

• 10 cents

• 20 cents

• 50 cents

Brunei Dollar banknotes

Five series of banknotes have been issued, with the colors of the $1, $5, and $10 notes remaining consistent across all series.

Among these, the commonly used denominations are: $1, $5, $10, $50, $100. The less frequently used denominations are: $20, $25, $500, $1,000, $10,000. Currently, Brunei is adopting polymer banknotes as a method of preventing forgery. Notably, the $100 note from this series received a gold medal for its security features at the 22nd National Print Awards in Australia in May 2005.

The banknotes come in the following denominations:

• $1 (blue)

• $5 (green and yellow)

• $10 (red, yellow and brown)

• $20 (yellow)

• $25 (purple and beige)

• $50 (yellow)

• $100 (brown and orange)

• $500 (pink)

• $1,000 (gray and brown)

• $10,000 (gold and green)

Exchange Rate Regime of the Brunei Dollar (BND)

The Brunei central bank applies a floating exchange rate policy to regulate and control the exchange rate of the Brunei dollar. Since its issuance and circulation, the history of the BND's exchange rate is as follows:

• In the past, the BND was pegged to the British pound and later to the US dollar, which helped maintain the currency's value stability.

• Since 1967, the BND has been pegged to the Singapore dollar (SGD) at a rate of 1:1. This means that the value of the BND is equal to the SGD, and the two currencies can be used interchangeably in both Brunei and Singapore.

• While a managed floating exchange rate regime is in place, and the BND is still linked to the SGD, Brunei's central bank can intervene in the foreign exchange market to ensure stability and prevent excessive fluctuations in the currency's value.

Current Value of the Brunei Dollar - BND

The Brunei Dollar (BND) is a key factor in the nation's economy. Its 1:1 exchange rate with the Singapore Dollar ensures stability and reduces risks in international trade.

Additionally, with the abundant revenue from oil, the Brunei government is able to maintain a strong financial policy, providing many public services free of charge to citizens. This not only improves the quality of life but also contributes to reducing social inequality, benefiting the entire community.

Factors affecting the value of Brunei Dollar

The value of the Brunei Dollar (BND) is influenced by several economic and financial factors, including:

• Oil prices: As a leading oil exporter, Brunei is impacted by the changes in oil prices in terms of revenue and balance of payments. This subsequently affects the exchange rate of the Brunei Dollar (BND) indirectly.

• U.S. monetary policy: Decisions regarding interest rate by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) can influence global capital movements, exerting pressure on the Brunei Dollar (BND) exchange rate.

• International events: Global economic crises, political conflicts, or unexpected events can cause fluctuations in foreign exchange markets and affect the value of the BND.

• Global economic conditions: The growth or decline of the global economy and trade relations heavily influence the value of the BND. For instance, if Brunei's key trading partners encounter challenges, a drop in export demand could decrease the BND’s value.

• Brunei’s monetary policy: The Brunei government may intervene in the foreign exchange market to stabilize the BND’s value through fiscal policies or direct measures.

• Global gold prices (XAU/USD): Gold prices impact Brunei’s monetary policy. If gold prices increase significantly, the Central Bank of Brunei may step in by selling BND to help preserve a competitive advantage for exporters.

• Brunei’s interest rates: The Central Bank of Brunei’s interest rates directly influence the value of the BND. Higher interest rates can increase the BND's value, while lower rates may cause its value to drop.

• Bitcoin/USD prices: While there is limited research on the connection between Bitcoin prices and the BND, the strong growth of the cryptocurrency market may indirectly impact the BND exchange rate through investment capital flows.

All these factors contribute to a complex picture of the value of the Brunei Dollar (BND). You can monitor exchange rates and use currency conversion tools to stay updated on the BND's exchange rate at any given time you want.