: Value is tied to another major currency or a basket of currencies.

: Physical characteristics include watermarks, holographic strips, and microprinting used to prevent counterfeiting.

: As noted by VTB Bank , a currency must be the official unit of account used for payments and measuring the value of goods and services within a specific country or economic zone.

: This defines how a currency's value is set. Common regimes include: Floating : Value is determined by market supply and demand.

: Certain "hard" currencies are held in significant quantities by central banks and institutions as part of their foreign exchange reserves.

: This measures how quickly and easily a currency can be bought or sold in the global market without significantly affecting its price. Major currencies like the USD or EUR have the highest liquidity.