Chinese Renminbi
CNY Reserve Currency
The Chinese Yuan was added to the IMF's SDR basket in 2016, marking its recognition as a global reserve currency. Despite China's economic size, CNY's share peaked at 2.8% and has declined, reflecting capital controls and geopolitical factors. Compare with the US Dollar which holds about 57% of reserves.
Year over Year
+10.0%
GrowingAmount change YoY
5-Year Trend
+0.74pp
GrowingShare change since 2020
Rank
#5
of 8 currenciesBy reserve share
Reserve Holders
13
reporting countriesKnown major holders
CNY Historical Trend
Share of global reserves, 2015-2025
Top CNY Reserve Holders
| # | Country | Estimated Holdings | Share of CNY Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇷🇺Russia | 26.5% | |
| 2 | 🇧🇷Brazil | 10.1% | |
| 3 | 🇸🇬Singapore | 8.6% | |
| 4 | 🇿🇦South Africa | 7.2% | |
| 5 | 🇨🇱Chile | 5.5% | |
| 6 | 🇮🇩Indonesia | 4.9% | |
| 7 | 🇮🇱Israel | 4.3% | |
| 8 | 🇲🇾Malaysia | 4.1% | |
| 9 | 🇷🇸Serbia | 3.8% | |
| 10 | 🇹🇭Thailand | 3.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Chinese Yuan not gained more as a reserve currency?
Despite China being the world's second largest economy, CNY reserves peaked at 2.8% and stand at 1.95%. Capital controls, limited convertibility, and geopolitical tensions have constrained its growth as a reserve currency.
Which countries hold Chinese Yuan reserves?
Russia is the largest holder of CNY reserves, followed by Brazil, Singapore, South Africa, and Chile. Many holders are part of BRICS or have strong trade ties with China.