How Much Physical Cash and Coins Exist Worldwide
The total amount of physical currency in circulation, including banknotes and coins, is estimated at roughly 10 trillion U.S. dollars, according to the Federal Reserve and the Bank for International Settlements BIS. This figure covers U.S. dollars, euros, yen, pounds, and other major currencies held outside banks by the public and businesses.
U.S. currency in circulation has grown steadily, driven by demand for small bills, reserve currency status, and use in informal economies. The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing produces billions of new notes each year, while the global coin supply is managed by national mints US Mint. Together, physical cash represents a small share of the world's total money when compared with digital and bank deposits.
Broad Money Supply and Bank Deposits Across Major Economies
What Broad Money Includes
Broad money, often labeled M2 or M3, includes physical cash, demand deposits, savings accounts, money market funds, and other liquid instruments. The International Monetary Fund tracks M3 for major economies and reports that global broad money exceeds 100 trillion U.S. dollars when all currencies are combined IMF.
U.S. Money Supply
The U.S. M2 money supply has risen sharply over the past decade, reaching over 20 trillion dollars in recent years, according to the Federal Reserve Federal Reserve. This growth reflects fiscal stimulus, low interest rates, and increased bank lending.
Eurozone and China
The eurozone M3 money supply is also in the range of 15 trillion euros, while China's broad money supply (M2) exceeds 300 trillion yuan, making it one of the largest national money supplies in the world ECB. These figures highlight how bank-created money far exceeds physical cash in modern economies.
Gold, Crypto, and Other Store-of-Value Assets
Total Gold Holdings
All the gold ever mined is estimated at around 200,000 metric tons, with a market value above 15 trillion U.S. dollars at recent prices, according to the World Gold Council World Gold Council. Central banks hold roughly 36,000 metric tons, while investment demand and jewelry account for the rest.
Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin's market capitalization has reached over 1 trillion dollars at peak periods, with thousands of other cryptocurrencies adding several hundred billion dollars more in total value CoinDesk. Unlike gold, crypto supply is algorithmically controlled, and its global footprint continues to grow as institutional investors and payment networks adopt digital assets.