Editorial Note: IntuitCredit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
Advertiser Disclosure
We think it's important for you to understand how we make money. It's pretty simple, actually. The offers for financial products you see on our platform come from companies who pay us. The money we make helps us give you access to free credit scores and reports and helps us create our other great tools and educational materials.
Compensation may factor into how and where products appear on our platform (and in what order). But since we generally make money when you find an offer you like and get, we try to show you offers we think are a good match for you. That's why we provide features like your Approval Odds and savings estimates.
Of course, the offers on our platform don't represent all financial products out there, but our goal is to show you as many great options as we can.
Until the early 1900s, many governments backed their money with commodities like gold and silver. Most countries (including the U.S.) now use fiat currency.
There are different types of currencies — some have government backing, like the fiat system of money, and some are decentralized and backed by blockchain technology, like cryptocurrencies. This article will explain fiat currency and how it differs from other types of currency.
See your net worthGet Started
- What is fiat currency?
- Pros and cons of fiat currency
- Fiat currency vs. cryptocurrency
- Fiat money vs. commodity money
- Fiat money vs. representative money
- FAQs about fiat currency
What is fiat currency?
Fiat currency, or fiat money, is a government-issued currency that does not have the backing of physical commodities like gold. Instead, the currency’s value is based on the general public’s trust in its government.
Why is it called fiat currency? The fiat currency definition and name originate from a Latin word that translates to “let it be done”. Fiat money only has value because the government gives it value and, therefore, has more control over the currency and how much can be printed.
Pros and cons of fiat currency
Let’s explore the pros and cons of fiat currency.
Pros of fiat money
Unlike gold, Fiat money is not backed by a commodity, meaning it’s not limited or scarce. For this reason, a government has greater control over the currency supply, which can give it the power to manage economic variables such as interest rates, liquidity and credit supply.
Since a government controls the money supply, it may be able to help protect the country from a recession. As the central bank of the United States, the U.S. Federal Reserve has intervened throughout history to reduce the damage from over-expanded markets.
Cons of fiat money
Although fiat currency gives the government control over the money supply, it’s still not guaranteed to prevent a financial crisis. The main issue is that fiat money can lend itself to hyperinflation — an economic state in which inflation increases by more than 50% monthly.
Fiat currency vs. cryptocurrency
Fiat money is a legal tender (a currency declared legal by the government), and its value is backed by the issuer (the government). On the other hand, cryptocurrency is a digital currency backed by decentralized blockchain technology, meaning it’s not backed —or regulated — by a central authority like a government.
Fiat money vs. commodity money
Commodity money has an intrinsic value, which means it derives its value from tangible materials, like gold or silver.
Fiat currency does not have intrinsic value. For example, dollar bills use the same material, but their values can differ depending on what a government decides the price its people should exchange it for (the difference between a $1 bill and a $10 bill, for example).
Fiat currency vs. representative money
Unlike fiat money, representative money is backed by a physical commodity. In the past, consumers kept commodities like gold or silver in the bank and carried a paper certificate to represent that commodity. Checks and credit cards are modern examples of representative money.
While a government backs fiat money, representative money can have backing from many potential assets. In the case of checks and credit cards, they’re backed by the money in a bank account.
FAQs about fiat currency
What are alternatives to fiat money?
Any shared currency that doesn’t rely on government backing is a potential alternative to fiat money. Some examples include commodity money and representative money.
Is the U.S. dollar a fiat currency?
Yes, the U.S. dollar is a fiat currency. This means that its value is not backed by a physical commodity like gold or silver but is based on the government’s guarantee of its value and acceptance as a means of payment for goods and services.
Why is it called fiat currency?
Fiat currency stems from a term that can be translated to “it shall be” in Latin and refers to a type of currency issued by the government and has no backing from physical commodities, such as gold.
See your net worthGet Started
