Monetary Control

Definition ∞ Monetary control refers to the ability of a central bank or government to influence the supply of money and credit in an economy. This is achieved through various policy tools, such as interest rates, reserve requirements, and open market operations. It is a fundamental aspect of macroeconomic management aimed at price stability and economic growth, shaping financial conditions.
Context ∞ In the digital asset landscape, discussions around monetary control often address how cryptocurrencies and stablecoins might impact traditional central bank authority. The decentralized nature of many digital assets presents challenges to conventional monetary policy mechanisms. Central banks are exploring central bank digital currencies as a means to retain or regain monetary control in an increasingly digital financial world, a key policy concern.