Multivaluta

Multivaluta, or multi-currency, describes the ability of financial systems to manage more than one currency. It is used in retail banks, corporate treasury, payment platforms, and fintech applications to hold, transfer, and settle funds in different currencies. A multivaluta arrangement can include multi-currency bank accounts, prepaid cards, or digital wallets that support several currencies.

In practice, customers may receive payments in foreign currencies, hold balances in multiple currencies, and convert between currencies at the time of payment or on demand. Exchange rates can be live or set at a specific time; fees may include spreads, fixed charges, and conversion fees.

Advantages include reduced FX exposure, simplified cross-border transactions, and the ability to price goods and pay suppliers in their local currency. Drawbacks include currency risk if balances are held without hedging, higher costs from conversions, and regulatory or tax reporting complexity.

Common use cases include international payroll and vendor payments, cross-border e-commerce, travelers and expatriates, and global freelancing. For businesses, treasury management may integrate with accounting and ERP systems to track currency positions, perform hedging, and monitor risk.

Regulation: multi-currency accounts and platforms are subject to financial supervision, anti-money laundering, know-your-customer standards, and tax reporting, with rules varying by jurisdiction.