From early barter economies to Roman coinage to hedge funds and Bitcoin, financial systems have been evolving for thousands of years. The story of money offers a window into the rise of civilization and the complexities of human psychology.

500 Events that Shaped the History of Money provides a new way to understand this fascinating story. Organized into 500 key events, it offers a sweeping global look at money’s evolution across different societies. The book explores:

• How taxation and early banking arose in the world’s first states of Mesopotamia.

• The emergence of coinage, banking, and lending across the Classical world.

• How the Netherlands led the way in creating public companies and the first stock market.

• The recurring bubbles and financial panics of early capitalism.

• The birth of central banks and government regulation of financial markets.

• The revolution in personal finance, including the rise of credit cards, which changed people’s relationship to money.

• How the growing financialization of modern economies created new systemic risks, leading to the 2008 financial crisis and other crises.

• The ongoing evolution of money, with the rise of cryptocurrencies, mobile banking, and other innovations that blend tech and finance.

The history of money is intertwined with the history of humanity itself. Money’s evolution has been shaped by key technological and social developments — and in some cases, money drove such developments. This book brings alive one of the most dominant forces creating the world as we know it.

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