A New Financial Order? Why the BIS is Quietly Expanding Now
A New Financial Order? Why the BIS is Quietly Expanding Now
Miles Harris: 9-10-2025
In the bustling narratives of global finance, we often focus on the obvious players: central banks, major economies, technological disruptors.
But lurking quietly, yet growing monumentally, is an institution that might just be the most significant architect of our financial future: the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
As global financial trust fractures amid rising geopolitical tensions, the erosion of dollar dominance, and the advent of digital currencies, the BIS is not just holding the line; it’s actively building the infrastructure for a new era.
And its symbolic new tower stretching skyward in Basel, Switzerland? That’s more than just bricks and mortar – it’s a monument to a burgeoning global role.
Often dubbed the “central bank of central banks,” the BIS is an institution many have never heard of, yet it coordinates the actions of 63 central banks, representing a staggering 95% of global GDP. Think of it as the ultimate neutral ground, where the world’s monetary authorities converge to discuss, coordinate, and innovate on monetary policy, financial regulation, and the technology that underpins it all.
Miles Harris’s insightful video brings this overlooked giant into sharp focus, revealing how the BIS is positioning itself as the indispensable coordinator for central banks worldwide at a time when that coordination is more critical than ever.
The physical expansion – that impressive new tower – isn’t just about more office space. It’s a tangible reflection of the increasing complexity and demands of global financial governance. Imagine grappling with high inflation, unprecedented financial volatility, and the seismic shifts of de-dollarization pressures. That’s the BIS’s daily brief.
These aren’t theoretical exercises; they require specialized legal, technical, and policy teams working tirelessly to shape the financial rails of tomorrow. Beyond digital cash, the BIS’s foundational Basel Committee is also expanding its regulatory purview dramatically, moving from traditional banking oversight into uncharted territories like climate risk, crypto regulation, and even the ethical deployment of AI in banking.
In a world increasingly fragmented by geopolitical tensions between East and West, the BIS’s role as a neutral platform becomes even more critical. It’s the meeting point where diverging financial infrastructures can still find common ground, enabling crucial integration without overt political alignment.
And speaking of integration, consider the $200 billion-plus in foreign reserves the BIS manages for central banks. As countries look to diversify away from U.S. Treasuries, the BIS is increasingly handling asset management that includes shifts towards gold, the Chinese yuan, and other alternative assets.
This quiet rebalancing act underscores profound shifts in global financial power.
What truly sets the BIS apart now is its emerging role in consolidating monetary governance. We’re talking about a shift of influence away from traditional multilateral institutions like the IMF or the UN, towards a model centralized among central banks themselves.
The BIS is actively developing infrastructure for real-time cross-border transactions using Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), which could potentially bypass traditional intermediaries like SWIFT. This isn’t just about speed; it’s about fundamentally reshaping monetary sovereignty and global trade.
And here’s a fascinating paradox: while official policy rhetoric often downplays gold’s monetary role, its resurgence, particularly among BRICS+ nations, signals a quiet repositioning of the metal as a monetary safeguard outside direct regulatory frameworks.
This divergence between public statements and central bank actions is a crucial trend the BIS is navigating, subtly incorporating it into a broader, more diversified monetary landscape.
Ultimately, the BIS is not just reacting to change; it’s actively crafting a multipolar, programmable monetary ecosystem. This future promises shared protocols and technological standards, with the BIS firmly at its core.
The goal? To maintain centralized control and stability, even under the appearance of cooperation and pluralism. The new BIS Tower stands tall, not merely as an office building, but as a silent monument to this new era – a future where no single currency dominates, but where stability and control are preserved through sophisticated, centralized coordination.
The story of the BIS is a complex, pivotal one, and understanding its trajectory is essential for anyone interested in the future of money.
For a deeper dive into these intricate developments, I highly recommend watching the full video from Miles Harris. It’s an eye-opening exploration into the institution that’s quietly building the financial bridges of tomorrow.