Какие комментарии по второй ссылке!!! Почитайте, это песня!Трейдеры мало понимают, но уже понятно, что это самая настоящая война между Россией и США, и боятся, что выигрыш может оказаться у ... Russia sells oil in dollars, but produce oil in rubles. So, if you are an oil company, in Russia, you sell your product (dollars), convert to rubles, and pay your workers. If you need foreign tech, you likely pay in dollars (savings from product sales that were not converted).Given banks lend (i.e. create money from nothing) in all currencies, and there are accounts out there with balances, one could borrow Yen at 0%, and short rubles. Lever this position and the more the ruble goes down, the more there is to make. FX is a very large market, but it doesn't mean things can't be pushed around.Russia pulled a Volker and jacked rates, so whoever was (naked?) shorting the ruble was completely fucked if they didn't get out of their position about as fast as possible. Count the MINUTES between the rate hike announcement, the open of markets (in the US), and the shutting down of USD/RBL trades so they could cover.Very, very connected players.So, yes, Russia DID short squeeze and the US pulled another MF Global style save of their insider asses at everyone elses expense. But I think this is more a sign of weakness than anything else because despite their "insider-ness" they totally didn't see this coming so maybe they aren't really all that clever.All that said, if Russia is pushed out of the dollar market (i.e. all the other nations go along with the USD/RBL suspension) they will be denied the ability to participate econnomically with many other businesses/countries.If it gets to that poinnt, and your BRIC style countries abandon the dollar, it is pretty much a set up for WWIII. But for now, it is in a sense a "hot" financial war going on, not fully kinetic yet. But the risk is growing.angel_of_joyangel_of_joy's picture... if Russia is pushed out of the dollar market How do you know it wasn't the Russians themselves who pulled the plug ? Maybe they decided to stop the bleeding of their FX reserves, and stopped making good on the ongoing FX contracts. If there is no counterparty to anwer your bid, you're kind of screwed, aren't you ? Maybe they decided to stop floating their currency, and move to a Chinese style of conversion... I could see quite a few losses in the big boys trading desks right about now. Also, all western bank could kiss their Russian "assets" good bye. To me it looks like an intentional currency default from their part...Login or register to post commentsTue, 12/16/2014 - 13:32 | 5559270Charles The Ham...Charles The Hammer Martel's pictureYou are the smartest man in the room. Putin is much smarter that the western propaganda gives him credit for. Like most consequential leaders he has already told us exactly what he planned on doing, that includes doing away with the necessity to use US dollars in every possible arena. Why else would he be going around to China India Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan... signing all sorts of new economic trade agreements? I have a feeling The US, EU team is going to be very disappointed soon.