LIBOR, EURIBOR and the regulation of capital markets: The impact of Eurocurrency markets on monetary setting policies

What factors and developments have fuelled the „cartelisation“ of capital markets? - to the extent of the rigging of EURIBOR and LIBOR rates? In what ways can EURIBOR and LIBOR rate rigging practices be addressed? How and why have offshore markets expanded to the degree and extent to which they exist today – this partly being explained through the multiplier effect, as well as the fact that onshore (national) regulations have boosted and facilitated the growth of offshore financial centers? This paper is not only aimed at addressing these issues and developments, but also highlights why (even though) the need for de regulation of national capital markets is justified, the converse appears to apply to the liberalisation of external capital markets. Furthermore, the liberalisation of global and external capital markets has provided the impetus and justification for the need to de regulate national capital markets. The need and concern for increased regulation of bond, equity markets, as well as other complex financial instruments which can be traded in OTC (Over- the-Counter) derivatives markets is evidenced by Basel III's focus. „Cartelisation“ and organised activities relating to rate rigging in global capital markets have been evidenced recently by sophisticated EURIBOR and LIBOR rate rigging practices and occurences.