Money supply is the total amount of money circulating in an economy — measured by various aggregates. M1: physical currency + checking deposits + traveler's checks. M2: M1 + savings accounts, money market funds, CDs under $100K. M3: M2 + large CDs, institutional money funds (Fed discontinued reporting 2006). US M2 grew from $15T (pre-pandemic) to $22T (peak 2022) — a record expansion due to COVID stimulus. Excess money supply growth is inflationary; the 2022-2023 inflation spike was partly attributed to M2 surge. The Fed now manages money supply through interest rate policy rather than direct targeting. Velocity of money (how fast it circulates) matters as much as quantity.
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Money Supply
August 22, 2026 · Aditya Gupta
Finance
Related terms
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