The oldest central bank in the world is the Sveriges Riksbank, also known as the Bank of Sweden. It was established in 1668 and officially began operations in 1668 by Swedish economist, Johan Palmstruch. It was created to improve Sweden's economy and stabilize the nation's currency. It was also one of the first central banks to issue paper money in 1661, which was used as a substitute for gold and silver coins. Despite the many economic and political changes that have occurred in the centuries since its founding, the Riksbank has remained a central institution in Sweden's economy. It continues to function as the country's central bank today and is responsible for issuing currency, implementing monetary policy, and promoting financial stability.

The oldest central bank in the world is the Sveriges Riksbank, established in Sweden in 1668. Conceived by Johan Palmstruch, a Swedish financier, the bank aimed to stabilize the country's monetary system and facilitate trade. Initially known as the Stockholms Banco, it received the exclusive right to issue banknotes, making it the world's first central bank with a formalized monopoly on currency issuance. Over the centuries, the Sveriges Riksbank evolved its role, becoming the model for modern central banking systems. Notably, it introduced key monetary policy tools and pioneered concepts like interest rates and price stability. Today, the Sveriges Riksbank stands as a historic institution, influencing central banking practices worldwide and exemplifying the enduring legacy of early financial innovations.