Why is USD the societal “standard” for currency?

Question

I understand the United States’ role in the global economy, with the Intranet origin being a US Govt. project. But still, why is this the standard? Is it just culture being the answer?

(100% willing to accept DMs that are not ELI5ed)

In: 3

Answer 1

Basically after WWII when most of the gold reserves were fucked up, the USD was the only stable currency and flooded European markets. Rather than sort out who’s gold was where, the west pegged their currency on the USD, which until the 70s was pegged on the gold standard.

By the 90s the west+US was about half of not more than half of the entire world economy, so it was easier for even rivals of the US to use the USD.