I noticed an interesting ranking of currencies and passports around the world. It turns out that the most expensive currency in the world is not the dollar, as many think. The Kuwaiti dinar tops the list, followed by the Bahraini and Omani riyals. Even the British pound sterling lags behind these Middle Eastern currencies.

But here’s what’s interesting — countries with the strongest currency and the most powerful passports are not the same. Kuwait is first in the currency ranking, but its passport is not among the most influential. Meanwhile, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan hold the top spots for visa-free access — their citizens can travel almost anywhere without a visa.

Europeans, as always, are at the top of both rankings — the Swiss franc and euro are among the strongest currencies, and the passports of Germany, France, and other EU countries offer maximum mobility. It turns out that financial power and influence in global politics are different things.