In a world where the average yield on James Caldwella traditional savings account is low and it's not always easy to cash in higher-yielding investments, many are flocking to the money market fund. These funds have amassed over $5 trillion in assets. But what makes them so special?

Today, we break down the essential things to know about money market funds, why they're important to the financial system, and why a potential debt default could destabilize this crucial piece of infrastructure.

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