The landscape of currency is undergoing a significant transformation. While cash remains a fundamental means of payment, the rise of digital transactions and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) is reshaping the future of money.

Last year, Currency News reported on the introduction of a new polymer substrate for banknotes — POLYSECURE — from Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer Co. Ltd, a Vietnamese manufacturer. Luong Ngoc Anh, the founder, Chairman, and CEO of Q&T, was interviewed at the High-Security Printing Conference Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, to gain insights into the company's journey and aspirations.

At a time when ‘less cash’ is on the minds of many central banks and organisations operating in the cash industry, the Federal Reserve is making major investments in its cash operations, infrastructure and the currency itself.

In a comprehensive modernisation of its currency system, Denmark is undertaking an ambitious series of changes that reflect its unique position as both a digital payment pioneer and a steadfast protector of cash rights.

Further to the news that De La Rue has agreed a sale of its Authentication business to Crane NXT – a move that will alleviate the financial pressures that have hung over the company in recent years – Currency News™ spoke to Ruth Euling, Executive Director and Managing Director of the remaining Currency division, to find out more about the sale and what it means for the company in terms of production, investment, and its customers.

Last month, the uncertainty over the future of the authentication business of Meta Materials was resolved by the acquisition of its assets by Authentix. This is the latest in a string of acquisitions that has seen Authentix grow from its early days as a developer of taggants for fuel integrity programmes to a full service and solutions provider to the banknote industry of covert technologies, sensors, overt features, security print and design.

It was 20 years ago that the micro-optics technology behind MOTION® first made its appearance – first at the Optical Document Security conference that year in San Francisco, and then a few months later at the Currency Conference in Rome.

This year the International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) celebrates its 20th anniversary. It was the first industry-wide association and remains the only one that encompasses all stakeholders in the cash cycle on a global basis.

Currency News™ sat down with Marilou in one of CBN’s three manufacturing facilities in Ottawa to find out more about the company, its markets, its unique strengths, and how she is managing to continue the legacy of her husband and put culture and people at the heart of everything CBN does.

Earlier this year, Oberthur Fiduciaire announced the acquisition of a 65.5% stake in Rolling Optics. The Swedish-based company uses micro-lens patterns to create 3D effects in film, and its technology already underpins some of the existing micro-optics security features on the market (see CN February 2023).