CashEssentials – the think tank specialising in payments and monetary systems – has launched the CashTech Forum to promote innovation and technology, thereby ensuring a sustainable and future-proof cash ecosystem.

In 1987, Morocco established its own national banknote printing and minting company, Dar As-Sikkah, a department of the central bank (Bank Al-Maghrib) responsible for printing banknotes, minting coins, and producing secure documents.

Giesecke and Devrient (G+D) has invested in UK-based FNA (Financial Network Analytics), a deep technology firm specialising in advanced network analytics and simulations.

Spectra Systems Corporation launched its novel approach to cleaning soiled banknotes with the launch of its Aeris™ system in 2014 (See CN July 2014).

COVID has given companies the opportunity to reflect and look at sustainability and the environment with more pressing urgency. There have been webinars and virtual conferences where this topic has been headlining, with paper manufacturers in particular demonstrating their activities to reduce carbon footprints and ensure the future and life cycle of banknotes is protected.

Gleitsmann Security Inks (GSI) has launched what it terms the ‘world’s first traffic light for banknotes’ in the form of mouve ^GSI, a unique security feature that will help safeguard cash and other security documents using luminescent colour effects.

The ATM Security Association (ASA) has launched a new worldwide Crisis and Crime Management Intelligence System (CCMIS).

There is much talk and activity around Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) at the moment, particularly retail CBDCs. As one reads the papers and listens to the frequent webinars about them, it is striking that there is a requirement for CBDCs to replicate the performance of cash. And that is clearly proving a challenge.

As is widely recognised, the invention of the ATM has been one of the single most significant developments in the history of money – providing it with the core attributes of near-universal availability and convenience that continue to this day.

Whilst the focus on cash is generally concentrated on substrates and features, production and circulation, the end of life is also key as regards the secure, clean and efficient disposal of both waste and notes no longer fit for circulation.