The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan has unveiled the designs for the first three notes in its new banknote family – the 100, 500, and 1,000 ngultrum (Nu).

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) is preparing to launch a completely new series of Fijian dollar (FJD, $) banknotes in a major refresh that reflects both technical advances and an updated national vision. The formal unveiling will take place on 2 December in the capital, Suva, by the President of Fiji, HE Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, and the new notes are scheduled to enter circulation from 2 January 2026.

In a bold step to modernise its currency and reaffirm national identity, the Bank of Namibia (BoN) has launched an upgraded series of banknotes and a fully redesigned set of coins. Officially introduced by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in July 2025, the new currency began circulating at the end of September 2025, marking a historic milestone for the nation.

Since its founding in 1995, the Cash Cycle Seminar organised by Currency Research (CR) has brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of cash. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the 2025 seminar in Bali, Indonesia, adopted the theme ‘Cash Cycle 360: Redefining Resilience with Technology & Trust’, bringing together over 150 delegates from 64 organisations, including 20 central and commercial banks, and 24 CIT companies.

The Mint and Print (MAP) conference 2025, held from 11 to 13 November in Istanbul, reiterated the message: cash remains a vital pillar of monetary stability and national sovereignty, even as payment methods become increasingly digital.

The International Association for Currency Affairs (IACA) has announced that the nomination period for the 2026 Excellence in Currency Awards is now open.

The Coin Conference 2026 will take centre stage next year as a key part of the industry’s event calendar. The event, organised by the publishers of Currency News, brings together experts to tackle critical challenges facing coin production and circulation in the context of a rapidly-evolving payments eco-system.

The Coin Conference 2026 will take centre stage next year as a key part of the industry’s event calendar. The event, organised by the publishers of Currency News, brings together experts to tackle critical challenges facing coin production and circulation in the context of a rapidly-evolving payments eco-system.

Giesecke+Devrient is continuing to invest in its cash processing solutions and, at its Currency Technology Symposium this summer, presented the latest evolution of the well-known high-speed system – the BPS® Mevo® series – and the complementary solution for smaller cash centres – the all-new BPS® C7.

Cash processing plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s financial system, ensuring liquidity, security, and public confidence in an economy where physical currency remains widely used. Despite the growing adoption of digital financial services and a determined push by the government to reduce dependency on cash, it continues to dominate daily transactions, particularly in the informal sector (which generates over 40% of GDP).

In last month’s Currency News™, we reported on a new programme for financial inclusion called MoneyBox. In this interview, we provide more detail on this far-sighted and far-reaching initiative.

SICPA leveraged its security ink and traceability expertise to launch BullionProtect® in 2020, designed to prevent counterfeit gold bars being mistaken for genuine ones. Jointly developed with refiner and coating specialist Metalor Technologies, in line with LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) guidance, the integrated solution comprises a security image applied directly to the bar and bespoke validation devices.

Hueck Folien – specialists in applied security features and threads for banknotes – has successfully commissioned a new high-vacuum vapour deposition facility at its headquarters in Baumgartenberg, Austria. The €8.6 million investment, announced in September 2024, includes both a new metallisation system and associated infrastructure upgrades, and marks a major advance in the company’s production of high-performance coatings for the security sector.

Dr Andrzej Nowak, Head of Open Innovation at SICPA, presented at the Future of Cash conference in Warsaw in November about what a radical banknote of the future could look like.

Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO) has released two more currency-themed goods made from recycled currency by-products, following the launch of the Money Pen, Money Keyring, and Money Envelope earlier this year.

Although the 2026 Banknote Conference (11-14 May 2026) is still nearly six months out, Currency Research has announced the first tranche of speakers who’ll be appearing in Washington DC.

After 232 years of continuous production, the US penny (or one cent coin) has finally ceased to roll off the presses for circulation. The US Mint hosted a ceremonial strike event at its Philadelphia facility in mid-November, with United States Treasurer Brandon Beach striking the final circulating penny coin.

Life used to be so simple. You could pay with cash, with a cheque or with a wire transfer. Today the number of payment options is big, and getting bigger, as ‘bank money’ fragments into a myriad of different products and payment rails. In addition, add in crypto currency, stablecoins and CBDCs. Where will it all end?

The Central Bank of Bolivia has completed its new ‘B’ series of banknotes with the issue of 10, 20 and 50 boliviano notes. The new 100 and 200 bolivianos were issued in June.

The Czech National Bank is to issue a commemorative 5,000 koruna banknote next March to mark the centenary of the central bank, and the 30th anniversary of the Czech koruna.