A new periodic series of articles in Currency News™ will summarise information on counterfeit currency around the world, starting in this issue with the Czech Republic, Ghana, Kosovo and the Philippines.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has published its annual report for 2023 – the first under Acting Director Charlene E Williams, who was appointed to the position after the retirement of Len Olijar last July.

The Regional Banknote and ID Document of the Year Awards form part of the industry’s High Security Printing (HSP) EMEA conference. This year’s awards were presented at a special ceremony during the conference dinner in Sofia on 5 March.

In this article, Francisco Mandiola of FMA Secure explains what is happening in South America’s second largest country and economy, and what it means for the currency.

Nestling in the heart of the Balkans, Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, was the picturesque setting for the latest edition of the High Security Printing™ (HSP) conference series (4-6 March). The sell-out event, which had to close its doors to new registrations three weeks in advance, brought delegates up to speed about what is happening to banknotes in the region and around the world.

The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) has announced the finalists of the 2024 Excellence in Currency Technical Awards.

The 2024 Banknote Conference program was formed with the ideas, insights, and suggestions from the Banknote Advisory Board. As the industry’s premier technology-focused event, the committee’s input is a valuable part of the overall program structure, say organisers Currency Research, ensuring the most relevant, technology-focused topics for our industry today are covered such as the latest advancements in currency technology, trends, security features, and much more.

The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) has introduced two new high denomination banknotes; the 200 and 500 Suriname dollars (SRD), showcasing advanced security and sustainable substrates.

Banco Central República Argentina has confirmed that new 10,000 and 20,000 peso (ARS) notes will enter into circulation in June.

Last July, Currency News™ reported that BioBanknote, the developer of solutions for repurposing end of life banknotes, and the Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BRCP) were conducting a composting test with the waste from banknotes withdrawn from circulation. This article provides the results of that trial.

The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey has appointed Fatih Karahan as its new Governor.

Florida, Wisconsin and Vermont are the latest states to consider introducing legislation to force cash acceptance.

Last month, we covered the annual results of four of the major companies in the cash sector –Crane NXT, Loomis, NCR Atleos and Diebold Nixdorf. After the predicable challenges of the COVID years and their aftermath, 2023 was a good year for all.

De La Rue has announced that it has achieved an A- in its 2023 CDP Climate Change Questionnaire, which means it has reached leadership status (A and A- scores).

Many counterfeiters use a common method of counterfeiting called ‘bleaching’ to create their fakes. This technique is frequently observed in countries that have the same size banknotes across all denominations, such as the US dollar.

Crane NXT, whose subsidiaries include Crane Currency, Crane Authentication and Crane Payment Innovations, has announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Investcorp Technology Partners to acquire the optical technologies and brand protection specialist OpSec Security for $270 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments.

The International Hologram Manufacturers Association has recently expanded the Hologram Image Register to incorporate all optically variable security images. The Security Image Register (SIR) is the only database of its kind for the security community, safeguarding copyright and helping deter attempts to copy security images, inadvertently or otherwise.

Banque de France has appointed the Alstef Group to supply the process automation system at its printworks and logistics centre in Vic-Le-Comte, which is currently under construction.

A cooperative project between Jura (the developer of security prepress systems including software and hardware solutions) and OeBS (the Austrian banknote printer) has worked to develop direct engraved steel (S-DLE) intaglio printing plates, thus eliminating the use of an environmentally dangerous process and materials.

Europe’s newest printworks, Spain’s Imprenta de Billetes SA (IMBISA), has been awarded a contract to produce all €10 banknotes destined for the Eurozone in 2024 – 424.2 million in total. It will also produce a portion of the €5 notes required next year.