Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

3 Aug. 2026

4 min read

Azerbaijan`s Upgraded 100 Manat

The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CBA) has announced the issue of an upgraded 100 manat banknote, which will go into circulation on 15 July. According to the CBA, the upgraded 100 manat is more than a means of payment – it is a visual representation of Azerbaijan’s economic progress, national identity, and modern statehood.

Banknotes

Aftab Baloch

3 Aug. 2026

4 min read

Security Papers – A Strategic Partner in Pakistan’s Currency

For any nation, the integrity of its currency and official documents rests heavily on the quality and counterfeit-resiliency of the security paper upon which they are printed. In Pakistan, the critical function of security paper production is entrusted to Security Papers Limited (SPL).

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

3 Aug. 2026

2 min read

How Fungi Could Transform Banknote Disposal

BioBanknote is a Colombian-based specialist in reducing the environmental impact of banknotes through ‘natural’ means. Over the past several years, it has built up what it refers to as its ‘BioBanknote Ecosystem’, a comprehensive network of sustainable solutions for the management of waste from withdrawn banknotes, which is designed for central banks, printers and all suppliers involved in this industry.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

3 Aug. 2026

10 min read

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

This month, there is no particular geographic focus for our periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual reports, as we range from Europe (the ECB and Bank of England) across the Asian steppes (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia) to Korea, and then down to South Africa.

Central Banks

Astrid Mitchell

3 Aug. 2026

2 min read

Tenders, Contracts and MOUs

Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer has signed a contract with Vietnam’s National Banknote Printing Plant (NBPP) to supply polymer substrate for the 200,000 dong denomination.

News

Astrid Mitchell

3 Aug. 2026

2 min read

People in The News

Ante Žigman has begun a six-year term as Governor of the Croatian National Bank. He began his career at the central bank, but has also worked at the Ministry of Finance and at commercial lenders.

News

Astrid Mitchell

2 Aug. 2026

4 min read

Polymer Moves Step Closer in India

After years of discussion and speculation, practical steps are now being taken to trial polymer for Indian banknotes. Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt Ltd (BRBNMPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India, has issued a global expression of interest for the manufacture and supply of opacified polymer substrate sheets with advanced security features.

Banknotes

John Winchcombe

2 Aug. 2026

6 min read

Rebalancing the 'Cash in Decline' Debate

The global debate about cash is often framed as a crisis of decline: fewer people using notes and coins, shrinking acceptance at the point of sale, and the rapid spread of digital alternatives. This framing is arguably too narrow. The world is not moving simply from cash to digital. In most places, it is moving towards cash and digital together.

Comment Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2026

7 min read

In Other News

In Other News

The Central Bank of Belize has revealed the designs for its new coin series, which celebrates the Central American country’s national symbols and is intended to complement the 2025 National Heroes banknote series.

Banknotes Coins News

John Winchcombe

1 Aug. 2026

6 min read

Demand and Supply – the Rhythm of the Industry

The banknote industry has long operated in cycles of feast and famine. Editor John Winchcombe examines the causes of demand shocks, the factors that tighten supply, and the range of strategies central banks and state printers can deploy to protect themselves from the next crunch.

Cash management Comment Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2026

2 min read

ECOWAS Proposes New Approach to Common Currency

After innumerable delays, ECOWAS has relaunched its ambition for a single currency — the ECO — with a gradual, criteria-based approach targeting a 2027 start date.

Central Banks

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2026

6 min read

Currency Players Report Resilient H1 2026 Results

The first half of 2026 delivered broadly positive results across cash management, secure logistics, banking automation, security printing and authentication, with Brink's, Crane NXT, Diebold Nixdorf, Koenig & Bauer, Loomis, NCR Atleos, Orell Füssli and Prosegur Cash all reporting growth and continued investment in technology.

Companies

1 Aug. 2026

3 min read

Q&T Extends Tender Record with Latest Contract

Vietnamese polymer substrate manufacturer Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer has won a contract to supply the 200,000 dong denomination, bringing its coverage to five of the six denominations in Vietnam's circulating polymer banknote series — a milestone reached less than three years after its first commercial delivery.

Companies

Alex Sadler

1 Aug. 2026

1 min read

IACA Announces Coin Award Finalists

The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) has announced the shortlist of finalists for its Excellence in Currency: Coin Awards, with winners to be revealed at The Coin Conference in Budapest.

Awards Coins Events

1 Aug. 2026

4 min read

Banknotes. Repurposed. Reborn – How Fibre-Based Banknotes are Redefining Sustainable End-of-Life in the Cash Cycle

G+D Louisenthal's Alexander Tantscher and Dr Maximilian Niehues outline the company's Sustainability Whitepaper, making the case that fibre-based banknotes offer proven, scalable, and measurable end-of-life pathways — from paper recycling to the innovative Banknote Fiber Extractor — that polymer substrates simply cannot match.

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2026

3 min read

High-Precision Intelligent Refining Based on Big Data Analysis

Kunshan Banknote Paper Co has developed an intelligent refining system that replaces experience-driven manual processes with data-driven, closed-loop control, cutting energy consumption and improving quality stability in security substrate production.

Technology

1 Aug. 2026

4 min read

A Perfect 10: CCL Secure Wigton Celebrates 10 Years of Innovation and Global Supply

CCL Secure's Wigton facility marks a decade of polymer banknote substrate manufacturing, coinciding with the Bank of England's 10-year anniversary of polymer notes, and reflects on its journey from a purpose-built plant to a global centre of excellence.

Companies

Kerre Corbin

1 Aug. 2026

3 min read

DataVault Unlocked

A look inside DataVault, unlocking key data and insights from the world of cash and currency.

Studies, Reports

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2026

2 min read

Fiji to Host Global Leaders for Currency and Payments Summit

Currency Research will host the inaugural Island Nations Currency & Payments Summit in Fiji in October 2026, co-hosted by the Reserve Bank of Fiji, to address the distinct currency and payment-system challenges faced by the world's island nations.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2026

2 min read

New Technical Forum for Security Printers

Reconnaissance International is launching the Security Printers Forum, a new industry event dedicated to the production side of banknote printing, set to debut in Sofia, Bulgaria, in September 2027.

Events