Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

28 Aug. 2025

4 min read

A (Moving) Picture Tells a Thousand Words

At the Currency Conference in May, Bundesdruckerei presented visuals of the latest house note in its ExNihilo series. To do so, it used an ingenious new tool from Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (KBBS) – Nota-Live™, which provides accurate live simulation of security documents, complete with realistic optically-varying effects, offering an exceptionally accurate and dynamic way to visualise the designs of these documents.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

28 Aug. 2025

2 min read

Authentix Powers Crypto Banknote with Next Generation Security

The ultra-fast trading platform Fastex recently announced the release of a series of collectible currency notes, each backed 1:1 by FTN token, the platform’s native cryptocurrency. Unveiled in early July at the Harmony Meetup 7 in Yerevan, Armenia, the annual event that unites top minds from Web3 and iGaming, these notes feature banknote-grade anti-counterfeit features provided by Authentix.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

5 min read

GemVision™ – the Industry’s First CDI2 Fitness Solution

Sensor and feature specialist Authentix has announced the launch of the banknote industry’s first CDI2 fitness solution – the GemVision™ Camera System, designed to help central banks lower currency management costs, combat counterfeiting, and improve the quality of circulating banknotes.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

3 min read

Koenig & Bauer Expands Digital Authentication Offering

As noted in the December issue of Currency News™, as part of its recent restructuring Koenig & Bauer has spun out its inspection systems and protection technologies into a separate business unit – Vision & Protection (V&P) – headed by Julian Schubert, formerly Vice President of Data, Vision and Authentication Solutions.

Technology

Francis Tuffy

18 March 2025

2 min read

Colour-Changing Smart Materials for Rapid Authentication

At the recent High Security Printing™ EMEA conference in Basel, Switzerland, Dr Alexander Brannan from the University of Manchester, and Gary Spinks of Security Fibres UK, presented advances in colour-changing smart materials designed for rapid authentication. This technology addresses key issues in anticounterfeiting by integrating academic research with industrial application.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

3 March 2025

1 min read

Currency Data Now Available on Tap

Data both allows and creates questions. Answering questions generates information. Information allows decisions and actions. Without accurate, relevant, reliable, consistent, standardised and timely data, creating and delivering anything is hard, particularly change.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

3 March 2025

2 min read

Autentium – the New Polymer Substrate for Banknotes

Back in May last year we covered the pre-launch at the Banknote Conference of a new polymer substrate from Covestro, and in December the official launch under the name CERTEVO®. It appears we were premature, as that launch referred to the version intended for ID and secure document, not currency.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2024

2 min read

Covestro Formally Launches CERTEVO

Covestro has formally introduced its new polymer substrate for banknotes and secure documents, which it has branded CERTEVO®, stating that it marks a ‘significant advancement in document security, sustainability, and printing technology, combining performance and environmental responsibility.’

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2024

2 min read

G+D Unveils Next Generation BPS Series

Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) has introduced the latest generation of its banknote processing systems – the BSP® C evo, which is an evolution of the BPS C2 and C2 mid-size sorters for commercial cash handlers.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

2 min read

New Technology for CBPM’s Plate Making

Many countries and regions are strengthening regulations to control environmental pollutants, chromium being a case in point as its emissions significantly impact the environment and human health. As a result, numerous countries have implemented strict standards and control measures to reduce chromium pollution.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

1 min read

SICPA Flows Up Stream with Latest Version of SPARK®

SICPA unveiled the latest version of its SPARK® technology – SPARK Flow® STREAM – at the recent Global Currency Forum in Oman.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

5 min read

Orell Füssli’s New Environmental Evaluation Software: BEES®

At the Global Currency Forum, Daniel Schwarzbach, Innovation Director at Orell Füssli Security Printing (OFS), unveiled the company’s new tool for measuring the environmental impact of banknotes – BEES® (Banknote Environmental Evaluation Software), which it believes is the first design-oriented LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) tool not just for banknotes, but for any sector.

Companies Technology

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

3 min read

RBI Plans to Revamp India’s Currency Management Infrastructure

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a comprehensive plan to revamp its currency management infrastructure over the next 4-5 years, mainly to ensure adequate storage and handling capacity to cater to the growing economy’s future cash needs.

Technology

Francis Tuffy

26 Sept. 2024

5 min read

Stopping Real Equipment from Making Fake Documents

The usual picture that comes to mind of a counterfeiter’s modus operandi is one of clandestine operations carried out under cover of darkness. But what happens when the illegal activities are carried out in plain sight and what is the industry doing to prevent them?

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 Aug. 2024

5 min read

Escher® Portraits – Advancing Digital 3D Portrait Design

Intaglio is a quintessential feature for high-security designs. Its unique look and tactility make it easy to authenticate banknotes and identity documents within seconds. The Escher® method, developed by Orell Füssli, uses three-dimensional (3D) models for intaglio designs.

Technology

Chander S Jeena

29 Aug. 2024

4 min read

The Evolution of Asian State Security Printers – From Currency Makers to Digital Authentication Providers

State security printers in Asia are transforming as a result of a fast-changing economic and technological landscape. Traditionally known for producing banknotes, coins, and secure documents, these institutions are now repositioning themselves as digital identification and authentication (DIA) players, as this article, adapted from sister publication Authentication & Brand News, explains.

Technology

Nikki Strickland

1 Aug. 2024

3 min read

Do You Need a Level 3 Security Feature?

The many security features integrated into a banknote make them virtually impossible to counterfeit. These features instil confidence in the currency and enable various users to authenticate genuine banknotes throughout the entire cash cycle.

Technology

Ian Lancaster

3 July 2024

3 min read

Shake, Rattle and Roll – Diametryx’s Innovative Colour Change Particles

At the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference in in Lisbon this April, Michael Natan, President of Diametryx Inc, presented his new company’s intriguing colour-change particles in which the effects change not only by tilting, but shaking as well.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2024

5 min read

IACA Awards – the Winners Are…

The IACA 2024 Excellence in Currency Technical Awards, which are sponsored by Currency News, were presented at the dinner on the last evening of the Banknote Conference, 15 May.

Events Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2024

3 min read

Ignis House Note – Out of Darkness Comes Fire

The winner of the IACA Best New House Note at this year’s Banknote Conference was Bundesdruckerei (BDR), which launched its new note – Ignis – from the ExNihilo series during the conference.

Technology