The third DENARIA Conference recently took place in Madrid, with a focus on how cash can ensure a fair, inclusive and secure digital transition, particularly in a country where cash continues to be the main payment method for a very significant number of citizens.

It was 20 years ago that the micro-optics technology behind MOTION® first made its appearance – first at the Optical Document Security conference that year in San Francisco, and then a few months later at the Currency Conference in Rome.

As Currency News™ went to press, De La Rue provided a strategic update which states that a sale of one or both divisions could be on the cards. The Board is in discussions with a number of parties who have made proposals in relation to, or expressed interest in, either of the divisions – Authentication and Currency.

In an era marked by rapid digitalisation and evolving payment methods, the enduring role of physical currency remains a cornerstone of economic stability and financial inclusion. It is within this context that the upcoming Global Currency Forum (GCF) in Muscat, Oman, assumes paramount significance.

Just over a year ago, CPS announced that it was exiting the market for high-speed banknote sorting systems and pivoting to software and services. It was then back in force at the Banknote Conference, unveiling its new strategy for sustainability, flexibility and digitisation for the banknote fitness sorting and authentication sector.

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.

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.

Secure Innovation Group, the global technology company specialising in cash protection and security solutions (formerly known as Spinnaker), has launched its latest brand – Remote Planet.

An unscientific rule of thumb taught to those entering the banknote industry used to be that a country needed a population of about 40 million people to justify having their own banknote printing works. This article considers how accurate, or relevant, this rule is in modern times.

In this periodic series summarising counterfeit currency around the world, we focus on the latest news from Switzerland, Ukraine, Spain and Bulgaria.

Antti Heinonen looks at the evolution of central bank engagement with the public on banknotes, considering what lessons can be learned and including his own personal perspective.

The latest edition of The Directory of Currency & Technology Suppliers will be launched at the Banknote Conference this May.

China Banknote Printing & Minting (CBPM) has developed and is now using a new integrated processing and packaging production line for post-press operations.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has unveiled a new family of coins and banknotes denominated in Zimbabwe gold (expressed as ZiG), which replaces the preceding dollar notes at a rate of 1:2,498.7242.

The final details for the upcoming Banknote Conference, taking place 13-16 May, have come together.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has been working to reduce the environmental impact of euro banknotes and the Eurosystem cash cycle since the introduction of the euro in 2002. Although it has made progress, it has further goals to reduce the environmental footprint of current and future euro banknotes.

Last month, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System published an International Finance Discussion Paper on the demand for US banknotes at home and abroad. It was authored by Ruth Judson, a staff economist.

Central Banking Publications runs an award scheme each year, with 18 different categories, two of which relate specifically to currency.

As an anti-forgery expert with the Egyptian Ministry of Justice, I have spent decades investigating the strength and security of various banknote substrates. My work has involved analysis of the technical specifications of banknotes, through extensive mechanical and chemical testing, as well as an assessment of data published by central banks. I’d like to share my findings here.

The intensive focus on sustainability and greener solutions has been developing rapidly in the banknote industry. In the July 2023 edition of Currency News™, G+D described its rationale for sustainable products, and highlighted, firstly, the introduction of the Green Banknote initiative in 2022 and, subsequently, the introduction of Green Longlife™ in 2023.