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).

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

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.

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.

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and the Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BRCP) were conducting a composting test with the waste from banknotes withdrawn from circulation.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.

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.

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.

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.

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (K&B BNS) will be hosting an event this June to bring the international central bank community together around the future role cash will play in society.

‘Concept Notes: Art, Design and Security in One’, the second issue of a special report from Currency News summarising the latest house notes, is now available to download and read.

The National Bank of Ukraine has issued a new commemorative 50 hryvnia banknote entitled ‘Unity saves the world’ on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.

First level features for public authentication have grown remarkably over the years. The key objective is to stop counterfeits at the first pass. A solid combination of printed and substrate embedded features is available, and continues to grow.

The first Security Designers Forum (SDF) will take place 9-11 September 2024 in Warsaw, Poland as a dedicated setting for all those involved in design and design decision-making relating to secure documents such as banknotes and passports, to learn, exchange knowledge and develop new ideas.

What is the primary reason that most countries issue a new banknote to replace an older design? To help prevent COUNTERFETING!

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will be circulating an additional 1 billion P1,000 polymer banknotes in 2024, double the amount previously ordered in 2021 for the circulation trial of the polymer versus the paper version.

The problems with plastic are widely known – but not well understood. The truth is, sometimes plastic is necessary. And when it comes to banknotes, polymer substrate is the green choice.

Last November, the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) issued a commemorative 10,000 tenge banknote to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the national currency, followed in December by the issue of the first banknote in a new note series, the 5,000 tenge.