What Will 2026 Hold for Cash

As we reported in the final issue of 2025, the currency industry appears to be booming. We posited on various reasons why – geopolitical uncertainty, rebuilding of strategic stocks, economic growth in the Global South in particular, shorter design cycles with more frequent upgrades and new issues, and the occasional large lumpiness of overspill orders.

But what does the industry itself think? We decided to ask four of the industry leaders in banknote production for their view on the current market as it affects the industry more broadly and their companies in particular.

The Future Lies in Innovation

Aleta Richards: President, Crane Currency

What a time to come to this great industry. That’s not only a personal reflection having marked 15 months at Crane Currency, but what I tell candidates thinking of joining Crane. The historic demand we see today reflects demand driven by economic growth and uncertainty, but also the complexity of today’s modern currency.