Latest News

Antti Heinonen

1 April 2026

9 min read

Developments in the Number of Banknotes in Circulation and Currency Denomination Structures

This article provides further light on a topic addressed in Currency News™ last May, namely the development of the number of banknotes in circulation. The estimate then was like a first trial and resulted globally in 921 billion banknotes. It was based on data available at the time consisting mostly of end-2023 or 2024 figures.

Features Free Free

Dr Wolfram Seidemann

1 April 2026

4 min read

Shaping the Future of Public Money

Technological innovation is advancing at a pace that is transforming how societies pay, transact, and interact. Changes that once unfolded over decades now occur within years, fundamentally redefining the role and nature of money. As reflected in our new white paper ‘Currency Fast Forward – Future Developments of the Currency Cycle’, one insight stands above all: the future of money will not be determined by a choice between physical and digital forms, but by their ability to coexist and reinforce one another.

Features

Alex Sadler

1 April 2026

3 min read

Mints Exceed Expectations for 2025

Monnaie de Paris (MdP) has announced strong financial and operational results for 2025, marking its sixth consecutive year of positive profitability and reinforcing the institution’s ongoing transformation. Contrary to forecasts of a decline in revenue following an ‘exceptional year’ in 2024, largely driven by the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, MdP has reported an historic turnover at year end.

Coins Companies

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

4 min read

In Other News

To celebrate 60 years of decimal currency, the Royal Australian Mint has released a limited-edition $1 circulating coin.

News

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

1 min read

Surge in Australian Counterfeits from Asia

According to the Australian Border Force (ABF), seizures of counterfeit banknotes have surged in the first six weeks of 2026 compared to last year. During this period, the ABF intercepted 57 packages containing $191,130 in fake currency at sorting facilities. While these detections are not included in standard, official parts-per-million (ppm) counterfeiting statistics, they highlight a growing security threat.

Counterfeiting

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

2 min read

Crane NXT’s Results Reflect the Impact of Acquisitions, and Success of Micro-Optics

Recent financial results from Crane NXT highlight growing global demand for advanced authentication technologies, especially its platform of micro-optic security features for banknotes. In mid February the company reported strong performance for the fourth quarter and full year ending 31 December 2025, reflecting wider adoption of its currency and security solutions by central banks worldwide.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

5 min read

Inside Europe’s Largest State-Owned Banknote Printing Facility

In the December issue of Currency News™ we ran an article entitled ‘Reports of the Death of Cash are Greatly Exaggerated’, paraphrasing Mark Twain’s immortal words in response to reading his own obituary. In it, we mused over how widescale reports of the death of cash are at odds with numerous investments around the world in banknote production and distribution.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

2 min read

Tenders, Contracts and MOUs

The Bank of Uganda has issued a bid notice for a proof of concept (PoC) for currency processing machines.

News

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

3 min read

E-Motion: Security in Depth, Without the Thickness

Over the past few years, light-field imaging has been considered one of the more promising directions for next-generation document security features. By reproducing not only the intensity of light but also its direction, a light-field structure can create convincing 3D imagery that changes naturally when the viewing angle shifts. The result is an effect that is both visually striking and immediately verifiable by the naked eye.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

1 min read

Global Cash Day

‘Why don’t we celebrate cash more?’, we asked in the January edition of Currency News™. ‘And what better way to celebrate than an International Day of Cash (or World Cash Day)?’

News

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

5 min read

The Future of Commercial Bank Cash Operations: Insights from Industry Leaders

The global cash landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Although digital payments continue to expand rapidly, cash remains an essential payment method for millions of consumers and retailers. This tension between declining usage and the enduring need for access is reshaping the way commercial banks operate. A recent IACA hosted webinar entitled ‘The Future of Commercial Bank Cash Operations’, which is the second in a series of events around key stakeholders in the cash cycle, brought together industry experts to explore how banks are adapting their cash operations and what the next decade may hold.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

2 min read

Finalists for IACA Excellence in Currency Awards (Technical) 2026

The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) has announced the finalists for the 2026 Excellence in Currency Awards, which are all technical and include four categories.

Awards

Astrid Mitchell

27 March 2026

2 min read

DataVault Unlocked – Notes and Coins of 2025

Formerly known as Money Matters, this article is a continuation of the periodic series utilising information drawn from DataVault, the powerful online database which enables users to search, sort and aggregate data on all of the world’s banknotes and circulating coins.

Free Studies, Reports Free

Astrid Mitchell

5 March 2026

2 min read

£1 Billion at Stake: The Battle for UK Security Printing Contracts

The UK is navigating a pivotal moment in its national infrastructure, embarking on major security printing tenders totalling over £1 billion covering banknotes, passports, and excise-control stamps.

News

Astrid Mitchell

5 March 2026

1 min read

Award for Japan’s New Series

The Bank of Japan was joint winner of the Best New Banknote Series at the HSP Asia conference in Kuala Lumpur last December for the new 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000 yen notes.

Awards

Astrid Mitchell

5 March 2026

1 min read

CCL Wins in Vietnam

CCL Secure has been awarded a tender by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to supply GUARDIAN™ polymer substrate for the 200,000 dong (VND) denomination.

News

Astrid Mitchell

5 March 2026

1 min read

Will Pakistan Replace Banknotes with Coins?

Further to the news that Pakistan’s federal government has formed a committee to investigate whether the 10 rupee banknote should be phased out in favour of its existing equivalent coin (see CN January 2026), a new currency management report has recommended that it should, noting that the shift could save the country billions.

News

Astrid Mitchell

5 March 2026

1 min read

No New Currency for West African States

Mali’s Ministry of Economy and Finance has said that claims circulating on social media about the imminent introduction of a common currency for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) are false.

News

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

4 min read

HSP EMEA Makes Its African Debut with a Record Audience

This February, HSP EMEA marked its 21st edition with its largest event yet. For the first time, the conference was on the African continent (Rabat, in Morocco), highlighting the region’s growing economic momentum and role in global technology and development, particular as regards secure printing, identity management, and related technologies.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

4 min read

Celebrating the Best in Design and Innovation 13

The Regional Banknote of the Year Awards form part of the High Security Printing (HSP) EMEA conference. This year there were awards for Best New Banknote, Best New Series and Best New Commemorative Banknote, along with Best House Note and, for the first time, Best New Process or Technology.

Awards Banknotes