Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

1 min read

Updated Banknote for Peru

The Central Reserve Bank of Peru has issued a new version of the 200 soles banknote.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

4 min read

Fiji’s New Banknote Series – Where Island Legacy Meets Modern Vision 14

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) has introduced a new family of Fijian dollar banknotes, with a launch ceremony held on 2 December 2025. The notes – in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 – were designed and printed by Crane Currency on CCL Secure’s GUARDIAN™ substrate, and is the first polymer series to use the integrated MOTION SURFACE® micro-optic stripe on all denominations. The banknotes were issued on 2 January 2026.

Awards Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

4 min read

In Other News

The National Bank of Ukraine has released a modified 200 hyrvnia (UAH) banknote. While the 2019 design and security features remain, the revised notes carry the slogan: ‘Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!’

News

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

5 min read

Safeguarding Cash

On 8 March Switzerland is asking its citizens whether cash acceptance should be included in the constitution, something Slovakia introduced in December last year. On 1 January Australia introduced (limited) cash acceptance legislation and on 4 February the Netherlands passed its Cash Payments Act. It feels as if wherever you look action is being taken to safeguard cash.

Cash Handling Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

2 min read

Euro Counterfeits Go into Reverse

444,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in 2025, according to the European Central Bank. This is a decrease of more than 20% compared with 2024, and a reversal of the trend which had seen numbers climb since 2021. In terms of the counterfeiting ratio, for 2025 it was 14 ppm, compared with 18 ppm the previous year.

Counterfeiting

Kerre Corbin

4 March 2026

3 min read

Fake Currency from China Seized in Operation Decoy Crackdown

On 11 February 2026, Europol announced that Operation DECOY III prevented an estimated €1.2 billion counterfeit banknotes and coins from entering circulation. This was a joint operation between customs and police organisations that were targeting criminal networks distributing fake currency through the post.

Counterfeiting

James Shepherd-Barron

4 March 2026

7 min read

Symbols of Stabilisation – How Banknotes Help Rebuild Nations

Following the overthrow of the Assad regime in late 2024, Syria’s transitional government introduced a re-designed and re-denominated series of banknotes at the beginning of 2026 (see CN January 2026). It did this as part of a monetary reform strategy aimed at re-establishing a sound banking sector based on financial stabilisation, transparent foreign exchange, secure digital payments, and sustainable financial inclusion.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

3 min read

People in the News

David Iván Espinoza Torrico has been sworn in as the new President of the Central Bank of Bolivia, replacing Edwin Rojas Ulo who had been serving as Interim President.

People

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

6 min read

Composting from Waste of Intaglio Wiping Solution

In a separate development to its new app, BioBanknote, has developed a composting solution for the disposal of solid waste created in intaglio wiping solution, often referred to as ‘sludge’.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

2 min read

Central Banks Strengthen Ties on Banknote Production

Banque de France (BdF), the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB), and Banco de Portugal (BdP) are strengthening their cooperation in the field of banknote production, building on ties dating back to 2017.

Central Banks

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

2 min read

Bolivia Discontinues Banknotes in Wake of Plane Crash

The Central Bank of Bolivia (CBB) has announced that, as a result of the plane crash that occurred on 27 February in the district of El Alto (part of the capital, La Paz), banknotes in the denominations of Bs10, Bs20 and Bs50 of Series B, corresponding to the New Boliviano Banknote Series, are no longer legal tender.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

2 min read

Measuring Climate Change

There is that saying, ‘you do what you measure’ and SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound) objectives are part of all our lives. Measurement matters.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

1 min read

Papua New Guinea Honours Former Leader

The Bank of Papua New Guinea has issued a new 100 kina banknote, commemorating the first anniversary of the death of the late Sir Julius Chan, one of the nation’s most influential political and economic leaders.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

2 March 2026

2 min read

Meet Verity: Your New AI-Powered Research Assistant

Finding that one specific article in Currency News™ can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Whether you are flipping through physical archives or scrolling through endless PDFs, the process can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

4 min read

Celebrating Cash: An Opportunity

The readers of this article are likely to agree that cash, whether banknotes or coins, is a wonderful thing. Although the siren call of convenience is luring people to digital alternatives, cash remains part of the fabric of our societal DNA.

Comment Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

5 min read

News in Brief

Some big changes in the Indian ATM market are planned over the next six months with 17,350 new machines, 75% of which will be capable of cash recycling.

News

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

4 min read

Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer – An Insurgent’s Tale

Challenging long established companies in a deeply conservative market is a daunting prospect, and yet that is what Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer (Q&T) has done.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

3 min read

Two Powerful Data Sources for Currency

Currency Publications now offers two data sources on banknotes and coins – one included in your subscription, and the other for an additional subscription. One is a reference tool, and the other a research tool, and they fulfil different, but complementary functions.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

2 min read

Currency Research Launches Cash Resilience Strategy Initiative (CRSI)

Currency Research, in collaboration with currency practitioners from African central banks, has launched a new international research initiative to examine global cash usage trends and the future role of physical currency in a rapidly evolving payments landscape.

Studies, Reports

3 Feb. 2026

2 min read

India Approves ₹18 Billion Upgrade for Security Paper Production

The Indian government has approved a ₹18 billion (£144 million) proposal to establish a new Cylindrical Mould Watermark Banknote (CWBN) production line. This line will have an annual capacity of 6,000 tonnes of high security paper for banknotes, non-judicial stamp paper, and passports.

Technology