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Filtered by Substrates, Features — 62 articles

Astrid Mitchell

1 June 2026

2 min read

India Reopens Polymer Banknote Debate After More Than a Decade

According to sources, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revived discussions about introducing polymer banknotes and is considering a pilot project for public circulation. The proposal was reportedly discussed at a recently held RBI board meeting. However, the RBI has not publicly announced such a programme, and no reference to polymer banknotes appears in its Annual Report for FY2025-26, released on 29 May 2026, covering the year ending 31 March 2026.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

20 May 2026

2 min read

Anima Colour — Inspired by Gemstones, Engineered for Security

Oberthur Fiduciaire unveiled two major additions to its Anima™ micro-optics platform – Anima™ Sign and Anima™ Colour – at the recent Global Currency Forum. Both innovations highlighted advances in machine readability and colour versatility, two increasingly important elements in next-generation banknote security, in addition to the integration of all the effects already available in Anima™.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

27 April 2026

3 min read

TwinColors? Patches: Two Layers of Micromirrors for More Sophisticated Security

As noted in last month’s Currency News, in the announcement of its record results for last year, Giesecke+Devrient reference TwinColors® as one of its latest currency innovations. So, what is it?

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

3 min read

The Animated Precision of QUANTUM stripe™

In the evolving landscape of currency design, the boundary between scientific innovation and artistic expression is becoming increasingly blurred. Central banks have long sought features that are not only impossible to replicate but also intuitive for the public to verify.

Substrates, Features

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

24 Nov. 2025

2 min read

Note and Coin News

The Czech National Bank is to issue a commemorative 5,000 koruna banknote next March to mark the centenary of the central bank, and the 30th anniversary of the Czech koruna.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

24 July 2025

2 min read

Security Gets a Breath of Fresh Air with cBreeze

Crane Currency has added yet another iteration of its micro-optics technology to its portfolio of security features – cBREEZE™. Engineered for high volume, lower value notes, it is designed with durability and cost-efficiency in mind, bringing the same visual dynamism and security as its sibling technology RAPID® HD, but in a simplified, more accessible and lower cost form.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

24 July 2025

3 min read

Good Luck as Spectra Systems Fusion™ Debuts in New House Note

As noted in last month’s issue of Currency News, Ian Brigham of Spectra Systems Corporation presented their unique security feature’s contribution to the Casa de Moeda do Brasil’s new house note, the ‘Boa Sorte’ (or Good Luck). The note incorporates a level 3 taggant unique to Spectra’s Fusion™ polymer banknote substrate, as well as Kryptonome™, Oberthur Fiduciare’s new level 1 polymer-specific optical security feature (see CN June 2025).

Substrates, Features

John Winchcombe

29 Jan. 2025

5 min read

The Opportunity for a Revolution in Currency Management

Chris Skinner, an independent commentator on the financial markets, blogger and author, has written an interesting piece about how technology is changing the way business is delivered. He wrote it about how the digital bank model needs to change, but how might this apply to the world of cash?

Free Substrates, Features Free

Francisco Mandiola

2 April 2024

6 min read

Don’t Cry for Milei, Argentina

In this article, Francisco Mandiola of FMA Secure explains what is happening in South America’s second largest country and economy, and what it means for the currency.

Substrates, Features

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Astrid Mitchell

2 April 2024

11 min read

The SIR – the Next Frontier in Security Images

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.

Free Substrates, Features Free

Astrid Mitchell

1 Feb. 2024

13 min read

Looking Back, Looking Forward – What Does 2024 Have in Store?

As has been customary at the start of the year in the past, we have invited stakeholders and other participants in the cash community to give their views on key trends and likely developments for the coming year.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

4 min read

Delivering Banknote Security Through Technology… Louisenthal´s Solution

Readers will recall in earlier editions that we addressed a number of significant highlights following G+D`s Currency Technology Symposium held in July. This is the final story, focusing on key elements of the day dedicated to Louisenthal, G+D’s substrate and feature subsidiary.

Companies Substrates, Features Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2023

3 min read

A New Dimension in Ink Security from Gleitsmann

Gleitsmann Security Inks (GIS) used the Currency Conference to launch glairINK , a new suite of infrared (IR) inks for intaglio and offset printing that, the company says, sets a new standard in future machine-readable security features for banknotes.

Banknotes Substrates, Features Technology

Astrid Mitchell

1 March 2023

7 min read

How Ukraine is Managing Cash in a War

Whilst the Russian invasion of Ukraine exactly one year ago may have come as a surprise to many, it certainly didn’t to the Ukrainians themselves, who as early as Autumn 2021 were taking steps to minimise risks to the cash supply chain and decentralise the storage of cash stocks in anticipation of major disruption.

Cash Handling Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

4 Nov. 2022

2 min read

BSP Estimates Savings with Polymer

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has said it will save as much as P2.4 billion (US$40 million) from the conversion of paper 1,000 piso banknotes to polymer due to their longer lifespan.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

4 Oct. 2022

3 min read

Fusion™ – New Machine Readable Polymer for Banknotes

Spectra Systems provides security technologies for use in banknotes, product authentication and gaming using integrated solutions comprised of engineered materials for authentication, and hardware and software systems which verify the unique signatures of the authentication materials.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2022

3 min read

Threads and the Value of Substrate-Embedded Security – an Inside View from Louisenthal

Threads have developed into a security arsenal all on their own. But to provide a truly effective defence against the counterfeiter, the technical specification and design must be integrated perfectly.

Companies Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

29 June 2022

4 min read

JUMP™ – A Giant Leap Forward for Banknote Security and Beauty

Several studies have revealed how overt security features are not only more efficient, but are easy to recognise and authenticate, when they are well integrated in the banknote design.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

29 June 2022

2 min read

Making Waves for the First Time

WaveFront Technology – a California-based supplier of nano and micro-structured tools, coatings and films for the security, lighting, aerospace, and display markets – used the Banknote & Currency Conference in February as an opportunity to debut its new new portfolio of security features for currency and other security applications.

Substrates, Features

Latest News

India Reopens Polymer Banknote Debate After More Than a Decade

Anima Colour — Inspired by Gemstones, Engineered for Security

TwinColors? Patches: Two Layers of Micromirrors for More Sophisticated Security

The Animated Precision of QUANTUM stripe™

E-Motion: Security in Depth, Without the Thickness

Note and Coin News

Security Gets a Breath of Fresh Air with cBreeze

Good Luck as Spectra Systems Fusion™ Debuts in New House Note

The Opportunity for a Revolution in Currency Management

Don’t Cry for Milei, Argentina

The SIR – the Next Frontier in Security Images

Looking Back, Looking Forward – What Does 2024 Have in Store?

Delivering Banknote Security Through Technology… Louisenthal´s Solution

A New Dimension in Ink Security from Gleitsmann

How Ukraine is Managing Cash in a War

BSP Estimates Savings with Polymer

Fusion™ – New Machine Readable Polymer for Banknotes

Threads and the Value of Substrate-Embedded Security – an Inside View from Louisenthal

JUMP™ – A Giant Leap Forward for Banknote Security and Beauty

Making Waves for the First Time

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