Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

3 min read

Ethiopia’s Big Bet: Birr is Coming Home

Ethiopia is apparently done waiting on foreign firms to print its cash. At the Finance Forward 2026 conference in Addis Ababa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made it official: the country is moving to print its own currency. For decades, the Ethiopian birr has been produced overseas, but the government is now betting that ‘monetary sovereignty’ is worth the massive upfront investment.

News

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

5 min read

News In Brief

Giesecke+Devrient is continuing its business transformation strategy with the acquisition of critical German payment infrastructure in the form of the Payments & Banking Services business of Bank-Verlag. A subsidiary of the Association of German Banks, the business processes one in four card and internet-based payment transactions in Germany.

News

Astrid Mitchell

28 Nov. 2025

5 min read

News in Brief

Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO) has released two more currency-themed goods made from recycled currency by-products, following the launch of the Money Pen, Money Keyring, and Money Envelope earlier this year.

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Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2025

5 min read

News in Brief

Swiss lawmakers have unanimously voted to enshrine the right to use cash in the nation’s constitution.

News

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2025

2 min read

Reinventing Banknotes to Empower Young Learners Around the World

Traditionally, banknotes have served as children’s first tangible interaction with money, helping them develop essential numeracy and financial skills. Recent research underscores that physical cash provides a more concrete understanding of money for young people compared to digital payments, making it a powerful medium for teaching core concepts like earning, spending, saving, borrowing, and budgeting.

News

Astrid Mitchell

1 Oct. 2025

1 min read

Keep Calm and Carry Cash, Says ECB

Households should keep some cash at home so they can pay for essentials during crises, according to an analysis of four major disruptive events in Europe, including the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

News

Astrid Mitchell

1 Oct. 2025

2 min read

US Currency in Circulation Continues to Grow

The US Federal Reserve has published the print order to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) for calendar year (CY) 2026, which is in the range of 3.8-5.1 billion notes, valued at $108.9-$139.6 billion. During the year, the Feder Reserve Board and BEP staff may adjust production of each denomination to best match demand throughout the year.

News

Astrid Mitchell

1 Oct. 2025

4 min read

In Other News....

Banco de Guatemala put into circulation a new Q100 (quetzal) banknote in July. It is one of the most widely used denominations in the country and features a new dynamic Galaxy® Saturn thread.

News

Astrid Mitchell

28 Aug. 2025

5 min read

News in Brief

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and Bank of South Sudan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a comprehensive cooperation framework in the areas of security printing, developing innovative solutions for switching and processing payment card transactions in South Sudan, and exchanging knowledge, experiences, and technical training.

News

Astrid Mitchell

28 Aug. 2025

2 min read

In Other News

The Royal Mint (TRM) has announced that just over 30 million new £1 coins are entering circulation across the UK, including 23.3 million of the final £1 coins featuring the effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

News

Astrid Mitchell

24 July 2025

5 min read

News in Brief

Following hard on the heels of the National Bank of Belgium’s inauguration of its new cash centre (see CN June 2025), the Swiss National Bank has announced that it too will be moving its cash logistics from the current city centre location to a modern new purpose-built greenfield site.

News

Astrid Mitchell

24 July 2025

3 min read

In Other News…

The Central Bank of Mauritania has issued an upgraded new 50 ouguiya note celebrating the 50th anniversary of the currency, which was introduced in 1973 to replace the CFA franc (ouguiya is the Hassaniya Arabic pronunciation of ugiyyah, meaning ‘ounce’).

News

Astrid Mitchell

2 July 2025

4 min read

Honouring the Leaders in Cash

In 2011, the International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) held the inaugural Currency Hall of Fame (CHF) induction ceremony, providing a permanent public record and memorial of the outstanding achievements of very select individuals who have made a significant impact in the currency industry.

News

Astrid Mitchell

2 July 2025

1 min read

People in the News

Olaf Sleijpen has succeeded Klaas Knot as President of De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB).

News

Astrid Mitchell

2 July 2025

5 min read

News in Brief

Hueck Folien and IQ Structures, two leaders in banknote security features, have announced a strengthened partnership that builds on the success of their Nanovista™ venture, following what they describe as an overwhelmingly positive market response to their joint efforts.

Companies News

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

4 min read

News in Brief

The East African Community (EAC) has re-established the region’s Monetary Affairs Committee (MAC) following the appointment of new heads of central banks, bringing hope for new ideas to get the implementation of a single currency for the region back on track, after the initial deadline of 2024 was extended to 2031.

News

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

5 min read

News In Brief

Tuvalu is home to 11,000 people and now, for the first time, five ATMs as well, thereby opening up electronic banking for the tiny Pacific island’s inhabitants.

Cash Handling Coins Companies

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

6 min read

In Other News…

The Bermuda Monetary Authority’s (BMA) new $5 polymer banknote has won the International Bank Note Society’s (IBNS) Bank Note of the Year Award for 2024.

News

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

2 min read

People in the News

Abdul Qader al-Husriya has been appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Syria.

News

Astrid Mitchell

31 March 2025

3 min read

In Other News…

The Central Bank of the UAE has issued a new 100 dirham (AED) polymer banknote, printed by Oumolat on SAFEGUARD with two clear windows. It is part of the CBUAE’s Third Issuance of the National Currency Project, and the final note to be issued in the all-polymer series, which comprises five denominations.

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