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

3 Feb. 2026

5 min read

Smarter Cash Coming to South Africa

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has announced plans to modernise how money is circulated, accessed, and managed in the country with the largest overhaul of its cash system in decades. Through its Cash Smart Strategy (CSS), part of its Payments Ecosystem Modernisation (PEM) Programme, it intends to create a cash-management company, roll out white-label ATMs, and tighten oversight of cash distribution, aiming to make the system cheaper, safer, and more accessible.

Central Banks

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

9 min read

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.

Features

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

11 min read

The ICA – Building and Promoting the Importance of Cash Across the World

The International Currency Association has a busy year ahead, with the upcoming Global Currency Forum taking place this April, a major study on the social value of cash in the making, an expansion of the Cash Matters social media campaign and, in the most recent development, the arrival of several new members from the minting community.

Interviews

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

3 min read

Inspection System Delivers More Reliable Printing Plates

China Banknote Designing and Engraving Co (CBDE) is a state-owned enterprise under China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation and a high-tech enterprise approved by the People’s Bank of China. Established in 2001, its core business has been the design and engraving of the national currency. At the same time, it has engaged in the research and development of plate inspection system technology, using technological upgrades to support high security printing.

Technology

Nicola Sudan

3 Feb. 2026

4 min read

The Cedi at 60 – A Joyous Celebration

There’s something about currency conferences held in Africa! They may not always run with clockwork precision, but they are among the most memorable and vibrant events on the conference calendar, creating an ambience that is uniquely conducive to relationship building and the sharing of stories.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

2 Feb. 2026

7 min read

In Other News

Syria has issued a new currency, removing portraits of the Assad family and redenominating to remove two zeroes.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

29 Jan. 2026

3 min read

Currency Associations Join Forces

The International Currency Association and the International Mint Industry Association have announced that they will merge to become a combined industry association. The two organisations will join forces under the ICA umbrella, aiming to unite the global currency industry more closely and strengthen the collective voice for cash, including both banknotes and coins.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

26 Jan. 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.

Central Banks

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

5 min read

Reports of the Death of Cash are Greatly Exaggerated

This heading paraphrases words attributed to Mark Twain when his obituary was published while he was still alive. They seem strangely apt right now when it comes to cash.

Comment Free Free

23 Dec. 2025

2 min read

SPMCIL Reports Record Revenue

Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL) recently published its 2024/25 Annual Report, showing a 15.84% increase in revenue to Rs 58.84 billion. Costs increased by 19.9% to Rs 43.96 billion.

Companies

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

Francis Tuffy

23 Dec. 2025

7 min read

30 Years of Doing the Right Thing: KURZ Marks Three Decades of Security-Foil Production at Sulzbach-Rosenberg

When LEONHARD KURZ GmbH & Co KG (KURZ) opened its optical film facility in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, few could have predicted how profoundly it would shape the global security feature industry. To this day, the site remains one of the company’s strategic production centres — and an example of industrial renewal, where a region built on coal and steel turned to optics and precision engineering.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

2 min read

GCF Focuses on Cash in the 21st Century

The International Currency Association has (ICA) has shared preliminary details of the third edition of the Global Currency forum, which takes place 27-30 April in Antalya, Turkey.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

13 min read

2025 Summarised: That Was the Year That Was…

The first issue of 2025 explored opportunities for a digital transformation in currency management through the use of data and analytics.

Features

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

5 min read

Resilience and Viability the at Future of Cash

The Future of Cash Conference 2025 took place from 3–5 November in Warsaw, an especially symbolic location given Poland’s rapid economic growth since joining the EU in 2004 and its central role in supporting Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

4 min read

HSP Asia 2025 Reaches New Heights

High Security Printing™ Asia (HSP Asia), held in Kuala Lumpur from 1-3 December 2025, delivered the strongest performance in the event’s history. The conference attracted 337 delegates from 145 organisations across 51 countries, including 34 governments and central banks.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

4 min read

The 100 Somoni – a Page of Tajikistan History

At the recent HSP Asia conference, Tajikistan’s new 100 somoni note celebrating the 25th anniversary of the national currency won the award for Best New Commemorative Banknote.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

7 min read

Note and Coin News

As noted in the November issue of Currency News™, the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) is issuing a new family of Fijian dollar banknotes, which was officially launched at a special ceremony in Suva, the capital of the Pacific Island nation, on 2 December.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

4 min read

Design and Innovation in Banknotes Recognised at HSP Asia 2025

The Regional Banknote of the Year Awards form part of the industry’s High Security Printing (HSP) Asia conference. This year’s awards were presented at a special ceremony during the conference dinner on 2 December.

Awards