Currency
The future of cash: an update
Antti Heinonen looks at the latest trends in cash use, including a surprising turnaround for the Swedish krona
Carney says new £20 note is ‘most secure yet’
Design unveiled today includes security feature combinations never before used on a UK banknote
ECB and Fed unite on global currency standard
The two central banks want to create the ‘USB of currency processing’
FSB looking into regulations applicable to stablecoins
Stablecoins may be small now, but there’s “no doubt” they pose regulatory challenges, FSB chair says
Swedish state needs to face dangers of falling cash use, Riksbank says
Marginal role for the state in payments could weaken competition and trust, central bank argues
RBNZ may gain new powers to protect access to cash
Consultation proposes more active role for central bank; regulations could mandate access to cash
Albanian central bank introduces first polymer notes
Governor calls on parliament to approve draft law on improving payments systems
Kenyan high court dismisses challenge to new banknote series
Central bank had been accused of violating constitution with banknote designs
How data is driving a counter-revolution in cash
As the payments landscape undergoes far-reaching changes, central banks are mobilising new data tools and technologies to better understand and serve demands for physical currency
Modernising currency management
Central banks continue to strive to optimise currency operations at a time when the relative importance of cash is falling, but usage continues to grow. William Towning looks back at the last 30 years
ECB’s Mersch attacks Facebook over ‘cartel-like’ libra structure
Senior ECB official accuses currency project of “treacherous promises”
ECB to assess Croatian banks in euro membership prep
Croatia could join the eurozone by 2024
Bank of Italy and state mint set up new company
Joint venture aims to become “centre of excellence” for printing documents with security features
Cash no longer US’s most popular means of payment
Debit cards were the most frequently used means of payment in 2018, Fed report finds
Alan Turing to appear on new £50 note
Celebrated codebreaker and computer scientist chosen from a field of nearly 1,000 scientists
West Africa announces ambitious new ‘eco’ currency plans
Single currency seems unlikely to be introduced by next year, despite updated launch plans
Effects of CBDC on lending depend on level of competition – BoC researchers
CBDC could increase bank lending if banks have some market power, researchers say
Venezuela introduces new banknotes as hyperinflation continues
New notes come less than a year after five zeroes were dropped from currency
Polymer banknotes caused sharp fall in UK counterfeits – BoE
Bank of England reports reduction from 1,000-plus fake notes a month to single figures
UK banking industry pledges to support public access to cash
Trade body will work with BoE and Treasury to ensure access to cash
Bank of England awards contracts for new banknotes
Award made for joint provision of substrate for £50 note as BoE opts for same polymer in all notes