Cash
Is the integrity of Afghanistan’s central bank under threat?
Acting governor fires key staff and is accused of undoing reforms, while World Bank appears ready to suspend funds; administration and other donors show few signs of learning from Kabul Bank scandal
Monetary unions in the making in Africa
EAC, Ecowas and SADC can adopt practical steps learned from EMU to prepare for their own currency unions
CBDC could give consumers power over their data – paper
Mere existence of CBDC could discipline data-hungry payments firms, authors say
Bank of Mexico sounds alarm over draft law
Central bank says law could damage its independence and create money-laundering risk
The long-term impact of Covid-19 on banknote demand
The coronavirus pandemic has challenged cash usage assumptions at a time when central banks make only limited use of longer-term forecasts
SNB’s Maechler: innovation hub in race to catch up with fast-paced markets
Swiss hub is laying foundations for a fast market-monitoring platform
BoE needs ‘better handle’ on control of UK currency
Lawmakers highlight the UK’s disjointed cash management, which could put consumers at risk, they say
Pandemic accelerates decline in eurozone cash usage – ECB
During 2016-19 cash gradually declined as means of payment, but was still first option
Covid-19 likely to have major effect on UK cash usage – BoE
Risk of Covid transmission via banknotes diminishes significantly over time, BoE study finds
US banks cede to SOFR lending as credit hopes fade
Critics of risk-free rate say dynamic spread will be too late for transition
South Africa to stop cheque payments by 2021
Since August 2019, cheque usage has declined 59%
The world’s first retail CBDC tiptoes into existence
The Bahamas’ e-solutions manager Bobby Chen speaks about how Covid-19 brought forward the nationwide launch of the ‘sand dollar’, and how limits and wallet types are affecting usage
Currency Benchmarks 2020 – presentation
Central Banking’s currency subject specialist Rachael King speaks with Christopher Jeffery about the future of cash, the relationship between substrates and counterfeits, and how central banks are making their cash operations more sustainable through…
German contactless payments rose due to Covid-19
Bundesbank board member says pandemic changed consumers’ use of debit card system
Brazil launches instant payments platform Pix
Central bank governor says new system aims to foster competition and integration
How can central banks secure the future of money?
Central banks should start tackling the accounting, legal and policy challenges related to CBDC. This work will shape the future of money, as could be witnessed in Albania
Powell, Lagarde and Bailey express caution on CBDCs
Jay Powell says Fed must get any future CBDC right, rather than “being the first”
Cash usage in Norway falls to 4%
Deputy governor says CBDC research is ongoing but any future system would be controlled by the central bank
Currency Benchmarks 2020 report – the data behind the cash cycle
Perspectives on staffing, circulation, forecasting, fraud, substrate choice, outsourcing and climate risk
Big variation in shortest- and longest-lived banknotes
Average lifespans range from 0.6 years to 20 years, with number of denominations playing key role
Singapore’s central bank discontinues issuance of $1,000 banknote
Highest denomination will remain legal tender, but new issuance will cease at the end of 2020
Asia issues the most banknotes by volume and value
Asian central banks issue 62.3 banknotes worth $1,852 per person
Covid-19 accelerates cash decline in Sweden
Riksbank report shows payments through Swish have already overtaken cash
BoE extends contract with De La Rue
UK printer will help central bank continue to develop printing site as world leader