Cash
Cambodia officially launches quasi-CBDC
Cambodia’s blockchain-powered payment system goes live
New polymer banknotes are greener and cheaper – T&T governor
Central bank plans to review coin denomination usage later this year, Alvin Hilaire says
Most central banks not measuring banknote carbon footprint
Very few institutions have cash climate strategy but over 50% are recycling their unfit banknotes
G+D and CPS are ‘most approved’ for banknote sorting
Just over half of survey sample endorses Munich-based manufacturer
Websites are top currency communication tool
More than two thirds of currency managers use social media; regional disparities emerge on preferred communication tools
Georgia’s Gvenetadze on implementing an aggressive reform agenda
The National Bank of Georgia governor speaks about efforts to improve monetary policy, financial infrastructure, financial literacy, transparency and ESG
Printing is the most outsourced area of the cash cycle
Just over 60% of survey respondents contract out currency printing; lower-income countries most likely to outsource
Watermarks and intaglio printing remain top security features
Increasing the number of security features does not necessarily reduce counterfeiting
Eurosystem lays out retail digital payment strategy
Access to cash and level playing field for electronic payments are key elements – Panetta
Only 25% of central banks operate own printworks
Larger central banks from high income countries are more likely to print notes in-house
Central banks show wide variation in cash department staffing
Different staffing levels driven in part by which institutions run their own printworks
RBNZ looks to bolster capabilities as ‘steward’ of the cash system
Central bank launches review of cash system and increases engagement with financial industry
Swedish governor calls for laws to protect cash use
Ingves says Sweden must upgrade payments systems and move ahead with e-krona
‘Wear and tear’ the main reason for banknote exchange
Covid-19 raised fears of banknote contamination, but historical exchange is mostly due to worn notes
Marshall Islands readies to make waves in digital currency
Island nation ready to issue blockchain-based national currency if its new government gives the go-ahead, chairman of foundation says
RBA sees no immediate need for retail CBDC
Head of payments policy discusses trade-offs involved in issuance
Covid-19 may survive 28 days on banknotes and payment cards
New research suggests virus can survive for an extended period of time at room temperature
Counterfeits rise with issuance on multiple substrates
Average percentage of counterfeits per total volume in circulation is around 0.01%
Sama launches polymer version of five-riyal banknote
New note will circulate alongside existing cotton banknotes
Global banknote developments before and after Covid-19
Antti Heinonen looks at how the pandemic triggered sharp changes in demand for cash
UK’s access to cash policy pilots to launch in 2021
Industry body seeks permission from FCA to allow retailers to provide cashback services
Reserve Benchmarks 2020 report – charting new data frontiers
Perspectives on staffing and salaries, reserve coverage, portfolio construction, benchmarking, use of external parties and risk management
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank official says CBDC is ‘foolproof’
Central bank asks consumers to register for second stage of digital currency pilot