Banknotes
Counterfeit notes continued to decline in Europe in 2025
ECB records ‘one of the lowest levels’, though Belgium, Cyprus and Czech Republic see uptick
Ex-ECB official: central banks need to vouch more for CBDCs
Monetary authorities have been cornered by banking industry, argues Ulrich Bindseil
MAS and HKMA aim to green red envelopes over Lunar New Year
Monetary authorities encourage the giving of used notes or electronic cash gifts to cut waste
Kenya warns against ‘cash flower bouquets’
Floral-style gifts made of glued-together banknotes disrupt ATMs and are illegal, says central bank
Bulgaria becomes 21st member of the eurozone
Joining currency bloc is a “sign of belonging”, says governor Radev, as peers offer welcome
Renato Gomes on Pix, Drex and digital asset regulation
Brazil’s deputy governor speaks with Christopher Jeffery about pros and pitfalls of open finance, financial inclusion and crime on Pix, and the need to sideline DLT for Drex phase 3
2025: The year in central banking
A look back at the biggest and most popular stories of the year
Book notes: Money in crisis, by Ignazio Angeloni and Daniel Gros
This book should be essential reading for policy-makers at a time of uncertainty and technological change
Richard Doornbosch on central banking in a tempestuous climate
The president of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten speaks to Christopher Jeffery about addressing legacy financial scandals, transition to a Caribbean guilder, tapping gold holdings and managing a currency peg at a time of US policy uncertainty
Fiji launches first all-polymer banknote series
Crane Currency supplies five denominations that will enter circulation in January
ECB’s Evelien Witlox on design choices for the digital euro
The digital euro’s program director speaks about holding limits, waterfall arrangements, programmability, blockchain usage and offline ‘secure elements’ for cash-like exchanges
ECB’s Cipollone reveals plans for digital euro infrastructure
Mobile app to enable “basic functionality”, with transactions processed in three different regions
Bank notes: July to September 2025
A round-up of news and salient issues that have affected central bankers in the past three months
SNB opens poll on altitude-themed banknotes
Central bank asks public for views on designs based on Switzerland's ‘unique topography’
ECB opens second round of banknote design competition
Artists invited to submit ideas related to culture and the natural world
Working group minutes: central banks seek cash cycle efficiencies
Some EME institutions are restructuring operations and promoting digital payment methods
Bank notes: April to June 2025
A round-up of news and salient issues that have affected central bankers in the past three months
Why making cents no longer makes sense
Experts praise US Treasury’s decision to stop minting pennies, but question policy’s implementation
Bangladesh to introduce new banknotes
Series to appear ahead of Eid al-Adha festival
Syria’s change of printing press reflects wider shift – expert
Reported move of note production from Russia points to an increased willingness to open up to West
Central banks must rethink their accounting treatment of money
Biagio Bossone and Massimo Costa call for money to be accounted for as equity for the issuer and as a public asset for the economy