Cash
Central Banking’s strategic changes for a new era
New institute, benchmarks, virtual training and online event weeks launched
Lower financial literacy linked to crypto asset ownership – Bank of Canada
New cash survey shows financial literacy is positively associated with crypto asset awareness, but negatively associated with ownership
Brazil launches new 200 real banknote as hoarding continues
New banknote worth $37 features new security features, and has been sized to ensure quick dispersal
2019 a bumper year for coins – RBNZ data
Over 120 million coins were minted for New Zealand’s central bank last year
Klaas Knot on ECB policy-making, the FSB and central bank ‘capture’
DNB president talks about the temporary nature of unconventional policies, the importance of inflation target ‘bands’, the role of central banks as ‘circuit-breakers’ and ECB decision-making under Christine Lagarde
CBDC projects aim to complement cash – BIS survey
Many central banks are creating “hybrid” CBDCs, according to survey of 32 projects
Fed paper looks at different CBDC types
“Account-based”, “cash equivalent” and “hybrid” CBDCs all have varying advantages – researchers
Facebook’s libra could disrupt collateral markets – IMF paper
Collateral used to back ‘stablecoins’ such as libra will be unavailable for reuse
Fed picks G+D to develop ‘next-generation’ currency processing
German firm developed new prototype for the Fed to maximise speed and accuracy
Bank of Japan intensifies CBDC research
Central bank appoints new CBDC head as ruling party warns Chinese effort poses security threat
Brazil plans new note as cash demand hits record high
Central bank will introduce 200 real banknote as Brazilians start to hoard cash
Costa Rica to issue first polymer banknotes
Central bank will retain size and colour of existing notes to smooth transition to new substrate
Oman launches first denomination in new banknote series
New series incorporates improved security features and elements for the visually impaired
BoE awards Accenture RTGS overhaul contract
Consultancy firm wins contract worth up to £150 million for payments system upgrade
Covid-19 likely to affect return of paper £20 banknote – BoE
Central bank reports consumers are likely to hold onto old banknotes until they cease to be legal tender
Timothy Lane on CBDCs and why the private sector is no competition for central banks
The Bank of Canada deputy governor discusses the difference between a private-sector-motivated digital currency and a CBDC, and why finding a balance between privacy and regulation is such a challenge
CBDCs cannot have unlimited privacy – Canadian deputy governor
Timothy Lane says central banks should consider “hybrid privacy levels”
Cash issuance in Botswana balloons 18% in 2019
Annual report shows banknote issuance growth for all denominations, despite rise in electronic payments
Angola to issue its first polymer banknotes
Governor says new banknote series will improve security and durability, and cut costs
PBoC partners with tech giant to test digital yuan
Chinese ride-hailing firm partners with PBoC digital currency research arm to test digital yuan
Bank of Japan to begin testing CBDC
BoJ publishes report on feasibility of digital yen, a surprise move after governor’s ‘lack of demand’ comment
CBDC can boost de-dollarisation and inclusion – Cambodia
Cambodia’s central bank says its quasi-CBDC network can promote use of local currency and improve financial inclusion
Coronavirus panic fuels a surge in cash demand
Covid-19 has led to banknote hoarding in Australia, Brazil, Canada, the eurozone, Russia and the US, fuelled by concerns about financial system stress, write Jonathan Ashworth and Charles Goodhart