Cash
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
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