Currency
Central bank boards most often make decisions on banknote imagery
Banknotes image types vary from recognised figures to natural phenomena
China’s CBDC will have “managed” anonymity, says PBoC governor
Yi Gang says authorities must balance between protecting privacy and fighting illicit activity
Majority of central banks have access-to-cash policies
More than two-fifths require a minimum level of cash services from banks
Counterfeit banknotes removed from circulation average $425,000
UV ink and intaglio printing are most common security features
Banknotes generally have at least one aid for visually impaired
Raised inks are most common feature, followed by making denominations different sizes
Few central banks use big data tools to forecast currency demand
Forecasting is very common, while few expect big changes in currency needs for 2023
Banknote contagion measures reduced in 2022
Participating institutions say coronavirus has shaped currency demand
Uses of CBDC are unclear, several officials say
Officials differ over whether digital currency could increase financial inclusion
Paper-based banknotes still outnumber polymer substrates
Most banks do not plan adoption of new substrates
Cash usage drops further to an average of 42.5% across jurisdictions
Just one African institution and a European jurisdiction experience growth in cash payments
BIS and central banks say multi-CBDC platform trial was a success
Central banks of China, Hong Kong, Thailand and UAE took part in US$22 million cross-border trial
Should a CBDC really be like cash?
Electronic and physical cash are fundamentally different and must be treated as such, writes Dave Birch
Fewer central banks report climate strategy
Incineration still most common practice among institutions recycling banknotes
Educating banks is key to CBDC project, ECCB officials say
Crypto asset providers tried to take advantage of CBDC launch, deputy governor says
Central banks have fewer cash distribution centres on average
However, some have added processing facilities in last five years
Most central banks do not own their own printworks
Fewer than a quarter report operating printing plants and two-thirds say they outsource
Most central banks plan no new banknotes in near future
Fewer than a quarter of banks plan new notes in next five years
Eswatini central bank signs contract for CBDC research
Giesecke + Devrient hired as “technical consultant”
Demand for cash in turbulent times
Antti Heinonen analyses trends in cash use as Covid fades, but new shocks take its place
Independence white paper outlines possible Scottish central bank
Proposals map out “the process of establishing a Scottish pound”