On May 19th 2014 the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) unveiled the sixth banknote series of the Kuwaiti currency. The CBK has released a promotional video as part of its Sixth banknote issue educational campaign, which is narrated in Arabic: The new series will be issued into circulation from 29 June 2014. The banknote series feature…
The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) has issued a new half dinar coin. The new coin, which was issued on Sunday 11th May, is a bi-metal design featuring a gold coloured central core and a silver coloured outer ring. The Central Bank has advised that both the old and new versions of the coin will…
The President of MasterCard International Markets, Ann Cairns, has recently discussed the impacts of alternative payments on the use of cash, saying that “cash is dying, slowly”. In an interview with International Business Times (IBTimes) TV, Ann Cairns said that the use of paper and cash as a payment medium accounts for 85% of the…
The Bank of Thailand has issued a new 16th series 500-baht banknote which will be circulated from 12 May 2014. The design is similar to its previous version – purple is still the predominant colour and it is the same size, 72 x 156 mm. The note contains new security features to help people…
Fortress Papers Ltd announced yesterday that Durasafe®, produced by its Landqart Mill, has been confirmed as the substrate for the next series of Swiss Franc banknotes. Security paper manufacturer Lanqart AG developed Durasafe® in co-operation with Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. It has a central polymer layer with two outer cotton paper layers.…
The Central Bank of Iceland has revealed that it is considering replacing the 500 kroner banknote with a coin and discontinuing the 1, 5 and 10 kroner coins, the three lowest value coins in its series. The Bank’s annual report published last week explained that due to the fact that inflation has remained at a…
The Banque du Liban has launched a new commemorative polymer banknote produced on De La Rue’s Safeguard™ polymer substrate. The 50,000 LBP note has been issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Banque du Liban. The note includes a clear window which incorporates De La Rue’s SPARK® Orbital™ feature in the…
In preparation for Songkran, the Bank of Thailand announces it has increased cash reserves to Bt470 billion (US$ 14.5 billion) to meet banknote demand. Songkran is a festival celebrating the traditional Thai New Year which is held in April. The Bank of Thailand anticipates that the demand for banknotes will increase during the festival. Dr…
Argentina has launched a new 50-peso banknote featuring a map of the Falkland Islands to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the invasion of the islands. The note was presented by the Argentinian president Cristina Kirchner in Buenos Aires. The value of the new note is around £4 (US $7). The front of the note displays…
A Bitcoin ATM has been opened in Israel. The ATM was opened on the 30 March at the “Bitcoin emBassy”, a non-profit group based in Tel Aviv. The new machine, operated by the Bits of Gold company, enables users to purchase Bitcoin credits in exchange for cash. “I am proud that the embassy has made…