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SMI is the acknowledged world leader in the provision of independent technical & commercial expertise to the currency industry. Founded in 1994, SMI consultants each have many years’ experience working in the currency industry, and consequently have extensive knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the banknote and coin markets, offering consultancy services on a range of issues related to the security, manufacture, issue, circulation and management of physical cash in the economy.

Read SMI’s Analyst Notes regarding De La Rue’s Results

News, SMIBy SMI 27/05/2016

On the 24 May 2016 British commercial banknote printer De La Rue plc announced its 2015/2016 full year results. The announcement came just two days after the company announced the sale of Cash Processing Solutions Limited (CPS) to CPS Topco Limited, a company owned by UK based private equity firm Privet Capital. De La Rue Results: Read…

Thousand franc banknote “part of Swiss culture”

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 20/05/2016

The thousand franc banknote (CHF1,000) from Switzerland is the most valuable in the world, worth around US $1,000. But its legitimate use, and other high value banknotes, has been questioned for some time due its link with financial crime and tax evasion. There have been several reports and statements made recently by those who believe such high…

FitBit buys wearable payments tech from Coin

Cashless Payments, News, TechnologyBy SMI 19/05/2016

FitBit Inc, the fitness tracking company which has exploded into the fitness technology market, has acquired wearable payments assets of electronics and financial technology company, Coin Inc. FitBit Inc. is a provider of stylish wearable physical activity trackers, namely FitBit trackers, allowing users to monitor their activity and sleep patterns with the aim of promoting a healthier lifestyle.…

Android Pay is now available in the UK

Cashless Payments, NewsBy SMI 18/05/2016

Android Pay, the mobile payment solution from Google, has launched in the United Kingdom. The UK is the second country to offer Android Pay, following its initial launch in the United States in September last year. Android Pay users Over 60% of the UK’s smartphone users own an Android handset. Those running Android 4.4 or higher and fitted with…

Remaining New Zealand banknotes enter circulation

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 17/05/2016

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has issued the $20, $50 and $100 banknote denominations into circulation. The denominations, which began circulating on the 16 May 2016, complete the country’s seventh series of New Zealand banknotes, called Brighter Money, following the release of the $5 and $10 banknote denominations last October. According to the Reserve Bank’s Head of…

Nanotech Security produces Optical Thin Film for Asia banknotes

Banknotes, News, TechnologyBy SMI 13/05/2016

Yesterday, Nanotech Security Corp. announced that it has completed rigorous supplier acceptance tests and has subsequently begun the production and delivery of their proprietary colour-shifting Optical Thin Film (OFT). The nanotechnology specialist is a producer of advanced security products and surveillance solutions, with features that produce intense, high definition optically variable images and colour-shift optical thin films.…

Guyana banknote celebrates 50 years of independence

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 13/05/2016

A commemorative $50 Guyana banknote was issued on the 11th May by the Bank of Guyana. The new denomination note has been issued to celebrate 50 years of independence. Guyana Banknote The Bank’s Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga, said of the banknote’s release, “We are pleased to be marking Guyana’s 50 years of independence with a…

Bolivia launches tender for new banknote series

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 09/05/2016

The Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB) has announced that it will introduce a new series of banknotes in 2018, including a new 500 boliviano denomination. According to the press release issued by the Central Bank on 5 May 2016, the tender for the printing of the new series will include the Bs. 10, Bs. 20, Bs. 50,…

Zimbabwe cash shortage forces Reserve Bank to take action

Banknotes, Currency, NewsBy SMI 05/05/2016

Zimbabwe is suffering from a shortage of cash in the form of US dollars, the main accepted currency in the country since it abandoned its own in 2009 following sustained hyperinflation. A press release issued yesterday by the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, DR. J.P. Mangudya, has highlighted the Zimbabwe cash shortage, and…

European Central Bank to withdraw €500 banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 04/05/2016

The European Central Bank (ECB) has confirmed that it will stop producing the euro 500 banknote denomination due to concerns it is helping to facilitate illegal activities. Today’s decision from the Governing Council of the European Central Bank followed a review of the denominational structure of the Europa series which, it says, “[took] into account concerns that this…