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.

Bitcoin exchange MT Gox files for bankruptcy

Currency, News, Technology

The troubled Bitcoin exchange MT Gox yesterday filed for bankruptcy. A statement issued by Mark Karpeles, Mt Gox’s Representative Director, confirms that the company’s total current liabilities value is almost double that of their assets. “As of now, the liabilities of MtGox Co., Ltd exceed its assets and its financial situation is as follows: Total…

De La Rue’s Chief Exec Tim Cobbold resigns

Banknotes, News

Tim Cobbold, the Chief Executive of UK based commercial banknote printer De La Rue, has today announced that he is resigning. This move comes just three years after he was employed by De La Rue as a replacement for James Hussey who resigned after taking responsibility for the problems the firm encountered with paper production…

Bitcoin exchange Mt Gox goes offline

Cashless Payments, Currency, News

Mt Gox, one of the biggest Bitcoin exchanges, has gone offline. It has reportedly suffered a cyber attack which led to Mt Gox stopping Bitcoin transfers to external addresses on 7 February 2014. A loophole was discovered by thieves enabling them to trick the transaction process into sending double the correct number of Bitcoins. It is…

Irish Central Bank promotes cashless payments

Cashless Payments, News

A major national campaign is being launched by Ireland’s Central Bank to persuade both businesses and the public to use online transactions instead of using cash and cheques. Ireland is the second biggest user of cheques in Europe, and also uses cash much more frequently than its neighbouring European countries. “The value of withdrawals from…

Coins

India installs coin vending machines

Coin, News

An initiative by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has seen vending machines filled with coins installed in various bank branches. The coin vending machines (CVMs) are to provide the public with access to coins if they find themselves short of the necessary coin denominations required when paying for items such as bus fares or…

IBNS 2013 Banknote of the Year Nominations

Banknotes, News

Nominations for the 2013 Banknote of the Year award, hosted by the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) have now been named. The annual award recognises exceptional banknote designs, which have been put into circulation for use by the public during the year of the award. The IBNS states that banknotes put forward to be nominated…

Egypt 20 banknote

Egypt banknote issuance increases

Banknotes, News

An official statement from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has noted that the issuance of Egyptian banknotes rose to EGP 264.1billion (US$37.9bn) during the 2012/2013 financial year, an increase of EGP 56.7 billion (US$8.15bn). It was noted in the statement that government expenditure led to an increase in the budget deficit, after reaching EGP…