Does the Number of Banknotes in Circulation Already Exceed 900 Billion?
Antti Heinonen
June 10, 2025
Estimating the number of banknotes in circulation globally is a significant challenge. Some countries do not publish the data while others only do so irregularly. Furthermore, central banks follow different practices with regard to the inclusion of lost, destroyed or unredeemed notes. The biggest discrepancies result from the inclusion or not of certain denominations such as older, unused or withdrawn denominations. The study concludes that there are significantly more than 900 billion banknotes in circulation worldwide, significantly more than the 550 billion cited in various industry papers.
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The Chinese New Year and its Impact on Cash Demand
Guillaume Lepecq
January 29, 2025
The Chinese New Year, celebrated globally, is marked by the tradition of giving red envelopes filled with money, symbolizing good luck and prosperity. This custom leads to a significant surge in cash demand, prompting financial institutions to implement innovative solutions to distribute the red envelopes. The fusion of tradition with modern banking practices highlights the dynamic nature of this cultural celebration.
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US: The Growing Power of Big Tech and Its Impact on the Future of Cash
Guillaume Lepecq
January 22, 2025
The re-election of Donald Trump has strengthened the influence of BigTech, fostering closer ties between tech giants and the U.S. government. As tech companies expand into financial services and cryptocurrencies, concerns about privacy, financial censorship, and dependence on digital infrastructure grow. Cash remains a crucial counterbalance, offering privacy, economic freedom, and resilience during crises.
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Paris 2024 Olympics: no Competition for Visa
Guillaume Lepecq
August 06, 2024
As a worldwide partner to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Visa has a monopoly on all debit, credit and mobile payments. Spectators are venting their frustration. Paradoxically, the campaign demonstrates the importance of cash in terms of inclusion, protection of privacy and resilience.
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