Cash is a social network

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.

It’s the holiday season—a time for joy, cheer, and Christmas gifts. The perennial dilemma reappears every year: gift or cash? Economic utility vs sentimental value: it's a debate as old as time.

Banknotes and coins help shape our national identity. The images they display emphasise historical events, prominent personalities, or scientific, industrial and technological advances. Sometimes they highlight biodiversity, including distinctive plants and wildlife.

The media often overlooks the downsides of digital money services. A powerful narrative that exaggerates the benefits and conceals the downsides supports the growth of fintech in Africa.

A new paper explores the behavioral drivers for using cash or digital payments in Africa. The emotional driver is the only trait determining payment methods' use. Thus, policy should ensure the availability of payment alternatives, including cash.

The European Central Bank is preparing the next euro banknote series more than 20 years after the launch of the first banknotes on 1 January 2002. Europeans are invited to express preferences on shortlisted themes in a public survey open until 31 August 2023.

CashEssentials launches two new initiatives, the Cash Academic Network and the Cash Associations’ Forum, aimed at building bridges within thecash community.

The CashTech Innovation Awards aim to recognise innovations that facilitate access to and acceptance of cash and improve the cash cycle's overall efficiency. Submissions are open until 31 September 2023.

The digitisation of payment instruments increases the number of people in a situation of monetary exclusion. Digital payments have become essential to fully participate in socio-economic activities, although they are not accessible to all.

The ECB’s latest SPACE study evidences country-level variations in cash use and access to cash after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic caused disruptions in coin circulation in the United States. The U.S. Mint has increased its production since then, but the coinage denomination might need to change.