Frane Maroević on the Future of Cash: Interview in De La Rue’s Going Beyond
This interview was originally published in De La Rue’s Going Beyond newsletter, October 2026 edition. Republished with thanks to De La Rue. As Director General of the International Currency Association (ICA), Frane Maroević is a leading advocate for the global currency industry and the continued role of cash. In this interview, he discusses the ICA’s […]
Beyond the Cost Debate: Measuring the Value of Cash for Society
Originally published in Currency News™, September 2026. Article by John Winchcombe. Reproduced with kind permission of Reconnaissance International. ‘Beyond the Cost Debate’: A Multidimensional Approach to Quantify the Value of Cash for Society We live in an accountancy led world. Everything comes with a cost/benefit analysis, a return on capital employed percentage, net present value […]
Cash Is Essential for Europe’s Sovereignty, Resilience, Inclusion and Freedom of Choice
Cash is far more than just a means of payment, it is a cornerstone of our monetary system that ensures sovereignty, freedom of choice, privacy, and financial inclusion – and an essential component of European resilience. Cash must be accepted everywhere, with almost no exception. In the ongoing trilogue negotiations, adding further exceptions to mandatory […]
Stronger Together – Reflections on GCF 2026
As the warmth of the Antalya sunshine begins to fade, the memories and connections of GCF 2026 remain vivid. Four days gave us a great deal to think about. Here is what stays with me from the Forum. Monday focused on two key priorities: sustainability and cash promotion. The plenary room was full for the […]
Welcoming our newest member: Oumolat Security Printing
At our March Board meeting, the International Currency Association welcomed Oumolat Security Printing as its newest member. Based in Abu Dhabi and established in 2016, Oumolat is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates. The company specialises in high-security banknote printing and related security solutions, contributing to the resilience […]
ICA expands global footprint as Freiberger EuroMetall and CCL Secure join
The International Currency Association (ICA) welcomes Freiberger EuroMetall GmbH and CCL Secure as members. Their membership strengthens ICA’s representation across both coin and banknote supply chains, reinforces ICA’s role as the unified voice for cash worldwide, and further positions the Global Currency Forum as the premier global meeting place for the currency community. The ICA […]
ICA Welcomes Strong EU Measures to Protect Cash Payments, Calls for Even Greater Safeguards
New EU Parliament Report on Legal Tender Regulation Is a Key Step to Protect Our Freedom to Pay with Cash, Says International Currency Association The International Currency Association (ICA) welcomes the recently published “Draft Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the legal tender of euro […]
Bitcoin Consumes as Much Electricity as Argentina—Cash Is the Sustainable Alternative
Bitcoin consumes as much electricity as an entire country—Argentina. That striking fact, highlighted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), should give every policymaker pause. While the digital payment world is celebrated as convenient and cutting-edge, it carries a hidden and massive energy bill that rarely makes it into official economic statistics or climate debates. The […]
Cash is Class: Ethics in the Future of Payments
How we pay is more than a technical choice. In a world racing toward digital everything, it is a statement of who we are. Payment systems do not just move money; they shape access, autonomy, and trust. It is tempting to view cash as outdated when you can pay with your phone. But that would […]
Cash as a Public Good: Protecting Local Economies from Bank Fees
For many, cash is more than a payment method. It is a lifeline, a tool for control over spending, and a driver of local economic circulation. Consider a simple £50 note. In cash form, it can change hands dozens of times without losing value. A person repays a debt, the recipient pays the hairdresser, the […]