At the Future of Cash conference in October, Roel van Anholt from the Dutch National Bank (DNB) explained the steps taken to strengthen cash resilience.

Since its inception in 1995, the Cash Cycle Seminar, organised by Currency Research (CR) has united industry leaders to share insights and innovations shaping the future of cash. Marking its third decade, the Asia Cash Cycle Seminar 2025, which took place 22-25 September in Bali, Indonesia, carried the theme ‘Cash Cycle 360: Redefining Resilience with Technology & Trust’.

A key theme of the ATMIA’s Europe and Emerging Markets summit was how access to cash is being managed in the UK. Barclays Bank, Cash Access UK, OneBanx and NatWest Bank spoke about the reality behind the UK’s journey to tackle the problem of access to cash.

At G+D’s Currency Technology Symposium in July, one of the discussions centred on how efficiency can be leveraged to build resilience across a wide range of scenarios. Managing the steady state is relatively straightforward with its predictable workflow, regular cash processing volumes within expected parameters, reliable supply chains, sufficient staff etc.

Fifth Third Bank are the sixth-largest commercial payments provider in the US by revenue, and they spoke at G+D’s Currency Technology Symposium in July. They have just announced that they are buying DTS Connex, which provides cash management software for multi-location businesses such as retailers, restaurants and healthcare providers.

At May’s Currency Conference the Bank of Thailand’s (BOT) Anak Somkanae, Senior Director, Payment Infrastructure and Services Strategy and Development Department, presented on cash logistics and its significant carbon footprint and. Separately, Montira Pattanakul, Senior Director, Banknote Operations Department took part in panel discussion on the cash product from cradle to grave. These two sessions gave an excellent overview of the BOT’s cash operations.

Despite the rapid rise of digital payments, cash remains a critical pillar of the global financial system, especially in regions where digital infrastructure is lacking or financial inclusion is low. The cash ecosystem is complex, involving central banks, commercial banks, cash-in-transit (CIT) companies, and technology providers. It is also facing mounting pressure to adapt due to infrastructure vulnerabilities, economic misalignments, financial exclusion and a need for better crisis preparedness.

The volume of cash in circulation in Armenia is continuing to increase despite the developments and rapid growth of non-cash payment methods. In connection with the above, the effective organisation of cash circulation is becoming a primary issue.

A new white paper investigates how cash management is changing and best practice for optimising efficiency, thereby reducing the cost and environmental impact of cash. Written by John Winchcombe of Reconnaissance International (co-publishers of Cash & Payment News™) and Paul Blond of The Blond Group, with help from the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA), the paper focuses on what happens to cash once it has been issued, because that is where the majority of the environmental impact of cash occurs.

At the 2024 Association for Financial Professionals national conference in the US treasurers from Starbucks, Staples and Inspire Brands (who run a number of US restaurant chains) explained the benefits of using smart safes for cash management.