Big Themes for 2026

The Danish physicist, Niel Bohrs, said, ‘prediction is very difficult, particularly if it’s about the future’. Few would argue with him, however, here we go… 

What will be the big themes in 2026 when it comes to cash and payments? Herewith an eclectic mix of suggestions.

CASH

1.Localised production

December’s edition of Currency News™ reported that banknote production order books are currently virtually full and listed just how many printing works are increasing their production capacity. One can prompt the other of course.

The economic costs of building and operating a banknote printing works are high and the output of a production line also high, up to 1.4 billion banknotes per year, which means that it only makes economic sense for a large issuer of banknotes to invest. Sometimes other non-economic reasons, of course, can justify the investment.