Banknotes

Banknotes

Design and Symbolism: The Iconic Potential of the Banknote

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Today, banknotes are objects inextricably linked to national or supranational identity. Emblazoned with landmarks, historical figures, mottos, emblems, or iconic monuments, banknotes tend to reflect a sense of communal pride, are symbolic in nature, and reflective of the evolution of identity. The redesign of banknotes can cause as much political upheaval as social unity and is a process that can take years, calling on the expertise of certain industry giants. Redesigning banknotes means taking into account both aesthetic and security concerns and only a few expert firms have the experience to undertake such a politically and socially dynamic task.

Plastic industry sneaking into new markets: roads, banknotes or even braces

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Few materials have conquered new market segments faster and more aggressively than plastic. The oil-based material, which didn’t even exist a century ago, is now found in virtually every corner of our lives, from automobiles to computers, and from home appliances to clothing. But every market follows the rule “grow or die”, and the plastic industry is no different. How does one grow, when the world wants to get rid of you?

Coronavirus fake news: the parallel pandemic

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In tandem with the global coronavirus outbreak, misinformation and disinformation are wreaking havoc with efforts from authorities to provide accurate news and guidance. Not only are bad actors profiting from …

Unpopular restrictions on payments in cash further weakens the EU Commission

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On January 23rd of this year, the EU Commission issued the ‘Commission Initiative Roadmap’ for 2018 regarding the reinforced fight against the financing of terrorism. These measures happen to be in fact restriction on payments made in cash. In other words, the Initiative is not so much about fighting terrorism but more a war declaration to cash money. The EU wants to become cashless but Europeans disagree and the Initiative has made Europe loose more of the little credibility it had left.

Why big banks look forward to a cashless society

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Banks are like any other business, but they have a particular position on the market. They permeate every other kind of business, as an intermediate agent in almost every type of transaction, except one: cash. Thus, banks are trying to close the loophole, through the slow deletion of cash from our societies.