The Currency Scene
INFOGRAPHIC: Ten Years of the World With Bitcoin (UPDATE!)
- Written by: Bitcoin Play
- Category: Digital Currency
As Bitcoin reaches ten years on The Currency Scene we thought you'd enjoy this fantastic infographic courtesy of our friends over at BitcoinPlay (recently UPDATED!) A big shout out to Josh & Karthik over at WebmastersJury who worked on the project and provided the suggestion and permission to re-publish here. Follow along to learn...
67 Insane Facts About Bitcoin
Is The Mobile Banking Revolution Favoring In-Store Branches?
- Written by: American Banker
- Category: Mobile Banking
After giving a recent speech to a large banker group, I was approached by two area branch managers. They wanted to share that, while they currently run physically distinct brick-and-mortar branches, those roles do not fully reflect their experience.
They explained that, like me, they were alumni of in-store bank branches, and they appreciated my comments during the speech about having "in-store banking DNA" in my system.
Introducing Monero's Ethereum-Killer: Tari - Coinjournal
- Written by: Coin Journal
- Category: Digital Currency
Riccardo “Fluffy Pony” Spagni and a team of industry experts have announced a brand new protocol built on top of the Monero network. Designed with never before seen features, Tari is positioned to become more than another “me-too” protocol that enables token creation.
What To Look For In A Cash-in-Transit Provider
- Written by: Matthew S Daye
- Category: Cash-In-Transit
Trusting a cash-in-transit company with transporting cash or other valuables is not something you should do until you have thoroughly researched your options. About 60% of the cash-in-transit global market is controlled by only five companies due to the high cost of offering this kind of service. Here are a few things you should look for when selecting a CIT service provider.
The Tokenization Revolution: Reshaping Digital Currencies in 2026
- Written by: Matthew S Daye
- Category: Digital Currency
In the fast-moving world of global finance, digital currencies remain one of the most talked-about topics. As we move through early 2026, the space feels like it's at a turning point—full of both excitement and some familiar ups and downs.
Bitcoin, which often sets the tone for the broader crypto market, has seen a noticeable pullback this year. Miners and some large holders appear to have sold portions of their positions to manage tighter conditions, adding to the downward pressure. At the same time, well-known voices in the space, like Strategy CEO Michael Saylor, continue to express long-term confidence, suggesting dips like this can be opportunities to build positions.
Beneath these short-term swings, though, a bigger and potentially more lasting change is gaining momentum: tokenization. This is the process of turning real-world assets—things like stocks, bonds, real estate, or even everyday commodities—into digital tokens that live on blockchain networks. The appeal is straightforward: it can make assets easier to trade, allow people to own smaller pieces of expensive things (fractional ownership), and cut down on costs and delays in moving value around.
While tokenization has been experimented with for years, 2026 seems to be the year when it starts moving from pilot projects to wider use. Large banks and financial institutions are getting more involved. We've seen examples of major players issuing tokens tied to deposits or other assets on public blockchains, making institutional transfers faster and available around the clock. These steps suggest the technology is maturing and finding real-world applications beyond speculation.
Supporting this shift is a wave of clearer rules in many parts of the world. Places like Singapore, the UAE, Hong Kong, Europe, and the United States have introduced or refined frameworks, especially around stablecoins—digital currencies designed to hold steady value, usually pegged to something like the U.S. dollar. These guidelines aim to reduce uncertainty, improve security, and encourage more serious participation from traditional finance.
Not every effort has gone smoothly, of course. China, which once invested heavily in its own central bank digital currency (the e-CNY), appears to have stepped back from pushing it forward aggressively. Adoption faced hurdles, including concerns around privacy and competition from established private payment apps. That experience serves as a reminder that creating widely used digital currencies—especially ones controlled by governments—is more complicated than it might first appear.
In contrast, certain blockchains and tokens are showing signs of resilience and possible growth. Networks known for speed and low costs could benefit as more activity moves toward stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets. Some observers believe the overall market for stablecoins has plenty of room to expand in the coming years. Other projects tied to cross-border payments or decentralized finance tools have also seen periods of strength, particularly when new features or partnerships are announced.
That said, the space isn't without risks. Sharp price moves can highlight how interconnected things are—whether through market sentiment, technology concerns like potential future computing threats to encryption, or broader economic factors. Traditional safe-haven assets like gold also remain in the conversation, sometimes pulling attention when uncertainty rises.
In my view, the current turbulence isn't a sign that digital currencies are failing—it's more like a natural part of growing up. Tokenization stands out as one of the most promising directions because it focuses on practical use: making finance more accessible, efficient, and inclusive. While short-term volatility can test patience, the building blocks—better infrastructure, growing institutional interest, and evolving rules—point toward continued development rather than retreat.
Looking forward, 2026 could be the year digital currencies shift further from being mostly about price speculation toward becoming everyday tools for moving and managing value. Regions that embrace clear, balanced regulation and innovation-friendly policies seem likely to attract more activity and capital. For anyone watching this space—whether as an investor, observer, or participant—the key is staying adaptable and focused on the long-term utility these technologies can bring.
Why is Everyone Gunning for Cash?
- Written by: Gary Faulkner, Morphis
- Category: Currency
Morphis' Gary Faulkner Explains to ATM Industry Marketers Why Cash Is Still King
“Today we are here to answer that musical question, 'Is Cash Still King?'” said Gary Faulkner, EVP/Chief Marketing Officer for Morphis, Inc., kicking off the first ATMIA International Marketing Forum Webinar.
Why Don’t ATM Operators in Japan Want to Give You Money?
- Written by: Matthew S Daye
- Category: ATM
After several years of government pressure Japan’s three biggest banks are beginning to connect their ATM machines to the global network of ATM Operators. The banks resistance to globally connected ATMs has frustrated tourists short of yen. However, with the expected tourism boom from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the banks are examining their ATM operations.
Currently, foreign visitors to Japan find that their overseas cards are useable only at few banks such as the Seven Bank and Japan Post Bank.
