New Fiji banknotes use security tech never defeated by counterfeiters

The country's new polymer banknotes feature security technology that has never been successfully counterfeited.

This would protect Fijians from an emerging global threat of industrial-scale fake currency production.

Crane Currency president Dr Aleta Richards warned that counterfeiting has evolved beyond individuals with home printers to organised operations using the same sophisticated equipment as legitimate currency producers.

“We have countries and we have bad actors that are actually printing banknotes the same way currency in other countries do,” Ms Richards said.

“The one thing about the motion surface is it has not been counterfeited. Our micro-optics have not been counterfeited.”

The motion surface, a security stripe visible from both sides of the notes, is Crane Currency’s latest advancement and makes the new notes among the most secure in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ms Richards said the upgrade was essential to stay ahead of criminals.

“Eventually you’re going to have to change the banknotes to be ahead of the counterfeiters,” she said.

“The thing you all want to make sure is that if I have a $100 banknote, that I know that it is a good $100 banknote.”

Reserve Bank of Fiji Deputy Governor Esala Masitabua confirmed that counterfeiting in Fiji remains "very negligible" but stressed the importance of proactive measures.

“It’s very important for any central bank, especially today in this technology-driven world, to keep abreast of investments in technology,” Mr Masitabua said.

The new notes will begin circulating January 2, 2026.

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