Bundesdruckerei Unveils “STELLA”: A Credit Card-Sized Concept for the Future of Cash

The Bundesdruckerei, Germany’s state-owned secure printer, has unveiled “STELLA,” a prototype banknote designed to be the size of a standard credit card. Developed as part of the company’s “Ex Nihilo” experimental series, the concept aims to maintain the functionality of physical currency while increasing sustainability and security in an increasingly digitized global payment landscape.

Why the Bundesdruckerei is Redesigning Banknotes

The primary motivation behind the STELLA project is to adapt physical currency to modern consumer habits and environmental standards. According to a [2025 study by the Deutsche Bundesbank](https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks/topics/cash-remains-the-most-popular-payment-instrument-in-germany-907606), cash remains a dominant force in the German economy, with nearly all retail outlets accepting it and the vast majority of transactions succeeding on the first attempt.

Despite this resilience, the rise of digital payments and self-service kiosks has pressured central banks to rethink the form factor of banknotes. By shrinking the physical footprint, the Bundesdruckerei intends to make cash more convenient for wallets designed for plastic cards, reducing the material and energy resources required for mass production.

Material Composition and Sustainability

Unlike traditional cotton-based banknotes, STELLA is printed on a polymer substrate. This thin, plastic-based film is manufactured from renewable, non-fossil raw materials.

The transition to polymers is not merely an aesthetic choice. According to official company statements, the material is designed for longevity, effectively lowering the carbon footprint and production costs associated with frequent replacement of damaged notes. While the surface area is significantly smaller than current Euro notes, the design utilizes edge-to-edge printing to maximize space for both traditional and advanced security features, ensuring that the reduction in size does not compromise anti-counterfeiting measures.

Evolution from the IGNIS Prototype

STELLA follows the precedent set by the “IGNIS” concept note, which earned recognition at industry awards in 2024. While IGNIS focused on the integration of ultra-thin security chips within black paper, STELLA shifts the focus toward resource efficiency and functional design.

The aesthetic theme of STELLA—centered on stars and the origin of carbon—serves as a conceptual metaphor for “reduction to the essentials.” This design philosophy prioritizes high-impact visuals that occupy the entirety of the smaller surface, allowing the banknote to remain recognizable and secure despite its drastically reduced dimensions.

Key Facts About the STELLA Concept

* Format: Dimensions comparable to a standard credit card.
* Substrate: Polymer-based film derived from renewable, non-fossil sources.
* Design Philosophy: Edge-to-edge security features to compensate for the smaller surface area.
* Strategic Goal: Improving the sustainability and everyday utility of physical cash in a digital-first economy.

What Happens Next for Physical Currency?

The STELLA project serves as a research and development roadmap rather than an immediate replacement for current legal tender. Central banks and state printers globally are currently balancing the declining use of cash in some demographics with its continued high utility in others.

As the Bundesdruckerei continues its “Ex Nihilo” experiments, the focus remains on whether these smaller, polymer-based notes can be effectively integrated into existing automated cash-handling infrastructure, such as ATMs and automated deposit machines. For now, STELLA represents a technical proof-of-concept for how physical money might survive in a future dominated by digital wallets and contactless payments.