One reason, according to EU law enforcement agency Europol, is the ease of transport: A million euros in 500-euro bills weighs 2.2 kilograms, or just under 5 pounds, and fits in a laptop bag.

The European Central Bank is discontinuing the 500 euro bank note, making the 200 note the euro’s highest denomination. The ECB will phase out the note by 2018, but for now, it’s still ...

A million euros in 500-euro bills weighs 2.2 kilograms, or just under 5 pounds, and fits in a laptop bag. Using 50-euro bills, the same million would weigh 22 kilograms, or 48 pounds, and would ...