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The euro was introduced to the world in 1999, though the notes were launched in 2002. It is today the currency of the 343 million citizens of the euro area. It is the second largest reserve currency and the second most traded currency in the foreign exchange market. As of end 2018, with more than €1.2 trillion of banknotes and coins in circulation, the euro has surpassed the U.S. dollar.

Efforts to ban cashless retail are gaining momentum across the US. After Philadelphia, New Jersey, San Francisco, Massachusetts, and other cities and states have taken action to guarantee the acceptance of cash. In total there are 11 bills currently approved or making their way through the legislative process.

The Dutch government is putting forward a package of measures to Parliament, aimed at fighting against money laundering. Two of these measures specifically target cash: banning cash payments above and scrapping the €500 note.

As Facebook publishes its white paper on Libra, the code-name for its future global digital currency, it is probably timely to reflect on the value of privacy and more particularly the value of privacy in payments.

In honour of International Day for Monuments and Sites, CashEssentials is giving you a glimpse of the world right at the reach of your pocket!

Words have been turned into weapons in the war on cash and are used by the proponents of the elimination of cash to create a self-fulfilling narrative of the inevitable decline of cash.

France is following the lead set by monetary authorities and lawmakers in countries such as Sweden, the UK and the US to ensure the long term viability of the cash cycle.

James-Shepherd Barron analyses the use of the word "cash" and "money" in the aid world and calls for a better use of payments nomenclature to avoid confusion

“Freedom and choice are a core part of our democratic way of life,” says Brian Bailey of Cardtronics, explaining why cash plays a vital role in society.

For years now, Sweden has been considered to be at the vanguard of the global race for the complete elimination of cash.  Sweden has seen a constant decline in the value of cash in circulation since 2008.  However, quite unexpectedly the downward trend was reversed in May 2018 and cash in circulation has been growing since.

A new law came into force in Israel which greatly discriminates against the Arab-Israeli population which is generally unbanked and who has a greater preference for cash. But that's not all, the law also causes other problems, as the Bedouin tax evader story shows.