Cash connects people

Burning Man’s moneyless gift economy is a unique social experiment. Each year, 80,000 people test life beyond money in Nevada. Is this a trend shaping the future of money, or merely a fleeting desert mirage?

In a twist of historical and political irony, President Donald Trump will soon be immortalized on a new $1 commemorative coin—after he was notably excluded from featuring on a U.S. banknote.

The Netherlands, despite being a low-cash country, has successfully maintained the stability of cash acceptance through targeted policies and measures implemented by the central bank and government, ensuring that cash remains a viable and inclusive payment method.

Do we really know what accepting payments really entails for retailers? Why are some retailers or customers reluctant to use cards? What role does cash play? Find out from retailers’ own experiences.

The Bundesbank’s latest study on payment behaviour in Germany for 2025 shows that 45 % of all recorded purchases were made using cash. Cash remains the most frequently used means of payment at the point of sale.

Planning to sail across the Atlantic? Don’t forget your GPS, your satphone… and your cash. Even in the middle of the ocean, some things just can’t be paid for without cash.

The digital revolution promised convenience, efficiency, and progress, but as cyber threats, addiction, and social fragmentation rise, its dark side is becoming impossible to ignore. Can a hybrid payment future truly balance digital innovation with cash resilience? And as cash usage declines, who will fund the infrastructure that keeps it viable? The future of payments demands a radical rethinking of how we preserve inclusion, trust, and choice.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Australians across the country participated in the annual Cash Out Day, a grassroots campaign designed to underscore the enduring importance of cash in everyday life.

A detailed study reveals a stunning truth: the global volume of banknotes in circulation has nearly tripled over the past two decades. This article takes you on a fascinating journey through the evolving landscape of currency denominations, from 2004 to 2024. By meticulously estimating the actual number of banknotes in circulation, the research uncovers the hidden factors driving this unexpected surge.

True inclusion meets people where they are—safeguarding cash’s reliability while enabling gradual digital uptake—maximising remittances’ contribution to sustainable development in underserved communities. This cash-centric approach has taken on added urgency with the recent imposition of a U.S. remittance tax under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

UK banks announced plans to create a domestic alternative to Visa and Mastercard, aiming to reduce dependence on US payment networks and enhance financial resilience. This initiative is part of a broader global trend toward monetary sovereignty, accelerated by the election of Donald Trump and geopolitical tensions. The future of payments is expected to be hybrid, with cash playing a crucial role alongside digital innovations.

As Valentine's Day approaches, a unique trend is emerging in Kenya banknote bouquets, where currency is folded into floral designs. While beautiful, this practice defaces banknotes, posing challenges for the Central Bank. How to balance art and regulation?