Cash covers a broad range of transactions

The "Shaping a New Reality of Cash" conference in Warsaw delivered four lessons: cash delivers measurable value exceeding its costs, its distribution infrastructure is crumbling for reasons unrelated to demand, resilience must be built in normal times, and advocacy should sell sugar, not fear.

Europe's lawmakers agree on the principle that cash must be accepted as legal tender. The argument is over the exceptions — machines without staff, merchants claiming security risks. Together, those two exceptions would apply exactly where people have no other way to pay. And neither exception, on the evidence, holds up.

The South African Reserve Bank has published a two-part Cost of Cash study quantifying the full price of banknotes and coins at roughly ZAR88.5 billion a year or approximately USD5 billion. Far from arguing for the abolition od cash, the study gives policymakers the tools to make a payment instrument millions depend on cheaper, safer and more resilient.

From Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain to Rio’s Sugarloaf Mountain, non-cash policies create absurd barriers for visitors. These sites prove cash acceptance is essential for inclusion, resilience, privacy, and common sense in today’s digital world.

The European Central Bank’s survey on the use of cash by companies reveals two insights: 92% of companies with physical points of sale accept cash in 2026—a slight rebound from the 90% recorded in 2024 ; cash is not just accepted but often preferred—outperforming digital payments on nearly every criterion, from privacy to reliability.

Cash in Canada remains resilient says a new Bank of Canada Survey. Its use at the point of sale remains stable, holdings are growing, and public perception of cash is increasingly positive—a testament to its enduring role in economic resilience and inclusion.

Cash is making an unexpected comeback in Australia, defying narratives of its decline. A Reserve Bank study reveals its resurgence, driven by trust, accessibility, and resilience—challenging assumptions about a cashless future.

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.

According to a new BIS brief, cash in circulation has stabilised globally in relation to GDP, indicating a steady demand for cash as a store of value. Cash withdrawal volumes have declined significantly, driven by supply-side factors, notably the shrinking cash infrastructure. Despite the decline in withdrawal volumes, the average value of cash withdrawals has increased.

Cash persists in the euro area—not just for small purchases, but as a trusted liquidity buffer. While digital payments rise, the dual role of cash endures, reflecting deep-rooted habits and a key component of trust .