Cash has legal tender status

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.

Why do headlines claim the world is racing to become cashless? Digital payments growth doesn't equal elimination of cash. Language shapes public perception, and no nation has voluntarily abandoned cash. The cashless myth thrives on constant repetition, not on the actual economic reality.

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.

A new study reveals significant differences in cash access between France and Switzerland, with average tra-vel distances to cash points at 1.6 km and 1.4 km respectively. While both countries maintain strong overall access, rural disparities and the crucial role of post offices highlight the need for diverse cash infrastructure to ensure universal access.

On March 8, 2026, Swiss citizens will vote on a constitutional amendment to enshrine cash as a fundamental right.

"Are banks still ‘where the money is’? Globally, legislation increasingly recognises the right to access to cash and the obligation to accept it—but fails to guarantee the infrastructure. Without binding obligations, cash risks disappearing by default, not by choice. Time to rethink financial inclusion, economic resilience and territorial equity?

Indian banks are planning to deploy 17,350 new ATMs—75% cash recyclers—over six months, led by state-run banks, to boost efficiency and fill gaps, blending tech innovation with enduring cash demand.

The Netherlands are taking bold steps to future-proof cash: stricter access laws, frozen fees, and even mandatory acceptance. The new cash resilience plan—includes a war room for crises and a public campaign urging citizens to keep cash for emergencies. This is a blueprint for the future viability of cash.

Global banknote demand is rebounding post-pandemic, returning to pre-2020 trends. The introduction of new high-denomination notes has slowed, yet cash remains vital as a store of value. Cash infrastructure must adapt to declining transactional use and rising precautionary demand.

Swiss lawmakers voted in March in favour of enshrining cash in the country's constitution.

France's National Payments Committee urges immediate action to secure future payments sovereignty amid rising geopolitical tensions. Cash is crucial for economic resilience, industrial autonomy and national sovereignty.

The re-election of Donald Trump has strengthened the influence of BigTech, fostering closer ties between tech giants and the U.S. government. As tech companies expand into financial services and cryptocurrencies, concerns about privacy, financial censorship, and dependence on digital infrastructure grow. Cash remains a crucial counterbalance, offering privacy, economic freedom, and resilience during crises.