Cash is a public good

Public discourse on cash is fragmented by competing narratives: security vs. liberty, efficiency vs. inclusivity. As digital payments and new money forms emerge, crafting coherent messages about the evolving role of cash requires nuance, shared terminology, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public engagement to ensure its voice is heard in the modern payment ecosystems.

Cash remains a cornerstone of the US financial system, serving as a primary instrument for some, a reliable backup for others, and a store-of-value for millions proving its unique attributes – universal acceptance, anonymity and cost-efficiency - are yet to replicate.

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.

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

A new white paper, Solving the ATM Paradox: A Policy Roadmap for the Future of Cash, co-authored by Guillaume Lepecq and Matt Sykes, exposes the alarming decline of ATM networks worldwide—despite rising demand for cash—and proposes concrete solutions to safeguard access to cash for all.

The future of cash is shaped by geopolitical tensions, digital developments, monetary innovation and consumer preferences. Will cash remain a global stabilizer or fade into obsolescence? The answer lies in navigating uncertainty, regulation, and technological change. What future do we want for cash?

Visa and Mastercard have agreed to jointly pay $167.5m to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing them of conspiring to keep ATM access fees artificially high. The settlement, highlights antitrust concerns and the urgent need for ATM interchange fee reform to sustain ATM networks.

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

Cash remains a resilient and essential part of Canada’s monetary and payments landscape. The Bank of Canada’s 2024 Methods-of-Payment (MOP) Survey reveals that while digital alternatives like mobile payments and contactless cards are on the rise, cash usage has remained stable since 2020.

120 ATMs are being installed in a joint initiative by the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) and the Austrian Association of Municipalities, aimed at closing gaps in the nationwide cash supply chain in rural areas. The first device was inaugurated on 1 July.

Reducing child marriage is part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Giving cash to low-income families in Indonesia cut child marriage rates among rural girls by 3.5 points. A major government program shows poverty reduction policies can have powerful ripple effects beyond just income.