Cash is the most widely used payment instrument

The Reserve Bank of Australia's 2025 Consumer Payments Survey reveals a surprising stabilisation in cash usage—15% of all payments—driven by older adults, low-income households, and regional communities. But as cash usage rebounds, the infrastructure supporting it is deteriorating, especially for deposits. With new laws mandating cash acceptance in essential businesses, the debate over its future intensifies, highlighting cash’s enduring role in economic inclusion and resilience.

The 2025 Swiss National Bank payment methods survey reveals a nuanced and resilient role for cash. Cash remains a vital, regularly used, and socially valued payment method and plays a vital role in terms of economic inclusion, financial autonomy, and crisis resilience.

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.

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.

From the US phasing out the penny to Germany’s push for cash payment rounding, the relationship between coins and banknotes is transforming—but coins are far from obsolete. While banknotes grow as a store of value, coins continue to play a vital role in everyday transactions, supported by smart denominational strategies and durable innovations. Explore how central banks are adapting currency structures, balancing tradition with efficiency, and ensuring coins remain essential in the diverse ecosystem of cash.

Despite predictions of a cashless society, cash remains vital across all age groups. New ECB research reveals older adults prefer cash for transactions, but young adults pay with cash at roughly the average rate and keep cash reserves. The perceived importance of cash is rising for all!

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.

Elsewhere on the Web provides updates and links to articles related to cash, money and payments curated on the web. This month the focus is on declining cash usage for payments and the growing threats that this poses to the economy and society.

2024 marked a pivotal chapter in the evolving narrative of cash. From New Zealand’s innovative community cash trials to Germany’s National Cash Forum, efforts were made to enhance access and acceptance of cash. Research delved into its psychological and societal importance, while the Paris Olympics exposed the challenges of cashless society. This retrospective captures key moments that shaped the discourse on relevance of cash, reflecting its enduring role in fostering financial inclusion, economic stability, privacy and consumer choice.

The European Central Bank (ECB) published in December its latest study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE). In terms of the number of payments, cash is the most widely used method with 52% of transactions, down from 59% in 2022.

The Royal Canadian Mint’s supply of coins has increased after the Covid-19 pandemic. Canadian retailers remain committed to accepting cash transactions.

Cash prevails in the Palestinian economy in the form of Israeli shekels. Cross-border payments are unstable. Cash transfers will have a limited impact without humanitarian supplies to help displaced Gazans.