Acceptance of cash

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.

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.

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.

CashEssentials was honored to hold a seminar on the Future of Cash at the High-Security Printing Conference in Bangkok last week. We asked participants how they imagine the future of cash.

Two policy shifts - mandated cash acceptance and regional bank branch levies - if adopted, could steer the cash ecosystem towards more sustainability.

As a worldwide partner to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Visa has a monopoly on all debit, credit and mobile payments. Spectators are venting their frustration. Paradoxically, the campaign demonstrates the importance of cash in terms of inclusion, protection of privacy and resilience.

The Cash Payments Act aims to keep cash accessible, available, and affordable in the Netherlands by mandating banks to provide essential cash services and securing continuity in cash transportation services.

“No cash accepted” signs are excluding many unbanked and underbanked people. Insisting that all businesses accept cash is a simple way to ensure everyone is financially included in the modern economy.

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

Cash is the most widely used and accepted payment instrument in Spain, according to a recent survey from the Banco de España. Very few people and retailers know about the digital euro.

The rapid growth of e-commerce globally is often put forward as one explanation for the declining transactional use of cash and an argument in favour of CBDCs. But cash is widely used and increasingly accepted online. However, its usage is not measured.