The Future of CashMoney in physical form such as banknotes and coins. More conference typically attracts delegates from central banks, financial institutions, retailers, cash management companiesCompanies specialized in the logistical handling of cash including several of the following operations: transportation, storage, counting and processing, packaging, replenishment and servicing of ATMs. See Cash-in-Transit. More, technology providers and suppliers. It focuses on understanding the changing cash environment and what stakeholders are doing to optimise the cash cycleRepresents the various stages of the lifecycle of cash, from issuance by the central bank, circulation in the economy, to destruction by the central bank. More and ensure cash’s future viability and sustainability. The key objective is to discuss, debate and design new strategies for creating the cash cycle of the future.

The 2023 event will feature unique, novel and interactive sessions.

Shaping the Future of Cash

The Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria have demonstrated to all the importance of cash in times of crisis and the stabilising effect it plays on the economy. However, the pandemic has also turbo-charged the shift from cash for transactions. This, in turn, has accelerated the closure of bank branches and ATMs, making it more difficult and expensive to pay or receive paymentA transfer of funds which discharges an obligation on the part of a payer vis-à-vis a payee. More in cash.

Some countries and institutions are taking measures to safeguard the cash infrastructure, which is a step in the right direction. The conference will invite key players to share their vision of ensuring a viable cash ecosystem. Safeguarding the infrastructure is, however, far from enough, as the situation has already deteriorated in many countries.

To preserve cash for those who need it and those who want it, it is necessary to re-imagine the cash cycle. This includes – but is not limited to – guaranteeing a regulatory framework that ensures access to cash for all and its acceptance; redesigning the critical infrastructure to distribute and collect cash; combining existing and alternative cash distribution channels – CashtechThe expression was first coined by CashEssentials and is the encounter of cash and technology. It brings together innovative companies who leverage software and modern communications technology to improve cash services: access to cash; acceptance of cash; and the efficiency of the cash cycle for all stakeholders. More, cash-in-shopService allowing a customer to withdraw cash from a payment account using a mobile application on a smartphone at a participating shop supporting the application. Also referred to as a “virtual ATM”. Unlike cashback, a cash-in-shop transaction does not require the consumer to make a purchase. More, cashbackA service whereby the customer pays electronically a higher amount to a retailer than the value of the purchase for goods and/or services and receives the difference in cash. It is also a reward system associated with credit card usage, whereby the consumer receives a percentage of the amount spent on the credit card. More, bank hubs; widespread public education campaign which ensures all citizens – and regulators – fully understand the social and economic role of cash. Highly interactive sessions, using collective intelligence, will invite participants to imagine and challenge possible and desirable futures for cash.

CashTech Innovation Awards

CashTech is the encounter of cash and technology. It brings together innovative companies that leverage software and modern communications technology to improve cash services – including access for consumers and businesses, facilitating the acceptance of cash by retailers across all channels, and enhancing cash’s overall efficiency, resilience and sustainability.

The CashTech Innovation Awards will celebrate the tremendous advances in harnessing digital technology to ensure an accessible, reliable and sustainable future for cash.

To submit a nomination, click here.

Research Seminar on Cash as a Public Good or a Basic Right

During this seminar, researchers and academics will be invited to frame the discussion on cash as a public good, a public infrastructure and a fundamental right.

This is not just a semantic debate between economists and researchers. It has far-reaching implications on the organisation of the cash cycle, including:

• If cash is a public good, does the government have a duty to ensure its availability?
• Can ensuring its availability be delegated to the central bank?
• Could this accelerate the withdrawal of commercial banks from the cash cycle because it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the smooth circulation of cash?
• Could this lead to redesigning the business model underlying the cash cycle and striking a new balance between market forces and the public sector?
• What does neutrality towards payment instruments mean in this case?
• What implications for a Central Dank Digital CurrencyThe money used in a particular country at a particular time, like dollar, yen, euro, etc., consisting of banknotes and coins, that does not require endorsement as a medium of exchange. More?

The seminar will be held on Monday, 6 November, and is open to all conference participants.

Call For Papers

We welcome proposals for presentations and papers. Please submit a presentation summary and a working title, speaker name, organisation and position. Proposals will be accepted until Friday, 31 May 2023. 

To submit a paperSee Banknote paper. More, click here.

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