China leads race to become world's top cashless society, says British expert (2024)

China leads race to become world's top cashless society, says British expert (1)

A staff member demonstrates the payment with China's digital yuan, or the e-CNY, during the first Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

In China, the proportion of the total amount of money in circulation in the form of cash has dropped to 3.7 percent and is continuing to fall, said Matthews.

LONDON, July 5 (Xinhua) -- China is on track to becoming the world's top country for cash-free transactions, Kent Matthews, professor of banking and finance at Cardiff University told Xinhua recently in an exclusive interview.

In China, the proportion of the total amount of money in circulation in the form of cash has dropped to 3.7 percent and is continuing to fall, said Matthews.

"People are using cash much less today than they were 10 or 20 years ago. The trend towards a cashless society is inexorable," he said, noting that today in Britain cash is about 2.9 percent of the total money in circulation.

In less than 20 years, China has, with impressive speed, closed the gap with Britain in terms of a cashless society, Matthews noted.

China leads race to become world's top cashless society, says British expert (2)

A staff member displays a mobile payment terminal for digital yuan (e-CNY) at the first China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, May 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

This has shown how fast the technology of cash-free transactions and payment has moved in China and how quickly the Chinese society has accepted it, he said.

Matthews said he would not be surprised if, in the next five years, cash usage declines to less than 2 percent of the total money in circulation in China. "The adoption of technology in China is much more rapid."

Recalling how on a recent visit to China he used his phone to buy a mango from a street vendor for just a few pennies, Matthews said the technology in China is very advanced compared to other parts of the world, and that has to do with the digitization of its economy.

In China, Matthews was amazed to see people who he'd expected to prefer using cash, such as the elderly, small shop owners, and street vendors, used their phones for transactions rather than cash.

China leads race to become world's top cashless society, says British expert (3)

Photo taken on Sept. 4, 2022 shows e-CNY (digital yuan) payment cards at an exhibition of financial services during the 2022 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) at the Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

"China is setting an example on digital payment to the rest of the world and is showing us that, in fact, age is not an impediment," he said.

However, he believes that no country can become totally cashless. "There will always be a need for cash, and it will be impossible for any government to legislate cash away," he added.

China leads race to become world's top cashless society, says British expert (2024)

FAQs

China leads race to become world's top cashless society, says British expert? ›

China leads race to become world's top cashless society, says British expert. In China, the proportion of the total amount of money in circulation in the form of cash has dropped to 3.7 percent and is continuing to fall, said Matthews.

Is China becoming a cashless society? ›

“Elderly Chinese still often prefer to pay with cash and some struggle with using mobile payments.” Less than a year ago, state media was lauding China's trajectory towards becoming the world's top country for cashless transactions. Xinhua reported cash had dropped to just 3.7% of the total money in circulation.

What country will likely be the first nation in the modern world to go cashless? ›

Explanation: The country that is likely to be the first nation in the modern world to go cashless is Sweden. Sweden has been at the forefront of the digital payment revolution and has made significant progress in reducing cash usage.

Is the US moving toward a cashless society? ›

The US is moving toward cashless payments, with a substantial increase in the use of mobile wallet apps and contactless cards. A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco found that payments made using cash accounted for just 18% of all US payments in 2022.

Should I take cash to China? ›

There's no single best way to take money to China. Cards and mobile payments are very widespread, but having some cash can also be reassuring. Carrying one or more cards, including a travel prepaid or debit card, as well as some cash is a good idea for most people.

Who is leading the cashless society? ›

China leads race to become world's top cashless society, says British expert. In China, the proportion of the total amount of money in circulation in the form of cash has dropped to 3.7 percent and is continuing to fall, said Matthews.

Which country is 100 cashless? ›

The correct answer is Sweden. Sweden is World's first country to have a cashless economy. In 2023, Sweden is proudly becoming the first cashless nation in the world, with an economy that goes 100 percent digital.

What are the dangers of a cashless society? ›

The downsides of going cashless include less privacy, greater exposure to hacking, technological dependency, magnifying economic inequality, and more. Credit and debit cards, electronic payment apps, mobile payment services, and virtual currencies in use today could pave the way to a fully cashless society.

What would happen if the US went cashless? ›

While a cashless system would likely make it easier to track the transactions and freeze the accounts of certain criminals, the lack of an easy, cash alternative would likely push many larger criminal organizations into offshore banking, Bitcoin-style currencies, and other sophisticated digital tricks that would make ...

Which country is closest to cashless? ›

And, if you're interested in going cashless, we can help you compare quotes from EPOS system providers. Just fill in our quick form. Norways is the most cashless country, with only around 2% of payments being made by cash, and 100% of the population having a bank account.

Why shouldn t the US go cashless? ›

A cashless society would rely on a complex network of digital systems, which would be vulnerable to cyberattacks. If these systems were hacked, it could have a devastating impact on the economy. Privacy is the third challenge raised. Cash can be exchanged anonymously, leaving no digital trail.

Why does the government want to get rid of cash? ›

Cash can play a role in criminal activities such as money laundering and tax evasion. Using digital money prevents the transfer of physical money, and all transactions are handled using computers and the internet.

Are banks going cashless? ›

More than half of all bank branches no longer handle cash. Seven out of ten consumers say they can manage without cash, while half of all merchants expect to stop accepting cash by 2025 (Arvidsson, Hedman, and Segendorf 2018).

What does China do with US dollars? ›

Chinese Economics

They sell the dollars they receive through exports to get RMB, which increases the USD supply and raises the demand for RMB. The PBOC can print yuan as needed. Effectively, this intervention by the PBOC creates a scarcity of U.S. dollars, which keeps the USD rates higher.

How much money can a Chinese citizen take out of China? ›

Move Money In and Out of China – Rules and Restrictions

They can take local currency of 20,000 RMB in or out of China. This limit is applicable to local residents and foreigners. This is the general allowed amount and does not require any additional action. This amount does not need to be declared with customs.

How much dollar can I carry from China? ›

There are no quantitative restrictions imposed on foreign currencies, traveler's checks, or letters of credit brought in. However, inbound passengers shall declare to Customs if carrying foreign currencies in cash worth more than $5,000USD.

Which country is going cashless? ›

Norways is the most cashless country, with only around 2% of payments being made by cash, and 100% of the population having a bank account.

Can we still use cash in China? ›

While digital payments are the norm in China, traditional methods like cash and cards are still accepted.

Is China doing away with paper money? ›

This is China: The cashless era is coming

In 2018, a record 277.4 trillion RMB had transacted via mobile payments and as of June 2019, there were 633 million online payment users in China. The leap from cash to mobile payments was accelerated by advanced technologies and a high mobile penetration rate in the country.

What is the cashless payment system in China? ›

China's two dominant mobile payment services providers, Alipay owner Ant Group and WeChat Pay operator Tencent Holdings, are enhancing operations to make it easier for foreign travellers to pay for goods and services on the mainland, the world's largest cashless society.

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