Why Eliminate Cash?
Cash can be used in criminal activities such as money laundering and tax evasion because it is difficult to trace. Digital transactions or electronic money create an audit trail for law enforcement and financial institutions and can aid governments in economic policymaking. Transactions using digital money reduce costs and create transparency in an individual's spending and savings habits.
Key Takeaways
- 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.
- In the United States, any financial institution that receives a cash deposit of more than $10,000 must report it to the IRS, making tracking and tracing illegal activity easier.
- The Federal Reserve has been exploring the use of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
The "War on Cash"
In 2016, the European Central Bank (ECB) eliminated the production of its €500 notes to curb fraud and money laundering. The note was the second-largest denomination across the euro currency zone, and the ECB claimed that it was the banknote of choice among criminals. At the time of the ECB's announcement, the €500 bills in circulation represented one-third of all the euro-denominated cash outstanding.
Since 2016, global policies have been implemented to thwart the use of cash in favor of digital currency transactions. In the United States, any financial institution that receives a cash deposit of more than $10,000 must report it to the IRS, making tracing illegal activity easier.
Promoting and tracking digital transactions amounts to a war on cash. Digital money is instead promoted because it keeps cash from being used. Transactions are handled by computers via the internet rather than passing through anyone's hands. Critics argue that limiting the use of cash and forcing individuals to pay through banks or credit card companies compromise financial privacy, prevent interest accumulation on saved cash, and limit profits of small business owners who often rely on cash sales.
Limiting Cash Savings
Because hoarding cash usinglarge valued notes is easy, a central bank may implement a monetary policy such as a negative interest rate policy (NIRP). A negative interest rate policy (NIRP) occurs when a central bank sets its target nominal interest rate at less than zero percent to discourage cash savings and promote spending. Limiting cash savings may also reduce bank runs during financial turmoil, such as the 2007-2008 financial crisis.
CBDC and Cryptocurrency
In the United States, Federal Reserve notes or physical currency is the money available to the general public. However, to keep up with advancements in blockchain and cryptocurrency, the Fed has been exploring a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Managed by the Federal Reserve, a CBDC would allow for digital payments and tracking of transactions and provide the safest digital asset available to citizens with no associated credit or liquidity risk.
In 2024, more than 130 countries have explored using a Central Bank Digital Currency.
Governments that introduce a CBDC enable a war on cash and cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrenciesare virtual currencies and individual monetary units, convertible into fiat currency at a variable rate determined by supply and demand, but their use and value are not monitored or guaranteed by any agency.
Will CBDC Replace Cash?
Many countries are researching and developing CBDC programs. Developed nations have already begun transitioning away from physical cash, so it's not unrealistic to believe that CBDCs will soon replace it.
Is CBDC Coming to the US?
The Federal Reserve is researching CBDCs for use in the U.S. but has not announced any intentions to release one.
Is CDBC a Cryptocurrency?
CBDCs use many of the same concepts as cryptocurrency, but they are not cryptocurrencies. A CBDC would be issued by a centralized government agency and recognized by a government as legal tender, while cryptocurrencies are not.
The Bottom Line
A "war on cash" is defined as the use and promotion of digital currency. Cash is often traced to criminal activities such as money laundering and tax evasion. Using digital money creates a data trail as all transactions are handled using computers and the internet. As of April 2024, many countries, including the United States, have been exploring the use of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
FAQs
Why Eliminate Cash? Cash can be used in criminal activities such as money laundering and tax evasion because it is difficult to trace. Digital transactions or electronic money create an audit trail for law enforcement and financial institutions and can aid governments in economic policymaking.
What are the disadvantages of cashless economy? ›
Identity theft and compromised personal information are potential dangers in a cashless economy, but privacy might be compromised in other ways too. When you pay digitally, you always leave a digital footprint, and this footprint is easily monitored by financial institutions.
Is cashless society good or bad? ›
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.
Why are banks going cashless? ›
The fear of transmission coupled with lockdowns and other restrictions led to a boom in online shopping and cashless payments globally. As consumers continue to embrace the legacy of the pandemic and a surge in finance technologies, cash payments are expected to continue to decline in the coming years.
What are the pros and cons of getting rid of cash? ›
The Benefits of a Cashless Society
- Convenience. Swiping a credit card or scanning your phone makes buying things quick and simple. ...
- Crime Prevention. If you're not carrying hundreds of dollars in cash, you're less of a target for robbery. ...
- Stability. ...
- Less Privacy. ...
- Decreased Monetary Security. ...
- More Sophisticated Criminality.
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.
What country is a cashless society? ›
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.
How close are we to 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.
Who will benefit from cashless society? ›
Improved safety: One of the major benefits of a cashless society is the reduction in crime rates. Cash is a tempting target for thieves, and the elimination of cash transactions would remove the incentive for many types of crime. 2. Convenience: Paying with cash can be cumbersome, especially for large purchases.
What happens to your cash in a cashless society? ›
A cashless society is one in which cash, in the form of physical banknotes and coins, is not accepted in any financial transaction.
It might be said that the US is headed toward a cashless society. Some small businesses have even put up signs saying that they no longer accept cash, another factor that's driving this change. Cash payments can take longer, limit potential sales, and open up businesses to the possibility of an audit.
Where in the Bible does it talk about a cashless society? ›
What element of the Book of Revelation are we talking about? Just: Well, if you wanna talk about a cashless society, then the reference that most people take is to the Book of Revelation Chapter 13, Verse 7.
How long before cash is obsolete? ›
We have been issuing banknotes for over 300 years and make sure the banknotes we all use are of high quality. While the future demand for cash is uncertain, it is unlikely that cash will die out any time soon.
Which banks are not going cashless? ›
All of the Big Four banks - Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ and NAB - have ruled out going cashless.
What banks aren't going cashless? ›
The Big Four banks - Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ and NAB - have all ruled out going cashless.
Why is it bad to have too much cash? ›
Holding too much cash over the long term can be very detrimental. Because it's universally true that inflation erodes the true value of cash over time. It eats away at your purchasing power. But, still, some liquidity is needed and wanted.
What are the disadvantages of having too much cash? ›
Lower returns: Since cash is largely a risk-free asset, investors don't get the “risk premium” that other investments, like mutual funds or GICs, may come with. Inflation risk: While cash has no capital risk, inflation can erode its purchasing power – meaning you wouldn't be able to buy as much with it in the future.
Is there any reason to keep cash? ›
Key takeaways. Reasons people keep cash at home include emergency preparedness, financial privacy concerns and mistrust of banks. It's a good idea to keep enough cash at home to cover two months' worth of basic necessities, some experts recommend.
