Will cash die out? (2024)

Cash remains popular despite the rise of contactless cards and other new payment methods.

This page was last updated on 26 June 2019

What are the new digital ways to pay?

Today there is greater choice than ever in how to pay for things.

Contactless technology is used in many debit and credit cards. Then there are services that store payment cards digitally (like PayPal or Apple Pay), allowing contactless payments to be made using a PC or smartphone. Other services link your mobile phone number to your bank account so you can pay someone by sending a text.

Most of these innovations are about making it easier to pay for things. It is the same underlying systems that make a secure payment possible whenever you pay by debit card – whether it’s contactless or using a PIN, in-store or online.

It is worth noting that digital currency schemes, like Bitcoin or Ripple, are an altogether different thing. They combine new payment systems and new currencies. So to pay for things using Bitcoin, say, you would first need to buy bitcoins (using pounds, US dollars, euros etc).

Is cash in decline?

Despite these innovations, cash – banknotes and coins – continues to be important.

This is, perhaps, surprising: people do not (generally) hold £1,000 in cash.

So how is all this cash being used?

A large amount of banknotes are held in the UK to pay for things: the cash in our wallets; in shop tills; in banks and ATM machines. People also hoard cash as a form of savings. Large sums are also likely to be held overseas or for illegal uses: the so-called ‘shadow’ economy.

What does the future hold for cash?

Over the coming years, it is likely that alternative digital payment methods will become ever more widely acceptedand used. In fact, in 2017, debit cards overtook cash as the most frequently used payment method in the UK.

Even so, many people will continue to use cash in their daily lives. Many people say that they like cash because:

  • It is a fast and convenient way to pay
  • It is very widely accepted
  • It is helpful for budget management

Some people also like the fact that cash payment is entirely anonymous. It is easy to access cash, with over 45,000 cash machines in the United Kingdom that are free to use.

From paper to polymer banknotes

We have been issuing banknotes for over 300 yearsand 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.

Thenew fiver,which entered circulation in September 2016, was our first note to be printed on polymer – a thin, flexible plastic. The£10 notefollowed in 2017. And in 2020, the £20 notewill be printed on polymer too. This will then be followed by a polymer £50 note.

Will cash die out? (4)

Polymer notes are stronger and harder to counterfeit. They are also resistant to dirt and moisture so they don’t become as tatty as paper notes. To find out more, click on the links below.

Despite the new digital ways of paying, the continued use of cash means there is a need to produce banknotes that are fit for purpose.

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This page was last updated 21 March 2023

I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of digital payment systems and the evolving landscape of financial transactions. My knowledge extends from traditional cash usage to the latest innovations in digital currencies. Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article.

The article explores the ongoing debate about the future of cash in the face of emerging digital payment methods. Here are key concepts discussed:

  1. Digital Payment Methods:

    • Contactless Technology: Widely used in debit and credit cards for convenient and quick transactions.
    • Digital Wallets: Services like PayPal and Apple Pay allow users to store payment cards digitally, enabling contactless payments through PCs or smartphones.
    • Mobile Linked Payments: Some services link mobile phone numbers to bank accounts, facilitating payments through text messages.
  2. Underlying Payment Systems:

    • Emphasizes that the underlying systems for secure payments with debit cards remain consistent, whether it's contactless, PIN-based, in-store, or online.
  3. Digital Currency Schemes:

    • Differentiates digital currency schemes like Bitcoin or Ripple from traditional payment methods.
    • Highlights the need to first buy bitcoins or other digital currencies before using them for transactions.
  4. Cash Usage:

    • Contrary to expectations, cash (banknotes and coins) continues to be important despite digital innovations.
    • Various uses for cash include everyday transactions, savings, and potential use in the "shadow" economy.
  5. Future of Cash:

    • Anticipates that alternative digital payment methods will become more widely accepted, but many people will still use cash for its speed, convenience, and wide acceptance.
    • Notes that in 2017, debit cards overtook cash as the most frequently used payment method in the UK.
  6. Polymer Banknotes:

    • Introduces the transition from paper to polymer banknotes for durability and security.
    • Highlights the advantages of polymer notes, such as resistance to counterfeiting, dirt, and moisture.
  7. Reasons for Cash Preference:

    • Lists reasons why people prefer cash, including speed, convenience, wide acceptance, budget management, and the anonymity of cash transactions.
  8. Banknote Evolution:

    • Mentions the issuance of polymer banknotes, starting with the new fiver in 2016, followed by the £10 note in 2017, and the upcoming £20 and £50 notes.

In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of payments, the role of cash in a digital era, and the innovations in banknote technology. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like more information on, feel free to ask!

Will cash die out? (2024)

FAQs

Will cash die out? ›

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.

Is cash getting phased out? ›

This author says that's a false narrative. If it's been a long time since you pulled out actual dollars and coins to pay for something — here's a conversation for you. It might seem like cash is slowly becoming obsolete. But, Brett Scott says it's a false narrative that we're all pining for a cashless society.

Will cash ever be abolished? ›

Although paper-based currencies are becoming less popular, they will likely stick around for the foreseeable future. Dollars and cents may become harder to use, but as with many obsolete technologies, there are enough users to ensure demand doesn't disappear completely.

Will the US go cashless? ›

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.

What year will there be no cash? ›

She estimates that Australia will enter into a cashless society by 2030, slightly later than Commonwealth Bank's prediction of 2026, and argues for government regulation of digital payment services to help navigate the transition.

What will cash be replaced with? ›

The only way to pay for stuff in a cashless society is through digital transfers. These transfers can be done with debit or credit cards or through digital wallets (think Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo and Apple Pay).

Will there be a cashless society? ›

Is the cashless society really coming? Despite the rapid development of convenient, seamless digital payment methods, the 100 per cent cashless society remains a distant prospect. Cash is a trusted, reliable and essentially secure way to spend, and still adds up when it comes to straightforward everyday budgeting.

How long until cashless society? ›

The concept of a cashless society has been around for decades. But with 84% of payments in the US being made digitally in 2024 according to Clearly Payments, research suggests that the transition from physical currency could take place sooner than we once thought.

Is the US dollar going away? ›

The collapse of the dollar remains highly unlikely. Of the preconditions necessary to force a collapse, only the prospect of higher inflation appears reasonable. Foreign exporters such as China and Japan do not want a dollar collapse because the U.S. is too important a customer.

Is Walmart going cashless? ›

Yes Walmart still accepts dollars as cash payments when you purchase items. They even accept $2.00 bills as well as $50.00 bills and $100.00 bills. I understand that there were rumors that they were going to stop accepting those but it was just a rumor. Walmart will always accept cash.

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.

Is China gone cashless? ›

China's cashless evolution is a remarkable story, as the country transitioned in less than two decades from a cash-first society to one with an 86% mobile payments penetration rate.

Why shouldn't we get rid of cash? ›

For instance, using cash instead of credit or debit cards may help keep some people from overspending, because you can see how little is left in your wallet after every purchase. In short, getting rid of cash would impose hardships on society's most vulnerable people and could jeopardize our privacy.

Will cash eventually disappear? ›

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.

Will cash become worthless? ›

As people move toward more electronic or digital forms of payment, it might seem like paper money is on its way toward obsolescence. But experts say that cash will always be around.

Why do banks want to get rid of cash? ›

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.

Is cash going to be stopped? ›

While the future demand for cash is uncertain, it is unlikely that cash will die out any time soon. The new £5 note, which entered circulation in September 2016, was our first note to be printed on polymer – a thin, flexible plastic. The £10 note followed in 2017.

Is Walmart getting rid of cash? ›

Based on our research, the claim is FALSE. Walmart has not stopped people from using cash at its stores. Walmart is converting some of its self-checkout registers to card only, but the stores still accept cash payment.

Is cash going out of style? ›

According to a recent study by Gallup, the number of Americans who report making all/most of their purchases with cash is decreasing, falling from 36% of people in 2011 to 24% of people in 2016. * That's a significant and rapid decrease. The numbers for young Americans are even more striking.

Why cash is disappearing? ›

Banks are certainly pushing the end of cash, with the closure of many country branches leaving large areas with only ATM's and the internet to do banking while the introduction of many “cash free” branches that offer loans is a notable sign of their enthusiasm to get rid of expensive and labour-intensive transactions.

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