IF YOU LIVE IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE WORLD, IT CAN FEEL LIKE CASHLESS SOCIETY IS JUST AROUND THE NEXT CORNER. 

 

The true global picture, however, is far more complex. There are many highly developed markets that still heavily rely on cash, such as Japan, Germany, Spain and more. But even more interesting is that in many countries that have moved the furthest away from cash payments, we are seeing significant pushback. Resistance is growing from governments, citizen campaigns, and legal advocates who are stepping in to preserve cash as an equally valid payment option.

 

Why is that?

 

Let’s take a closer look at how and why the pushback is emerging across the world.

 

1. Nordic Reversals: Sweden & Norway Reconsider Cash

 

Once the poster children of the cashless future, Sweden and Norway are now encouraging citizens to hold cash. In Sweden, only about 10% of transactions today are paid with cash, and physical bank branches mostly stopped handling cash entirely.

 

Yet in October 2024, Sweden’s defence ministry sent every household a brochure titled 'If crisis or war comes', urging people to keep at least a week’s worth of cash in various denominations. Their reasoning: cyberattacks or infrastructure failure could make digital payments unusable in times of war or emergencies.

 

Similarly, Norway's government passed legislation mandating that retailers must accept cash, or risk fines. This comes amid growing concern for nearly 600,000 citizens who lacked access to digital payment systems. As the former justice minister Emilie Mehl put it: 'If no one pays with cash and no one accepts cash, cash will no longer be a real emergency solution.'

 

2. Australia: A Groundswell of Citizens and Government Action

 

Australia is experiencing a significant pushback. A Cash Welcome campaign amassed over 200,000 signatures, demanding protection for access to cash and preventing bank closures in regional areas. In response, the federal government declared a moratorium on regional bank closures through July 2027 and pledged funding to support post offices handling cash services.

 

Notably, a student named Oliver Griffiths has taken legal action after being fined for attempting to pay cash at a parking lot that had gone digital-only. He's drawing attention to the fact that approximately 1.5 million Australians still rely on cash, and up to one in four businesses refuses it. The government has announced it will implement a “cash mandate” in early 2026, requiring essential businesses—pharmacies, service stations, GPs, supermarkets—to accept cash.

 

3. Ireland: Legislation to Maintain Access to Cash

 

Ireland is moving forward with an Access to Cash Bill, requiring the continued availability of ATMs and ensuring that cash remains easy to obtain for vulnerable groups and small businesses. Government ministers have emphasized cash’s value for privacy, independence, and economic inclusion, especially for SMEs and rural communities.

 

Following the publication of the Bill last year, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers said, "Cash is important to consumers in all walks of life because it is a private, secure, and instant form of payment. It is a budgeting tool for many, and it allows individuals to maintain their financial independence. It is also important for the day-to-day revenue and expenses of so many of our small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs)."

 

4. United States: Legal Battles Over Cash Acceptance Rights

 

In the USA, some states and cities already prohibit businesses from refusing cash – Massachusetts, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Rhode Island, New York City, and Washington, D.C. – have enacted laws protecting cash users. And at the federal level, a lawsuit filed in early 2024 challenged the National Park Service for refusing to accept cash at numerous parks and monuments, arguing it violates the status of legal tender and excludes households without bank accounts or cards (estimated at nearly 6 million households).

 

5. United Kingdom: Local Protections and Public Sentiment

 

While digital payments dominate in cities and among younger consumers in the UK, the transition to a fully cashless society has been met with skepticism—particularly in rural areas and among older demographics. According to the Bank of England, over 5 million adults still rely on cash daily.

 

In 2023, the UK government passed the Financial Services and Markets Act, which included a legal duty on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to ensure access to cash across the country. The move came after widespread branch and ATM closures triggered fears that vulnerable people would be left behind. Retailers are also affected: while some chain stores opt for digital-only, many small businesses still prefer cash to avoid the transaction fees associated with card payments.

 

A number of towns and high streets continue to display 'cash accepted here' signage, responding to local demand. Public campaigns, such as 'Which? Cash Friendly Pledge' have further spotlighted the need for payment choice, especially during economic downturns when budgeting with physical money can help households better manage spending.

 

 

The Debate: Pros and Cons of Cashless and Cash-Based Systems

 

Proponents of cashless systems highlight several advantages: efficiency, convenience, fraud reduction, and streamlined taxation. For consumers, mobile wallets and contactless cards offer convenience, and digital payments can provide valuable data for retailers, governments, and financial institutions. Central banking strategists and futurists like Brett King argue that digital payments are simply the next inevitable phase of economic evolution.

 

However, even leaders of cashless economies – like Sweden and the UK – are beginning to include provisions protecting cash for inclusion and resilience. Because cash offers a distinct set of benefits that digital payments often lack. For one, cash payments are immediate and do not incur processing fees – an important factor for small retailers operating on thin margins, who can end up paying several percent of every sale on fees. Unlike digital systems that require internet access or smartphone use, cash is universally accessible and doesn’t depend on a network. It also provides financial privacy and helps people, especially those on tight budgets, better manage spending. Moreover, with the help of cash automation solutions, businesses and customers can enjoy greater speed, efficiency, error reduction and counterfeit detection.

 

Cash transactions are also immune to cyber threats. In the event of power outages, technical failures, or cyberattacks, cash remains a resilient and reliable method of exchange. These reasons contribute to the growing calls to maintain cash as a parallel payment option, rather than allowing it to fade away.

 

Maintaining Balance in Payment Freedom

 

The transition to digital payments brings some undeniable advantages in speed, convenience and fraud prevention. Yet across societies, a common message is emerging: cash should not vanish without choice.

 

Governments in Sweden, Norway, Australia, Ireland, the UK and parts of the USA are choosing legal or policy frameworks to preserve access to cash. Grassroots movements and court cases keep the issue in public view. And central concerns—financial exclusion, privacy erosion, cyber risks, and social equity—are proving powerful forces in resisting a fully cashless reality.

 

Whether you're managing household budgets, safeguarding privacy, or preparing for emergencies, cash remains a critical component of economic life. Its defenders are sending a clear message that even in a digital world, payment choice matters.

 

To learn how Glory’s smart cash automation solutions can raise efficiency, security, and reduce costs in your business, get in touch.