logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2016
22m 58s

Who Wins in a Cashless Economy?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

The death of cash has been predicted many times over the years. But in the last decade a future without coins and notes has become a real possibility thanks to the global development and adoption of cashless systems. Some banks in Scandinavia are already refusing to accept or hand out cash. And, in nations with poor banking infrastructure, the growth of cashless has been explosive. Millions of people around the world now conduct their lives with hardly any cash at all and in terms of convenience, most of us are winners. But warnings are sounding about the driving forces behind this shift. Are we in danger of getting rid of our cash without really understanding the consequences? Presented by Linda Yueh.

(Photo: View of a smartphone displaying the 'Contactless' application. Credit: Getty Images)

Up next
Yesterday
Is Cyprus moving closer to reunification?
<p>The Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the north after a military coup backed by Greece. Since then, the northern third has been run by a Turkish Cypriot government. This self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is ... Show More
24m 2s
Nov 18
Is the new Pope woke?
<p>Cardinal Robert Prevost made history earlier this year, when he became the first American pontiff to lead the Catholic Church. And when he stepped out onto the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica as Pope Leo XIV, dressed in traditional papal robes, some conservatives in the church ... Show More
23m 56s
Nov 11
Is the world ready for more climate migration?
From floods in Pakistan to droughts in the Horn of Africa, extreme weather events are already forcing millions of people to move. Most are displaced within their own countries but rising temperatures and sea levels could soon push many across national borders.Yet international la ... Show More
23m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2021
Big Brother Wants Your Money
<p>Today El Salvador was the first country to adopt Bitcoin as a recognized currency.</p> <p>But this takes us back to the fundamental question of what is money? Why would a country adopt a currency that is as volatile as bitcoin? It’s not an effective store of value, and its use ... Show More
6m 13s
Jun 2024
Evolving Money: Money Without Borders (Sponsored Content)
<p>Throughout history, financial markets have struggled with the issue of borders. Borders create friction, add cost and cause headaches for anyone who wants to spend money across them. On top of that, various national currencies can be wildly unstable.</p> <p>Could a borderless, ... Show More
21m 5s
Oct 2016
Ep113 – Financial Inclusion: Banking The Next Billion
In this episode This week we had the pleasure of talking to some global thought leaders in the space of Financial Inclusion. This week we welcome onto the show Kosta Peric (@copernicc) who is the Deputy Director, Financial Services for the Poor at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundat ... Show More
2 h
May 2024
Can digital banking transform the fortunes of Africa’s youth?
For many young people in Africa, traditional banking isn’t just a hassle, it’s a major roadblock. Long lines, piles of paperwork and strict ID requirements mean many are left out in the cold when it comes to managing their money in bank accounts. Digital banking platforms are try ... Show More
16m 45s
Jul 2025
How Much Bitcoin Do You Need to Retire? | Beyond Bitcoin
How much Bitcoin do you really need to retire? The answer may surprise you—and change your mindset entirely. In this bold breakdown, we challenge traditional retirement thinking, expose economic lies, and reveal why Bitcoin might be the only lifeboat left.SPONSORS:📡Sat123https:/ ... Show More
14m 8s
Jul 2025
Michael Saylor Made $28B With Bitcoin! | Bitcoin Simply
Americans are struggling with rising inflation, debt, and financial insecurity, yet Bitcoin remains largely overlooked. Since 2020, the average U.S. home price in Bitcoin has dropped dramatically, and countries like El Salvador have turned poverty into massive Bitcoin profits. Co ... Show More
11m 53s
Mar 2022
How Bitcoin is reviving the American dream w/ Gary Leland
In this Episode Gary Leland talks about how Bitcoin is reviving the American dream. For many, there is no American Dream, only a nightmare. Financial stress and debt burdens weigh heavily. The system just feels rigged. Amidst this despair, Americans are finding hope in an unlikel ... Show More
1h 10m
Aug 27
AMERICA'S ZIMBABWE FUTURE -- Guy Gotslak
Protect Your Retirement with a PHYSICAL Gold and/or Silver IRA <a href='https://www.subscribestar.com/away?url=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2d0cmVwb3J0Z29sZC5jb20v%0A'>https://www.sgtreportgold.com/</a> CALL( 877) 646-5347 - You Can Trust Noble Gold ------- Preserve your purchasing power wit ... Show More
39m 13s
Aug 2022
Brett Scott, "Cloudmoney: Cash, Cards, Crypto, and the War for Our Wallets" (Harper Business, 2022)
In Cloudmoney: Cash, Cards, Crypto, and the War for Our Wallets (Harper Business, 2022), Brett Scott tells an urgent and revelatory story about how the fusion of Big Finance and Big Tech requires “cloudmoney”—digital money underpinned by the banking sector—to replace physical cas ... Show More
1h 4m