The Cashless Society: Are We Ready for a Digital-Only Payment World

Season 5, episode 4

Listen to the full episode here.

The global shift towards digital payments is accelerating, with cash usage declining year after year. 

From contactless transactions to mobile wallets and cryptocurrency, digital payments are reshaping the financial landscape. 

Are businesses and consumers fully prepared for a digital-only economy? What are the risks of excluding those who rely on cash? With 1.2 million people in the UK still reliant on cash, concerns around financial inclusion, cybersecurity, anddigital resilience remain.

In this episode, we examine the implications of a cashless future, hear expert insights on the opportunities and challenges, and discuss whether the world is truly ready toleave physical money behind.

Guests: 

• Craig Forsythe – CEO and Founder at Giftround
• Chris Elsden – Chancellor’s Fellow in Service Design at Institute for Design Informatics & Edinburgh Futures Institute
• Neil Collman – Design Director at Nile