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Swiss Legislators Act to Establish Cash as Constitutional Amid Falling Usage
A libertarian movement is spearheading a referendum initiative aimed at ensuring the future of cash transactions in Switzerland.
On Wednesday, Swiss lawmakers in the lower chamber of parliament approved a constitutional amendment to enshrine cash as a legal form of payment in the nation.
This decision arises from increasing worries about the prevalence of digital payment options, such as mobile and card transactions, within the Swiss economy.
The legislative movement was spearheaded by the Swiss Liberty Movement, a group championing personal freedoms, which successfully collected over 100,000 signatures last month, surpassing the necessary threshold to prompt a public referendum.
Their initiative, titled 'Yes to a free and independent Swiss currency in bank notes and coins (Cash is liberty),' seeks to guarantee that Swiss franc notes and coins remain a vital component of the monetary system.
Despite opposition from the government, which included a counterproposal recognizing the importance of cash in both social and economic contexts, lawmakers ultimately preferred the referendum.
The emphasis on cash transactions highlights a larger discussion about the role of physical currency in an increasingly digital economy.
Recent statistics reveal that cash transactions make up only about 24% of all payments conducted in Switzerland, according to the latest results from the Swiss Payment Monitor, which analyzes payment trends in the country.
In the most recent report from October and November, mobile payments became the predominant method for the first time, representing 30.7% of transactions, closely followed by debit cards at 24.4% and cash at 24.2%.
Martin Schlegel, the newly appointed president of the Swiss National Bank, reiterated the significance of cash in a statement from last October, announcing plans for a new series of Swiss franc notes.
He highlighted the benefits of cash, especially its dependability during power outages or technological failures, despite the rising popularity of alternative payment methods.
The legislative endorsement in the lower house now awaits review by the upper house of the Swiss parliament, signaling a potential shift in the official perspective on cash amid changing payment environments.
This decision arises from increasing worries about the prevalence of digital payment options, such as mobile and card transactions, within the Swiss economy.
The legislative movement was spearheaded by the Swiss Liberty Movement, a group championing personal freedoms, which successfully collected over 100,000 signatures last month, surpassing the necessary threshold to prompt a public referendum.
Their initiative, titled 'Yes to a free and independent Swiss currency in bank notes and coins (Cash is liberty),' seeks to guarantee that Swiss franc notes and coins remain a vital component of the monetary system.
Despite opposition from the government, which included a counterproposal recognizing the importance of cash in both social and economic contexts, lawmakers ultimately preferred the referendum.
The emphasis on cash transactions highlights a larger discussion about the role of physical currency in an increasingly digital economy.
Recent statistics reveal that cash transactions make up only about 24% of all payments conducted in Switzerland, according to the latest results from the Swiss Payment Monitor, which analyzes payment trends in the country.
In the most recent report from October and November, mobile payments became the predominant method for the first time, representing 30.7% of transactions, closely followed by debit cards at 24.4% and cash at 24.2%.
Martin Schlegel, the newly appointed president of the Swiss National Bank, reiterated the significance of cash in a statement from last October, announcing plans for a new series of Swiss franc notes.
He highlighted the benefits of cash, especially its dependability during power outages or technological failures, despite the rising popularity of alternative payment methods.
The legislative endorsement in the lower house now awaits review by the upper house of the Swiss parliament, signaling a potential shift in the official perspective on cash amid changing payment environments.
