Overview
- Germany’s National Cash Forum launched free door stickers that signal cash is welcome, including neutral versions and messages such as “Klar, auch bar!” and “Einfach. Bargeld.”
- Distribution to retailers starts immediately via the Handelsverband Deutschland’s regional associations, and individuals can order the stickers at no cost from the forum’s website.
- The forum adopted crisis‑preparedness measures and reported results from an initial BBK‑led exercise that tested responses to surging cash demand and payment disruptions.
- Scenarios included evacuating a Bundesbank branch after a gas leak and a complete outage of Visa and Mastercard cards, with findings that crisis‑communication structures work but need improvement.
- The Bundesbank underscores cash as usable without power or internet and frames it as complementary to European digital efforts such as Wero and the planned digital euro, noting cash still accounted for about half of in‑store transactions in 2023; separately, a Zurich Christmas market will operate cashless with fines for sellers who accept cash.