Some people believe that cash will soon disappear and be replaced entirely by digital payments, while others think physical money will always be necessary. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

As smartphones and contactless cards become ubiquitous, many predict that physical currency will soon become obsolete, while others insist that cash will always retain a place in society. This essay will examine both perspectives before arguing that, although digital payments will dominate, cash is unlikely to vanish completely. Advocates of a cashless society highlight its convenience and transparency. Digital transactions are instantaneous, leave a clear record, and remove the need to carry notes and coins, which can be lost or stolen. From a government's perspective, electronic payments also make tax evasion and money laundering considerably harder, since every transfer can be traced. Businesses benefit as well: handling cash involves counting, storing and transporting it securely, all of which cost time and money. It is therefore unsurprising that countries such as Sweden have already seen cash use fall dramatically. Nevertheless, those who defend physical money raise legitimate concerns. Digital systems exclude people who lack bank accounts, smartphones or digital literacy, and these are often the elderly and the poor, precisely the groups least able to adapt. Cash also offers a degree of privacy that electronic payments cannot, as it allows people to spend without their habits being recorded and analysed by corporations. Moreover, digital infrastructure is vulnerable: a power cut, cyberattack or simple technical failure can paralyse payments entirely, whereas banknotes function under any circumstances. In my opinion, the momentum behind digital payments is irreversible, but a fully cashless society would be both risky and unfair. The sensible path is for cash to remain available as a safety net and a guarantee of inclusion, even as the majority of daily transactions move online. In conclusion, while electronic payments offer undeniable efficiency, the social and practical value of cash means it should be preserved alongside them.