ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ELECTRONIC MONEY - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The advantages and disadvantages of electronic money are part of a debate that is currently taking place due to the emergence of multiple technological means to make or receive payments.

Some governments in Nordic countries, such as the Swedish or Danish, seem to be preparing the conditions for a world without cash.

Electronic money would be one that, without a physical format (bills and coins), would be handled electronically. It can be from a bank card to a smartphone.

Among the advantages of its use, it is usually pointed out that it would be a cheaper and more ecological system or that it would be easier to fight against tax fraud.

The disadvantages would be the absolute loss of privacy of what and when things are bought or the difficulties that certain sectors of the population would find to adapt.

Main advantages and disadvantages of electronic money

1- Fight against fraud and black money

Supporters of electronic money point out that one of the main advantages is that it would end fraud and black money.

As all the credit is in computers and being able to follow every movement, it would be difficult for anyone to hide something from the public treasury.

It is true that many cases of corruption occur using cash, as it is more difficult to control. However, the least convinced point out that those who really wanted to defraud would eventually find electronic means to do so.

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The simple fact of not having to print the banknotes or mint the coins makes the electronic system cheaper (as well as ecological).

If to that is added the elimination of transportation costs and other associated costs, the truth is that it would mean a good saving for the state.

Likewise, it is more comfortable to use. It would end having to go loaded with coins to buy anything or having to find where to get the money. With a simple phone, consumers could buy everything they need.

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Considering that the underground economy is called that which occurs outside the country's financial system, it seems clear that it would be greatly affected by the disappearance of cash.

For example, if an employer hires a worker, but does not want to register him legally, without the cash he would not be able to pay him. From the moment he used its electronic equivalent, the payment would be registered and would expose his crime.

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It is one of the main arguments of those who do not see positive the idea of ​​abandoning cash. Every purchase, every economic exchange or trip, would be registered in the system.

Although it is not a criminal act, many people are not convinced by this absolute control over their life.

Supporters point out that the transactions would be private and that they would not be used to control the lives of citizens, but many do not quite believe them.

5- Security

The disparity at this point is absolute. Supporters point out that the security of electronic money would be maximum.

Not carrying bills on you prevents theft and, in addition, the means of payment could be programmed so that the identification systems were greater.

The detractors, on the contrary, argue that like any other device, electronic payment devices would end up being hacked. In fact, there are already many complaints about credit card or phone payment fraud.

Achieving an absolute security system is possibly impossible, but experts point out that it could still be increased to a very high degree.

6- Implantation problems

At first there would be certain sectors of the population that would run the risk of being excluded from this system, with the problems that this entails.

The elderly, who often find it difficult to use technological devices, would find it difficult to shop like this.

Similarly, the most disadvantaged, such as the homeless or illegal immigrants, would be further marginalized from the system. Sometimes even without the option of being able to access humanitarian aid.

References

1. Bosch, Rebecca. Advantages and disadvantages of eliminating physical money. Obtained from que.es
2. Navarro, Javier. Advantages, disadvantages and consequences of a cashless society. Obtained from elblogsalmon.com

3. Wealth How. Pros and Cons of Electronic Cash. Retrieved from wealthhow.com
4. Shin, Laura. Could Digital Currency Make Our Money More Secure ?. Retrieved from forbes.com

5. Madhvi Mavadiya. Digital currency pros and cons. Retrieved from gtnews.com.