Cash, the most common means of payment in Spain, becomes an alternative in emergency situations, such as mass electrical darkening on April 28 or to a possible cyber -adapus or falling computer systems or networks that prevent cards.
The latest data of the Bank of Spain check the trend more and more Obviously about the growing use of digital payments And a decrease in the use of funds, however, metal money remains the most common means of payment.
In Spain, in 2024, more than half of transactions in physical institutions They were made in cash, 57%; In addition, the Denaria platform guarantees that the withdrawal of money at ATMs has recovered to the pandemic.
Despite this, according to the head, almost six out of ten consumers say that their method of preferential payment in physical stores is a card compared with 26% of consumers who prefer to pay in cash.
Good, good
This explains that last Monday, during the disconnection, the money became the desired good and alternative When card payments were no longer possible Because the Datars or the sale point of terminals (TPV) stopped working.
In a normal situation, the main advantages that consumers associate using funds are anonymity and confidentiality, but in the case of an emergency, this becomes much more valuable, since it is positioned as the most viable payment option for the acquisition of basic products and services.
Millions of people could not make digital payments last Monday For a collapse of electric and telecommunication networks that affected the point of sale, mobile applications and ATMs.
Purchases through electronic payment systems were reduced by 55%, Which is transferred to 400 million euros, How the Minister of Economics has advanced, Carlos Body.
Although the electric shutdown may seem like a specific fact, the truth is that in previous cases, electronic payments were also affected by hours from the fall on the Internet or payment network, leaving the opportunity to make purchases only for those who had physical money.
Metal reserve of money
From Denaria, a platform that protects the use of funds is recommended to always have a small reserve of money in cash as the main preventive measure.
At the same time, he calls on the competent authorities to guarantee cash through solid and distributed ATMs, with a sufficient coating for all citizens.
“The recent fall in the system showed how we warned for many years that the digital world has obvious fragility.” They argue.
The funds, as they protect, are not an survival of the past, but with a strategic need to guarantee the functioning of the economy and fundamental rights in any circumstances.
They also remember that the appearance of elevators is not associated with the disappearance of the stairs.
Denia emphasizes that cash does not depend on batteries, mobile networks or digital connections; And this is a key tool in emergency situations, such as recently living.
Funds are necessary for national security and, therefore, The authorities must guarantee and support the use of this citizen.
Denia also recalls that the use of physical money is a citizen covered by current legislation, and that, any measure that, directly or indirectly, limits it, is the risk of freedom of choice, financial confidentiality and stability of the economic system.
