[happynewyear]

> The problem with a cashless society is that if all payments are tracked or controlled by a third party

Problem for you but imho one of the key motivations for getting rid of cash.

Our civil liberties are increasingly dependent on the "good will" of governments. Globally they play-act their conflicts, but every single one of them agrees that their citizens need to be monitored 24/7.

Digital cash in combination with IoT monitoring of infrastructure such as utility metrics, and your friendly big-brother in your mobile device likely will make it extremely difficult for a bartering economy/black-market to emerge as well.

A global Permanent Establishment™ is being constructed right in front of us but alas we're all distracted by phony spats between geopolitical actors who are all (and their families as you can see) stakeholders in this Permanent Establishment™.