Sweden Effectively Bans “Cashless”!

Very strange headline from the Swedish Herald.

In fact, of the 800 stores operated by Coop Sweden, 799 now ACCEPT cash! This is thanks to a law that came into force on 1 July 2026 that compels grocery stores and pharmacies in Sweden to accept cash.

The law is a HUGE step in Sweden, which was supposed to be “cashless” by now. Well done to the Swedish Central Bank - Sveriges riksbank - for strongly supporting cash, in the interests of national security, resilience, inclusion and choice, “must haves” for any society worth the name.

And also a hearty “well done!” to the Swedish Government for having the strength, shared with the Central Bank, to see this through.

The law passed in Sweden is not perfect - it will need to be strengthened- BUT it is an excellent start.

In the newspaper article, reference is made to “most people” preferring to use cards and digital methods, as if such a preference was inevitable in Sweden.

In fact, just as in the UK, it was the Swedish banks that tried to impose “cashless” on the public.

They did this by dramatically reducing access to cash via 24/7 ATMs.

In 2010, five major Swedish banks created Bankomat AB, a utility set-up to operate ATMs for those banks under the one brand.

What it quickly meant was that NO Swedish bank branch operated by the Bankomat AB owners had an ATM.

In fact, since Bankomat AB was founded, the number of locations in Sweden enjoying ATM services has been reduced to only around 20% of the pre-Bankomat level.

To help their quest to impose “cashless” along, the same banks that had founded Bankomat stopped offering cash withdrawals - including change for shop till floats - and deposits at branch counters.

So Swedish bank branches had NO ATMs or ANY cash services at counters.

Do you now understand why the Swedish public supposedly “prefer” cards and digital payments?

What CHOICE did they REALLY have?

Once again, however, plaudits to Sveriges riksbank and the Swedish Government. Swedish banks have now been instructed to reintroduce cash withdrawal and deposit services at their bank branches.

The Swedish Central Bank and Government are also urging the public to both keep some cash at home - to provide resilience in “emergencies” such as IT failures - and to actually again use cash in shops, as the lead their daily lives.

Put succinctly?

The banks have LOST - and the Swedish public have WON.

Sweden will NOT go “cashless” - Payment Choice is definitely alive and getting well again! Meantime in the UK?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, HM Treasury, Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority and Payment Systems Regulator all KNOW about Sweden AND every one of the UK’s other neighbours - including Jersey - that have acted to guarantee cash acceptance.

Why do they know?

BECAUSE THE PAYMENT CHOICE ALLIANCE HAS TOLD THEM.

Soon, a new Prime Minister will be in Downing Street, one who understands that the British public must WIN, in the same way as the public in Sweden AND France AND Spain - AND even Jersey - have WON.

Source: swedenherald.com/article/despite-swedens-new-cash-law-some-grocery-stores-still-refuse-cash