The digital transformation is reshaping society faster than institutions and citizens can adapt. New dependencies are emerging, economic power is concentrating, and freedom of choice is narrowing, while privacy and security are under pressure.
Payment systems are no exception. The rapid shift towards digital payments is limiting access to cash — the only public, free and universal means of payment — pushing millions of citizens towards exclusion.
Denaria Europe exists to ensure this transformation is fair, inclusive and secure: a balanced ecosystem where innovation and cash coexist, and where Europe’s response reflects the interests of all.
The associations affiliated with Denaria Europe are: Kontantupproret · Plataforma Denaria · Denaria Portugal · Droit au Cash · Bevar Kontanter
They are members of the Board of Directors: Björn Gustaf Eriksson (President) · Rakela Cerovic (Secretary General)
A growing European movement ↓
Denaria was born as a civil society movement to defend the relevance of cash and to promote a robust legal framework for its protection. Today, Denaria Europe fosters collaboration across countries and sectors to build a common European response on payment resilience, financial inclusion and consumer protection.
Our vision ↓
We support digitalization — but a fair, inclusive and secure one. Our goal is a balanced ecosystem where innovation and traditional payment methods coexist, where no citizen is excluded, and where cash continues to play its essential role as a secure, resilient and privacy-protecting instrument, including in times of emergency.
The challenge we address ↓
The digitalization of payments is happening faster than society can adapt. The result is a growing concentration of economic power in the hands of a few private operators, reduced freedom of choice, weakened privacy, new security risks and the exclusion of millions of citizens who cannot or do not wish to go fully digital.
Cash is one clear example of what is at stake. It is the only public, free, universal and inclusive payment instrument — accessible to all, regardless of age, income or digital skills. The progressive limitation of cash is not a neutral technological evolution. It is a societal choice with real consequences.
What we stand for ↓
Freedom of choice in payment methods for all citizens
The economic and social value of cash as a universal public payment method
Financial inclusion, particularly for vulnerable groups
Cash as an essential service and part of the critical infrastructure in times of crisis
A regulatory framework guaranteeing its acceptance, circulation and legal protection across Europe
Europe institutional response to the digital transition should ensure that is balanced, protecting the rights to all citizens to pay in cash