*tap* *tap* *tap*

That’s the sound of physical cash being consigned to the dustbin of history by us tapping cards/phones/watches instead.

Contactless payments are growing so rapidly that it seems a safe prediction that a cashless future is not far away.

In the UK contactless payments rose 52% between 2019 and 2021. Some shops already don’t take cash. And it’s a similar picture in countries across the world.

We’ve been using hard cash as the primary way to pay for things for millenia. How has this new technology crept up on us so fast?

Today we find out how contactless payments began, how they work, and who really benefits from them. Joining us today are guests Natasha de Teran and Gottfried Leibbrandt.

The episode was produced by Emily Whalley

The editor was Peter Dennis

The senior producer is Charlotte Long

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Ted Talk 136: How To Start Living A Legendary Life