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1 de ago. de 2025Authorities in Israel on Monday put in place further restrictions on cash payments as a means to combat illegal activity and spur digital payments in the country. Some believe this 18 de abr. de 2025Amid an ever-changing financial sector an Israeli Central Bank official has said that digital payments have amp 8220 eroded amp 8221 the need for cash Indeed Andrew Abir the 16 de abr. de 2025The cash of the Bank of Israel played a role in the competition between different payment methods, but its role has been eroded due to its technological inferiority. The digital 17 de abr. de 2025Israeli central bank official Andrew Abir has highlighted that digital payment methods have significantly diminished the role of cash in the country. Speaking at a conference 24 de dic. de 2025The Bank of Israel is examining issuing digital currency as a means of creating a faster payments system as well as reducing the amount of cash in the economy, a central bank 20 de jun. de 2025Today, Central Banks ensure innovation, efficiency and an alternative for electronic payments with regulatory measures and by providing and issuing Central Bank money 17 de abr. de 2025The central bank official said that CBDCs have the potential to become a “trustworthy catalyst” to increase financial competition among banks. He said the digital shekel’s 17 de abr. de 2025According to a recent document released by the Bank of Israel, it is currently considering the issuance of a digital shekel. The move toward a Central Bank Digital Currency

Israeli Official: Digital Payments Have \'Eroded\' the Need for Cash

Amid an ever-changing financial sector, an Israeli Central Bank official has stated that digital payments have "eroded" the need for cash. Andrew Abir, a prominent figure at the Bank of Israel, made these remarks, highlighting the significant shift occurring within the Israeli economy.

According to Abir, the cash of the Bank of Israel once played a key role in competition between different payment methods. However, its role has been eroded due to its technological inferiority compared to the speed and efficiency of digital transactions.

This statement aligns with recent moves by Israeli authorities to further restrict cash payments. On August 1, 2025, further restrictions on cash payments were implemented as a means to combat illegal activity and spur digital payments across the country. Some believe this initiative is a necessary step towards a more transparent and efficient financial system.

The Bank of Israel is actively examining the issuance of a digital currency as a means of creating a faster payments system and reducing the amount of cash circulating in the economy (December 24, 2025). This potential "digital shekel," as outlined in a recent Bank of Israel document (April 17, 2025), reflects a broader trend towards Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

Abir believes that CBDCs have the potential to become a "trustworthy catalyst" to increase financial competition among banks (April 17, 2025). Today, Central Banks ensure innovation, efficiency and an alternative for electronic payments with regulatory measures and by providing and issuing Central Bank money (June 20, 2025).

In conclusion, the Israeli Central Bank\'s focus on digital payments and exploration of a digital shekel signal a significant shift away from traditional cash-based transactions, driven by efficiency, security, and a desire to combat illegal activity. This transformation, as highlighted by Andrew Abir, demonstrates how digital payment methods have significantly diminished the role of cash in Israel (April 17, 2025).

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