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Burkhard Balz: Central bank policy in an evolving cash landscape

60
Graduate
Chimera Difficulty Score
a synthesis of Flesch-Kincaid, Coleman-Liau, SMOG, and Dale-Chall readability metrics
Burkhard Balz: Central bank policy in an evolving cash landscape Keynote speech by Mr Burkhard Balz, Member of the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank, at the Banknote Conference, Washinton DC, 13 May 2026. Check against delivery 1 Introduction: From Monument to Money Ladies and gentlemen, It is a privilege to address such a distinguished gathering here in Washington. A city of powerful ins...
Burkhard Balz’s speech is a thoughtful exploration of the tensions between innovation and resilience in modern payment systems. His "monetary high-rise" metaphor effectively illustrates the interplay between cash and digital payments, framing cash as a critical backup rather than an obsolete relic. The speech’s strength lies in its balanced acknowledgment of both the efficiencies of digital payments and the systemic risks they introduce—cyber threats, single points of failure, and geopolitical v...