"Do you have cash?" It's a question that's becoming increasingly rare in 2025. Nowadays, many of us prefer the convenience of digital wallets over physical cards, not to mention banknotes and coins. 

According to Richard Holden, an economist and UNSW Scientia Professor, we're moving towards a "functionally cashless" society, with the costs associated with carrying cash on the rise. 

But what does this shift mean for businesses? And how can we ensure a smooth transition that doesn't leave anyone behind? 

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The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios.  

This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke. 

The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. 

Interested in reading more insights from Scientia Professor Richard Holden? Check out his website. 

And if you’d like to hear our episode with Hayden Smith from Pearler, you can find that here. 

Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn.  

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. 

"Do you have cash?" It's a question that's becoming increasingly rare in 2025. Nowadays, many of us prefer the convenience of digital wallets over physical cards, not to mention banknotes and coins.&nbsp;
According to Richard Holden, an economist and UNSW Scientia Professor, we're moving towards a "functionally cashless" society, with the costs associated with carrying cash on the rise.&nbsp;
But what does this shift mean for businesses? And how can we ensure a smooth transition that doesn't leave anyone behind?&nbsp;
+++&nbsp;
The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with <a href="http://deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This episode is hosted by <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/juliet-bourke">Dr Juliet Bourke.</a>&nbsp;
The transcript and show notes can be found on our website <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">here</a>.&nbsp;
Interested in reading more insights from Scientia Professor Richard Holden? Check out his <a href="https://richardholden.org/">website.</a>&nbsp;
And if you&rsquo;d like to hear our episode with Hayden Smith from Pearler, you can find that <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-business-of/id1524793241?i=1000649091487">here</a>.&nbsp;
Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at <a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">BusinessThink</a> and follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/3274515/">UNSW Business School</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/agsm-nswbusinessschool/">AGSM</a> on LinkedIn.&nbsp;&nbsp;
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.&nbsp;

As the pace of organisational change speeds up, a new generation of leaders is emerging who see the world differently. They are finding ways to grapple with complexity and make an impact in an accelerating world. What can we learn from them? In The Business Of, a podcast from UNSW Business School, a diverse group of business leaders from the corporate, start-up, government, and for-purpose sectors share their lived experiences in building businesses that can ‘do well’ and ‘do good’. 

Host Dr Juliet Bourke, a UNSW Professor of Practice in the School of Management and Governance, speaks with leaders from a range of industries unpacking the complexities of business of art, sports, AI, climate change and more.  

Wherever business practices are shifting UNSW researchers and academics are there, and in The Business Of you also learn about the global forces, competing interests and new trends influencing everyday decisions.  

Professor Barney Tan, the Senior Deputy Dean for Impact and Partnerships at the UNSW Business School, will help you make sense of all the moving parts through the latest research at the world’s top universities. He breaks down how that research equips leaders to make better decisions, build better teams and make a real impact. 

If you’re curious about the way business works, The Business Of can introduce you to contemporary industry practices and take you inside the minds of leaders as they figure out what’s next.  

Find out more - 

https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast   

https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/ 

As the pace of organisational change speeds up, a new generation of leaders is emerging who see the world differently. They are finding ways to grapple with complexity and make an impact in an accelerating world. What can we learn from them? In The Business Of, a podcast from UNSW Business School, a diverse group of business leaders from the corporate, start-up, government, and for-purpose sectors share their lived experiences in building businesses that can &lsquo;do well&rsquo; and &lsquo;do good&rsquo;.&nbsp;
Host <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/juliet-bourke">Dr Juliet Bourke</a>, a UNSW Professor of Practice in the School of Management and Governance, speaks with leaders from a range of industries unpacking the complexities of business of art, sports, AI, climate change and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Wherever business practices are shifting UNSW researchers and academics are there, and in The Business Of you also learn about the global forces, competing interests and new trends influencing everyday decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/barney-tan">Professor Barney Tan</a>, the Senior Deputy Dean for Impact and Partnerships at the UNSW Business School, will help you make sense of all the moving parts through the latest research at the world&rsquo;s top universities. He breaks down how that research equips leaders to make better decisions, build better teams and make a real impact.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re curious about the way business works, The Business Of can introduce you to contemporary industry practices and take you inside the minds of leaders as they figure out what&rsquo;s next. &nbsp;
Find out more -&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/</a>&nbsp;

AGSM's 'The Business Of’ podcast examines the possibilities of transformation from the perspective of different industries.

The Business Of

Ever wondered what separates good businesses from great ones?

The Business Of, from UNSW Business School, goes behind the headlines to explore the global forces, industry shifts and leadership challenges shaping business today.

Host Dr Juliet Bourke speaks with leaders about technology, finance, marketing, consumer loyalty, AI and productivity, unpacking what truly drives successful businesses. Then Professor Barney Tan, Senior Deputy Dean at UNSW, breaks down the latest trends and ground-breaking research into strategies you can actually implement.

Smart conversations. Fresh insights from leaders who've been there.

This is The Business Of.

Find out more - 

https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast   

https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/ 

Ever wondered what separates good businesses from great ones?
The Business Of, from UNSW Business School, goes behind the headlines to explore the global forces, industry shifts and leadership challenges shaping business today.
Host Dr Juliet Bourke speaks with leaders about technology, finance, marketing, consumer loyalty, AI and productivity, unpacking what truly drives successful businesses. Then Professor Barney Tan, Senior Deputy Dean at UNSW, breaks down the latest trends and ground-breaking research into strategies you can actually implement.
Smart conversations. Fresh insights from leaders who've been there.
This is The Business Of.
Find out more -&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/</a>&nbsp;

Cash is out. Digital payments are in. Economist and UNSW Scientia Professor Richard Holden explains why a cashless future is inevitable – and how businesses can prepare for it.  

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