More on Traditional Cash vs. Digital Currency

Yesterday we reported on how digital cash is beginning to supplant traditional coinage in Japan. Today, MobHappy discusses how people are using prepaid cell phone airtime as currency, especially in developing countries. It's nothing more or less than high-tech bartering, but it illustrates the value that people around the world place on cell phone airtime, as well as the flexibility and portability that this type of "currency" offers.

And for those of us who are still stuck with spare change, Amazon.com is teaming up with Coinstar to issue Amazon vouchers for change deposited in Coinstar machines. The incentive for consumers is that if they accept the Amazon voucher, Coinstar waives the 8.9% fee.

Source: Techdirt