Venezuela’s Supreme Court Outlaws Cash: Citizens to Trade Only in Digital Bolívars by 2027
CARACAS — In a radical move that stunned global economists, Venezuela’s highest court has declared all physical cash transactions illegal starting in 2027, forcing the nation to become the world’s first fully digital economy. The ruling, justified as a weapon against hyperinflation and black-market currency hoarding, will require every citizen to use government-backed digital wallets or risk fines and asset seizure. Critics warn the decision could lock millions without internet access out of the economy, while tech giants like Google and local crypto startups scramble to create offline digital payment chips.