There is an exorbitant cost to physical cash as well. Inflation and taxes pay for both the creation and use of it. This is reflected in the price of everything around you. There is no cost free solution to anything, whether it’s covert or overt. As we convert to hard money, the declining cost of goods and services will help to alleviate these issues as well. Unfortunately we can’t just solve poverty by attempting to eliminate transaction costs. There is no great answer other than fixing the money and letting the emergent markets take it from there.