So the European Central Bank is dead set on introducing this "digital Euro" (CBDC) this fall. They're going to force merchants by law to install the necessary equipment. Nobody even asked for this. Sure, existing payment methods, including cash, will still be around, but it's pretty obvious they're going to make using them harder over the next 5 years. They'll do this by targeting merchants. Carbon taxes, whatever it takes.
For me, this means years of cutting back. I'm especially thinking about buying things like computers and phones while I still can, and then nothing for a while.
But I've got a counter-strategy too. We can push back.
I'm thinking about going into stores, looking at something for a long time, and then saying, "Hmm, I like this. Do you accept Bitcoin? No? That's too bad, I would've bought it right away." And just keep doing this over and over.
No idea if it'll make a noticeable impact on sales, but psychologically, it stings the merchant every time. That expensive item could have been sold immediately if only... It's the least I can do.
