ECB Seeks Hard Line Against Shops That Refuse to Accept Cash

The European Central Bank is advocating a tougher stance against businesses that refuse to accept cash — an effort to ensure notes and coins remain a reliable means of payment.

Commenting on a recent European Commission proposal to regulate the matter, the ECB said it would be best to make clear that shops and service providers can’t exclude cash as a means of payment. EU officials had only proposed monitoring the issue and taking action if such practices becomes too common.