Jörg Kienzle
jkienzle@di.epfl.ch
Adrian Perrig
aperrig@di.epfl.ch
STS Project
EPFL Lausanne
This document presents the advantages, but also the problems and dangers associated with a possible introduction of digital cash. After a brief review of the history of the monetary system in use today and a short introduction to cryptography, the key elements that should be considered when designing a digital cash system are discussed. The various attempts which are already practiced today and those which are currently in development are carefully analysed, highlighting their weaknesses and strengths. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of electronic monetary systems are discussed.