Category: 9 (2005)

Has the Time for Electronic Currency Come? Imagining an E-Currency Future for Money

IJCCR

The more civilized, refined, analytical and scientific, that people became, the more refined, sophisticated, systematic and symbolic, became the form of currency. All that a primitive person needed was a hunting knife to satisfy his varied wants. Now that tool has progressed and evolved into the modern-day credit card, with which people can buy anything they need. The process of evolution continues into the future with currency changing as the times change. This paper argues that the present direction of global economic change signifies the need for the development of alternate modes of currency as a medium of exchange that can match the fast paced, computerized economy. The future is thus in the use of handheld electronic ‘Currency (Cash) Pads’ which will replace paper currency for many day-to-day transactions.

Ashish Sharma Volume 9(2005) 2

IJCCR vol 9 (2005) 2 Sharma

To cite this article: Serra, S.H. (2005) ‘Has the Time for Electronic Currency Come? Imagining an E-Currency Future for Money’ International Journal of Community Currency Research 9 <www.ijccr.net> ISSN  1325-9547 http://dx.doi.org/10.15133/j.ijccr.2005.001

Helping Everyone Have PLENTY: Addressing Distribution and Circulation in an HOURS-based Local Currency System

IJCCR

This paper summarizes research conducted by the authors who served as the ad-hoc Disbursement Task Force created by NCPlenty, Inc., the non-profit managing agency for a local currency system in central North Carolina, USA. NCPlenty, Inc. began printing a scrip-based local currency called the PLENTY in October 2002. The PLENTY, or Piedmont Local EcoNomy Tender, is based on the Ithaca HOURS currency and has faced circulation and distribution issues similar to other HOURS-based systems in the US. While at the start of the PLENTY’s first year of circulation the number of participating individuals and businesses nearly doubled and a vibrant exchange network existed, by the end of this year the growth seemed to plateau rather than continue to expand. This paper examines the hindrances to distribution and circulation within the PLENTY community economy, offers proposals for improving the currency, and relates the lessons of the PLENTY to other complementary currency endeavors.

Jonathan Lepofsky and Lisa K. Bates Volume 9(2005) 1

IJCCR vol 9 (2005) 1 Lepofsky and Bates

To cite this article: Lepofsky, J. and Bates, L.K. (2005) ‘Helping Everyone Have PLENTY: Addressing Distribution and Circulation in an HOURS-based Local Currency System’ International Journal of Community Currency Research 9 <www.ijccr.net> ISSN  1325-9547 http://dx.doi.org/10.15133/j.ijccr.2005.002