To mark the twentieth anniversary of the introduction of euro banknotes and coins in 2002, Executive Board member Johannes Beermann has published a collection of writings for the Bundesbank entitled “The euro at 20: The future of our money”. Bringing together renowned authors such as former ECB chief economist Otmar Issing, philosopher Peter Sloterdijk and former Federal Finance Minister Theodor Waigel, the book illuminates various aspects of money and currency, starting with the history of money in Europe, the special importance of currency in the context of German monetary union and European integration, all the way through to the money of tomorrow in an era of digital transformation. The book devotes particular attention to the role played by central banks worldwide in the cash cycle and their thoughts on the future of cash. 

“What makes this book special is its balanced and objective presentation of the wide-ranging aspects of money and currency,” Johannes Beermann said at a press conference. “In marking the twentieth anniversary of the introduction of euro banknotes and coins, we wanted to take the opportunity not only to look back but also to cast our eyes to the future. This collection of writings opens up new perspectives in the often overly heated debate over the future of our money,” he remarked.