There are plenty of situations where I would prefer this over cash if I trust the government to have my interests in mind (something true of some Europeans). No

There are plenty of situations where I would prefer this over cash if I trust the government to have my interests in mind (something true of some Europeans). Not carrying easily stolen cash, having it tracked so you can dispute things in court, just being more convenient the way NFC payments are. And the government gets to clamp down (or better, simply tax) on dark and grey markets. But then I also want to have a stash of cash "just in case" and be able to buy substances and tools that might be illegal... So YMMV. I guess, ideologically, I prefer to lobby the government to make something legal, not to ensure there are loopholes so that I can get away with illegal stuff I want to do. But I understand that is not always possible.