Europe's push toward a digital central bank currency is being framed as a threat to ordinary spending freedom, with cash the last line of defense.

• A digital euro would let authorities approve or block payments as they happen, instead of after the fact.
• The fear is a system that can freeze accounts instantly, the way Canadian truckers' funds were cut off during the protests.
• AI could be used to score spending and online behavior, potentially limiting purchases like meat, dairy, or ammunition.
• Catherine Austin Fitts has been more upbeat lately, pointing to a grassroots shift back to cash across Europe.
• The open question is whether cash will still work for everyday things — paying a gardener or buying an €8 lunch in Portugal.

Outlook: Expect the fight over CBDCs to center on whether cash survives alongside them, not on the technology itself.