During the pandemic, banknotes in circulation have increased sharply in many countries, but at the same time, the overall use of cash as a means of payment has declined. Making use of recent research, the presentation will cover the development of banknote demand and payment behaviour in Germany during the pandemic. But where will cash demand land after the pandemic? What is the future role of cash in Germany as a store of value and a means of payment? And how can central banks create the future of cash?