NCR Atleos backs New York’s cash mandate as inclusion debate grows

NCR Atleos is voicing support for New York’s new statewide cash-acceptance law, positioning the measure as a safeguard for financial access as digital payments continue to expand.

The law, which took effect March 21, 2026, makes it generally illegal for retail stores and food establishments across New York to refuse cash for in-person transactions. It also bars merchants from charging higher prices to customers who pay with cash. Businesses that violate the rule may face civil penalties starting at $1,000 for a first offense and $1,500 for subsequent violations.

Aligning with industry's inclusion goals

The statewide policy builds on earlier local efforts, including a similar ordinance in New York City, and reflects growing concern among policymakers that a shift toward cashless commerce could exclude certain consumers. Advocates of such measures point to populations that rely heavily on physical currency, including lower-income households, older adults and individuals without consistent access to banking services.

NCR Atleos, a provider of ATM networks and self-service financial access technology, framed the law as aligned with broader industry goals around inclusion. In a statement, Ben Bregman, senior vice president of solutions at the company, said ensuring acceptance of cash helps prevent consumers from being “excluded from commerce simply because of how they choose—or are able—to pay.”

While digital wallets, cards and embedded payment experiences continue to gain traction, cash remains a significant part of the U.S. payments mix. Federal Reserve data has consistently shown that cash is still widely used for smaller-value transactions, and millions of Americans remain unbanked or underbanked.

Balancing efficiency, innovation

That dynamic has fueled a broader national debate over cash acceptance. Several states and municipalities—including New Jersey, Massachusetts and Philadelphia—have enacted or considered similar restrictions on cashless retail, arguing that eliminating cash can create barriers to essential goods and services.

For NCR Atleos, the issue is closely tied to its core business. The company operates one of the largest independently owned ATM networks and has invested in expanding access to cash through retail and off-premise locations. It has also emphasized the role of ATMs and self-service kiosks in bridging physical and digital financial ecosystems.

Supporters of cash mandates argue they help preserve consumer choice and economic participation during a period of rapid payments innovation. Critics, however, contend that requiring cash acceptance can add operational complexity and security costs for merchants that have moved toward fully digital models.

Even so, the New York law underscores a key tension in the evolving payments landscape: how to balance efficiency and innovation with accessibility. As more transactions move into the background of digital platforms, policies like New York’s signal that cash is likely to remain part of the equation—at least for now.

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