Suppose that people could walk around with electronic charge cards that they could use to buy anything; they never need to carry currency. People would have accounts that were invested in bonds, equities, and other financial assets into which their salaries, dividends, and interest were paid. The portfolio manager would automatically sell assets whenever the card was used. In such a world would money exist? would it matter?

How close are we to this? In this instance, what value is being captured?