In the heart of Singapore, a financial hub where billions of dollars zip around the world over computer screens in nanoseconds, there’s a crowded building where cash still reigns.
Six days a week, hundreds of people line up in a rundown mall abutting Raffles Place square to buy and sell hard currency at one of around 30 money changer stalls. All manner of notes can be had in minutes: Singapore dollars for British pounds? Coming right up. Indonesian rupiah for Vietnamese dong? Icelandic króna? Maldivian rufiyaa? No problem. Some 150 currencies are available.
“Cash will remain forever,” said Abdul Haleem, ...
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