The Central Bank of Latvia has published its autumn 2025 “Payment radar” survey, estimating that non-cash payments accounted for 74% of transactions in Latvia and cash for 26% in August 2025. The update indicates a rebound in cash usage after the record-high non-cash share of 78% recorded in February 2025, with the cash share approaching the August 2023 level (27%). Based on a public survey conducted by SIA Latvijas Fakti, the report puts weekly payments per capita at 17.9 in August 2025, comprising 13.3 non-cash payments and 4.6 cash payments. Regular use of contactless cards fell to 58% (62% in February 2025 and 67% in August 2024) and regular smartphone payments to 20% (24% and 22%). Daily use of instant payments was 38% (34% in February 2025); among regular users who were aware of the feature, 22% used the option to pay by entering the payee’s phone number and 41% were aware of it but had not used it yet (19% and 51% in February 2025). In accompanying commentaries, the bank highlighted work on “critical financial services”, including the introduction of offline card payments in cooperation with market participants and critical service providers to support payments for basic goods at specific merchants during temporary disruptions of card infrastructure, and noted that a potential digital euro is expected to support offline use if introduced. The publication also summarised European Central Bank preparations for a third series of euro banknotes, with designers expected to be selected in October, the design competition ending in June 2026 and a Governing Council decision on the final design due by end-2026, and reiterated that Bulgaria is set to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026 at a fixed rate of 1.95583 leva per euro with one month of dual circulation.

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