Working on a functioning money system cannot be an end in itself – rather, it is a necessity arising from the fatal design flaws of the current system. Therefore, any alternative currency has to be judged by how much it can contribute to solving the actual problem. Present-day alternative money concepts typically lack this analysis: Closer examination commonly reveals that they are based on arbitrary, often ideological and therefore flawed assumptions. This abundance of misguided concepts is a problem in itself as it not only creates the impression that the current system is without alternative, but also threatens to alienate possible sympathizers of alternative money for good.

MONEY 2.0 is an attempt to lead the way out of this blind alley, to combine the present efforts and to reach a broad consensus between all those who are not only aware of the dire consequences of the current money system, but who are also determined to take action. The ultimate goal is a widely accepted standard which is recognizable as a coherent brand and represents a functional counter-concept to bank-issued money. Moreover, the term “MONEY 2.0” expresses the aspiration to establish a legitimate, upgraded successor that is fit to replace the medium of exchange, which is currently known as “money”, in its entirety.

To allow for the broadest consent possible, MONEY 2.0 follows the principle of scientific plausibility. Just like any other logical system, an alternative money concept can be optimized to reach the intended goals in the best way possible. Once starting point and goals have been defined, any conceivable option can be assessed to determine if it actually contributes to the intended goal or rather impedes it. Consequently, the features of MONEY 2.0 are open to analysis and transparent to newcomers. Design faults can be tracked down efficiently and new ideas can be examined for their usefulness and included in the design where appropriate, thereby leading to further optimization of MONEY 2.0.