Why do we need a new payment system?

21 hours ago

Ever wondered why no one seems to care when your money is stolen, your wallet is swiped, or your online banking gets hacked? That’s right. No one.
If there's one thing Satoshi Nakamoto and every other crypto pioneer probably despised, it’s this closed, rigged system where you only win if you’re already winning. In other words, today, having a bank account isn’t just necessary—it’s practically mandatory. But wait! No one will actually tell you that you have to open one. Not your bank, not the government, not even your employer. But here's the twist: the state will happily inform you that your taxes, fines, and any other payments—oh, and don’t forget those "bonuses"—can only be made via an Italian IBAN. No cards, no prepaid accounts. Or your employer will kindly let you know that your salary can only be paid into an Italian IBAN with your name on it.
Nobody tells you, “You must open a bank account in Italy,” but everyone acts like you can’t survive without it. And why is that? Because the bank is this monumental institution with centuries of history, reassuring you that your money is safe. Safe, sure. So safe, in fact, that it’s no longer yours.
Think about it. While you, the humble account holder, have to justify every move you make with your own money, the bank—once your deposit is in—takes it, uses it for its own operations, and invests it as it sees fit. And no, those aren’t just profits; they’re your funds, your deposits. In fact, they count as bank assets and are part of what’s known as the bank’s liquidity (or “CU” for those in the know). So, in case you missed the memo, your money is no longer just yours.
Here’s how the game works: the state mandates that anyone who participates in the economy must have a bank account, specifically with an Italian IBAN. You open your account and—voilà!—you can pay bills, receive your salary, and even contribute to the state’s coffers. Meanwhile, the bank is busy investing your liquid assets, generating dividends, and making a tidy profit.
But wait—since the bank is profiting off your money, the account must be free, right? Oh, come on. You didn’t really think they’d let that happen. The bank has to survive, after all. And those profits from millions in investments aren’t enough. Banks earn money not only through direct investments but also through every single transaction. Transfers? Oh, you’ll be charged anywhere from €0.50 to €2.00. Checking your statement? That’s another €0.60 to €1.70 per line. And don’t even get me started on account maintenance fees—typically anywhere from a few euros to €10 per month, depending on the bank, the balance, and the account holder’s age. So, yeah. You might end up paying an extra €3–4 on top of your €10 transfer, just to have the "privilege" of using your own money.
And that’s not all. Remember, the state’s also in on the action. Besides making sure employers can only pay wages into Italian bank accounts, they impose a stamp duty on accounts with an average balance over a certain threshold—say, €5,000. If you owe anything, the state can seize it directly from your bank account without your consent. And the government? They’ll take their cut, too. It’s a system, after all.
Let’s break it down a little more: the state provides a “safe” place to hold your money, but not without its own set of fees and taxes. The bank, that ever-reliable institution, justifies its costs with "security"—while quietly ignoring the fact that it's also using your money to make its own profits. And if you’re paying into a mortgage or loan, don’t be surprised if the bank takes your money directly if you default, without needing your permission. Oh, and the state? They’ll happily seize payments from your account if there’s any sign of liquidity issues. So much for personal security, right?
But what happens if you're the one who’s robbed? You’ve got insurance, sure—but no, they won’t pay out 100%. Why? Because of a maze of clauses that protect them, not you. The bank, despite charging you for account maintenance, is not the custodian of your money. They’re just another player in this cruel game. And if you try to report the theft to the authorities? You’ll go through hoops, paying fees for filing a report, only to be passed around between the insurance company and the bank, both of whom claim they’re not responsible. And the state? Well, they’ll just watch from the sidelines, as usual.
It’s a vicious cycle: you’re forced into this so-called "bank account" system. Your account becomes a tool to settle debts with both the bank and the state. Both entities have the right to withdraw from your account without prior consent or notification. Imagine that! The state can just grab money if there’s a liquidity problem—and the insurance, well, that’s just another expense with zero real benefit. But don’t worry—the bank is here to "protect" you. Once upon a time…
Today, however, banks only lend money if you already have it. Mortgages and leases? They’re available only to people who can buy the property outright. Insurance companies? They're shielded by state-backed protections, allowing them to easily shrug off responsibility. And for those lucky few who manage to get a loan, mortgage, or financing? Well, the bank will happily charge you interest on money you don’t have, while using your deposits to make more money for themselves.
So, yeah. The system is built to benefit everyone, except for you.

How do I know all these things ?

I work in a bank.