Money laundering is the concealment of the origin of money derived from criminal activities to make it appear legitimate. Money laundering is carried out through many different payment methods and is a global problem that risks undermining trust in the payments system. Since one can pay anonymously with cash, it can be used to conceal crimes or criminal activities. According to the Swedish Police, it is common for cash from criminal activities to be taken out of Sweden to be either laundered or reinvested in crime. Some shops have stopped accepting cash to prevent criminals from realising the proceeds of crime.

The fight against the criminal economy is very important. At the same time, cash is an important payment option, both as a backup solution in the event of disruptions to other payment methods and for those who cannot pay digitally. The Cash Inquiry proposes a maximum limit per purchase for the companies that, according to the Inquiry's proposal, should be obliged to accept cash. The Riksbank welcomes the Inquiry's proposals and also considers that general limits for cash payments can be a way of continuing to offer cash payments, while making it more difficult for the criminal economy, see also the chapter The public's ability to pay in times of crisis and states of heightened alert needs to be strengthened.