ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the key alternatives currently taking place in the monetary field across local and global economies. It discusses to what extent virtual currencies (including central bank digital currencies), corporate money, “quasi currency” associated with internet-based commercial and social platforms, electronic, and complementary currencies, as well as alternative banking are radical innovations rather than progressive ones in the conception of money, particularly, based on the idea of what money is and what it does. While most of these monetary innovations have not meant a significant change in the nature and properties of money, they may represent an important change to specific dimensions regarding issuing, disintermediation, and the incorporation of new monetary functions, such as data management. These elements may have yet unexplored consequences for monetary sovereignty of contemporary states, citizen's rights and freedoms, and socioeconomic consequences concerning the financial system. These dimensions are examined in the broader context of sociological, orthodox, and heterodox approaches to money.
