Alternative Currency

New forms of currency are alleviating financial stress or increasing loyalty

Trend - Whether for loyalty or the distribution of financial aid, the concept of alternative currency is gaining popularity. Institutions and businesses deploy this in the form of wooden money or digital stimulus to strengthen buying power.

Insight - Many consumers are experiencing high levels of financial stress, both in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic and even before that. Simultaneously, they are recognizing the importance of supporting local and smaller businesses. This, in turn, is creating a demand for timely solutions that will support consumers throughout difficult times, while enabling them to access life necessities and services.
Workshop Question - How might your brand utilize the concept of alternative currency?

Trend Themes

  1. Alternative Currency — The concept of alternative currency is gaining popularity as consumers are experiencing financial stress and recognizing the importance of supporting local and smaller businesses.
  2. Loyalty Initiatives — Businesses are using wooden coin-based loyalty initiatives to track attendance and reward customers as a way of showing gratitude.
  3. Donation Currency — Donation currency is being deployed to encourage more people to give to charity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as seen in the Royal Australian Mint's 'Donation Dollar' coin.
  4. Digital Stimulus Tokens — Governments are testing the viability of digital stimulus tokens as a way to efficiently distribute financial aid for essential items to individuals during difficult times.

Industry Implications

  1. Finance — Alternative currency and digital tokens are a disruptive innovation opportunity in the finance industry, providing new means of distributing and accessing financial aid during times of financial stress.
  2. Retail — Wooden coin-based loyalty initiatives are a disruptive innovation opportunity in the retail industry, providing a unique way to track attendance and reward customers for their loyalty.
  3. Charities — Donation currency is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the charities industry, encouraging more people to give to worthy causes and ultimately helping those who need it.
3.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
4 Featured, 31 Examples:
67,131 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Mar 20 — Sep 20
Trending:
Mild

Related Examples

Innovation in the New Normal
Innovation in the New Normal
Businesses are Finding Inspiration During Uncertain Times
Frontline Care Packages
Frontline Care Packages
BAND-AID Brand x CARE Packs Support Frontline Heroes & Caregivers
At-Home Fajita Kits
At-Home Fajita Kits
Moe’s Southwest Grill Just Launched DIY Fajita Kits for Summer
Condiment-Themed Virtual Islands
Condiment-Themed Virtual Islands
Hellmann's Created Its Own Animal Crossing Island
Period-Poverty Awareness Campaigns
Period-Poverty Awareness Campaigns
The Love You by Shoppers Drug Mart Program Supports Women
Potato Chip-Celebrating Apparel
Potato Chip-Celebrating Apparel
The Cape Cod Potato Chips Merchandise Marks a Milestone
Cafe-Themed Dog Toys
Cafe-Themed Dog Toys
BARK Launched a Pair of Dog Toys Inspired by Dunkin'
Lemonade Stand Relief Ads
Lemonade Stand Relief Ads
Country Time Launched the 'The Littlest Bailout Relief Fund' Campaign
Razor Recycling Partnerships
Razor Recycling Partnerships
Gillette Venus Introduces a New Way to Recycle Personal Care Products
Charitable Face Mask Sets
Charitable Face Mask Sets
The EO X Onzie Better Together Set Supports Small Businesses and Workers
Bank-Backed Financial Initiatives
Bank-Backed Financial Initiatives
Wells Fargo is Supporting Customers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Business-Supporting Credits
Business-Supporting Credits
Amex is Giving Cardholders Money Back for Spending at Small Businesses
Expanding Stimulus Advance Programs
Expanding Stimulus Advance Programs
Chime's Program Provides Early Access to Stimulus Funds
Rewards-Driven Stimulus Services
Rewards-Driven Stimulus Services
STACK Users Can Directly Receive CERB Benefits for Faster Access
play_circle_filledEfficient Stimulus Payment Tools
Efficient Stimulus Payment Tools
TurboTax Assists People Who Don't Need to File a Tax Return
Efficient eGovernment Solutions
Efficient eGovernment Solutions
Nasdaq Envisions How an eGovernment Can Ensure Citizen Security
Direct Deposit Stimulus Checks
Direct Deposit Stimulus Checks
Current Ensures That You Receive Relief Money More Efficiently
Farm-to-Table Meat Marketplaces
Farm-to-Table Meat Marketplaces
Crowd Cow Emphasizes the Connection Between Farmer & Consumer
GMO-Free Farm Storefronts
GMO-Free Farm Storefronts
The Homestead Market Was Launched to Offer Pasture-Raised Meat Products
Premium Dairy Drink Creamers
Premium Dairy Drink Creamers
The A2 Milk Coffee Creamers Come in Two Flavor Options
Ocean Plastic-Produced Credit Cards
Ocean Plastic-Produced Credit Cards
American Express and Parley Launch New Sustainable Credit Card
Farmers Market Candle Collections
Farmers Market Candle Collections
Yankee Candle's New Farmers Market Collection is Here for Fall
Nigerian-Inspired Food Pop-Ups
Nigerian-Inspired Food Pop-Ups
Travelling Dishes from Aunty Dupe’s Buka is Will Debut in Edmonton
Fermented Vegetable Kits
Fermented Vegetable Kits
Farm Steady's Custom Kits Allow for At-Home Food Preservation
play_circle_filledIntuitive Clipfold Wallets
Intuitive Clipfold Wallets
The Arc Clipfold Provides Effortless Access to Cash, Cards and Coins
play_circle_filledFemale-Centric U.S. Currency
Female-Centric U.S. Currency
Rosie Gumataotao Rios' Project Pays Tribute to Leading American Women
Carved Currency Sculptures
Carved Currency Sculptures
Scott Campbell's Inaugural Exhibit in Asia Features Skull Sculptures
Multi-National Bank Accounts
Multi-National Bank Accounts
Citi Launches Multi-Currency Notional Pooling in the Netherlands
On-Demand Meal Starter Deliveries
On-Demand Meal Starter Deliveries
Knorr is Sharing Easy Meals for National Farmers Market Week
Farmer's Market-Themed Activations
Farmer's Market-Themed Activations
Sean Wotherspoon Curated Guess' Farmer's Market Activation
Locally Sourced Grocery Deliveries
Locally Sourced Grocery Deliveries
ClicktoHarvest.com's Organic Food Delivery Supports Farmers