France, June 7 -- While Nordic countries are backtracking on going cash-free, France's justice minister has suggested eliminating cash in order to fight crime. But even as French consumers increasingly turn to card payments, not everyone is ready to forgo cash altogether.

Cash plays a central role in the illicit drug trade and in financial crimes, French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin told a Senate commission last month.

"A large part of fraud, everyday delinquency, and even criminal networks are linked to cash," he said, suggesting that between €4-6 billion a year is involved in illicit drug trafficking.

"One solution could be a drastic reduction - or even the elimination - of cash, to allow for better traceability," he said, ...