> Another issue with being completely dependent on software is that during a catastrophic event that tears down or renders our infrastructure useless, it is safe to assume you will not have access to your money (which is crucial for your survival and well-being)
Your money will be the very last of your concerns then. You will need time and effort to repel the hordes wanting your food and water. You cannot eat cash.
There's a great divide between perfectly functioning economy and using ammunition as currency. Something as simple as a broken fiber optic cable, or a small scale war, both could be considered catastrophic (particularly if electronic payment is impossible) while still allowing people to go about their daily lives. But in those daily lives they can do no commerce, rendering the situation much more catastrophic, whereas if they had cash, they could buy groceries and dodge shells on the way home to read a book.
There is a large zone between everything is working perfectly and the zombie apocalypse.
Power and/or internet goes out semi-regularly (thanks PG&E) and most of the smaller shops around here go cash-only while offline.
Think of natural disasters like hurricanes where power and internet may be out for a few weeks. All those fancy internet-connected payments mechanisms are out and even simple credit card approvals are usually out. Cash is what you need then.
Your money will be the very last of your concerns then. You will need time and effort to repel the hordes wanting your food and water. You cannot eat cash.