Inside the German town where people print their own money (youtube.com)
Chiemgauer. To compete with the Euro. I think I did a blog about this a month or two ago.
They require you to register before getting the money. So not too cash-y. More like a paper version of CBDC.
'It's legal because it's regional money.' If it was more than a regional currency, the German government wouldn't allow it. It can only be spent in the area, and should not be saved up. The bills expire after 3 years. A regular person can't exchange real money for them. Businesses can, but they pay 5% conversion.
10 or 15% of purchases in the town are paid for with Chiemgauer bills.
5m Chiemgaurs are spent annually by 4000 people and 300 businesses.
Globally, there are 300 such complimentary currencies. Many are in Europe and Brazil, but also a few African countires, Southeast Asian countries, Japan, South Korea, and US and Canada were reported to have them.
In Canada, there are Calgary dollars (pay for transit etc). Salt Spring Island, used as a souvenir, they are art-focused bills. Toronto Looneys are primarily digital. In the US, Berkshire Region (MA) BerkShares are accepted at hundreds of businesses and local banks (also has a digital version). Hudson Valley Current (digital first) for local farmers and artisans. SF BayBucks so local businesses can trade excess inventory or downtime for credits.