Chip card manufacturers predict a revolution in our daily lives with a card that allows payments everywhere, but which is also supposed to replace house and car keys, health insurance cards, identity cards, and much more. A somewhat more modest idea is that of an electronic wallet, which, according to press reports, will soon be integrated into the EC card with a microchip. How realistic are such predictions? Who has what interests in further cards? And what consequences can be expected? Most people have become accustomed to using phone cards as a substitute for small change. The use of credit cards is on the rise. In some cities, you can use EC or credit cards to purchase tickets for public transport, pay at parking meters, and more. Therefore, the expectation is not entirely unrealistic.