Coffee Chat #35: The Penny Isn’t Dying – It’s Evolving, Welcome the Digital Penny

November 10, 2025

In 2026, after 230 years in circulation, the U.S. Mint will end production of the penny. 

But the digital penny is alive and well, thanks to its innovative companies, which are redefining what a penny can do.

Microrewards with seamless redemption make pennies even more powerful when they’re digital — no physical friction, no rounding, and no tough choices for retailers between cutting profits or raising prices when the physical pennies run their course.

 In this week’s Coffee Chat, I share a demonstration of what a digital penny looks like in action — a “branded currency” reward that can be issued in any amount for incentive, loyalty, recognition, or promotional programs. We have the choice and flexibility to cash out our points, miles, cash back, or awards all the way down to the penny, redeemable at thousands of brands worldwide.

 This digital penny demo is from NeoCurrency’s global digital reward system — one of several key players in the modern incentive ecosystem — showing how payouts can be distributed precisely, instantly, and globally in 1-cent variable denominations.

The penny isn’t dying; it’s evolving. We just won’t be carrying it in our pockets anymore.

Till next time. ☕️