The evolution of digital payment methods has transformed how the brain processes monetary behaviour, highlighting the need to go beyond psychological analyses alone. In this study, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging to observe neural responses to payments made with cash, cards, and smartphones. The results reveal significant differences in the brain circuits involved, indicating that payment instruments specifically influence cognitive and emotional processing. This work provides an objective foundation to update theories of economic behavior and underscores the crucial role of neurofinance in the digital age.
