Digital mobile payments are surpassing cash in popularity in Pyongyang thanks to greater acceptance among merchants and new support infrastructure, a pro-North Korea newspaper has reported, a development that one expert said could point to greater state control over the money supply.

According to the Choson Sinbo based in Japan, it has become “difficult” to find shoppers paying for goods and services in cash in Pyongyang. Instead, the outlet claimed, many are using electronic payments on their smartphones.