Elon Musk has once again shared his vision of the future economy, suggesting that traditional money could disappear or undergo a radical transformation. Speaking at a Tesla shareholders’ meeting, the entrepreneur floated the possibility of using energy as a new form of currency. According to Musk, in the future, the measurement of value could be tied to the amount of available or produced electricity.

While his statement was delivered with a hint of irony, it aligns with Musk’s long-standing rhetoric about forthcoming shifts in global exchange systems. The idea of energy as a unit of account reflects broader expectations of a move from centralized financial institutions toward distributed, more universal systems of value exchange.

This concept aligns with Musk’s broader interests in energy, autonomous power generation, and cryptocurrencies. He has long championed solar panels, Powerwall battery storage, and infrastructure that can provide households and businesses with energy independence. Besides, Musk has repeatedly expressed support for digital assets, including Bitcoin and Dogecoin, underscoring his interest in alternative forms of currency.

Against the backdrop of global discussions about the future of money, including the development of central bank digital currencies and the recognition of cryptocurrencies, statements like Musk’s are seen not as fantasy but as scenarios actively considered by leading market players. If technological infrastructure allows for tracking, payment, and storage of “energy units”, for example, through resource tokenization, Musk’s idea could move from theory to practice.

The statement came shortly after Tesla shareholders approved the largest compensation package in history for Musk, valued at one trillion dollars. With a tongue-in-cheek remark suggesting that shareholders might want to “hold onto their Tesla shares,” Musk once again highlighted the growing role of technology and unconventional approaches in shaping the future economy.

Musk’s comments on the potential transformation of money should thus be viewed as part of a broader conversation about what will define value and exchange in a highly automated and decentralized world.