The money is pulled out of active circulation in the economy, which has the same effect as an official decrease in the money supply.

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Last month, China had an estimated 220 million active smart devices in circulation versus 222 million in the United States.

FORBES: China Stripping U.S. Lead In Smart Devices Just Weeks Away

Spokeswoman Elvira Swanson notes that the company has more than 1.8 billion cards in circulation and is active in more than 200 countries around the world.

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