Center for Financial Inclusion 258d ago

The 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index indicated that India, the United States, Pakistan, Vietnam and Brazil ranked among the top 5 countries in crypto participation across the world. Other than the United States, the other countries are all emerging markets and the growing usage of crypto-assets also raises the spectre of growing consumer risks replete with scams, scandals and a large potential for losses that cannot be recouped. In the world of inclusive finance, the promise of crypto-assets has been linked to efficiency gains of cross-border transactions, low-cost remittances to conflict zones, or as a store of value and payments fragile economies with a low trust in fiat currencies. Yet, in the countries topping the index, adoption seems less about these use cases and more about young and low-income population segments who, disillusioned by traditional finance, see crypto as a path to quick wealth and a stable life. With the United States signaling a more favorable stance to crypto assets, there is a likely shift in other countries as well. If crypto-participation is a part of our collective future, how do we mitigate consumer risks? And can the rising usage and government interest be steered towards positive impact in a world with rising geo-political tensions and fragile economic environments? This session will explore these questions, examining both the promises and perils of crypto for vulnerable consumers.