Cash-based crypto can enable financial inclusion for billions

Crypto companies have spent years pushing digital wallets and exchange apps. Cash-based crypto solutions could unlock financial inclusion for overlooked billions of cash-reliant people in developing economies.

Opinion by: Alexander Guseff, founder and CEO of Tectum

Crypto companies have spent years pushing digital wallets and exchange apps, convinced they’ll bring financial inclusion to the world. Here’s the reality: 1.4 billion people remain unbanked, and crypto adoption has barely exceeded 8%. For all the talk about decentralization and accessibility, the industry continues to overlook the billions of people who rely on cash for their daily lives.

In developing economies of Africa, South Asia and Latin America, cash is not just dominant — it’s essential. Banking services are sparse, smartphone penetration is low, and digital literacy remains a hurdle. Expecting these populations to onboard through a process designed for tech-savvy users with internet access is unrealistic.

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