Authored by: Maksym Sakharov, CEO of WeFi Group
The digital currency space has been intensely focused on established areas like the United States and Europe. Discussions are often dominated by subjects such as regulatory certainty, speculation, and access for major players, from venture capitalists in Silicon Valley to exchange-traded fund providers on Wall Street.
Sadly, this narrow focus prevents many in the industry from seeing a much more important truth: the widespread use of digital currencies isn’t going to begin in places like New York, London, or Brussels. The real future lies in cities like Lagos, Buenos Aires, and Manila.
Some, especially those who think crypto’s success hinges on big institutional investments and regulatory approval in developed countries, might dismiss this idea. However, the data shows a different story, one that is often overlooked.
According to Chainalysis’ most recent study on cryptocurrency adoption, India leads the world for the third consecutive year in using digital assets. Nigeria, Vietnam, and the Philippines are rapidly catching up.
These markets aren’t driven by speculation on a new asset class. They are powered by a real need for financial stability and practical use. This is where authentic growth is happening, growth that could truly transform global monetary systems.
The Practical Applications of Crypto Today
Consider Argentina, for example, where yearly inflation has historically exceeded 100%. Here, individuals convert their pesos to stablecoins, not as an investment, but to protect their money. They don’t buy Bitcoin to hold long-term; they use dollar-pegged digital assets to purchase everyday necessities like food and to pay their rent.
Nigeria faces a similar situation. People are regularly using crypto for international trade and remittances, significantly reducing the high fees charged by traditional money transfer services. The Chainalysis report also noted that Sub-Saharan Africa experienced the fastest growth in crypto users worldwide, with almost 20% more users each year.
These examples show that crypto is already providing solutions to real-world problems in underserved economies. For many, digital assets aren’t about managing investment portfolios; they’re about basic survival.
The Developed World’s Misplaced Focus
Contrast this with the US and EU, where conversations about digital assets are usually dominated by Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds, institutional custody arrangements, and regulatory battles.
This is a flawed view of the global situation. While these issues may be important for major financial markets, they do little to help those without access to banks in some parts of the world, or those sending remittances and gig workers in others.
Check out our full conversation with @staffordmasie & @wheatley_warren from @AfricaBTCcorp @CapitalAltvest following the launch of Africa’s first publicly listed Bitcoin Treasury Company 🇿🇦https://t.co/yLQc6WI9Ia
— Gareth Jenkinson (@gazza_jenks) September 10, 2025
When industry experts claim “mainstream adoption” will be achieved through products like ETFs, they are missing the fact that adoption has already happened, but not in the places Wall Street is looking at.
The next billion users will likely be more interested in tools that allow them to send money to their families without losing a significant portion to intermediary fees, rather than a spot Ethereum ETF.
Related: Trash collectors in Africa earn crypto to support families with ReFi
This change could have major implications for the market. Projects and exchanges designed solely for Western markets risk missing out on one of the fastest-growing user bases in the world.
While these projects and exchanges compete for a share of an already crowded and well-established market, they are ignoring areas that are not receiving adequate attention. The next few years will see real growth and widespread adoption happening in these under-served areas.
The True Meaning of Mainstream Adoption
Of course, this isn’t to say that developed markets will become irrelevant. Institutional capital and regulatory certainty will continue to play a crucial role in the crypto economy. However, they will not be the main focus of the adoption story.
The core of this story is the taxi driver in Lagos using stablecoins to avoid the devaluation of the naira, or the small shop owner in Buenos Aires protecting their savings from extreme inflation, or the worker sending money home from abroad without paying high fees to traditional intermediaries.
According to the World Bank, remittances in 2024 alone were valued at over $685 billion.
If transaction costs could be reduced by just 1%, billions more would be available to the people who need it most. Crypto can make this possible with its cheaper and faster transactions. This is why over a million merchants in places like the Philippines now accept digital currencies through mobile wallet-linked platforms.
This population should be seen as the core market, not just a new group of retail traders. Even regulators in developing countries are moving quickly to adapt. The central bank of Nigeria recently established a regulatory sandbox and issued several new licenses for virtual assets.
This ground-level activity has more potential to reshape finance than highly anticipated ETF launches. However, the industry continues to treat these markets as secondary, despite the fact that they are where crypto’s original goal of financial inclusion is being tested.
Change Your Market Focus
The best approach would be for the industry to rethink its priorities. Instead of tailoring every product for Wall Street investors, a simple, user-friendly, mobile-first infrastructure needs to be built for the rest of the world. This would mean prioritizing the development of affordable remittance solutions, easy ways to convert local currency, and educational resources for populations who view crypto as a vital tool rather than a gamble.
The future of global finance should be shaped not by the powerful figures of traditional finance, but by everyday users in emerging economies who have found a real tool for economic empowerment. The key question now isn’t whether widespread adoption of digital assets will happen, but which players will be astute enough to recognize where that widespread use truly exists.
The real opportunity was never on Wall Street. It has always been in the developing world. Overlooking this reality would be a grave mistake. If the crypto industry truly aims to build a global financial infrastructure, it must not design it solely for the wealthiest markets.
The future will be defined by platforms that address real-world needs in countries with weak financial systems. That’s where crypto is already making a difference.
Authored by: Maksym Sakharov, CEO of WeFi Group.
This article is intended for general knowledge and should not be considered as legal or investment advice. The views presented belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph.