Blockchain and financial inclusion.

Original article by Menekse Gencer · July 28, 2016

Blockchain Can Bring the Unbanked into the Global Economy

Published in American Banker, this article examines how blockchain could connect closed-loop mobile-money services and make cross-border payments more accessible to people outside mainstream banking.

The strategic question

How can financial services reach more people when payment networks do not connect? The article considers interoperability as a way to bridge fragmented networks, rather than treating new technology as an end in itself.

Three themes

• Connect mobile-money services so customers can transact beyond a single provider’s network.
• Consider the economics of cross-border transfers alongside the needs of underserved customers.
• Evaluate identity, security, and regulatory obstacles as part of a financial-inclusion strategy.

Historical context: the original article reflects the market and technology outlook in 2016. This overview is not a claim about current adoption, regulatory requirements, or investment outcomes.

Publisher access restrictions may apply. This page provides an overview, not a reproduction of the article.