In a world where capital markets are in constant flux, two groups stand to benefit significantly from the rise of blockchain technology: financial institutions and the unbanked. As traditional monetary policies evolve, they reveal a fragmented global economy. In this landscape, the stability and efficiency of blockchain for borderless transactions shine as a superior alternative to conventional systems. The technology’s unique ability to cater to both ends of the financial spectrum presents a compelling case for its widespread adoption.
Institutional Awakening
The shift toward blockchain in the financial sector is not just a trend—it’s a necessity. Institutions are grappling with rising costs and diminishing revenues. Franklin Templeton, for example, has taken a pioneering step by launching its first-ever tokenized money market fund. This innovation slashes transaction costs from $1 to less than a penny, a transformative change for an institution managing a staggering $1.7 trillion. The implications are clear: blockchain isn’t just a cost-cutting measure; it’s a validation of the infrastructure that serves both boardrooms and billions excluded from traditional finance.
Major players like BlackRock, Fidelity, and JPMorgan are proving blockchain’s viability at an unprecedented scale. These institutions demonstrate that blockchain’s benefits extend beyond cost efficiency. By strengthening the underlying infrastructure, they create robust networks that even underbanked populations can access. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks supporting institutional adoption provide legal clarity, benefiting all users.
Empowering the Unbanked
While financial institutions reap scalability and speed, the unbanked gain newfound accessibility and equity. Consider the staggering $900 billion in global remittances in 2024, burdened with average fees of 6.62%. For working families, losing a significant portion of their hard-earned money to fees is not just inefficient—it’s a genuine hardship. Blockchain networks offer a solution, processing transactions for fractions of a penny with settlement times of just 3-5 seconds, serving both institutional treasuries and individual remittances equally well.
In Argentina, where inflation reached a staggering 236.7% by late 2024, both institutions and individuals have turned to digital assets out of necessity. Over 61.8% of Argentina’s crypto transactions now involve stablecoins, not for speculation, but as vital tools for economic survival amid peso devaluation. This crisis-driven adoption highlights blockchain’s fundamental value proposition: removing dependence on fragile intermediaries and unstable national monetary systems.
Bridging the Divide
Blockchain’s dual utility is evident, but its full potential requires intentional design for both audiences. Sophisticated interfaces for institutional treasury management must coexist with user-friendly platforms for first-time users. Compliance frameworks must satisfy regulatory requirements while preserving accessibility for underserved populations. Success lies in partnerships across both worlds—working with established financial institutions to build robust infrastructure while collaborating with mobile money operators, community organizations, and fintech companies serving underbanked populations.
The goal is not to choose between efficiency and equity but to achieve both simultaneously. Blockchain’s promise lies in its ability to serve seemingly disparate constituencies with the same fundamental infrastructure. The networks enabling pension funds to tokenize assets can help farmers access credit, and the rails facilitating institutional settlement can deliver humanitarian aid directly to refugees.
A Shared Responsibility
As builders of this industry, our responsibility extends beyond technological capability to purposeful implementation. We must ensure that institutional adoption strengthens rather than supplants financial inclusion efforts. Systems should leverage institutional resources to extend access, not create new barriers. The infrastructure for borderless, frictionless value transfer is ready, and regulatory frameworks are evolving. Institutional adoption is accelerating, but success will be measured not just by efficiency gains in existing systems, but by how many people we bring into economic participation for the first time.
The choices we make today will determine whether blockchain becomes another tool serving the already-served or the bridge finally connecting everyone to the global economy. Both institutions and the unbanked are counting on us to get this right, to build a future where financial inclusion and institutional efficiency go hand in hand.
Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
