Las economías emergentes son el motor en el uso de las 'criptos'

Recent data from Barclays' Crypto Intensity Indicator (CII) reveals that emerging economies are the driving force behind cryptocurrency adoption worldwide. In the first half of 2026, the United States led the market with over $630 billion in cash crypto and stablecoin transactions, followed by South Korea's $213 billion. Other top countries include India ($196 billion), Turkey ($181 billion), Brazil ($160 billion), Vietnam ($138 billion), and Ukraine ($131 billion), surpassing traditional financial hubs like the United Kingdom ($109 billion) and Germany ($98 billion).

Cryptocurrencies are no longer seen merely as speculative investment tools in emerging markets; instead, they have become practical solutions to economic challenges such as high inflation, geopolitical crises, and the need for affordable, fast, and accessible cross-border payments. Remittance flows are a primary catalyst for crypto adoption in emerging nations. Countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are among the top recipients of remittances from abroad, according to Barclays.

In Southeast Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines benefit from a young, digitally connected population, extensive technological adoption, and rapidly growing fintech sectors. Vietnam is highlighted for its dynamic developer community, internationally recognized blockchain projects, and expanding fintech industry. In the Philippines, widespread adoption of digital wallets like GCash and Maya has familiarized millions with app-based financial services, lowering barriers to crypto adoption.

In Latin America, the crypto adoption push is driven by the need for financial stability amid persistent inflation and currency volatility. In Venezuela, persistent inflation and political instability have led households and businesses to seek alternative value reserves, including stablecoins pegged to the US dollar. Brazil's successful implementation of Pix, a high-speed instant payment system, has bridged traditional finance and crypto markets, and the country was among the first to approve cryptocurrency ETFs.

In Eastern Europe, crypto adoption is closely tied to economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Turkey's crypto market has grown significantly due to high inflation (reaching 30% in September) and currency depreciation, with stablecoins providing an alternative store of value. Ukraine's crypto usage surged during the early stages of the Russian invasion, enabling rapid fund collection and cross-border transfers.

The country is now working to align its crypto ecosystem with European regulatory standards, supported by a highly digitalized population and strong tech sector.