How crypto is banking the unbanked in Pakistan

A young worker in the Gulf sends money home. A freelancer waits on an overseas payment. A student in a small town tops up mobile data and pays a bill through an agent because a bank branch feels distant, slow or intimidating. For millions of underbanked and unbanked Pakistanis, the question is less about new financial products and more about getting through the month with fewer delays, fewer fees and fewer chances of being scammed. Documentation demands, thin rural branch coverage and mistrust of banks still keep many people on the margins.

Pakistan’s account-ownership story depends on how it is measured. Estimates put the share of unbanked adults in Pakistan at 53 per cent, with financial exclusion disproportionately affecting women and low-income groups. With more than 200 million telecom subscriptions, phones have become the default financial interface for many households. Digital finance still depends on reliable internet access, and industry warnings about firewall-linked disruptions have reinforced how quickly ‘online money’ can stall. Platforms like crypto exchange MEXC argue that lower-cost access to stablecoins and clearer disclosure standards can make these mobile-first money flows more practical for users navigating delays and fees.

Remittances keep households afloat as fees and delays keep biting

Remittances remain one of Pakistan’s most important household safety nets and also one of its most reliable sources of foreign exchange. Pakistan sits among the top five remittance recipients among low- and middle-income countries, with a forecast of roughly $30........

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