In a recent report by fintech giant Ripple, the increasing influence of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology in cross-border payments has been unveiled.
The report projects that by 2027, the value of this sector will soar to an astounding $250 trillion.
The global payments industry is undergoing a transformation, with a focus on user experience and modern interfaces to meet the growing demand for digital-first banking services.
The report highlights the need for improvement in the underlying infrastructure that facilitates money movement between accounts.
Ripple's 2023 New Value Report reveals that crypto and blockchain can enable efficient money transfers.
For 44% of respondents, payments are the main driver for crypto adoption, with cross-border payments being a key use case for nearly half of them.
Legacy rails for cross-border transactions are slow and costly, taking days to settle.
In contrast, blockchain and digital asset technologies offer a seamless global network that allows instant payments with lower fees and full transparency.
The report also notes the surge in mobile banking usage, with over 65% of the US population projected to use it by 2025.
Online banking is expected to reach nearly 1 billion users in Asia by 2024. However, these user-friendly experiences hide outdated and fragmented infrastructure.
Cross-border payments are vital but challenging aspects of the global economy. Traditional payment systems are outdated, inefficient, and costly, relying on legacy rails built decades ago.