Emerging market users treat crypto exchanges like banking apps
Updated
Updated · CoinDesk · May 9
Emerging market users treat crypto exchanges like banking apps
6 articles · Updated · CoinDesk · May 9
Binance says they make up 77% of its 2026 users, up from 49% in 2020, with 83% of multi-product users also in emerging markets.
The report says exchanges are used for savings, payments and investments as 1.3 billion adults remain unbanked, 4.7 billion lack credit and 1.4 billion savers earn no deposit interest.
Stablecoins underpin much of this use through near-instant, very low-cost transfers, but Moody's, the IMF and others warn of risks to financial resilience and monetary sovereignty.
Is crypto's rise in emerging markets a lifeline for the unbanked or the seed of the next global financial crisis?
With crypto acting as a 'shadow bank', who will protect vulnerable users when these unregulated global platforms inevitably fail?
280 Million Users and Counting: How Emerging Markets and Stablecoins Are Transforming Crypto in 2026
Overview
As of 2026, emerging markets are leading the global adoption of cryptocurrency, driven by high demand and the practical benefits digital assets offer where traditional financial systems are less accessible or stable. This surge is reflected in the rapid growth of major platforms like Binance, whose user base jumped from 250 million to 280 million in just 18 months. Stablecoins are evolving from trading tools into everyday financial instruments, with more users allocating their savings to these dollar-pegged tokens. These trends highlight how digital assets are becoming essential in daily life, especially in regions seeking greater financial inclusion and stability.