According to the World Bank, there are about 1.7 billion people in the world who do not have access to a bank account or other formal financial services. This means that they are excluded from the benefits of the global economy, such as saving, borrowing, investing, and transferring money. Moreover, they are often subject to high fees, corruption, and discrimination when dealing with informal or alternative financial providers.
Bitcoin, the most popular and widely used cryptocurrency, offers a potential solution to this problem. Bitcoin is a digital currency that operates on a decentralized network of computers, without the need for intermediaries or central authorities. Anyone with an internet connection and a smartphone or a computer can use Bitcoin to send and receive value across the world, with minimal fees, censorship, or restrictions.
In this article, we will explore how Bitcoin can empower the unbanked and underprivileged population by addressing some of the main barriers and challenges that they face in accessing traditional financial services. We will also discuss some of the risks and limitations of Bitcoin for this population, and how they can be overcome or mitigated.
What are the main barriers and challenges that prevent the unbanked population from accessing traditional financial services?
There are many factors that contribute to the lack of financial inclusion in the world, but some of the most common ones are:
- Lack of identification: Many people do not have official documents or records that prove their identity, such as birth certificates, passports, or national IDs. This makes it difficult or impossible for them to open a bank account or use other financial services that require identity verification.
- Lack of infrastructure: Many people live in remote or rural areas where there are no banks, ATMs, or other financial service providers. Even if they have access to some form of financial service, they may have to travel long distances or pay high transportation costs to use it.
- Lack of trust: Many people do not trust the banking system or the government, due to historical or current experiences of corruption, fraud, mismanagement, or instability. They may prefer to keep their money in cash or in other forms of informal savings, such as livestock, jewelry, or land.
- Lack of affordability: Many people cannot afford the fees, charges, or minimum balances that are required to use formal financial services. They may also face high interest rates or predatory terms when they borrow money from informal or alternative lenders, such as moneylenders, pawnshops, or microfinance institutions.
- Lack of education: Many people lack the financial literacy or the digital skills that are necessary to use formal financial services. They may not understand the benefits, risks, or costs of different financial products or services, or how to use them safely and effectively.
How does Bitcoin address these issues with its decentralized, peer-to-peer, and borderless nature?
Bitcoin, as a cryptocurrency, has some unique features that make it suitable for addressing some of the barriers and challenges that the unbanked population faces in accessing traditional financial services. Some of these features are:
- Pseudonymity: Bitcoin users do not need to reveal their real identity or personal information to use the network. They can create and use multiple Bitcoin addresses, which are alphanumeric strings that represent their accounts, without any registration or verification process. This allows them to protect their privacy and avoid discrimination or exclusion based on their identity.
- Accessibility: Bitcoin users do not need to rely on any physical infrastructure or intermediaries to use the network. They only need an internet connection and a smartphone or a computer that can run a Bitcoin wallet, which is a software application that allows them to store, send, and receive bitcoins. There are many types of Bitcoin wallets available, with different levels of security, convenience, and functionality. Some of them can even work offline or on low-bandwidth networks, such as SMS or radio.
- Inclusivity: Bitcoin users do not need to meet any eligibility criteria or pay any fees to use the network. They can join and participate in the network regardless of their location, income, or status. They can also access a global market of goods and services that accept Bitcoin as a form of payment, without any geographical or political boundaries or restrictions.
- Transparency: Bitcoin users can verify and audit the transactions and the state of the network at any time, without relying on any third party or authority. All the transactions are recorded and validated by the network in a public and immutable ledger, called the blockchain, which is distributed and synchronized among all the nodes (computers) that run the network. This ensures that the network is secure, fair, and resilient to fraud, corruption, or manipulation.
What are some of the risks and limitations of Bitcoin for the unbanked population, such as volatility, security, regulation, and education?
Bitcoin, as a cryptocurrency, also has some challenges and drawbacks that may limit its adoption and impact for the unbanked population. Some of these challenges are:
- Volatility: Bitcoin is known for its high price fluctuations, which can make it an unreliable store of value or medium of exchange. The price of Bitcoin is determined by the supply and demand of the market, which can be influenced by various factors, such as news, events, speculation, or manipulation. This can expose the users to significant losses or gains, depending on the timing and direction of their transactions.
- Security: Bitcoin users are responsible for the security of their own funds, which means that they have to protect their private keys, which are the passwords that grant them access to their Bitcoin addresses. If they lose their private keys, or if they are stolen or compromised by hackers, they may lose their bitcoins irreversibly, without any recourse or recovery. Therefore, they have to choose and use their Bitcoin wallets carefully, and follow the best practices of backup, encryption, and multi-signature.
- Regulation: Bitcoin users may face legal or regulatory uncertainties or challenges in their jurisdictions, depending on the status and treatment of Bitcoin by the authorities. Some countries may ban or restrict the use of Bitcoin, while others may impose taxes, reporting, or licensing requirements on Bitcoin transactions or businesses. Therefore, they have to be aware of and comply with the laws and regulations that apply to them, and seek professional advice if needed.
- Education: Bitcoin users may face a steep learning curve or a lack of awareness or understanding of Bitcoin and its implications. They may not know how to use Bitcoin properly, or how to evaluate the risks and opportunities that it offers. They may also face misinformation, myths, or scams that may mislead or harm them. Therefore, they have to educate themselves and others about Bitcoin, and seek reliable and reputable sources of information and guidance.
Conclusion
Bitcoin is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to empower the unbanked and underprivileged population by providing them with an alternative and accessible way of accessing and participating in the global economy. However, Bitcoin also has some challenges and limitations that may hinder its adoption and impact for this population. Therefore, Bitcoin users have to be aware of and address these challenges, and leverage the opportunities that Bitcoin offers, to achieve their financial and social goals.
