CZ Explains Why Emerging Markets Embrace Crypto Rapidly

Crypto's Impact in Emerging Markets

At the 2025 Binance Blockchain Week on December 3, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, shared insights into why crypto adoption is growing rapidly in emerging markets. During a discussion about countries like Peru, CZ highlighted the real-world impact of digital assets on daily life. He recalled a thank-you letter from a user who described how crypto transformed routine financial tasks.

Faster Payments and Financial Access Globally

Before 2017, paying a simple bill took three days due to slow banking infrastructure, but with crypto payments, the same process now takes just three minutes. This speed, combined with the ability to experiment with small investments, has created tangible improvements in quality of life for people in low-income regions.

One of the main reasons emerging markets embrace crypto is the speed and accessibility it offers. Traditional banking systems in many low- and middle-income countries are often slow, expensive, or limited in coverage. With crypto, payments can be processed almost instantly and at lower cost, removing friction that previously limited economic activity. For example, cross-border remittances, which often carry high fees, can now be sent using stablecoins in minutes.

Recent data from the World Bank shows that remittance costs in Latin America averaged 7% in 2024, far higher than what digital assets can achieve. Crypto provides an alternative, enabling families to receive funds faster and retain more of their income.

Emerging markets also benefit from investment opportunities that were previously inaccessible. Small-scale investors can explore cryptocurrencies or tokenized assets with low minimums, allowing them to grow savings or experiment with diversified portfolios. This financial empowerment can foster economic mobility in regions where traditional investment options are scarce.

A memorable example shared by CZ illustrates how crypto adoption improves everyday life. The Peruvian user who cut bill payments from three days to three minutes also reported being able to save and invest small amounts, giving them a sense of financial control previously out of reach. This story echoes a larger trend: emerging economies are increasingly adopting digital assets to overcome structural challenges. According to Chainalysis, crypto adoption in Latin America has grown steadily over the past five years, with peer-to-peer trading volume rising by more than 40% in 2025 alone.

Hardware Wallet Security Insights from CZ

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, emphasized that the core requirement for any hardware wallet is that the private key must never leave the device under any circumstances, ensuring maximum security for users’ digital assets. This statement comes shortly after YZi Labs, formerly known as Binance Labs, announced its investment in OneKey, an open-source hardware wallet designed to provide secure, user-friendly storage for cryptocurrencies.

By supporting projects like OneKey, Binance is backing tools that prioritize safety and control, allowing users to manage their crypto holdings with confidence while keeping private keys completely offline.