Singapore, Singapore, August 13th, 2024, Chainwire
Ben Caselin, Chief Marketing Officer of VALR, the Pantera-backed crypto exchange, delivered a keynote at Foresight 2024 Hong Kong on Sunday, August 11th addressing the distinct trajectory of crypto adoption in emerging markets.
Caselin’s presentation shed light on the significant differences between what crypto adoption looks like in places like Hong Kong versus various countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
While Hong Kong has undoubtedly emerged as a hub for cultural and financial innovation, both historically and now under the banner of Web3, in the emerging markets, including El Salvador and South Africa, we see the formation of crypto hubs in their own right.
Caselin talked about three primary dimensions of crypto transformation: cultural, financial, and monetary. He noted Hong Kong excels in cultural transformation, embodied by Web3, NFTs, and community building, and has also been pro-active on the financial front, such as with the recent launch of both Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Emerging markets, however, are experiencing a more pronounced financial and monetary transformation.
“These regions are witnessing a rapid shift towards financial participation through crypto,” Caselin explained. “We’re seeing a surge in remittances, payments, and the development of new financial infrastructure to make it easier to hedge against domestic conditions. Moreover, the potential for monetary transformation, including a decoupling from established fiat currencies, is more pronounced in emerging markets.”
Caselin noted VALR’s role in driving this transformation. “Our platform is facilitating institutional and corporate participation in the crypto economy, enabling access to innovative financial products and services,” he said. “We believe that by providing robust infrastructure and supporting local fintechs, we can accelerate the adoption of digital assets and improve financial well-being for millions of people.”
About VALR
Founded in 2018, VALR is a global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 1,000 corporate and institutional clients and close to 700,000 traders worldwide. Headquartered in Johannesburg, VALR is licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, approved to offer services in Europe, and has received initial approval from Dubai’s VARA. The exchange has secured $55 million in equity funding from prominent investors, including Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and Avon Ventures, affiliated with Fidelity Investments’ parent company. For more information, visit: valr.com.
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