When you think about crypto, it’s easy to focus on the US. It’s the home of Silicon Valley, the largest crypto investors, and the biggest tech companies. But crypto’s biggest opportunities aren’t in the US. They’re outside.

Don’t get me wrong, the US is crucial to the growth of crypto. But if we keep looking at the US as the center of the crypto world, we’re going to miss out. There are massive global markets where crypto solves urgent problems, and the US is not always the best testing ground.

Let’s talk about this.

Why US-Centric Thinking Limits Opportunity

The US has a strong financial system, and most people here can rely on traditional banks, credit cards, and payment services.

As a result, crypto adoption in the US is often viewed as a luxury or an investment tool, rather than a necessity. The problems that crypto solves in the US are much less urgent than in other parts of the world.

But in many regions:

• Financial systems are broken or non-existent

• Access to banking is limited, forcing people to find alternative solutions

• Crypto is a lifeline because it works better than the current system

Focusing too much on the US means we risk missing out on where crypto adoption is truly thriving—in markets where people need it to survive, not just invest.

Regions Where Crypto Solves Immediate, Pressing Problems

When we talk about crypto adoption, there's a fundamental difference between regions where it's a speculative asset versus where it solves essential daily problems.

What's interesting is that the markets with the highest necessity-driven adoption look completely different from what most Western crypto companies target.

Latin America: Where stablecoins are economic survival tools

Argentina provides a perfect case study of necessity-driven crypto adoption. While Argentina represents just 10.5% of South America's population, it receives the most cryptocurrency in Latin America, surpassing inflows into Brazil, Colombia, and Peru combined.

Argentina received $91 billion in crypto inflows between July 2023 and June 2024 despite having a population of just 46.8 million (compared to Brazil's 216.6 million). This disproportionate adoption stems from real economic necessity.

The country's inflation rate hit its peak at 292.2% in April 2024, making the Argentine peso essentially unusable as a store of value.

More revealing is that 61.8% of Argentina's crypto volume is in stablecoins, far above the global average of 44.7%.

Our research found that 35% of surveyed Argentinians hold more than a quarter of their net worth in stablecoins, with 20% holding more than half. This is a necessity in a country where 78% of citizens lack faith in their traditional banking system.

What's particularly interesting is how this adoption pattern creates fundamentally different user behaviors. When users have no viable alternatives, they overcome significant technical barriers, adapt their daily habits, and even teach others out of shared necessity.

The adoption curve looks more like a sharp cliff than the traditional S-curve, with usage spreading through existing trust networks rather than marketing channels.

Africa: Remittances and financial inclusion drive adoption

Between July 2023 and June 2024, Nigerians received approximately [$59 billion in cryptocurrency](https://businessday.ng/news/article/nigerias-crypto-revolution-a-global-success-story/?#:~:text=Between July 2023 and June 2024%2C Nigeria received approximately %2459 billion in cryptocurrency value%2C according to Chainalysis. A remarkable 85%25 of these transactions were under %241 million%2C showing how everyday Nigerians are embracing cryptocurrencies for their financial needs.), with 85% of transactions valued at under $1 million. While these numbers are impressive, they only tell part of the story.

What's more interesting is how crypto is being used for cross-border payments in a continent where traditional remittance services charge exorbitant fees. Cryptocurrency helps people avoid these high fees and slow transaction times, especially in countries with strict currency controls.

South Africa is taking a different approach by embracing regulation. The [FSCA granted 59 crypto businesses](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africas-financial-conduct-regulator-approves-59-crypto-licences-2024-03-13/?) licenses in 2023, creating a regulated environment that's building trust. With 10% of South Africans already owning crypto, projections suggest growth to 43% by 2030, and South Africa is positioning itself to become a crypto hub in Africa.

Southeast Asia: The most underrated crypto market

Southeast Asia quietly leads in actual crypto usage. Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines consistently rank among the highest in global crypto adoption indices.

In Vietnam, the crypto market is expected to reach [$184 million by 2028](https://www.analyticsinsight.net/cryptocurrency-analytics-insight/crypto-market-in-vietnam-opportunities-and-challenges#:~:text=The cryptocurrency market in Vietnam is expected to reach US%24184 million in 2028 from US%2476 million in 2023%2C at a CAGR of 22.96%25.), growing at a rate of 22.96% annually. This growth is driven by practical applications: remittances, value storage, and financial services access.

Meanwhile, our research in Korea shows a different pattern.

Korea's crypto adoption is impressively high, with Upbit, Korea's largest exchange, ranking 5th globally in spot trading volume despite serving only Korean users. However, the focus remains primarily on trading rather than utilitarian applications.

What's particularly interesting is that Korean Won (KRW) trading volume surpassed US Dollar (USD) trading in Q1 2024, reaching $456 billion (compared to USD's $445 billion).

Yet, despite this massive trading volume, only about 0.25% of domestic cryptocurrency transactions in Korea are transferred to non-custodial wallets, indicating limited engagement with decentralized finance.

Comparing Payment Infrastructure Globally

These regions are adopting crypto for practical reasons, not just for speculation. Crypto is filling gaps where traditional systems can’t keep up, and it’s making a real impact on people’s everyday lives.

This brings us to a key point: the US has a well-developed payment infrastructure, but it’s not the same everywhere. In the US, people are used to systems like Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal. However, these services don’t solve the same problems in developing markets.

In places like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, people face high fees, slow transfers, and poor access to banking services. Crypto solves these problems instantly. It’s cheaper, faster, and more secure than anything traditional systems can offer.

In the US, we’re lucky: crypto is a tool for investment. In many parts of the world, it’s a tool for survival.

Time to Shift Your Thinking

Stop looking at the US as the benchmark for success and start thinking strategically. Here’s how to spot the next big opportunity:

1. Identify real financial problems: Look for regions where crypto can solve critical issues.

2. Work with local experts: You can’t just jump into a new market and expect success. Partner with local players who understand the market and its regulatory environment.

3. Understand local regulations: Different regions are setting up crypto-friendly rules. Ensure you understand how these work so you can build a compliant business that grows rapidly.

4. Adapt your product: What works in the US won’t always work elsewhere. Tailor your solution to meet the specific needs of each market.

The Future of Crypto Adoption is Global

So, what’s next? If you’re a crypto founder, investor, or expansion strategist, look outside the US for your next big opportunity.

Emerging markets are where crypto will make the most significant impact. It’s time to build solutions that address the real needs of these markets.

Get in touch, and let’s talk about how to build it together.