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The numbers speak for themselves — millions remain underserved, and SMEs face massive barriers to growth. These gaps highlight the urgent need for inclusive financial solutions.
See How We Close the GapsThis means limited or no access to basic services like savings accounts, loans, or insurance. A key driver of this gap is low financial literacy.
of Southeast Asia's adult population — around 570 million people — is either unbanked or underbanked
Source: Temasek
Only about one-third of adults globally are financially literate, making it even harder for people to use or trust financial services
Source: S&P Global
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Southeast Asia's economy, but traditional banks often refuse to lend to them. Complex requirements and the absence of formal credit histories make financing inaccessible. Without affordable capital, SMEs struggle to scale, innovate, and contribute fully to economic growth.
global MSME financing gap annually
Source: IFC
of this total is accounted for by East Asia and the Pacific, showing a critical regional need
Source: IFC
Even as smartphone adoption grows, cash dependency remains high. This reliance on cash is inefficient, costly, and keeps many excluded from digital financial ecosystems. For those who use digital channels, transaction fees are prohibitively high. These costs hit the most vulnerable hardest, including migrant workers and small merchants.
of transactions between consumers and businesses in Southeast Asia were still conducted in cash as of 2020
Source: CPA Australia, World Economic Forum
average cost of sending a $200 remittance in sub-Saharan Africa in 2022, with banks often charging even more
Source: World Bank
Southeast Asia's financial markets face significant challenges, especially for individuals and SMEs underserved by traditional institutions. These gaps highlight the urgent need for inclusive solutions.
BlinqPay bridges the financial divide by delivering affordable, accessible, and secure digital services — transforming challenges into opportunities and empowering people, SMEs, and communities to participate fully in the global economy.
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