Shift to Mobile Payments Dominates Fiji Remittances

A significant shift in money remittance practices has been observed in Fiji, where transactions via mobile phone have surged from 4% in 2019 to over 60% in 2023, as reported by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This change is attributed to the growing consumer preference for mobile wallets due to their convenience and lower costs compared to traditional remittance services, which have seen their share drop from 71% to 26%. Meanwhile, the global financial landscape is evolving with the rise of digital payments and cryptocurrencies, which offer secure, decentralized transaction options, particularly beneficial in areas with limited banking access. In France, the cryptocurrency trading platform Financière de Versailles is expanding its services to cater to French-speaking investors worldwide. Additionally, Russia is exploring alternative payment systems to circumvent Western sanctions, with an emphasis on de-dollarization, as discussions about reducing the reliance on the US dollar gain traction. Finally, the adoption of the ISO 20022 standard aims to streamline global payments by enhancing speed, transparency, and access, facilitating smoother cross-border transactions.