Finance

Alipay Joins Hands With a Pakistani Bank for Blockchain Remittances

Pakistan is among the countries where cryptos are considered illegal, and the system is not fully regulated either. However, this hasn’t stopped the country from welcoming blockchain.

Telenor Microfinance Bank, a local bank operating in the country, recently launched a cross-border payments solution by using blockchain. Part of the Norwegian telecoms multinational Telenor Group, the bank has become the first bank in Pakistan to come up with a blockchain-based remittance service.

More About the Venture

Telenor Microfinance Bank is among the most popular banks in Pakistan when it comes to technology. It’s also behind Easypaisa, a local mobile banking service that has millions of customers in the country.

The venture is the result of a collaboration between Easypaisa and Valyou, Telenor Group’s Malaysian fintech subsidiary. The offering will allow the transfer of money between two nations in real-time.

Security, transparency, and speed are the three major reasons why the bank has decided to use the blockchain technology. This will allow transfers between Malaysia and Pakistan to be quicker and more secure.

According to reports, Alipay has decided to waive transaction fees for the first year to make the offering more affordable for users.

The Pakistani Market

With so many locals working abroad, Pakistan is a big market when it comes to remittances.

Telenor Financial Services’ senior VP, Roar Bjærum, said:

“Currently, Pakistan receives about $1 billion in home remittances from Malaysia, and this Easypaisa-Valyou collaboration is going to change it for the better.”

Tariq Bajwa, Governer State Bank of Pakistan, also spoke about the potential. He said:

“Home remittances contributed to over 6 percent in GDP, equivalent to over 50 percent of our trade deficit, 85 percent of exports and over one-third of imports during FY 2017-18.”

If this venture turns out to be a success, there’s hope there will be similar offerings in the future.

Related article:

How This 26-Year Old Dropout is Helping the Bankless With Blockchain

Michael Wight

Michael is a freelance writer with special interest in finance and technology. He regularly trades cryptocurrencies and loves to share his knowledge with others.

Related Articles

49 Comments

  1. I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thanks, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?

  2. I?¦m now not sure where you are getting your info, however good topic. I must spend a while learning much more or figuring out more. Thanks for fantastic info I used to be looking for this info for my mission.

  3. Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?

  4. I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You’re wonderful! Thanks!

  5. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  6. Its like you read my mind! You appear to understand so much about this, like you wrote the guide in it or something. I believe that you simply can do with some p.c. to drive the message house a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.

Close