This month is a celebration of women. Whether it's full-time housewives, loving mothers, leaders, sisters, daughters of the world, or our colleagues, it is worth taking stock of what that means for the world of crypto.

49% of the world’s population are women, and giving them the tools they need to succeed could stimulate a tsunami of commerce that may have been previously unimaginable.

In the United States, women of all ages are recognizing the potential of cryptocurrency to level up the financial playing field, but in developing nations, this is taken a step further, giving women a chance to be included where they might have otherwise been excluded.

This inclusion is key to unlocking the value of women’s participation for all. In a remote village in Nigeria, a woman opens a smartphone app and, with a few taps, receives a payment in Bitcoin. In Afghanistan, another woman discreetly builds her savings in a digital wallet, beyond the reach of oppressive financial restrictions.

The rise of cryptocurrency is a socio-economic transformation, offering financial agency to women, particularly in the developing world. At its core, crypto dismantles the traditional barriers that have, until now, restricted women’s financial independence.

The gender gap in finance

Despite progress toward financial inclusion, there are still many gaps to fill.

According to the Global Findex database, women are less likely than men to have formal bank accounts in developing economies, with a gap of 20% in account ownership between genders, exacerbating economic inequality. Even in developed nations, this disparity persists; one-third of college-educated women surveyed by Coinbase believe they do not have equal access to the financial system in their own countries.

For many women, economic exclusion is not just an inconvenience; it is a matter of survival.

Financial abuse remains a critical component of domestic violence, where women are cut off from financial resources, making it nearly impossible to leave abusive situations. Cryptocurrency and its permissionless transactions are emerging as a critical tool in the fight for financial autonomy.

Crypto as a catalyst for change

Unlike traditional banking, which often requires endless documentation, physical presence, and institutional approval, crypto transactions require only an internet connection.

This is especially significant for women in regions where legal or cultural norms prevent them from opening a bank account. For example, mobile payments have become an important enabler of financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially for women, according to the Global Findex Report.

In Sub-Saharan Africa in 2021, 55% of adults had an account, including 33% who had a mobile money account—the largest share of any region in the world and more than three times the global average of 10% for mobile money account ownership.

Equal access to financial services provides more access to funds, business support, and opportunities for female entrepreneurs. By using crypto, women can now skip traditional barriers to entry. It enables financial independence.

Caring with crypto

Globally, women make up 67% of the care workforce, with roles in nursing, childcare, and education overwhelmingly staffed by women.

These essential workers, who are the backbone of societies, often face precarious employment conditions, low wages, and limited financial security. Cryptocurrency offers an alternative. It provides a new way to receive direct payments and build financial stability outside of traditional systems that often undervalue care work.

However, it also allows more access for those who occupy the most caring jobs in society.

This gives all care workers the chance to augment their roles, strengthen their connections with other care industries, and sustain these vital sectors. Think about childcare providers in remote rural villages, nurses in crisis zones, and early childhood educators who build the backbone of education institutions.

The future of women in web3

In the world of Web3, financial systems are evolving.

Women, who have historically been marginalized in financial decision-making, now have the opportunity to take control. With a smartphone and an internet connection, a woman in an economically restrictive country can receive payments, invest, save, and build her financial future.

The question is no longer whether crypto will transform financial inclusion, but how quickly women will leverage this technology to reshape their own destinies. The global economy will be all the better for it.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheStreet Crypto. This piece is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.