Financial inclusion remains a significant challenge, with over 1.4 billion people (24% of the world’s adult population) lacking access to essential financial services. Financial service providers are increasingly interested in understanding their social handprint – or their impact on society – both to understand how they can contribute to financial inclusion and economic development, as well as drive sustained business growth. For some financial solutions, blockchain networks may be a catalyst for achieving a positive social handprint while also driving sustained business outcomes. As with any technological innovation, the need for robust governance and responsible design principles are key to successful implementation.

The contents of this report:

The Stellar Development Foundation commissioned PwC to develop a global financial inclusion framework (“the Framework”) to help understand and assess the factors that render services or products financially inclusive. Financial service providers can use the Framework and contents of this report to help assess and enhance their social handprints. Based on the financial inclusion dimensions defined in the Framework, this report also explores the role that blockchain-based solutions can play in advancing digital financial inclusion, as well as suggested priorities for the blockchain industry to enhance its social handprint.