Blockchain Adoption in Emerging Markets: Strategic Partnerships as Catalysts for Growth

Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative force in emerging markets, where it addresses systemic challenges in financial inclusion, supply chain efficiency, and economic transparency. Central to this adoption is the role of strategic partnerships, which are accelerating blockchain's integration into local economies. By 2025, these collaborations have not only enhanced infrastructure but also delivered measurable economic outcomes, making blockchain a compelling investment opportunity.

Strategic Partnerships: Bridging Infrastructure Gaps

In regions with underdeveloped financial systems, blockchain projects are forming alliances to create decentralized alternatives. Qubetics, for instance, has partnered with regional financial entities in Central Asia to deploy a censorship-resistant infrastructure for tokenized assets, streamlining cross-border trade and secure communications, according to a GlobeNewswire report. Similarly, Stellar has collaborated with global remittance providers to offer low-cost, near-instant cross-border payments, directly supporting financial inclusion for millions of unbanked individuals, the report found. These partnerships are critical in markets where traditional banking services are either inaccessible or prohibitively expensive.

The energy and supply chain sectors are also seeing transformative collaborations. AIMultiple reports that Ford and IBM's blockchain initiative to trace cobalt from mines to EV batteries ensures ethical sourcing while reducing supply chain risks. By creating an immutable audit trail, the project addresses labor concerns in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where 70% of global cobalt is mined. Meanwhile, Renault's partnership with IBM has cut supply chain non-compliance costs by 50% and reduced expenses related to quality issues by 10%, demonstrating blockchain's operational efficiency, AIMultiple adds.

Measurable Economic Impact

Blockchain's economic impact in emerging markets is underscored by quantifiable growth metrics. In 2025, Trust Your Supplier (TYS), a collaboration between IBM and Chainyard, reduced supplier onboarding times by over 70% through blockchain-based digital identities. This innovation is particularly impactful in emerging economies, where streamlined supply chains can unlock new trade opportunities, AIMultiple also noted.

User adoption rates further highlight blockchain's growing influence. Over 560 million people globally now use blockchain technology, with Asia leading at 160 million users, according to DemandSage. Blockchain wallet ownership has surged 700% since 2016, reaching 85 million users worldwide, and the same source reports that in the Ethereum network alone, daily transactions surpassed 3 million in Q1 2025, driven by Layer 2 protocols and DeFi integrations. Tokenized assets, including real estate and carbon credits, have crossed $5 trillion in value, opening new investment avenues for emerging markets, DemandSage adds.

Market Growth and Investment Potential

The global blockchain market is projected to grow from $26.91 billion in 2024 to $1.87 trillion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 52.9%, according to StartUs Insights. This expansion is fueled by hybrid blockchain solutions, AI integration, and government support in regions like Asia-Pacific (APAC). For example, Nestlé's blockchain initiative restored 76% market share in China for its infant formula brand by providing transparent traceability from farm to shelf, and StartUs highlights TenneT's blockchain platform as having increased renewable energy capacity by 20%, showcasing the technology's role in sustainable development.

Investment inflows are also surging. Venture capital funding for blockchain startups reached $12.9 billion in the first five months of 2025 alone, with 47% of global enterprises now deploying blockchain solutions, DemandSage reports. Emerging markets are particularly attractive, as blockchain addresses infrastructure gaps while aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms are enabling microloans for the unbanked (SDG 1), while blockchain-based water pump sensors improve access to clean water (SDG 6), according to a BusinessDay article.

Conclusion

Strategic partnerships are the linchpin of blockchain adoption in emerging markets, driving innovation in finance, supply chains, and sustainability. As these collaborations scale, they are not only reducing costs and improving transparency but also fostering economic resilience. For investors, the confluence of rapid user growth, measurable economic impact, and supportive regulatory environments in regions like APAC and Central Asia presents a compelling opportunity. Blockchain is no longer a speculative technology-it is a foundational infrastructure for the next phase of global economic development.