Economic Empowerment

Hard Numbers: Salvadorans snub crypto, Chinese heart QR codes, Nigerians go cashless, Europeans shop online

A woman holds a black cross with a sign against Bitcon during a protest against President Bukele's government in El Salvador.
A woman holds a black cross with a sign against Bitcon during a protest against President Bukele's government in El Salvador.
Reuters

2: El Salvador's crypto bro President Nayib Bukele has gone all in on Bitcoin, but his citizens are not yet sold on crypto for remittances, a lifeline for the economy. So far this year, only 2% of the money from Salvadorans working abroad was sent to their families using digital currencies.

3.5 trillion: The value of digital payments in China will reach a whopping $3.5 trillion by the end of the year, almost double the figure in the US. China is fast becoming a mobile-first economy, in part because sellers are allowed to make their own QR codes without purchasing fancy tech.

29 billion: Move over, Canada — Nigeria (!) now wants to become the world's first 100% cashless economy by embracing the eNaira. A year after launching the digital currency, the government says that full use of it will increase GDP by $29 billion over the next decade.

67: Two-thirds (67%) of the EU's adult population purchased stuff over the internet in 2021, according to a new survey. The highest adoption of online e-commerce was reported in the Netherlands and the lowest in Bulgaria.

More For You

- YouTube

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the global economy, one question is becoming increasingly urgent: who will actually benefit? Recorded at the 2026 AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, this special Global Stage conversation brings together leaders from the United Nations, Microsoft, and the scientific community to examine how AI can help tackle some of the world's biggest challenges, from disaster preparedness and climate resilience to humanitarian response and sustainable development.

Flagbearer Sergey Tetyukhin of Russia arrives for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 8, 2016.
REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its ban on Russia participating in the Olympic Games on Tuesday, opening the door to Russian athletes competing in both individual and team sports at the in Los Angeles Games in 2028.

Will Fitzpatrick

Temperatures forced race organizers to relax regulations and allow greater assistance from team cars.