Digital autonomy and expanded access to financial services are fueling a transformative change in the world economy

Adrian Wall, representing the Digital Sovereignty Alliance (DSA), highlighted the pressing need for digital sovereignty and broader financial access at a prominent UN General Assembly roundtable held in New York on October 22, 2025, as reported by

. The gathering, named "A New Blueprint for Sovereign Sustainable Development," convened 48 international leaders to tackle issues like climate adaptation, fair economic progress, and ethical tech advancement. As the moderator for the "Global Digital Identity and Financial Inclusion Protocol" discussion, Wall stressed that enabling people to manage their own data and widening financial participation are essential for sustainable progress. He cautioned that "financial inclusion without financial literacy leads nowhere," urging for policies that uphold individual empowerment and respect.

This dialogue reflects a wider movement toward digital asset integration worldwide.

, a major player in traditional finance, is reportedly allowing institutional clients to use and as collateral, according to . This step demonstrates increasing trust among institutions in cryptocurrencies as valid financial assets, following previous consideration of spot Bitcoin ETFs for collateral purposes. Meanwhile, Blockchain.com has obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Malta, paving the way for EU expansion, as noted in . The firm pointed to Malta's "clear regulatory environment and strategic access to the European Economic Area" as central to its expansion plans, with intentions to grow its brokerage, institutional services, and self-custody wallet offerings.

Across Africa, where digital sovereignty remains a key topic, ABSA and Ripple have joined forces to improve cross-border payments, as detailed in

. The Central Bank of Ghana is also close to finalizing crypto regulations, aiming to establish oversight by the end of the year. Blockchain.com is pursuing a license in Nigeria, a market it considers "vital" to its business. Owenize Odia, who manages the company’s Africa operations, emphasized that regulatory compliance is fundamental to their strategy, with plans to set up a regional base in Nigeria.

In the United States, regulatory progress is also underway, with lawmakers aiming to pass a comprehensive crypto bill by year’s end, according to

. While consensus has reportedly been reached on most of the framework, discussions continue over how to regulate centralized exchanges such as while still encouraging innovation in decentralized finance (DeFi). Detractors, including Summer Mersinger from the Blockchain Association, caution that overly strict rules could hinder the growth of DeFi and wallet technologies.

On the global stage, countries like Burkina Faso are turning to blockchain for economic advancement. A significant agreement with Palm Promax Investments will see the tokenization of Burkina Faso’s gold and mineral assets, setting a precedent for sovereign digital finance, as stated in

. H.E. Soumane Kassamba, an advisor to the president of Burkina Faso, described the project as a "turning point," allowing the nation to "shape its own economic future" through transparent, asset-backed digital currencies.

With digital sovereignty and financial inclusion gaining momentum, the intersection of policy, technology, and market trends is driving a significant transformation in the global economy.