Abdelhalem Shahen

A man watches at an exchange office sign showing the currency exchange rates of the Russian ruble, U.S. dollar, and euro in Moscow, Russia, in November 2024. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Can countries replace SWIFT? Evidence from Russia suggests not easily

Cut off from the world’s main financial messaging system, Russia turned to a domestic alternative. But research shows it fell far short of replacing the global financial network.
Digital payment technologies can support financial inclusion, especially where traditional banking services are limited. The Apple Pay app on an iPhone in 2019. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Digital payments can expand financial inclusion — but only under the right conditions

New research shows that digital payment technology does not always increase financial inclusion for everyone.

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