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WorldRemit: 40% of countries to pay more than their monthly income on school supplies this year

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WorldRemit: 40% of countries to pay more than their monthly income on school supplies this year

WorldRemit releases its third year of data, observing the rising costs of educational supplies across 20 countries globally

LONDON, July 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today, WorldRemit, a digital remittances brand within Zepz, releases its third year of global data and findings, to understand how the cost of school supplies impact families around the world. As inflation persists and supply chain issues continue to arise across multiple sectors, it comes as no surprise that on average, countries observed can expect costs to rise.

Across countries where people have higher monthly incomes, Canada, the UK and Australia saw nominal decreases in the percentage of income they can expect to allocate, while France and Spain saw notable increases. In France, families can expect to allocate 5% of their monthly budget this year, while in Spain, they can expect to allocate 7% more than last year on basic school supplies.

In other parts of the world, cost changes were far more drastic, where yearly changes averaged an increase of 78%. 1 in 9 people1 worldwide rely on money sent from friends and relatives who have migrated abroad for work. For families whose incomes simply cannot accommodate the cost of these fundamental supplies, remittances make a world of difference in their ability to afford these supplies, as well as steep costs like tuition, transportation and childcare.

2023 Cost of School Overview

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Country

Cost Changes YoY

% of Monthly Household Income

Highest Item increase 

Industrialised Nations

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Canada

-0.4 %

9 %

Gym shoes

United States

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+28 %

9 %

Colouring pencils

United Kingdom

+2 %

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9 %

Pencils

France

+41 %

19 %

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Colouring pencils

Spain

+53 %

20 %

Pencils

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Australia

+19 %

9 %

Pencils

Americas

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Mexico

+56 %

84 %

Polo shirts

Guatemala

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+75 %

334 %

Polo shirts

Colombia

+81 %

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153 %

Notebooks

Dominican Republic

+56 %

72 %

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Polo shirts

EMEA

Cameroon

+97 %

789 %

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Ruler

Morocco

+118 %

262 %

Polo shirts

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Nigeria

+162 %

632 %

Sharpener

Tanzania

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+62 %

861 %

Socks

Zimbabwe

+6 %

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427 %

Pencil case

APAC

Philippines

+16 %

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51 %

Pencils

India

+129 %

197 %

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Notebooks

While practically every country in the study had increased costs, certain items have drastically increased. For example, in Australia a case of 12 pencils has increased more than 4x the cost of the previous year and the cost of notebooks in India is almost 6x as expensive as in 2022.

3.6% or 281 million2 of the global population identify as migrants, a number that has steadily increased over the last 30 years. Similarly, remittances have increased from US $126B in 2000 to more than $700B in 2020, with the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Germany operating as the top 5 sending countries as of 2020.

While rising costs of living have forced migrants to be more conscious about how they allocate funds for remittances, as of July 2022, WorldRemit data indicates education is one of the top 3 reasons people send money.

To learn more about the study and see full results, visit https://www.worldremit.com/en/back-to-school

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References

12019: UnitedNations.org, Remittances matter: 8 facts you don’t know about the money migrants send back home

2 2022: IOM UN Migration, World Migration Report 2022

Methodology
In the study, WorldRemit looked at the following countries and researched basic school supplies:

  • United States of America
  • United Kingdom
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Philippines
  • Mexico
  • Uganda
  • Tanzania
  • India
  • Nigeria
  • Guatemala
  • Colombia
  • Dominican Republic
  • Morocco
  • Zimbabwe
  • Lebanon
  • Cameroon
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • France
  • Spain

For 2023:

Using the 2022 items list dataset provided, we identified the 2023 prices for 21 counties for the back to school items. Using the data provided from last year we searched for more up to date and cheaper options if available. Using the quantity of items needed shown in column B, we multiplied the cost of the items (when required) to match the quantity e.g. 6 polo shirts, the price identified for one shirt was multiplied by six.The data was gathered between the 21st and 27th of June 2023. All prices were converted into GBP and US dollars using Google on 29th June 2023.

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Once all item prices had been gathered, using the CIA world factbook we updated the fertility rate for 2023 estimates and multiplied the cost of the total school items by fertility rate to showcase an overall cost of going back to school for a family.

We also used the World Bank data (as used in the 2022 dataset) to pull the average Net National Income per capita in US dollars and divided this by 12 to showcase a potential monthly salary. The UK had 2018 data from the World Bank, so instead we used OECD data to get the Net National Income for the UK.

For 2022:

The primary school items were selected based on the most common back to school items. The price of each item was searched for online and the lowest price item was selected from one of the most popular online retailers in that country. The prices were researched in July 2022. The exchange rate from the local currency was calculated on 06/08/2022 at 9:00 BST. The fertility rate and income was gathered from the CIA world factbook.

Media Contact:
Kelsey Costales
[email protected]

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Blockchain

Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 12, 2025 | Rootstock, Zimbabwe Carbon Registry, Fastex, 21Shares, The Blockchain Group

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Welcome to Blocks & Headlines, your daily op-ed style deep dive into the most pivotal blockchain and crypto stories shaping today’s market. In this edition—May 12, 2025—we cover:

  1. Bitcoin DeFi Security Strengthens as Rootstock garners 81% of Bitcoin’s hashrate

  2. Zimbabwe’s Blockchain Carbon Credit Registry aims to restore investor trust

  3. Token2049 Dubai Highlights spotlight Fastex’s Web3 innovations

  4. 21Shares’ New ETP for Cronos (CRO) bridges traditional finance and DeFi

  5. The Blockchain Group’s €9.9 M Capital Raise fuels its Bitcoin treasury strategy

Below, each story is summarized with key takeaways and opinion-driven context.


Introduction

Today’s blockchain landscape is defined by two contrasting forces: institutional maturation—as legacy players and governments adopt tokenized assets and infrastructure—and startup-driven innovation—where Web3 pioneers push boundaries in DeFi, NFTs, and on-chain governance. Major trends include:

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  • Security & Scalability: Layer-2 solutions and cross-chain bridges are gaining traction to secure and scale Bitcoin and Ethereum ecosystems.

  • Transparency & Trust: From carbon credits to capital markets, blockchain is repeatedly chosen to enhance auditability and investor confidence.

  • Mainstream Access: Crypto ETPs and regulated token offerings are lowering barriers for retail and institutional investors.

  • Treasury Management: Public companies are increasingly using Bitcoin and token holdings as strategic assets to hedge against macro volatility.

Let’s unpack today’s five developments and their broader implications.


1. Bitcoin DeFi Security Strengthens with Rootstock’s Hashrate Share

What happened: A new Messari report finds that Rootstock (RSK), Bitcoin’s oldest layer-2 smart-contract platform, now commands 81% of Bitcoin’s total hashrate, up from 56% before major mining pools Foundry and SpiderPool onboarded in February. Transactions on Rootstock are 95% cheaper than on-chain Bitcoin and 55% cheaper than Ethereum, positioning RSK for sustained DeFi growth in 2025.
Source: CoinDesk

Analysis & commentary:
Rootstock’s dominant hashrate share underscores two key shifts:

  1. Security by Convergence: By leveraging Bitcoin’s massive mining network, RSK mitigates the common 51% risk faced by smaller chains.

  2. Cost-Efficiency for DeFi: Lower fees make RSK an attractive alternative to Ethereum for yield protocols, lending markets, and decentralized exchanges.

However, challenges remain. Smart-contract developers must integrate robust cross-chain bridges—Rootstock’s partnership with LayerZero is a start—to attract liquidity. Moreover, regulatory scrutiny of DeFi is rising; RSK’s governance will need transparent on-chain dispute resolution and compliance tooling to win institutional adoption.


2. Zimbabwe’s Blockchain Carbon Credit Registry to Revive Investor Confidence

What happened: In Harare on May 9, the Zimbabwean government launched the world’s first blockchain-enabled carbon credit registry, developed by Dubai’s A6 Labs. The immutable ledger will record issuance, trading, and retirement of credits, addressing the fallout from 2023’s abrupt project cancellations and a 50% revenue levy that spooked developers. The new Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority (ZCMA) will oversee licensing via the zicma.org.zw portal.
Source: Bloomberg

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Analysis & commentary:
Zimbabwe’s registry is an instructive case study in how blockchain can restore transparency and rebuild market trust:

  • Immutable Audits: Every credit’s provenance is verifiable on-chain, deterring double-counting and fraud.

  • Regulatory Framework: A dedicated authority streamlines approvals, balancing market access with environmental integrity.

  • Investor Reassurance: By codifying rules in smart contracts, Zimbabwe signals that future policy shifts will be governed by code, not sudden ministerial edict.

Nonetheless, blockchain is not a panacea. Effective enforcement still depends on reliable on-the-ground measurement and reporting. The real test will be whether smaller African producers—Kenya, Zambia—adopt interoperable registries, creating a pan-continental carbon marketplace.


3. Web3 Innovation Takes Center Stage at Token2049 Dubai

What happened: Between April 30 and May 1, Token2049 Dubai convened industry leaders in the Emirates. Fastex, a platinum sponsor, showcased its Bahamut blockchain (PoSA consensus), the YoWallet custodial solution, and a wave of new apps—YoHealth, YoPhone/YoSIM, YoBlog—all designed to expand Web3 use cases beyond finance. Fastex also co-hosted regulatory forums with Solidus Labs and launched the Bahamut Grants program to seed developer innovation.
Source: Cointelegraph

Analysis & commentary:
Token2049’s Dubai edition highlights an ecosystem maturation where:

  • Compliance & Growth Coexist: Legal breakfasts signaled that self-regulation and layered oversight can lower entry barriers without stifling ingenuity.

  • Beyond Finance: By unveiling telecom and health apps, Fastex challenges the notion that blockchain is niche—real-world use cases can drive mainstream adoption.

  • Brand Ambassadors: Football legend Patrice Evra’s presence at YoHealth’s booth illustrates how cultural icons can amplify blockchain’s reach.

Moving forward, projects must demonstrate measurable end-user utility and scalable infrastructure to avoid the “pilot-only” trap. Dubai’s supportive regulatory sandbox remains an ideal proving ground.

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4. 21Shares Launches ETP for Cronos (CRO) – Bridging TradFi and DeFi

What happened: Swiss issuer 21Shares listed a new ETP (CRON) on May 12, offering direct exposure to CRO, the native token of Cronos—a Layer 1 chain built for DeFi, NFTs, and cross-chain interoperability with Ethereum and Cosmos. Investors can now trade CRO through regular brokerages without managing private keys or wallets.
Source: The Paypers

Analysis & commentary:
Tokenizing blockchain assets into regulated ETPs remains one of the most powerful drivers of institutional capital inflows:

  • Familiar Interfaces: By packaging CRO as a ticker, 21Shares lowers the learning curve for asset managers and pension funds.

  • Regulatory Alignment: ETPs fall under securities law, offering clear governance compared to unregulated spot tokens.

  • Ecosystem Growth: Cronos stands to benefit from increased liquidity and brand recognition, which in turn fuels DeFi activity on its network.

ETPs also invite scrutiny: fees, redemption mechanics, and underlying custodial risks must be transparent to preserve investor trust. As competition heats up—with products for BTC, ETH, SOL, and more—issuers will vie on pricing, ease of access, and institutional credibility.


5. The Blockchain Group’s €9.9 M Capital Raise Advances Bitcoin Treasury Strategy

What happened: Europe’s first Bitcoin Treasury Company, The Blockchain Group (ALTBG), completed a €9.888 million capital increase at €1.0932 per share on May 7, 2025. Proceeds will bolster its strategy to accumulate Bitcoin per fully diluted share while expanding consulting and AI-driven blockchain services.
Source: ActusNews via MarketScreener

Analysis & commentary:
The Blockchain Group’s financing round underscores a new corporate paradigm where holding BTC is core to the business model:

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  • Shareholder Alignment: By tethering equity value to Bitcoin accumulation, management and investors share upside in crypto markets.

  • Operational Synergies: Subsidiaries in data intelligence and decentralized consulting can monetize both service fees and on-balance-sheet Bitcoin appreciation.

  • Regulatory Compliance: As a publicly listed entity on Euronext Growth Paris, ALTBG navigates EU financial rules, offering a transparent vehicle for crypto exposure.

Yet this approach carries volatility risk: sudden BTC price swings can compress earnings per share and spur shareholder activism. Mitigation strategies—such as hedged derivatives and staggered BTC purchases—will be critical to sustain growth without alarming investors.


Conclusion

Today’s highlights reveal a blockchain industry at once foundational and frontier:

  1. Security & Scale: Rootstock’s hashrate gains fortify Bitcoin DeFi’s underpinnings.

  2. Transparent Markets: Zimbabwe’s carbon registry sets a template for blockchain-backed commodity markets.

  3. Web3 Diversification: Token2049 Dubai shows that true mass adoption demands real-world applications in health, telecom, and beyond.

  4. Institutional Access: ETPs like CRON democratize token ownership for mainstream investors.

  5. On-Balance-Sheet Crypto: The Blockchain Group exemplifies the rising class of publicly traded crypto-native firms.

As blockchain extends into supply chains, tokenized securities, and identity, the winners will be those who blend innovative protocol design with pragmatic regulatory alignment. Keep tuning into Blocks & Headlines for tomorrow’s top stories.

The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 12, 2025 | Rootstock, Zimbabwe Carbon Registry, Fastex, 21Shares, The Blockchain Group appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.

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Blockchain Press Releases

Input | Output Partners with Brave to Integrate Cardano into Brave Wallet

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Once live, the Input | Output (IO) led integration will bring full Cardano support to Brave Wallet, including Cardano native assets, as well as send, receive, swap, and signing capabilities- all natively embedded within Brave’s best-in-class browser wallet. This establishes Brave as a key partner to the Cardano community in the age of Voltaire.

SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Input | Output (IO), the preeminent Web3 blockchain infrastructure and engineering firm, today announced a strategic partnership with Brave Software, the creator of the leading privacy-first browser and  integrated multi-chain Brave Wallet. Together, they will integrate Cardano into the Brave Wallet, enabling Cardano blockchain access and token management from within the Brave wallet. 

“Our partnership with IO reflects Brave’s commitment to building a Web3 that maximizes interoperation for user choice, while giving them better tools to engage with decentralized ecosystems,” said Brendan Eich, CEO and co-founder of Brave and the Basic Attention Token (BAT). “Integrating Cardano into Brave Wallet not only expands multi-chain access, but also enhances security, governance participation, and the overall user experience.”

Through this integration, Brave users and the broader Cardano community will gain direct access to Cardano’s blockchain for activities such as governance participation and native asset management, all within the privacy-focused Brave Wallet. Additionally, Brave Wallet will support the execution of swaps with Cardano native tokens and other on-chain transactions. This major milestone enhances Brave’s multi-chain capabilities, adding to its existing support for networks like Ethereum and Solana. Cardano users will now be able to manage native assets like NIGHT, engage in governance, and seamlessly swap tokens—securely and privately—through Brave’s in-browser wallet.

“This collaboration with Brave is a natural fit,” said Charles Hoskinson, CEO of IO. “We share a vision for a more secure, accessible, and user-respecting Web3. By bringing Cardano into Brave Wallet, we are not only expanding functionality for Cardano users in the age of on-chain governance, but also advancing a new standard for how blockchain networks should empower individuals—protecting privacy while enabling active, on-chain participation.”

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The partnership also sets the stage for future innovation around engagement with Cardano’s governance and Midnight, a blockchain developed by Shielded Technologies, an Input | Output spinout focused on confidential smart contracts and data protection. 

Media Contacts:

Georgia Hanias
Input | Output (IO)
[email protected] 

Catherine Corre
Brave Software
[email protected]

About Input | Output (IO)

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Input |Output (IO) is a world-leading blockchain infrastructure and research engineering firm dedicated to building a sustainable Web3 ecosystem. IO is committed to advancing the next generation of blockchain innovation, focusing on scalability, security, and real-world adoption through pioneering research and cutting-edge engineering.

About Brave Wallet and Brave

Brave Wallet is the secure, multi-chain crypto wallet built directly into the Brave privacy browser—no extensions required. With Brave Wallet, users can manage tokens and NFTs; connect to DApps and onramp to Web3; and explore decentralized finance, social media, gaming, and more. Brave Wallet users can connect other “cold” wallets like Ledger & Trezor. They can buy, store, send, and connect to DApps on Solana, Ethereum and EVM chains, Zcash, and Filecoin.

Brave Wallet is available on desktop, Android, and iOS, and is free to use. To get started on desktop, Brave browser users can click the wallet icon near the address bar. On mobile, users can tap “⋮” (Android) or “…” (iOS), then tap the wallet icon.

Brave is a driving force leading the way for Web3 adoption, directly supporting Web3 into the broader Web through its privacy browser, independent search engine, and browser-native, multi-chain crypto wallet. Brave currently has over 85 million monthly active users. Learn more at brave.com.

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Blockchain Press Releases

Bybit Introduces BOB to P2P: Bolivian Traders Can Now Buy, Sell in Local Currency and Earn Commissions

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DUBAI, UAE, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has expanded its peer-to-peer (P2P) platform to support the Bolivian Bolíviano (BOB), enabling users in Bolivia to buy and sell crypto with their national currency for the first time on the platform.

In addition to enhancing local access to digital assets, Bybit is launching a new merchant program that invites users to list BOB trading ads and earn generous bi-weekly commissions. High-performing merchants can earn up to 400 USDT every two weeks, with added incentives for those listing in multiple fiat currencies.

“Expanding our P2P platform to include BOB is a reflection of our dedication to financial inclusion and local empowerment,” said Mazurka Zeng, Head of Fiat at Bybit. “We’re proud to offer Bolivian users more ways to access crypto markets while also opening the door to new opportunities”.

Bybit P2P merchants receive tailored support, including 1-to-1 customer service and faster appeal resolutions. To qualify for rewards, merchants must maintain active listings for a specified number of hours each week and meet trading volume and order count targets. Performance is reviewed every two weeks, and rewards are distributed through the Rewards Hub.

This launch represents another step in Bybit’s ongoing commitment to bring crypto access and earning potential to communities around the world through localized, user-friendly P2P services.

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Bybit is actively expanding in the LATAM market and has seen a consistent rise in user requests from Bolivia to support the Boliviano (BOB) on its P2P platform. As crypto adoption continues to grow across the region, adding BOB would enhance accessibility for local users and empower them to engage more easily with the digital asset economy.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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