Remittances

Mexico’s remittances rose 3.1% annually in H1 2026 to $30.76 billion, the second-highest six-month total on record. June 2026 saw a 4.2% annual increase to $5.47 billion, but households received 8.3% fewer resources in real terms due to inflation and exchange rate changes.

The Bank of Italy's research indicates that stablecoins are not necessarily cheaper for remittances, challenging assumptions about their cost-effectiveness in financial transactions.

Bitcoin remained steady at US$63,908 due to Fed policy, with Latin America's crypto adoption impacting remittances, stablecoins, and adoption in Brazil and Argentina.

Pakistan's GDP growth of 3.7% masks stagnant household welfare due to population dilution, income distribution imbalances, unmeasured remittances, and inflation disparities. Welfare GDP growth, accounting for these factors, reveals rising poverty despite headline economic expansion.

The State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained the policy rate at 11.5% amid inflation pressures linked to the Middle East crisis and food price surges. The central bank projects inflation will decline to within its target range by mid-2026 if geopolitical tensions ease, while aiming for $20.2bn in foreign exchange reserves by December 2026.

Bitcoin holds $65k as major cryptocurrencies rise. A $324bn stablecoin surge in Latin America is reshaping remittances.

Guatemala's GDP grew 4.5% in Q1 2026 due to a public-private motorway project and an 11.5% rise in remittances. The expansion highlights construction sector momentum and increased financial inflows from remittances.

The IMF upgraded Egypt’s 2026 growth projection to 4.6% in its July 2026 World Economic Outlook. Egypt’s $8 billion Extended Fund Facility with the IMF has unlocked $2.3 billion in disbursements, with growth driven by non-oil manufacturing, tourism, telecommunications, and recovering remittances.

Pakistan's external sector remains fragile despite recent macroeconomic stabilization, with a current account deficit of $139m in FY26 largely offset by $41.6bn in remittances. Weak exports, rising food imports, and energy vulnerabilities exacerbated by Gulf tensions highlight structural weaknesses in agricultural planning and policy inconsistency.

Pakistan recorded a $139 million current account deficit in FY26, reversing from a $1.838 billion surplus in FY25. Remittances increased to $41.585 billion, mitigating the deficit, while foreign direct investment fell 34% to $1.64 billion. The Gulf war disrupted oil prices and contributed to economic pressures.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the full digitisation of remittances from abroad as part of efforts to establish a cashless economy. He emphasized enhancing digital payment adoption through QR code campaigns and praised a 300% increase in merchants using such systems.

Guatemala received $12.2 billion in remittances over six months, a record half-year amount but its slowest growth in a decade. Mexico's remittances have declined from their peak during the same period.

El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras received $15.85 billion in remittances from January to April 2026, a 10.7% increase from the previous year. Guatemala received $8.43 billion, Honduras $4.13 billion, and El Salvador $3.29 billion, with Honduras showing the fastest growth at 14.3%.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has abolished the Sohni Dharti Remittance Programme (SDRP) and Telegraphic Transfer Charges Incentive Scheme (TTCIS), effective July 1, 2026, following IMF scrutiny. The incentives, which cost up to Rs120bn annually, were discontinued to address concerns over non-performance-linked financial allocations. Banks will continue offering free remittance transfers to users despite the scheme’s termination.

Regional instability in the Gulf is negatively impacting Pakistan's economic outlook, causing declines in foreign direct investment, domestic bond inflows, and foreign equity investments in FY26. Pakistan faces a $35bn trade deficit and relies heavily on remittances, while analysts warn that Gulf tensions could deter foreign investors despite growing diplomatic ties with Gulf nations.

GAESA, a business empire owned by Cuba's armed forces, controls approximately 40% of the Cuban economy and holds around $14.5 billion in overseas accounts according to leaked documents. The entity operates across sectors including tourism, retail, banking, ports, and remittances, while maintaining secrecy by not publishing financial accounts.

PTI, the main opposition party, rejected Pakistan's Rs18.8 trillion federal budget for FY2026-27, criticizing it as prioritizing elite interests over economic recovery and民生 challenges. The party accused the government of relying on remittances and foreign borrowing while imposing taxes that disproportionately burden the poor and small businesses.

Pakistan’s trade deficit widened by 17.48% year-on-year to $34.76 billion in the first 11 months of FY26, driven by a 5.94% rise in imports to $62.66 billion and a 5.61% decline in exports to $27.91 billion. Structural issues, including heavy reliance on energy imports and a narrow export base dominated by textiles, perpetuate the imbalance, with energy imports alone surging 13.7% to $14.9 billion.

Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves are nearing $18 billion for FY26, but a widening trade deficit of $34.76 billion threatens reserves and remittances. Experts warn of a potential current account deficit, depreciation pressure on the rupee, and challenges from upcoming foreign debt payments.

The Movement blockchain network has expanded its stablecoin payment initiatives by securing access to payment infrastructure in the US, Canada, and the EU, focusing on stablecoin settlement and remittances.

Pakistan faces pressure to implement deep structural economic reforms rather than relying on remittances as a long-term solution. The article argues that depending indefinitely on remittances masks underlying economic weaknesses and is unsustainable for long-term resilience.

Western Union has launched a stablecoin on the Solana blockchain for remittances. This move aims to improve the efficiency and speed of cross-border transactions. The launch is expected to have a significant impact on the global remittance market.

The Philippines has warned agencies against sending seamen to the Persian Gulf due to the ongoing Iran conflict, disrupting deployment pipelines for migrant workers. Government restrictions on high-risk countries threaten livelihoods and the economy, as remittances account for nearly 10% of GDP.

The article discusses how declining remittances from the Gulf are exacerbating Asia's energy crisis. It questions whether workers displaced from the Gulf could find opportunities in East Asia, potentially shifting labor dynamics.