Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s surge in digital and cashless payments is laying the groundwork for broader crypto and tokenised asset adoption, said a regional market expert.
According to the Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB) figures in July 2025, digital payments totalled QR16.133bn, processed across 51.697 million transactions spanning card payments, instant transfers (via Fawran), and mobile wallet platforms.
In light of those numbers, Silvina Moschini, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Unicoin, noted that Qatar is not merely witnessing digitisation in payments, but it is laying the groundwork for full-scale adoption of tokenised assets.
“Qatar’s rapid embrace of digital and cashless payments shows that the country is already building the behavioral and technological foundation for broader crypto adoption,” Moschini told The Peninsula. “When people get used to QR-based transactions, mobile wallets, and instant settlement systems, moving into tokenised assets becomes a natural next step.”
Commenting on the robust figures in digital payments, she said, “This is not just a large number; it proves the maturity of Qatar’s digital rails, with 24/7 settlement, strong security, and mass user adoption. In other words, Qatar is not starting from scratch; it’s already pressure-testing its infrastructure at scale.”
Moschini emphasised that trust is the driving force behind adoption. “As I often say, when money moves at the speed of trust, adoption follows, and Qatar’s rails make tokenisation feel like the next logical click, not a leap,” she said.
Highlighting the success of platforms like Fawran and Qatar Mobile Payments (QMP), she pointed to its simplicity, interoperability, and backing from the QCB. “Great tech should be invisible, but its governance must be visible. That is exactly what digital assets need: trust, convenience, and clear benefits,” Moschini said.
The expert also stressed the importance of transparency, noting that QCB’s monthly publication of payment data builds trust and visibility. She stated: “Apply the same principle to digital assets, clear reporting, interoperability, and sensible oversight, and users and investors will follow.”
Meanwhile, Moschini explained that regulatory clarity would enable major institutions such as the Qatar Investment Authority to diversify portfolios through tokenised funds and regulated digital assets.
The official said that this could open new avenues of liquidity and efficiency without undermining stability.
“The IMF has noted that while Qatar’s financial system is resilient, there is also concentration in traditional assets,” she said.
“Tokenised real estate, debt, or infrastructure funds can diversify under regulated custody and trading. My view is simple: Rules don’t slow innovation, they compound it. With the right guardrails, tokenised real assets turn transparency itself into an investable edge,” Moschini added.
Experts note that Qatar’s payment transformation signals readiness for tokenised finance, where regulation, trust, and innovation converge to position the nation as a leader in digital assets.
