Mobile money rapidly explodes past $2 trillion globally

Fraud risks, regulations and gender gaps challenge mobile money despite boosting financial inclusion worldwide

Business Desk Mumbai

Global mobile money transactions have crossed the $2 trillion milestone in 2025, reflecting a sharp acceleration in digital financial adoption and usage worldwide, according to the GSMA’s latest industry report. 

   The sector has doubled its transaction value in just four years, after taking nearly two decades to reach the first trillion-dollar mark, underlining a significant shift in how users engage with digital finance. The report highlights that more than $2.1 trillion flowed through mobile money platforms in 2025, driven not only by new user additions but also by deeper and more frequent usage. Active 30-day accounts rose by 15% to 593 million, indicating growing reliance on these platforms for everyday financial activities. Meanwhile, the total number of registered accounts reached 2.3 billion globally, marking the highest-ever annual increase.A notable trend is the rapid expansion of merchant payments, which grew 42% to $155 billion. 

  This signals a transition from basic peer-to-peer transfers to broader commercial use, as consumers increasingly use mobile wallets for routine purchases. At the same time, interoperability between mobile wallets and traditional banking systems has strengthened. Bank-to-mobile transfers stood at $167 billion, while mobile-to-bank transfers reached $163 billion, reflecting seamless integration across financial ecosystems.    The nature of services offered through mobile money is also evolving. Providers are expanding into savings, insurance, and other financial products, focusing on improving overall financial health rather than just enabling payments.  This diversification has contributed to stronger profitability, with nearly 80% per surveyed providers reporting profits in 2025.  Despite strong growth, challenges remain.  Regulatory barriers, rising fraud risks, and a persistent gender gap in account ownership continue to pose hurdles.  However, mobile money remains a key driver of financial inclusion, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where it serves as a primary financial tool for millions.