The most important takeaway from these numbers is that the biggest gains overall and, the most significant progress in gender equality, are in countries where the government has made digital payments a top priority. While there has been progress, the world faces a stark reality that too many adults remain unbanked – and the gender gap persists globally. In too many instances it is still very expensive to provide financial services to people with limited options for digital payments. The lack of payment options creates significant structural barriers to broader financial and economic inclusion. Continuing to advance financial inclusion by facilitating access to digital financial services is a vital element in tackling inequality, improving prosperity, and empowering individuals worldwide – a fact recognised by its prominence on the global private and public sector agenda. The Better Than Cash Alliance outlines 10 key reasons to be optimistic about the journey toward full financial inclusion through digital payments.