Neti, Lavanya V

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Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Publication
    Exploring the implications of cryptocurrencies in selected developing countries
    (2022-01-01) Neti, Lavanya V
    There is great controversy about how developing countries should approach cryptocurrency regulation. China and certain countries in the Middle East have passed strict regulations banning decentralized virtual currencies due to worries about fraud and religious reasons. In contrast, in September 2021 and April 2022, respectively, El Salvador and the Central African Republic (CAR) have been placed under international scrutiny for their decisions to make Bitcoin legal tender. A shared motivation behind both decisions includes boosting economic growth through increased foreign investment and tourism and decreased dependence on traditional central banks. However, Bitcoin volatility raises concern about its ability to perform as a currency and motivate risky financial decisions within vulnerable populations. Additionally, limited internet penetration in El Salvador and the CAR leads to apprehension about exasperated socioeconomic inequalities that will emerge under a decentralized financial system. The future of crypto in the developing world is a complex and dynamic topic that can set the stage for how individuals, organizations, and governments make critical financial decisions in the coming years.
  • Publication
    Women's Inclusion and its Impact on Digital Finance Usage in Villages in India
    (2025-04-30) Neti, Lavanya V
    This research investigates the relationship between pre-existing levels of women’s economic and social participation and the adoption of digital finance, specifically the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) in Bihar. Using the World Bank’s JEEViKA household dataset from 2011, this study identifies regions with varying levels of gender inclusivity and uses principal component analysis to extract key features from 28 gender-related variables, specifically relating to women’s autonomy, a subset of 52 more broadly categorized gender-related variables. The findings present that blocks with greater women's inclusion are positively correlated with greater access to Aadhaar enrollment centers, with an average distance of 3.45 kilometers compared to the less inclusive blocks that have an average distance of 4.90 kilometers. While data limitations prevent the ability to draw causal conclusions, results suggest that pre-existing levels of gender-inclusion may facilitate digital payment adoption. These findings indicate that increased policy efforts targeting women’s issues could accelerate financial inclusion, independent of technology interventions.