Despite a global cryptocurrency sell-off that has erased hundreds of billions of dollars in recent weeks, some Pacific countries are pressing ahead with local and regional digital-finance initiatives.

Precious metals were also affected, with silver falling about a third from its late-January record and gold retreating from its January 29 peak.

Bitcoin, often referred to as digital gold, dropped into the low US$60,000s (about NZ$100,000), its weakest level since October 2024, before stabilising.

So why are some Pacific countries still actively pursuing digital-finance projects despite volatile markets?

Many policymakers say the drive comes less from short-term price swings and more from long-standing structural challenges: high remittance…