Abstract

IJLTEMAS

International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science (IJLTEMAS)

IJLTEMAS

2278-2540

IJLTEMAS

124

10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150700119

Banking and Finance

Cryptocurrency as a Gateway for Cross-Border Mobile Money Services: Evidence from Soft Deal Trading Ltd, Buea, Cameroon

Victalice Ngimanang

Achamoh

Lecturer of Banking/ Financiacial Economics and Head of Economic Sciences Department, Higher Technical Teachers Training College, University of Bamenda, Cameroon Cameroon

15 7 1624 1631 30 07 2026 04 08 2026

20 08 2026

Cross-border transactions; Bitcoin; Ethereum; Tether; Cameroon

Abstract

This study examines the implications of three major cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether) for cross-border mobile money services, using primary data from 69 staff and active cryptocurrency users at Soft Deal Trading Ltd in Buea, Cameroon. Structured questionnaires were administered and a multiple linear regression model was estimated. The model explains 29.2% of the adjusted variance in mobile money service outcomes (adjusted R² = 0.292; F = 10.344; p < 0.001). Bitcoin exerts a significant positive effect (β = 0.515; p < 0.001), consistent with its deep market penetration and user recognition. Tether likewise has a significant positive effect (β = 0.412; p = 0.001), driven by its price stability, minimal inter-wallet transfer charges, and broad cross-border acceptability. Ethereum, by contrast, carries a significant negative effect (β = −0.436; p = 0.002), attributable to low user familiarity and prohibitively high network gas fees. The findings suggest that Bitcoin and Tether represent viable complements to conventional mobile money for cross-border payments in the Cameroonian context, while Ethereum's adoption barriers must be addressed before it can contribute positively to such services.

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