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RE: How Steemit, Crypto-currency and blockchain can help developing countries. Part 2
I think it can help only if there is an easy way to convert to their own currency (which then allows them to pay bills etc). The key thing holding back cryptos in the developing world is lack of exchanges and interfaces with their own currencies. If you can't convert it to your own currency and you can't use steem to buy stuff directly, it doesn't help.
Here in Barbados (sometimes considered a developed country, sometimes considered a developing country) we have a local exchange servicing the region (bitt.com) which makes it much, much easier to buy in to cryptos with fiat. Unfortunately, currently there are no major merchants who accept bitcoin in the country... however, one can still use a bitcoin debit card to pay bills and buy diapers.
It's a bit of a step backward in that it's still relying on the 'old' fiat economy and going through a middleman (the card provider, the card maker, and VISA as well) but for the time being, it's extremely useful for those who have some type of crypto income to be able to spend it on every day purchases. The merchant does not need to accept bitcoin, as you're essentially converting to fiat when you load up the card with btc. If I can shill here a little bit, I personally recommend Wirex (E-Coin) as a card provider, Xapo I cannot recommend because they require mobile SMS, their system did not work with my cell provider, and their support was not helpful. Wirex works perfectly.
Now, another unfortunate thing for anybody utilising the bitcoin debit cards outside of the US, EU and UK is that every single transaction is considered a foreign transaction, which incurs a 3% transaction fee. Wirex is looking to reduce that percentage, and Shakepay is looking to do away with it altogether.
It's not ideal, but it's a solution for the time being.