Ahmed Humayun Murshed

It was once beyond imagination that money could exist entirely in digital form, except in science fiction. Then it happened. Crypto began as a small experiment and turned into a global phenomenon.

In just under three months, the Bangladesh Bank has purchased nearly $1.9 billion from local banks this fiscal year, including $265 million in a single day and $129.5 million through an auction last week. For many people, this seems puzzling. Prices are still rising, families are cutting down on essentials, and yet the central bank is spending heavily to buy dollars instead of allowing the Taka to strengthen and make imports cheaper.

Bangladesh is set to leave the least developed country (LDC) club next year after meeting UN criteria in two consecutive reviews. Graduation means crossing three thresholds: income per person, human development indicators and economic vulnerability. The UN reviews these every three years, and a country must pass twice before graduating.

Blockchain. Some hear the word and think of Silicon Valley hype. But if we look past the buzz, we find something else, something that is not just about money or technology. At its core, blockchain is about trust. And in a country like ours, where trust in systems and data is often fragile, that matters.

In Bangladesh, ambition is never in short supply. Our people are naturally enterprising. We have all seen small ventures grow into respectable businesses, sometimes with nothing more than a smartphone, determination and a good idea. But we also tend to follow trends too quickly. The moment one e-commerce or f-commerce business takes off, many others rush in. If a delivery app gains traction, a dozen more appear. If a ride-sharing company makes it big, suddenly everyone wants a share of the same market.

Sometimes, what you do not do ends up costing more than what you do. Right now, Bangladesh is feeling the weight of that truth.

This world shelters more than 8 billion people but is also home to nonillions of other lifeforms, forming countless ecosystems. Humans, with the power to think and reason, have evolved into the dominant species. We rose above others by breaking natural food chains, using our brains to learn, create tools, and pass down knowledge across generations. This transformed survival into civilisation, culture, and control over nature.

Why do accountants never play hide and seek? Because it’s hard to hide when they always want everything to be balanced.