Rise of online shopping, payments by Crypto and The Pakistan.

Online shopping , buying goods and services over the internet , has been growing steadily for more than a decade. But this trend didn’t “begin” in one moment. Rather, it accelerated sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before 2020, e-commerce was already expanding as internet access, smartphones, and digital payments improved globally. However, when lockdowns and social distancing measures were implemented around the world, consumers and businesses alike turned to digital channels out of necessity. Shopping online became not just a convenience but a safer alternative to in store visits. This shift caused a massive spike in e-commerce adoption , a peak in growth driven by pandemic conditions and left many habits that have continued even as COVID-19 restrictions eased.

During the pandemic, online sales and digital payments surged worldwide, with many customers making their first significant online purchases. Even after COVID-19, the convenience of browsing hundreds of products from home, fast delivery, and competitive prices sustained growth. In many markets, the pandemic caused a permanent shift in consumer behavior rather than a brief spike.
In Pakistan, a similar pattern emerged. During lockdowns, e-commerce saw a strong jump as people moved to digital channels for essentials and non-essentials alike. Over time, consumers began to view online shopping as more than a temporary necessity. This trend has continued, fueled by rising internet usage, smartphones, and social media influence, which make it easy to find, review, and purchase products online. By 2024, online shopping transactions were already in the billions of dollars annually in Pakistan and projections suggest further growth.

Globally, some platforms have become household names in e-commerce. These include giants like Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, and Temu, which offer millions of products and millions of buyers worldwide. Customers choose them for product variety, reliability, and logistical scale.

In Pakistan, several platforms lead the local e-commerce scene,

Daraz , One of the largest online marketplaces headquartered in Karachi, offering products from fashion to electronics, groceries, and more.

Social commerce channels , Sellers use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to promote and sell goods directly, especially appealing for small businesses without heavy infrastructure.

Discount and deal apps For example, digital platforms like Golootlo offer deals and digital discount services in Pakistan’s online payment ecosystem.

These platforms are successful because they reduce friction between buyers and sellers, often offer fast delivery through improved logistics networks, and make shopping enjoyable and accessible for younger, tech-savvy consumers.

Cryptocurrency for Online Shopping.

Yes , it is possible to pay with cryptocurrency for online purchases, but there are some nuances,

Some online stores and payment services allow merchants to accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), stablecoins (e.g., USDC), and others. Retailers might accept crypto directly or through third-party gateways that convert crypto into regular currency during checkout. Major service providers like BitPay, Coinbase Commerce, and Binance Pay allow merchants to accept crypto payments and settle in either crypto or fiat currency.

Large companies such as Microsoft, Overstock, and others accept Bitcoin either directly or through payment processors. However, big marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart do not accept crypto directly, though users can sometimes use crypto linked debit cards or gift card services to spend crypto indirectly.

Crypto Payments in Pakistan and online shopping.
In Pakistan, crypto use for payments is more complex due to regulatory constraints, but there is movement in the space. A regulatory body , the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) was established to oversee digital assets, indicating growing governance around crypto.

Certain payment integrations (e.g., Crypto.com Pay for Shopify stores) allow local merchants to accept cryptocurrencies as payment, effectively enabling crypto-led e-commerce if merchants choose to adopt it.
However, traditional banking and central bank regulations in Pakistan historically did not recognize cryptocurrencies as legal tender, meaning usage and merchant acceptance can be limited or subject to regulatory developments.

Potential for Newcomers.
Absolutely anyone can start a new online store today, and the barriers to entry are lower than ever.

Setup costs are modest. Basic online stores can be launched with minimal inventory using dropshipping or social commerce models.

Tools are abundant. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and social media marketplaces offer plug-and-play store options.

E-commerce growth remains strong. With increasing internet usage and a youthful population, demand for online shopping especially in niches like fashion, beauty, electronics, and groceries continues to rise. Projections indicate continued expansion of Pakistan’s online market for years.

Challenges include competition, customer trust, logistics, and payment solutions, but with smart marketing, reliable delivery, and customer support, many small and medium online businesses succeed. Online shoppers increasingly value convenience, product variety, and fast delivery so the potential for new stores remains promising.

Conclusion.
Online shopping is no longer a temporary trend that started and ended with COVID-19. It was accelerated during the pandemic and has become a permanent part of global and Pakistani consumer culture. Pakistan’s e-commerce ecosystem shows strong growth, driven by increased connectivity and youth engagement. Crypto payments are slowly emerging as an alternative payment method, though adoption is still early and often dependent on regulatory context and merchant readiness. For entrepreneurs, starting an online store today is more accessible than ever, making e-commerce a fertile ground for innovation, growth, and business success.

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Note: The article also published on my read.cash wall.

Cheers,
Amjad