UK telecom giant Vodafone plans to integrate blockchain tech into smartphone SIM cards, potentially bringing crypto wallets to billions of users. This comes as Vodafone Idea Ltd, an India-based entity in which Vodafone Group holds a 45% stake, takes on nearly $3 billion in debt. Vodafone Blockchain Lead David Palmer predicts a surge in crypto wallets to 5.6 billion by 2030, accounting for nearly 70% of the global population. Despite financial challenges, Vodafone Group has been active, recently partnering with Microsoft to bring AI services to its customers.