Yes you can, but you need to be aware of the risk of being called to an interview. In countries like China they check your entry-exit record. My wife is Chinese, she did it and had to return to China to get the visa approved (even though no interview was necessary). She just had to be in China to have it approved
I pay rent via bank transfer with Wise, electricity in cash at any 7-11 and water in cash in my condo’s juristic office. But yes a bank account makes everything easier