Circle Transforms $38B Global Aid with Blockchain

2026-01-22 11:15:43

** Circle Foundation collaborates with UN agencies to transform a 38 billion humanitarian assistance system with blockchain and stablecoins, which is estimated to save 20 percent. **

Circle Foundation initiated a pioneering collaboration with United Nations aid organizations. The partnership aims to ensure a total transformation of international humanitarian finances.

This was announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The first international grant issued by Circle Foundation finances the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions provided by the UN.

Legacy Systems Drain Billions Annually

Humanitarian assistance worldwide transfers 38 billion dollars annually, yet such funds continue to use very old financial systems.

Delays and inefficiencies are created by traditional banking rails. Pilots of UNHCR since 2022 demonstrate that blockchain provides quicker outcomes.

Customized stablecoins have the power to reduce expenses by as much as 20 per cent. It is also a technology that increases the level of transparency and accountability of all transfers.

Elisabeth Carpenter is the Chief Strategic Engagement Officer of Circle. She is the chair of the Circle Foundation, and she defined the objectives of the partnership.

Carpenter added that, by assisting DHoTS in integrating digital financial infrastructure, we can make aid faster. The system upgrade will provide them with savings every year.

UN Refugee Agency Leads Digital Transformation

In 2021, UNHCR established the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions. The platform has 15 UN agencies with a coordinated leadership framework.

Organizations involved are UNDP, IOM, and WMO. OECD and ICAO participated in the initiative, too.

Barham Salih is the UN High Commissioner of Refugees. He acclaimed the early embracing of blockchain-based assistance by UNHCR.

Scaling up of the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions is currently underway, Salih said. The contribution made by Circle Foundation will help UN agencies in different sectors.

The agreement is based on the 2022 Ukraine partnership between Circle and Ukraine. UNHCR became the first to make aid payments to displaced Ukrainians based on USDC.

Stablecoins Enable Near-Instant Cross-Border Transfers

The grant finances a few vital infrastructure enhancements, which save time spent on correspondent banking by a long margin.

Local currency conversion grows by integration of banks. Fintech and mobile-money operators expand access worldwide.

Manual operational steps that are part of reporting are automated by programmable disbursements, minimizing reporting burdens within humanitarian organizations.

Alexander De Croo, the administrator of the UN Development Programme, highlighted digital payment security.

Program payments made in regulated stablecoins will save on costs, De Croo remarked. The systems safeguard information and defend financial sovereignty.

Circle Foundation was formed as a result of an equity investment by Circle Internet Group. The donor-advised fund is operated under Fidelity Charitable.

The foundation directs monetary funds to economic influence. Strategic grantmaking promotes financial health and inclusion by the globe.

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