Circle Foundation Partners with UN to Enhance Onchain Aid Payment Systems

The Circle Foundation has announced two key initiatives in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to explore the use of digital payments and regulated stablecoin infrastructure for humanitarian and development operations.

These initiatives are designed to enhance the speed, cost-effectiveness, and transparency of aid payments while expanding access to digital financial services. The UNDP will utilize a grant from the Circle Foundation to establish the Digital Asset Innovation Pool, which aims to create a structured framework for employing regulated payment stablecoins in development programs. This pool will complement existing banking channels and assist UNDP country offices in transitioning successful experiments into regular program delivery.

The Digital Asset Innovation Pool will provide operational and regulatory guidance, beneficiary safeguards, and tools for measuring payment costs, delivery times, and reach. Additionally, Circle Foundation will support the WFP’s efforts to develop stablecoin-enabled payment infrastructure through a grant to World Food Program USA. This initiative will focus on developing governance, risk, treasury, reconciliation, and compliance systems while connecting local fintech and mobile money providers.

The WFP plans to test stablecoin payment systems in two to three country corridors over the next three years, using the results to evaluate efficiency, transparency, and resilience in its operations and the broader humanitarian sector. The UNDP has a proven track record in utilizing blockchain-based digital payments, having conducted partnerships and pilots across various countries, including Haiti, Syria, Kenya, Guatemala, and The Gambia.