Circle Foundation has announced two initiatives focused on digital payments with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Food Programme (WFP). The initiatives aim to improve how organizations deliver development and humanitarian support. Circle Foundation is a philanthropic initiative supported by Circle Internet Group, Inc.’s 1% equity commitment. The new initiatives will examine how digital payments can improve international aid delivery.
They will also explore stronger digital financial infrastructure for development programmes. In addition, the work will support greater financial resilience and inclusion.
“Around the world, the need for humanitarian aid keeps growing while the resources to meet it are stretched thinner than ever,” said Elisabeth Carpenter, Chief Strategic Engagement Officer, Circle, and Founding Chair, Circle Foundation. “If we can help humanitarian and development institutions move value faster, more transparently, and at lower cost, we can ensure more of every aid dollar actually reaches the people who need it. Circle Foundation’s support for UNDP and WFP is about strengthening the shared infrastructure powering these organizations so that life-saving and life-sustaining aid reaches people in crisis faster, without the delays and costs of outdated systems.”
Circle Foundation Helps UNDP Expand Digital Payment Programs
Circle Foundation will provide a grant to help UNDP establish the Digital Asset Innovation Pool. The new mechanism will support responsible digital asset use within development programmes. The initiative will use regulated payment stablecoins to improve programme delivery. It will also help UNDP move successful pilot projects toward regular programme implementation.
The work follows several digital payments pilots conducted through UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Blockchain Accelerator. The Alternative Finance Lab leads this global initiative. The accelerator develops practical solutions using blockchain, AI, and emerging technologies. These solutions support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Previous pilots tested different payment models across several regions. These included Digital Cash-for-Work payments in Aleppo, Syria. The programme also tested payments designed for low-connectivity conditions in Haiti. Another pilot explored remittance-linked community investment in Guatemala.
In addition, the programme tested mobile wallets linked with existing cash-agent networks in The Gambia. The Digital Asset Innovation Pool will build on these experiences. It will help Country Offices move from individual pilots toward regular programme delivery.
Furthermore, the initiative will provide structured implementation support. It will also offer regulatory and operational guidance. Beneficiary safeguards will form another part of the programme. Tools will also help measure delivery time, cost, and reach.
“Getting resources to people should not be the most difficult or expensive part of delivering a programme. The Digital Asset Innovation Pool will support UNDP in using digital payments responsibly to make last-mile programme payments faster, more affordable and easier to access – especially for people underserved by conventional banking. We want to make sure more of every dollar reaches the people and communities it is meant to support,” said Robert Pasicko, Team Lead, UNDP Alternative Finance Lab.
The Pool will not replace established banking channels. Instead, it will provide another payment option where traditional systems create barriers. These barriers can include high costs, delays, and limited access. Therefore, the initiative will complement existing financial infrastructure.
WFP Strengthens Humanitarian Payment Infrastructure
Circle Foundation will also provide a separate grant to World Food Program USA. The funding will support WFP and the WFP Innovation Accelerator. The initiative will focus on institutional infrastructure for regulated stablecoin-enabled payments. It will also support the long-term use of these systems across multiple operations. The funding will strengthen several areas of payment infrastructure. These areas include governance and risk frameworks.
The initiative will also support treasury and reconciliation systems. Additionally, it will develop compliance tools for different country operations. Local fintech and mobile money integration will receive support as well. This approach can help connect humanitarian payment systems with local financial providers. Circle Foundation will also fund independent research across the sector. The research will examine cost, speed, and operational feasibility.
As a result, the humanitarian sector can gain practical benchmarks for stablecoin-enabled payments. These benchmarks can support future implementation and evaluation. Over the next three years, WFP plans to test two to three country corridors. These corridors will connect WFP payments with local financial providers and markets. The tests will generate evidence about efficiency and transparency. They will also examine resilience within humanitarian payment operations.
“Digital payments have the potential to make humanitarian assistance faster, more efficient, and more resilient, while also fostering greater financial inclusion for the people we serve. Circle Foundation’s support enables us to explore regulated stablecoin-enabled payment solutions in real-world contexts and build the evidence, partnerships, and infrastructure needed to scale responsibly,” said Bernhard Kowatsch, Director, WFP Global Accelerator and Ventures.
Expanding Digital Financial Infrastructure Across the UN
The latest contributions expand Circle Foundation’s support for digital financial infrastructure across the UN system. The broader effort builds on earlier initiatives involving UN organizations. In 2021, UNHCR launched the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS). DHoTS serves as a shared platform for modernizing financial infrastructure across the UN system. The platform brings together 15 participating organizations.
UNDP, WFP are among organizations that are part of the initiative. The platform is meant to improve financial infrastructure and related activities. Circle Foundation announced its first international grant in support of DHoTS in January 2026. The grant concerns financial transfers. It also aims at cost reduction and enhanced transparency. The latest initiatives are founded on this emphasis on modern financial infrastructure.
The initiatives together demonstrate the growing role of digital payments in humanitarian and development programs. They also mention how regulated digital resources can be used for facilitating payments delivery. Simultaneously, the initiatives stress responsible implementation. They focus on infrastructure, compliance, safeguards and operational evidence. Circle Foundation is pushing forward work around digital banking systems through its support for UNDP and WFP. The initiatives will explore how these systems can improve payment delivery in development and humanitarian operations.
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News Source: Businesswire.com
