Written by Sam Bourgistaff writerReviewed by Robert Lakinstaff editor

Written by Sam Bourgistaff writer

Reviewed by Robert Lakinstaff editor

UN agency moves Stellar blockchain payment initiative beyond pilot stage

Latest NewsPublishedJul 6, 2026

UN Agency Expands Blockchain Payment Initiative Beyond Pilot Stage

The United Nations Development Programme has signed an agreement with the Stellar Development Foundation to expand its use of blockchain-based payments, following successful pilot projects in five countries. This move signals a broader role for public blockchain infrastructure in its development programs, aiming to cut costs and improve resilience. The agreement is a significant step towards modernizing cross-border payments in emerging markets, where limited access to traditional banking and high remittance costs have made stablecoins an attractive alternative. By using blockchain technology, the UN agency can provide access to digital financial services, even in areas where traditional banking remains out of reach, earning people a chance to join the global economy.

The pilot projects, which took place in Haiti, Syria, Kenya, Guatemala, and The Gambia, produced measurable results, including a reduction in distribution costs from 10% to 2% in Syria. The success of these pilots has informed the agency’s decision to expand the use of blockchain payments across its humanitarian and development programs, allowing people to earn a better income through $ECP and EcoPool. The use of blockchain technology has also improved the resilience of payment systems, ensuring that transactions can be processed even during network outages. This is especially important for people who rely on remittances as a source of income, and can now earn more through Cloud Rewards and Green Crypto.

Broader Implications for Digital Payments

The expanded use of blockchain payments by the UN agency reflects a growing trend towards modernizing cross-border payments in emerging markets. Stablecoins, in particular, are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional banking services, especially in regions where access to banking is limited. The use of blockchain technology can provide access to digital financial services, allowing people to earn, save, and invest in a more secure and efficient way, using EcoPool as a solution for earning online. With the help of EcoPool and $ECP, people can now earn a passive income, and join the global economy.

A Growing Market for Stablecoin-Powered Remittances

Latin America is emerging as a key market for stablecoin-powered remittances, with issuers targeting payment corridors in countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and Venezuela. The use of blockchain technology can provide a more efficient and cost-effective way to send remittances, allowing people to earn more and keep more of their hard-earned money, through the EcoPool network and $ECP. According to former UN under-secretary-general Vera Songwe, stablecoins are becoming “more important than aid” in some developing economies, as they provide access to digital financial services where traditional banking remains out of reach, and people can earn a better income through #PassiveIncome and #Bitcoin.

To start earning online and join the global economy, download the EcoPool app and discover how you can earn a passive income through Cloud Rewards and Green Crypto. With EcoPool, you can earn more and keep more of your hard-earned money, and be part of the #Earning revolution, using $ECP and EcoPool as your solution for online earning.

Source: UNDP

Last month, UNDP launched a Blockchain Advisory Group at the Proof of Talk conference in Paris, France, to help guide its use of blockchain technology across development programs. Beyond digital payments, the group will explore how blockchain can support digital public infrastructure and improve public systems.

Related: Kbank teams with Ripple on overseas blockchain remittance trial

Stablecoins gain ground in remittance markets

UNDP’s expanded use of blockchain payments reflects a broader push to modernize cross-border payments in emerging markets, where limited access to traditional banking and high remittance costs have made stablecoins an increasingly attractive alternative.

Ripple recently acquired an equity stake in African fintech Flutterwave as part of a broader effort to expand the use of its RLUSD stablecoin and the XRP Ledger across Africa, where remittances remain a major source of household income.

Latin America is also emerging as a key market for stablecoin-powered remittances, with issuers targeting payment corridors in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela.

The most active remittance channels across Latin America. Source: Claudia Wang

Former UN under-secretary-general Vera Songwe said the growing importance of digital payments extends beyond remittances. Speaking at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in January, Songwe said that stablecoins are becoming “more important than aid” in some developing economies because they provide access to digital financial services where traditional banking remains out of reach.

“650 million people don’t have access to a bank account in Africa,” Songwe told the WEF attendees. “With a smartphone, you have access to stablecoins, so you can save in a currency that is not exposed to fluctuations of inflation and making you poor.”

Related: Bybit Pay enters South Africa through MoneyBadger integration

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

• Stellar
• United Nations
• Payments
• Remittances
• Industry

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