Humanitarian Finance Innovation
We research and pilot stablecoin treasury infrastructure to preserve value, reduce costs, and deliver aid faster in crisis contexts. As a member of Algorand Foundation's Humanitarian Payments Council, we're helping shape the future of humanitarian finance.
Humanitarian Payments Council
The Humanitarian Payments Council (HPC) is an initiative of the Algorand Foundation bringing together humanitarian practitioners, fintech innovators, and blockchain experts to solve critical payment challenges in humanitarian operations.
MarketImpact's CEO, Thomas Byrnes, joined the council in August 2025, contributing expertise in cash and voucher assistance, digital transformation, and AI implementation in humanitarian contexts.
Aug 2025
Member since
Berlin
HPC Meeting Sept 2025
Algorand Foundation
Humanitarian Payments Council
"The humanitarian sector must adapt to serve crisis-affected populations with greater efficiency and transparency. Stablecoin infrastructure offers a path forward."
The Humanitarian Funding Crisis
Traditional financial infrastructure creates significant barriers to effective humanitarian response. Value is lost, transfers are delayed, and funds become trapped.
88%
Reduction in US humanitarian contributions announced in 2025
Banking De-Risking
Banks blocking transfers to crisis contexts due to compliance concerns
3-5 Days
Average settlement time for traditional wire transfers
Trapped Liquidity
Funds locked in local accounts with limited forex access
Treasury Rails: A New Approach
Treasury Rails is a stablecoin-based infrastructure model that centralises liquidity while enabling instant distribution. By converting donor funds to stablecoins at point of entry, organisations can bypass traditional banking bottlenecks.
Resilience
Bypass banking de-risking and sanctions-related blocks
Efficiency
Reduce transfer costs by 80%+ and settlement time by 99%
Capital Optimisation
Preserve 34% more value through reduced FX spreads and fees
How Treasury Rails Works
Donor funds received
Traditional banking to HQ
Convert to stablecoins
MiCA-compliant EMT (e.g., EURC)
Instant transfer to field
Blockchain settlement in seconds
Local cash-out
Via FSP partners or mobile money
Evidence from the Field
Stablecoin-based payments are already being used successfully in some of the world's most challenging operational environments.
Sudan
NRC partnered with Coala Pay to deliver aid during active conflict when traditional banking rails collapsed.
- Bypassed banking shutdown
- 34% more value preserved
- Instant settlement
NRC / Coala Pay partnership
Myanmar
Overcoming severe banking restrictions and currency volatility to reach vulnerable populations.
- 80%+ cost reduction
- Protected from Kyat volatility
- Reached remote areas
Coala Pay implementation
Afghanistan
Maintaining payment flows despite comprehensive sanctions and banking withdrawal.
- Continued operations post-2021
- Staff salary payments
- Compliant OFAC pathway
HesabPay implementation
Published Research
Our research papers provide comprehensive analysis and practical frameworks for implementing stablecoin infrastructure in humanitarian operations.
Treasury Rails: Stablecoin Infrastructure for Humanitarian Operations
A comprehensive framework for implementing centralised liquidity pools with instant distribution capabilities for humanitarian treasury management.
How to Use Stablecoins in Humanitarian Aid: A Practical Framework
Mapping EU MiCA regulation to ECHO's Cash and Voucher Assistance categories, with a practical decision framework for humanitarian practitioners.
Ready to Modernise Your Treasury Operations?
We provide consultation and implementation support for humanitarian organisations looking to adopt stablecoin-based treasury infrastructure.
Get in Touch