Blockchain’s Global Social Impact Revolution: From Banking the Unbanked to Fighting Corruption
Could blockchain – the technology behind Bitcoin – also fight poverty, corruption, and injustice? Around the world, a growing movement thinks so. Innovators are applying blockchain’s distributed ledger to humanitarian aid, community development, and governance. “Blockchain for social impact offers numerous exciting applications that have the possibility to make a meaningful difference in society,” says Marc Taverner, executive director of INATBA. Some humanitarian experts are even more emphatic: “This is the future,” says Paula Gil, a Geneva-based aid consultant, calling community blockchain projects “probably the only true use of blockchain for good”. In this report, we examine how blockchain technology is being used for social good – from improving financial inclusion and disaster relief to securing land rights and fair elections – as well as future opportunities, real-world case studies, and the challenges that must be overcome. All major claims are backed by credible sources, and insights from leading experts and organizations are included throughout.
