Key Takeaways

• UNICEF has announced funding for seven blockchain startups.
• Those startups cater toward “unbanked” communities—that is, areas with little access to traditional financial services.
• The startups will collectively receive over $500,000, paid out in fiat currency and Ethereum (ETH).

UNICEF, the charity arm of the United Nations, has announced that it is funding seven blockchain startups.
UNICEF Invests in Seven Startups
UNICEF will invest in Grassroots Economics, Rahat, BX Smart Labs, Leaf Global, Xcapit, Kotani Pay, and Somish Blockchain Labs. Together, the firms will receive more than $500,000 in ETH and fiat.
Grassroots, which will receive 40.5 ETH ($104,000), allows communities to build local tokenized currencies. BX Smart Labs, set to receive 18.9 ETH ($48,000), offers a savings and loan platform that is powered by community “savings circles.”
Rahat is a Nepal-based blockchain platform from eSatya(Rumsan) that distributes tokenized aid to communities; it will receive $100,000.
Leaf Global provides Leaf Wallet, a lightweight cryptocurrency wallet that can be used on basic cellphones as opposed to smartphones. It will receive 20.7 ETH ($53,000) plus $48,900 in cash.

Xcapit is a firm that uses blockchain and AI to provide financial services in Latin America; it will receive 43.8 ETH ($112,000).
Kotani Pay provides a way for users in Kenya to transfer money and convert crypto into fiat. It will receive 19.9 ETH ($51,000).
Somish Blockchain Labs provides a governance platform for web3 businesses called GovBlocks; it will receive $50,000.
Each blockchain firm caters to “unbanked” areas, or communities that have little access to bank accounts and other financial services.
The investments were announced on June 8 and June 9, 2021.

UNICEF’S Crypto Fund
In October 2019, UNICEF launched its CryptoFund, a pool of Bitcoin and Ethereum cryptocurrency. Within one year, it had invested in twelve blockchain startups across eight countries.
That fund is now listed under the UNICEF Innovation Fund. UNICEF has invested $10.1 million in total through this fund and $920,000 to blockchain projects specifically, according to current statistics.
Additionally, UNICEF has received donations from the Ethereum Foundation and has even mined cryptocurrency in the past.
Other divisions of the United Nations have interacted with blockchain as well. The UN World Food Programme has used blockchain for payments, while the UN Office on Drugs and Crime has run training programs on crypto crime prevention.
Disclaimer: At the time of writing this author held less than $75 of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins.