Circle Foundation’s Grant for Humanitarian Aid
In a significant move to enhance the efficiency of humanitarian aid, the Circle Foundation has announced a new grant aimed at modernizing the financial infrastructure of the United Nations (UN) system. Unveiled during the World Economic Forum in Davos, this initiative seeks to expedite aid payments, streamline the movement of funds, and increase transparency in how humanitarian resources are utilized.
By leveraging digital financial technologies, this program aspires to bolster the effectiveness of aid delivery within UN agencies, where traditional payment processes often lead to costly delays and inefficiencies.
Support for Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions
The grant will specifically support the United Nations’ Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS), a program dedicated to innovating monetary transactions within the organization. Although Circle has not disclosed financial specifics related to the grant, the company emphasizes that this funding will contribute to reducing the bureaucratic friction commonly tied to legacy financial systems.
Previous Collaborations and Digital Currency Initiatives
Circle’s recent efforts build upon previous collaborations with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) that involved stablecoin-based assistance—such as the pilot project utilizing the USDC stablecoin to provide aid to displaced Ukrainians. Such projects have demonstrated the potential for digital currencies to enhance direct financial assistance to those in need, allowing aid recipients greater agency over how they utilize funds.
Iran’s Central Bank and Cryptocurrency Adoption
Amidst these advancements, another report has emerged, examining the financial behaviors of Iran’s Central Bank. A blockchain analytics firm, Elliptic, has revealed that the central bank amassed approximately $507 million in Tether (USDT), a stablecoin, at a time when the Iranian rial faced catastrophic depreciation. This strategy appears to have been employed to bolster the currency’s value and facilitate external trade agreements.
The central bank’s activities largely occurred through Nobitex, one of the country’s prominent cryptocurrency exchanges, until it experienced a significant security breach in June 2025, prompting a shift in tactics.
Cross-Chain Solutions and Tether’s Capabilities
Subsequent to this incident, the central bank began transferring its USDT through cross-chain solutions, moving assets from the TRON blockchain to Ethereum before redistributing them across various platforms. Despite the complexities surrounding these transactions, Elliptic noted that Tether possesses the technical capabilities to freeze USDT wallets, referencing a past situation where $37 million linked to Iran’s central bank was effectively blacklisted due to perceived risks.
Broader Trends in Cryptocurrency Adoption
Notably, this surge in crypto adoption in Iran is reflective of broader trends, with Chainalysis reporting that cryptocurrency activity in the country reached an estimated $7.8 billion in 2025. Many Iranians have turned to digital assets like Bitcoin as a hedge against rampant inflation and economic turmoil, underscoring the increasing significance of digital finance in contemporary economic landscapes.
