Exploring Bitcoin’s Impact on Global Humanitarian Crises
The Digital Assets Research Institute (DARI) has released a pioneering study examining Bitcoin’s pivotal role during humanitarian emergencies. The study estimates that Bitcoin has aided approximately 329,000 refugees in securing, transporting, or rebuilding their savings amidst conflict or persecution. This number is anticipated to grow significantly, with projections suggesting that between 6.5 million and 7.5 million refugees may rely on Bitcoin by 2035. Such a surge would elevate Bitcoin from an anecdotal tool to a fundamental infrastructure component in global relief operations.
Due to the challenging nature of conducting on-the-ground surveys in conflict zones, DARI utilized data from UNHCR and TripleA’s 2024 crypto-ownership statistics, isolating Bitcoin usage through a 65% share as noted by Binance Research. To ensure conservative estimates, the study excluded approximately 22% of displaced individuals residing in long-term camps lacking internet access and smartphones.
The study focuses on refugees who manage to cross borders and gain connectivity, forming the baseline figure of 329,000. The analysts assume that digital asset ownership among refugees mirrors that of their home countries, a conservative approach as those who flee tend to be more educated and mobile.
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The Preference for Bitcoin Over Stablecoins
Refugees often choose Bitcoin over stablecoins due to its portability, resistance to censorship, and independence from unstable financial institutions. While stablecoins like USDC can be frozen by issuers and depend on intermediaries, Bitcoin’s decentralized nature provides a secure, peer-to-peer alternative for individuals fleeing oppressive regimes and economic collapse.
The report highlights several compelling case studies to illustrate Bitcoin’s utility. During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a young IT worker named Fadey fled to Poland with $2,000 in Bitcoin stored on a USB stick, as traditional banking systems failed. Similarly, during the 2023 siege in Gaza, a taxi driver named Yusef Mahmoud raised over 1.5 billion satoshis to supply essential goods to those trapped by the blockade.
Beyond conflict zones, Bitcoin has been instrumental in other crises. Following the 2021 Nyiragongo volcanic eruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo, local volunteers distributed Bitcoin to displaced families, fostering a micro-economy where conventional aid channels were ineffective.
Bitcoin as an Economic Stabilizer for Host Countries
DARI’s analysis suggests that refugees possessing even small amounts of Bitcoin integrate more swiftly and require less public assistance. Interviews indicate that crypto-enabled newcomers can secure housing, arrange transport, and seek employment without relying on bureaucratic aid programs, alleviating pressure on host nations’ resources. The authors advocate for recognizing self-custodied wallets as personal property and call for humanitarian exemptions in anti-money-laundering regulations.
With global displacement figures rising and Bitcoin adoption continuing to grow at an annual rate of approximately 20%, the report urges governments and NGOs to adapt to a future where a memorized twelve-word seed phrase could be a person’s last economic lifeline. Policymakers are encouraged to recognize Bitcoin’s emerging humanitarian role and support its responsible use.
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