Stablecoins & the Future of Humanitarian Payments: Opportunities and Risks

30 January 2026

Type

Webinar

The use of stablecoins in cross-border payments is gaining attention for its potential to improve speed, reduce costs, and provide alternatives in restricted markets.

This webinar, in partnership with Crown Agents Bank, covered:

  • An accessible introduction to stablecoins and their relevance to the development sector
  • Use cases for NGOs and humanitarian actors, especially in challenging payment corridors
  • The regulatory, operational, and reputational considerations organisations must weigh before adoption
  • An interactive Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to put questions directly to sector experts and explore practical considerations relevant to their organisations

We heard from expert speakers:

  • Carmen Hett, UNHCR – A specialist in capital structures and global market access, aligning financial strategies with institutional goals. Hett leads the growth of UNHCR’s Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS), advancing next-generation banking and digital finance capabilities—including AI and blockchain—to enable secure, transparent global fund movement.
  • Nigel Pont , Algorand Foundation – He is currently the Senior Advisor for Humanitarian Affairs at HesabPay and the Algorand Foundation, driving the adoption of blockchain based humanitarian cash transfers in fragile contexts such as Afghanistan and Syria.
  • Claire Gates, Crown Agents Bank – the Global Head of Payments and Solutions at Crown Agents Bank. Her role focuses on developing payment solutions that differentiate the bank and support its growth
  • Bharvi Hadani, Zodia Markets

 

Session Resources

Watch the webinar