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Study Overview

Innovation has long driven prosperity, yet progress toward global social impact goals has stalled. We trace the evolution of blockchain technology, from cryptocurrencies to stablecoins, to understand how it can benefit vulnerable populations.

Study Results

Reviewing four use cases, we discuss how stablecoins can reduce time and cost of financial transactions, support financial inclusion, and empower communities. Yet fully realizing its potential requires strategic leadership: regulators must embed inclusion with compliance, practitioners must prioritize resilience over speculation, and researchers must rigorously evaluate impact at scale. We conclude with recommendations on how we might use stablecoins to revive measurable progress for shared prosperity.

Research Partner: Emory University

Working Paper: Grennan, Jillian and Sturdy, Jennifer R., Unblocking Paths to Shared Prosperity with Blockchain: Stablecoins for Good (October 31, 2025). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5700483

IBSI Funding Acknowledgement: Lab for Inclusive FinTech (LIFT)