The Blockchain Trust Accelerator, created by New America, The Bitfury Group, and the National Democratic Institute, is committed to advancing Blockchain technology through responsible, innovative and cutting edge pilot projects.
Social and political challenges, such as corruption and broken institutions, frustrate many efforts by elected leaders, civil society organizations, aid agencies, and the private sector that work on development and better governance. Blockchain technology has the potential to help address some of these persistent issues hampering better governance and the reduction of poverty. Whether it is registering and securing identity, assets such as land titles, ensuring more transparent elections, or monitoring supply chains in aid delivery, the Blockchain is going to change the landscape in the 21st century.
Corruption erodes trust, institutions and the rule of law. According to Global Financial Integrity (GFI), roughly $1 trillion flows out of developing countries each year due to corruption, fraud, and criminal activity— close to ten times the amount of foreign assistance flowing into these economies. Systemic challenges including informal land ownership and individuals’ inability to gain legal identity continue to plague emerging economies. As Peruvian economist, Hernando de Soto, writes, only 2 billion people around the world have legal titles to control their land, and up to $20 trillion USD of “dead capital” sits outside land titling systems with no protection for property rights…. The Blockchain offers solutions to many of the toughest challenges around the world. The Blockchain Trust Accelerator brings together funders, technical experts, civil society leaders, advisers, and entrepreneurs to make social-impact Blockchain applications a reality.
Keywords: Preventing Injustice and Corruption, Blockchain for human rights, Blockchain Trust Accelerator, New America, The Bitfury Group, and the National Democratic Institute