Circle has stepped up in a big way with its Circle grant, teaming up with the United Nations to provide digital financial tools that make humanitarian aid reach people faster and more efficiently.
Announced at the World Economic Forum stage in Davos, Switzerland, the Circle grant marks the Circle Foundation’s very first major international move.
Accordingly, the grant will back the UN’s Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS) to cut through red tape, slash costs, boost transparency, and get money moving securely across the entire UN network.
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Circle grant isn’t starting from scratch
In fact, the grant is building directly on Circle’s earlier work with UNHCR back in 2022. That partnership made headlines by using USDC stablecoin to deliver quick, reliable payments to Ukrainians forced from their homes.
Now, with the new Circle grant, that same innovative spirit is here to help even more UN agencies tackle the massive challenge of moving billions in aid without the drag of outdated systems.
In a world where humanitarian budgets are stretched thin, every dollar has to stretch further. As a matter of fact, UN Development Programme’s Alexander De Croo said that stablecoin-powered payments let the UN “make every dollar work harder.”
Meanwhile, Circle points out how over $38 billion in yearly humanitarian funds still gets bogged down in slow, legacy setups. The Circle grant aims to change that by unlocking the full potential of digital financial infrastructure, including stablecoins, to maximize donor impact and deliver real help where it’s needed most.
Barham Salih, the UN Refugee Agency’s High Commissioner, captured echoes of similar sentiments.
“This is about using technology to uphold dignity and choice for people forced to flee, while maximizing impact for every dollar entrusted to us.”
Circle launched its Foundation just last month in December 2025, channeling philanthropic energy toward financial resilience and inclusion worldwide. This Circle grant to the UN is a testament to exactly how that vision plays out on a global scale.
Meanwhile, the broader stablecoin world keeps growing fast. The market now sits at a whopping $312.7 billion, powering everything from daily payments to business deals and personal savings in every corner of the planet.
