Growing interest in digital public infrastructure is prompting the United Nations to take a more active role in blockchain policy and training. A new wave of programs is being developed to help governments understand and apply technology in real-world systems. Momentum inside the UN suggests a coordinated effort to guide countries through the next phase of digital transformation.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is finalizing plans to open a blockchain academy for government officials and to establish a blockchain advisory group supported by major industry players. Both projects build on earlier work done for UN staff and now shift their focus toward national-level adoption.
According to Robert Pasicko, head of the UNDP’s financial technology team, AltFinLab, the academy will begin operating soon, pending formal approval, which is expected within one to two weeks. Four governments will be selected for the first round. Pasicko said the training is only part of a broader goal of practical implementation.
UNDP research already identified approximately 300 potential public-sector use cases. Work is also progressing on a separate advisory group designed to guide countries that are evaluating blockchain tools. The idea surfaced during meetings at the UN General Assembly in New York, where representatives from 25 major blockchain organizations were present.
Representatives from major blockchain projects, including the Ethereum Foundation, Stellar Foundation, and Polygon Labs, were present during the discussions. Pasicko said the advisory group could launch within two to three months if planning stays on track.
UNDP Pilots Signal Global Shift Toward Decentralized Financial Access
Current UNDP pilots show how nations are experimenting with blockchain to widen access to financial systems. As per recent reports, programs are ongoing in about 20 countries. One partner, Decaf, offers a crypto-based payment platform that connects individuals to digital financial services, eliminating the need for bank reliance. Pasicko questioned how long physical banking infrastructure will remain necessary if such tools continue to grow.
He compared the shift to the decline of public phone booths, which once played a central role but eventually lost relevance. In some places, including Japan, old booths now serve as WiFi hotspots. Pasicko suggested that ATMs may face a similar future and could fade as digital payment options expand.
When asked whether this shift would come from cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, or central bank digital currencies, Pasicko predicted a mix of all three, shaped by each country’s regulatory approach. What matters most, he said, is that basic technology already allows direct peer-to-peer transactions.
Pasicko also pointed to several factors driving government interest in blockchain adoption:
- •Faster settlement of transactions compared to traditional systems.
- •Lower operational costs for public services.
- •Clear audit trails that support transparency.
- •Wider access to financial tools in underserved regions.
- •Smooth integration with existing digital platforms.
Even with this progress, Pasicko warned that established institutions will work to preserve their authority. Power structures may resist shifts that reduce reliance on intermediaries. He added that any technology can be used for benefit or harm, depending on how it is guided. In his view, blockchain could either deepen the divide between powerful groups and the public or help close long-standing gaps in access to essential services.