Circle Foundation Supports UNDP and WFP Payments

Circle Foundation, a philanthropic initiative backed by Circle Internet Group, has announced two grants to support digital payments for development and humanitarian aid. The funding will help the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP) explore regulated stablecoin payments and improve financial infrastructure.

UNDP will use the grant to establish the Digital Asset Innovation Pool, a mechanism for using regulated stablecoins in development programmes. The initiative builds on earlier pilots in Syria, Haiti, Guatemala, and The Gambia, which tested digital cash payments, mobile wallets, and other payment solutions. The new programme will help UNDP offices move from pilot projects to regular operations.

A separate grant to the World Food Program USA will support WFP and its Innovation Accelerator in developing infrastructure for stablecoin payments. The work includes treasury systems, compliance tools, local financial integrations, and research into payment costs and efficiency. Over the next three years, WFP plans to test two to three payment corridors connecting its operations with local financial providers.

The grants expand Circle Foundation's involvement in UN financial infrastructure. In January 2026, it announced its first international grant supporting DHoTS, a shared financial platform launched by UNHCR in 2021 and used by 15 UN organizations, including UNDP and WFP.

Image: Magnific