UN panel frames Bitcoin as development tool for Global South
Bitcoin was highlighted as a potential tool for economic empowerment in developing nations at the United Nations Digital Cooperation Day 2026, a high-level event held September 21 in New York during the UN General…
Source: tradingview.com · TradingView · September 22, 2026 at 11:10 PM · AI-assisted report
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NEW YORK, 23 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Bitcoin was highlighted as a potential tool for economic empowerment in developing nations at the United Nations Digital Cooperation Day 2026, a high-level event held September 21 in New York during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.
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The panel, titled Blockchain and the Tokenized Future: Sovereign Choices and Safeguards for Next-Gen DPI, argued that tokenized assets—including Bitcoin—could serve as digital public infrastructure rather than speculative instruments. Jeremy Almond, CEO of payments firm Paystand, and Bilal Bin Saqib, Chairman of Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, led the discussion, framing blockchain as a means for countries to build self-sustaining economic systems independent of traditional aid pipelines.
Almond linked Bitcoin directly to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, arguing that decentralized financial systems could foster economic agency rather than reliance on charitable aid. Bin Saqib’s participation reflected Pakistan’s push for global digital asset regulation, particularly for a nation with over 230 million people and limited rural banking access. According to the panel, Pakistan is positioning itself as a leader in blockchain-based development, rather than adopting Western regulatory models.
The discussion emphasized interoperability and sovereign choice, meaning nations should adopt blockchain frameworks tailored to their needs rather than importing foreign systems. This aligns with broader UN Development Programme (UNDP) initiatives exploring distributed ledger applications—from land registries to identity verification in regions with weak bureaucratic infrastructure.
This was not the UN’s first crypto-related engagement in 2026. In February, the Bitcoin Policy Institute contributed to UNCITRAL proceedings, addressing how existing trade law could accommodate tokenized assets. However, the UN has not endorsed Bitcoin as a reserve asset or recommended state purchases.
While the panel avoided explicit endorsements, its framing of Bitcoin as a tool for financial inclusion in the Global South marks a shift in institutional perception. Pakistan’s regulatory leadership in this space—balancing innovation with consumer protection—could influence broader discussions on digital asset governance.
The UN’s focus on blockchain-based financial inclusion contrasts with the sector’s traditional narrative of speculative trading. While Bitcoin’s price remains volatile, the institutional shift toward viewing it as a development tool could reshape its role in emerging economies. According to the panel, the key question moving forward is whether sovereign states will adopt blockchain infrastructure on their own terms—or remain dependent on external frameworks.
For now, the UN’s engagement signals a growing recognition of Bitcoin’s potential beyond trading desks. Whether this translates into policy action remains to be seen, but the panel’s framing suggests a new chapter in the cryptocurrency’s institutional journey.
Related: United Nations · Jeremy Almond · New York