Episode 212 - Elliptic - From Myanmar to Ukraine: How Crypto Is Powering Humanitarian Relief in Conflict and Disaster Zones

Crypto Altruists: Real-World Stories of Social & Environmental Impact with Web3

For episode 212, we welcome Arda Akartuna, Lead Crypto Threat Researcher at Elliptic, a blockchain intelligence firm trusted by over 700 institutions worldwide to track and secure digital asset activity across 50+ blockchains.

In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful and underreported use cases of crypto: getting aid to those in need when everything else fails. From war-torn Ukraine to the recent earthquake in Myanmar, crypto is enabling donations to flow directly to civilians, civil society groups, and even governments-in-exile, bypassing censorship, red tape, and authoritarian control.

This conversation is a testament to how blockchain technology can serve as a lifeline in the world’s most urgent humanitarian and geopolitical crises, and why the future of aid is onchain.

You’ll learn:

• 🌍 Why crypto is becoming a vital tool for humanitarian aid and disaster relief, especially in regions where traditional finance fails.
• How blockchain is helping opposition forces in Myanmar bypass military control to deliver life-saving aid after a devastating earthquake.
• 🔗 How blockchain can ensure the legitimacy of aid flows in high-risk conflict zones and humanitarian settings.
• 🔭 What the future holds for crypto in humanitarian aid, from remittances to impact DAOs, and more.

--Key Takeaways--

🌐 Decentralization makes a difference: Unlike traditional finance, blockchain tools let aid flow around censorship and authoritarian control, getting resources directly to people in need, faster and more affordably, without the need for centralized institutions.

⚠️ Addressing scams, crime, and chaos: From fake donation sites to digital organized crime in lawless zones, humanitarian crypto faces serious risks, but awareness, traceability, and the right tools can help mitigate them.

🔍 Blockchain-powered transparency can rebuild trust in the humanitarian sector: With skepticism toward aid organizations at an all-time high, blockchain offers a way forward by restoring donor confidence through onchain accountability and open, verifiable impact.

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--Full shownotes with links available at--
www.cryptoaltruists.com/blog/crypto-altruists-episode-212-elliptic-from-myanmar-to-ukraine-how-crypto-is-powering-humanitarian-relief-in-conflict-and-disaster-zones

Thank you to PIPE gDAO for sponsoring the Crypto Altruism podcast!

PIPE gDAO is leveraging blockchain for their University Real World Asset IP Launchpad that helps bring groundbreaking ideas from lab to market.

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--DISCLAIMER--
While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, do not take any of this as investment advice and make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity, before making an investment. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and