Crypto-Powered Ukrainian Charity Launches Debit Card for War Victims

cryptonews.com:

The crypto community-backed charitable venture that earlier received a USD 2.5m fund boost from the Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Vitalik Buterin has announced it has launched a charity crypto debit card that will allow Ukrainian users to access funds and humanitarian aid.

In press releases shared with Cryptonews.com, the charity, Unchain Fund, said it had launched what it has called the Unchain Help Card. The card is a “virtual debit card that will distribute funds donated to the initiative directly to Ukrainian mothers impacted by the war,” the organization explained, although “for people receiving help, it will look like an ordinary virtual MasterCard.”

The body added that 2,000 cards had already been issued, although it is hoping to raise funds to issue thousands more after receiving “more than 12,000 applications” for the card.

The card, which is being co-issued by Unex Bank, can be used both for payments in stores and for cash withdrawals, with “eligible individuals” to be “granted an allowance” of just over USD 27 “per person, per week.”

The charity noted that financial assistance would be prioritized in the case of single mothers with newborn babies, while “Ukrainian women with at least one child under 6 and who live in regions where intense hostilities are taking place” would also be fast-tracked.

The virtual card can be used via Google Pay, Apple Pay, and the Unex Bank app.

“A single individual will be able to receive assistance up to four times, with transfers made automatically,” the charity noted.

Certain identity checks have also been put in place – and make use of a government-operated ID platform. The body explained:

“Applicants will be required to undergo a simple verification process via Unchain’s chatbot, and