We are seeing conflict in many countries all over the world and many of these people are fleeing their country of origin, because they are going to war and their local currency and economy are collapsing.
The question is..... Can Bitcoin help these refugees?
I would say not just “maybe,” but bitcoin is a must-have in such cases. For several reasons.
- in many countries there are limits on the export of cash from the country.
- banking transactions may be limited, prohibited, and also, banks themselves may simply freeze any withdrawal of funds from a personal account by order of local authorities (in order to avoid the withdrawal of capital, which “destroys” the local economy).
- bitcoin is easy to take out and transport, because you don’t even need “rubber bands for banknotes” for this.
And also, bitcoin is easy, quick and cheap to send anywhere in the world. For example, refugees may send this "forward" themselves to their relatives, so as not to risk loss during the move.
We know that Ukrainian Banks closed their doors, when the first bombing started and most Banks do this when there are a possibility of a war. So how do people get their money out of the "Banking" system, when Banks close their doors?
In order not to find yourself in such a difficult situation, need to prepare in advance by withdrawing all funds from banks, or even better, by not making deposits in banks at all. You cease to be the owner of your money by giving it to banks. Whoever can manage, control, own is the master / owner. Simply, you lose control, which means you cease to be the actual owner, if the bank may simply not give up your money.
We also know that the Banking system are reluctant to open Bank accounts for foreigners or refugees in the country where they end up.
"In April of this year, Binance Charity launched the first-of-its-kind Binance Refugee Card for all current and new Binance users from Ukraine forced to move to EEA countries as a result of the war with Russia, the card and crypto-based cash assistance helped 15,000 Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people." - Source :
https://www.binance.com/en/feed/post/93305How can Bitcoin help these people to relocate and continue with their lives in a new country?
1. Brainstorm "safe" methods to convert Fiat to Bitcoin
2. Provide offline and online cold storage solutions to protect their coins.
3. Provide an easy on-ramp to convert Bitcoin to Fiat and the other way around for refugees.
4. Offer reliable and trustworthy P2P services for these vulnerable people, when they arrive in a new country.
5. Keep the transaction fees at these services as low as possible, to give them more money to start a new life.
Let's discuss more ways for Bitcoin to help these vulnerable people, so that we can help them to continue with their lives.... and eventually return to their country of origin.... when the conflict are done.
And there are no other methods special for vulnerable people and are not required. It is enough to use the basic capabilities of the bitcoin that are already familiar to everyone. Bitcoin provides equal opportunities for everyone.