Key Takeaways
- Adrian Wall of the Digital Sovereignty Alliance (DSA) spoke at a significant UN event emphasizing digital identity and financial control for global fairness.
- He highlighted blockchain innovations, particularly stablecoins, as powerful tools to advance worldwide financial inclusion.
- Wall stressed that financial inclusion must be paired with financial literacy to be truly effective.
Digital Sovereignty and Financial Inclusion at the UN
Adrian Wall, representing the Digital Sovereignty Alliance (DSA), addressed a prominent United Nations gathering on October 23rd, advocating for individuals to have control over their digital identities and finances as a pathway to a more equitable future.
A central theme for the digital asset community was Wall’s advocacy for leveraging blockchain technology and stablecoins to accelerate global financial inclusion. The World Economic Forum notes that approximately 1.7 billion individuals worldwide currently lack access to banking services. Wall pointed to blockchain and stablecoins as potential solutions to bridge this accessibility gap for financial services.
Speaking as the Managing Director of the DSA, Wall participated in a key UN session aimed at fostering greater control over financial resources, contributing to a vision of enhanced personal freedom.
The event, a United Nations General Assembly Roundtable held at UN Headquarters in New York on October 22nd, convened 48 global leaders to discuss sustainable development. The gathering featured prominent experts from organizations like Google, the World Bank, and the Malala Fund, who explored pressing global issues.
According to a press release, the roundtable aimed to advance dialogue on developing inclusive policy frameworks to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate resilience, equitable economic growth, and responsible technological innovation, with the shared goal of building a fairer and more sustainable future.
Wall, however, cautioned that mere access to digital money is insufficient. He emphasized the critical need for individuals to also possess ownership of their digital identities. Financial inclusion without financial literacy is a bridge to nowhere. It is access without empowerment, Wall stated. True inclusion must be anchored in understanding, agency, and dignity. In the digital age, agency begins with access, and dignity begins with data ownership. Data sovereignty is not a technical issue—it is a question of human freedom.
The Role of Stablecoins and Blockchain in Financial Inclusion
Stablecoins are increasingly recognized as a vital component of the global financial landscape, with numerous major financial players preparing to integrate these blockchain-based innovations. As of this writing, the cumulative market capitalization of stablecoins stands at approximately $316.29 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.
Leading stablecoins such as Tether, USDC, USDe, and PYUSD are emerging as essential tools for promoting financial inclusion. For individuals without traditional banking access, stablecoins offer self-custody of savings, facilitate cross-border transactions, and aid in remittance services.
A 2025 study by Castle Ventures highlighted the role of stablecoins in emerging markets, where users are reportedly storing value in USD-pegged tokens to hedge against hyperinflation and local banking instability.
Regulatory Developments and Market Growth
The recent surge in the stablecoin market follows the signing of the GENIUS Act by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 18th. This legislation establishes the first federal framework for stablecoins, mandating 100% reserve backing with liquid assets like U.S. Treasuries, requiring monthly disclosures, and implementing consumer protections against misleading claims.
The GENIUS Act also prohibits non-permitted issuers from operating within the U.S. market, while permitting banks, their subsidiaries, and OCC-approved non-banks to issue tokens. This regulatory clarity has reportedly spurred a competitive drive among financial institutions to develop their own stablecoins, aiming to maintain market dominance.
Industry Adoption and Use Cases
Consequently, many large financial institutions are now actively launching their own stablecoins. For instance, JPMorgan has introduced its stablecoin-like token, JPMD. Additionally, a consortium of major banks including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and Bank of America Corp. have announced a collaborative effort to introduce a stablecoin.
In the first quarter of 2025, ANZ successfully conducted the first public bank transaction using its stablecoin, supporting unbanked retirees in remote Pacific regions. These transactions occurred in real-time, bypassing traditional correspondent banking delays, which is particularly significant for the 20% of islanders who remain unbanked due to geographical challenges.
Similarly, Stripe’s service, which is based on USDC, targets freelancers and small businesses in Latin America and Southeast Asia that lack access to traditional banking facilities.
Expert Summary
Adrian Wall’s recent address at a UN gathering underscored the transformative potential of blockchain and stablecoins for global financial inclusion. He emphasized that while technological solutions are crucial, they must be complemented by robust financial literacy and data sovereignty to ensure genuine empowerment for all.