Marshall Islands Launches Universal Basic Income with Crypto Payment Option
The Marshall Islands has introduced a nationwide universal basic income (UBI) program, offering citizens the choice to receive payments via cryptocurrency. Quarterly payments of approximately $200 aim to mitigate rising living costs and curb outward migration, with the first distributions made in late November.
Recipients can opt for traditional methods like bank deposits or paper checks, or utilize a government-backed digital wallet for blockchain-based transactions. Finance Minister David Paul emphasized the program's goal of broad inclusion rather than income replacement, framing it as a social safety net and morale booster for the Pacific nation's 42,000 residents.
Despite the crypto option, most recipients currently prefer conventional payment channels. The initiative highlights the growing intersection of digital assets and public policy in addressing economic challenges faced by remote communities.
