In a world where innovation and compassion often seem to run on separate tracks, a new initiative launched on the SIX Swiss Exchange by issuance.swiss AG in partnership with Switzerland for UNHCR and the Cardano Foundation is proving that cutting-edge technology can be a powerful ally for humanitarian work.
In May 2025, Switzerland for UNHCR and the Cardano Foundation announced the launch of a pioneering financial product: an Exchange Traded Product (ETP) that supports refugees through crypto staking. Developed in collaboration with Swiss digital asset infrastructure leader Taurus, this initiative marks a global first – using the yield generated from a blockchain-based investment product to directly fund support for people forced to flee.
What is an ETP, and why does it matter?
For many, the term “ETP” might sound like complex financial jargon. But at its core, the concept is simple and increasingly relevant in today’s fast-evolving digital economy.
An ETP, or Exchange Traded Product, is a type of financial security that is traded on a stock exchange, much like a regular share. What makes this new ETP different is what it represents and what it does. It is backed by Cardano’s native cryptocurrency, ADA, and it participates in a process called “staking”, therefore giving investors the opportunity to get exposure to digital assets through traditional financial instruments.
Staking is a core mechanism in many blockchain networks. It allows holders of certain cryptocurrencies to lock their assets into the system to help validate transactions and keep the network running securely. In return, they receive small rewards, similar to earning interest in a traditional savings account. With this new ETP, those rewards are not going into private pockets: they are being donated directly to Switzerland for UNHCR to help fund lifesaving support for refugees.
Turning technology into impact
This unique ETP transforms a technical innovation into a force for good. Each time an investor buys the product, they are not just investing in digital assets: they are contributing to humanitarian work. The staking rewards generated through the ETP flow automatically and transparently to Switzerland for UNHCR. These funds will help protect and support forcibly displaced people worldwide, providing shelter, education, clean water, and other vital aid where it is needed the most.
This is the first time that staking rewards from an ETP are used to fund a humanitarian organisation. It opens up a new frontier in sustainable giving, where support is built into the very structure of a financial product rather than relying solely on traditional donations- an innovation highlighted by Olivier Anselmo, Deputy Executive Director for Switzerland for UNHCR:
"The launch of this ETP shows how financial innovation can be designed with a humanitarian purpose. By bridging the world of blockchain and the needs of refugees, we are creating new ways for individuals and institutions to make a meaningful difference."
Transparency and trust at the core
Another crucial aspect of this initiative is the transparency it brings to charitable giving. Thanks to the nature of blockchain, every transaction and every staking reward that supports Switzerland for UNHCR can be tracked and verified on the public ledger. This level of accountability helps build trust with donors and demonstrates a new standard for how humanitarian funding can work in the digital age.
The ETP was launched through the Swiss SIX Exchange, known for its robust regulatory standards, and is powered by Taurus’s secure digital infrastructure. This ensures the product meets the highest standards of security and reliability, making it attractive to both individual investors and institutions.
A partnership rooted in shared values
The ETP is the latest milestone in a growing partnership between Switzerland for UNHCR and the Cardano Foundation. Since 2022, the two organisations have been exploring how blockchain can be harnessed to serve forcibly displaced communities.
Their collaboration began with the launch of the Blockchain for Refugees initiative, a long-term commitment to developing secure, inclusive, and empowering solutions for refugee populations using blockchain technology. Blockchain offers several promising features for humanitarian contexts: it is decentralised, transparent, and secure by design, making it ideal for helping displaced people regain access to identity, secure cash assistance, and participate in the digital economy.
In 2023, UNHCR also launched pilot projects in a refugee-hosting countries to explore the use of decentralised IDs (DIDs) and blockchain-based cash distribution mechanisms. The projects aim to address the real-world challenges refugees face in proving their identity or accessing financial services, obstacles that often prevent them from rebuilding their lives.
Looking ahead
This industry-first ETP is more than just a financial innovation; it is a symbol of what is possible when humanitarian goals and technological progress come together. As displacement continues to rise globally, with over 123 million people forcibly displaced by the end of 2024, new solutions are urgently needed to meet growing needs. The ETP offers one such solution by turning passive crypto holdings into a source of active humanitarian support.
Switzerland for UNHCR and the Cardano Foundation hope that this product will not only raise funds but also raise awareness. It is an invitation to the broader blockchain community -and to anyone interested in impact investing- to reimagine how value can be created and shared.