Blockchain-using company named Bitnation claims to help refugees by providing them with “blockchain IDs” and blockchain debit cards. It also collects donations to issue new bitcoin cards for the refugees.



The company sets the aim to provide undefined “refugees” with the cards to pay in European shops and supermarkets:



“With the Bitnation Bitcoin Visa Debit Cards (BVDC), refugees will be able to withdraw money from ATMs, shop in regular stores and buy things online. It works like a regular Visa debit card, the only difference being that it’s charged by Bitcoin, which does not need a bank account to setup,” claims the company.



Bitnation is helping refugees “to utilise Blockchain technology and to authenticate and validate identification through a Blockchain Emergency ID (BE-ID)”. It is not clear, whether any country in Europe or Asia will accept this ID.



“The company has also sought to establish relations with the UNHCR, OHCHR and UNPO to determine methods of collaborative co-operation and to assist in maintaining the Public International Order and to protect refugees as our capacity allows,” states Bitnation.



Bitnation is a bitcoin project that aims for creating an alternative state using the blockchain technology. In theory, the project will allow people to register deals and make official documents online without any physical intermediary. Currently this aim seems utopian: you can register at Bitnation, but you can hardly get any document from the company.



Blockchain IDs will not help refugees to open bank accounts in one of the accepting countries, Germany. According to the international edition of the Handelsblatt, German banks soon will be allowed to accept a variety of papers issued by German immigration authorities that only meet minimum standards.



“All that will be required in future will be a document with the letterhead, stamp and signature of a German authority, plus a photo and personal details,” says the newspaper. The government plans to implement the new rules this autumn.





Roman Korizky