How can blockchain technology solve the Syrian refugee problem?

Recently, the drowning of a 3-year-old Syrian boy, Aylan Kurdi, in the Mediterranean Sea has attracted media attention and once again triggered people around the world to think about the Middle East refugee issue. Due to violent conflicts in the Middle East, Afghanistan and North Africa, more than 300,000 refugees have fled from these regions across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe this year, an increase of almost 50% compared to 2014. Among these refugees, 2,500 died on the way to escape, which cannot but arouse our attention and thinking.

But governments around the world have been indifferent. Europe's right-wing political wave advocates a crackdown on immigration. Even Arab countries that share religious beliefs and experiences with these refugees are reluctant to take them in.

In stark contrast to the government's indifference are private entrepreneurs. Billionaire Naguib Sawiris has proposed buying an island to house refugees, but this is not easy. Not only is the price as high as $100 million, but there are also regulatory issues. If we want to solve this problem, we need to open up new ideas and solutions.

Bitcoin is one of the solutions. Bitcoin transactions are faster and cheaper than traditional transactions, so raising funds through Bitcoin to help refugees is more convenient and efficient than traditional financial channels. In addition, Bitcoin's borderless nature allows donations to be sent anywhere in the world without the need for complete financial facilities, which is suitable for regions such as the Middle East and North Africa where financial infrastructure is backward.

Bitcoin's borderlessness also brings direct benefits to refugees. Usually, fleeing a conflict zone means leaving behind many valuables, but using Bitcoin eliminates such concerns. Bitcoin is not only easy to carry, but also cannot be confiscated by border police like other property. Refugees can also exchange Bitcoin for local currency during their journey according to their needs, bypassing other countries' financial sanctions on their own countries.

Some Bitcoin organizations have noticed this and started to take action, such as Bitnation, which provides government-style services to refugees regardless of nationality. Bitnation is developing some Bitcoin-based applications, such as insurance, basic income, and other applications related to blockchain technology, and has developed a blockchain-based ID card. The only question is who will receive these refugees.

It's up to people like Najib to do this. Blockchain technology could make it easier to create such a small nation and ease the process of relocating refugees. There are already some places that are negotiating this, like Fort Galt. Other places, like the Seasteading Institute, have given up on negotiations but are planning to create an independent nation in international waters.

Digital currency is key to building a borderless country. We hope to see such a country built, where refugees can go and start a new life.