The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), a nonprofit organization focused on expanding equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology, has announced its facilitation of the world’s first on-chain disbursement of universal basic income (UBI), as part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ (RMI) ENRA program.
The SDF issued a multimillion-dollar grant for the development of USDM1, the RMI’s digitally issued and fully collateralized sovereign bond, which is disbursed as part of the world’s first nationwide universal basic income program. The UBI program, known locally as ENRA, was launched in November 2025 and will consist of quarterly direct disbursements to eligible citizens, delivering essential services across vast geographic distances that are underserved by correspondent banking systems.
Instead of relying on periodic cash deliveries via official transport vessels, eligible Marshallese will be able to access funds instantly through Lomalo, an app powered by Crossmint wallets on Stellar built specifically for the RMI, developed in partnership with Crossmint, the all-in-one stablecoin and wallet infrastructure provider. As an initial use case, USDM1 will be distributed via the Stellar Disbursement Platform, delivering eligible recipients’ UBI directly into their Lomalo wallet.
Denelle Dixon, CEO & Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation, said: “Delivering the first blockchain-powered instance of nationwide Universal Basic Income is what the Stellar network was built to power. This is what adoption looks like for blockchain technology. Every day, people can receive and spend money on-chain, and get access to basic financial services that they have been shut out of in the traditional financial system.”
Hon. David Paul, Minister of Finance, said: “Delivering USDM1 at a standard worthy of the Marshallese people required the right partners by our side. SDF’s involvement underscores the project’s credibility and the value of the work we are doing. Their proven work with the United Nations to expand financial access and strengthen remittance corridors across emerging markets and crisis settings demonstrated that they were essential to bringing this project to life. We are grateful for their funding and support as we build a more resilient and connected future for the RMI.”
Crossmint co-founder, Rodri Fernandez Touza, said: “For families in remote communities who previously waited weeks for paper checks or cash shipments, this changes everything. With Lomalo and USDM1, citizens can now receive payments in seconds. It’s a blueprint for how organizations can use stablecoins to modernize financial infrastructure to reach everyone, no matter where they live.”
USDM1 strengthens the RMI’s commitment to financial inclusion and responsible innovation by ensuring citizens can access their benefits through a secure, fast and modern digital system that is fully compatible with the existing domestic financial system.
Today’s announcement is accompanied by a comprehensive seven-part whitepaper outlining the RMI’s financial inclusion strategy, digital-infrastructure modernization and the policy context for USDM1.
