Billions Network Collaborates with Spanish Red Cross to Deploy 'Privacy-Preserving Digital Aid Platform'

marsbitPublished on 2026-02-06Last updated on 2026-02-06

Abstract

Billions Network, in collaboration with the Spanish Red Cross (Creu Roja) and tech infrastructure company BLOOCK, has deployed a blockchain-based “privacy-Preserving Digital Aid Platform.” The system digitizes the entire aid lifecycle—from donation to distribution—creating an immutable audit trail while ensuring financial transparency for donors and protecting the dignity and privacy of vulnerable recipients. Unlike some blockchain projects that rely on biometric or invasive data collection, this platform verifies aid eligibility and impact without recording recipients' personal identification. Aid is delivered through digital credits to personal mobile wallets, spendable via QR codes at authorized local merchants. This approach avoids stigmatizing “aid cards” and allows recipients to receive support without being tracked, profiled, or identified publicly. The system uses cryptographic proofs anchored on the blockchain to verify transactions without storing personal data. The initiative is seen as a significant demonstration of blockchain’s social value, balancing accountability, privacy, and operational efficiency in humanitarian aid.

On February 3 (Korean time), Billions Network announced via its official X account that it has partnered with the Spanish Red Cross (Creu Roja) and technology infrastructure company BLOOCK to deploy a blockchain-based "privacy-preserving digital aid platform".

This initiative comes at a time when global humanitarian organizations are facing increasing pressure for aid accountability. Through this project, the Spanish Red Cross has replaced traditional manual and paper-based processes with a digital system, providing donors with full financial transparency while fully protecting the dignity and privacy of vulnerable aid recipients.

The new system digitizes the entire aid lifecycle from donation to distribution, creating an immutable audit trail. Unlike some blockchain projects that rely on biometrics or invasive data collection, this platform verifies aid eligibility and effectiveness without recording recipients' identity information.

Francisco López Romero, Chief Technology Officer of the Spanish Red Cross (Catalonia), stated: "People seeking help should not have to choose between receiving aid and protecting their privacy. We designed this system so that donors can verify that their contributions have actually made an impact, while recipients receive support without worrying about being tracked, profiled, or stigmatized."

With this platform, recipients can receive digital aid credits through a personal mobile wallet without needing a bank account or credit history. These credits can be spent at authorized local merchants via QR codes, similar to regular shopping transactions, thereby avoiding the use of "aid cards" that publicly identify recipients. This effectively prevents stigmatization and preserves personal dignity.

Lluís Llibre, CEO of technology partner BLOOCK, emphasized the system's security: "Blockchain should be used to prove facts, not store content. Every transaction generates a permanently anchored cryptographic proof, but this proof does not contain any personal information."

Evin McMullen, Co-founder and CEO of Billions Network, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: "What the Spanish Red Cross is building here is a credential system, not a surveillance system."

She added: "Recipients keep their proof of eligibility in their own wallet, present it when needed, and that's it—no other information is exposed, then they continue with their normal lives. This is how identity systems should operate, especially in public interest and humanitarian systems, where individuals owning and controlling their own credentials is crucial."

The project is seen as an important demonstration of blockchain technology's social value: it achieves accountability, privacy protection, and digital efficiency while addressing long-standing issues of insufficient transparency and data misuse in the humanitarian aid sector.

Related Questions

QWhat is the main purpose of the privacy-preserving digital aid platform deployed by Billions Network and the Spanish Red Cross?

AThe platform aims to digitize the entire aid lifecycle while providing full financial accountability to donors and protecting the dignity and privacy of vulnerable recipients by not recording their identity information.

QHow do recipients receive and use aid through this new system without bank accounts or credit history?

ARecipients receive Digital Aid Credits through a personal mobile wallet, which can be spent at authorized local merchants via QR codes, similar to regular shopping, avoiding the stigma of traditional aid cards.

QWhat key technology ensures the integrity and transparency of transactions in this platform?

ABlockchain technology is used to create an immutable audit trail, with each transaction generating a permanently anchored cryptographic proof that contains no personal information.

QAccording to Francisco López Romero, why was this system designed for the Spanish Red Cross?

AThe system was designed to allow donors to verify their contributions made a real impact while enabling recipients to receive support without fear of being tracked, profiled, or stigmatized.

QHow does Evin McMullen characterize the system built by the Spanish Red Cross in terms of its approach to identity?

AShe describes it as 'a system of credentials, not a system of surveillance' where recipients own and control their credentials, presenting proof only when needed without exposing additional information.

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