The cryptocurrency developer and its partners believe the product structure could be applied to finance other impact-linked sectors. The Cardano Foundation and Switzerland for UNHCR have teamed up to launch a new exchange-traded product (ETP) designed to channel rewards from investments in a blockchain pool into ongoing funding for UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, potentially generating up to $2 million (€1. 76 million) annually. Named the Cardano Impact for UNHCR ETP, the product enables investors to donate all staking rewards earned from investing in Cardano’s digital currency to support UNHCR’s emergency response and refugee programs across more than 135 countries. The ETP was introduced on May 28 on the SIX Swiss Exchange, Switzerland’s primary stock exchange. Staking rewards are additional cryptocurrency tokens generated as returns to incentivize investors to lock their digital assets within a specific blockchain network. Allocating these rewards to an organization like UNHCR does not diminish the original digital holdings. Annual donations The Cardano Foundation, a Swiss non-profit established to promote Cardano as a public infrastructure, highlighted that Cardano’s cryptocurrency ranks among the world’s top ten by market capitalization, currently approximately $22 billion.

Its currency, ADA, honors computer pioneer Ada Lovelace. As of May 27, 1 ADA was valued at €0. 68. According to the foundation, with current ADA staking yields near 3. 5% and estimated fund inflows, the ETP could generate between $1. 5 million and $2 million in yearly donations for UNHCR when managing $50 million in assets. So far, contributions to the underlying stake pool include 3. 5 million ADA from the Cardano Foundation, plus over 200 holdings delegated to the pool by the HOSKY group of ADA investors and supporters, totaling 6. 3 million ADA. Investors have the flexibility to withdraw their contributions to the staking pool at short notice, making the investment liquid. Cardano noted that institutions can invest in US dollars, euros, or Swiss francs, and participation does not require blockchain expertise. Replicable impact solution Oliver Anselmo, deputy executive director at Switzerland for UNHCR, called the ETP launch a global first in combining sustainable finance with humanitarian aid. “It converts passive investment returns into a recurring, scalable funding source for people who have lost everything, ” he stated. Switzerland for UNHCR serves as the national partner of UNHCR in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, focusing on mobilizing resources and raising awareness about the refugee agency’s work. Frederik Gregaard, CEO of the Cardano Foundation, emphasized blockchain’s potential to innovate support for displaced populations. “With technology and use cases now capable of significantly aiding daily operations, the broad adoption of humanitarian blockchain solutions should be a priority for the industry, ” he remarked. The ETP was structured by issuance. swiss, a Swiss issuer of regulated digital asset products, which described it as an industry first combining full regulatory compliance, institutional-grade staking infrastructure, and humanitarian aid in a single product. Pavel Izmaylov, CEO of issuance. swiss, expressed that the model is scalable and should be replicated. “Plans are underway to launch additional impact-linked ETPs supporting education, climate resilience, and public health within the next six to twelve months, ” he revealed. Custody and staking services for the ETP are provided by Taurus, a Geneva-based securities and digital asset infrastructure company.