Digital Sovereignty Alliance Champions Blockchain-Powered Financial Inclusion at UN General Assembly Roundtable
Introduction
In a landmark gathering at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Digital Sovereignty Alliance (DSA) took center stage to advocate for a future where digital sovereignty and blockchain technology are foundational to global financial inclusion. The roundtable, titled “A New Blueprint for Sovereign Sustainable Development,” held on October 22, 2025, brought together 48 global leaders to tackle pressing challenges like climate resilience and equitable economic growth. A core focus of the discussions was the urgent need to empower the 1.7 billion unbanked individuals worldwide, with DSA’s Managing Director, Adrian Wall, spearheading a critical dialogue on how digital identity and blockchain protocols can bridge this vast financial divide. This event marks a significant step in aligning decentralized technology principles with the sustainable development goals of major international institutions.
The UN Roundtable: A Convergence of Global Vision
The United Nations General Assembly Roundtable served as a powerful platform for cross-sector collaboration. Convening leaders from international organizations, the private sector, and academia, the event was explicitly designed to advance dialogue on "inclusive policy frameworks." The participation of the DSA, a nonprofit focused on ethical public policy for emerging technologies, signals a growing recognition within traditional global governance bodies that solutions to systemic issues like financial exclusion may lie in decentralized systems. The roundtable's agenda, which included climate resilience and responsible technological innovation, positioned financial inclusion not as an isolated goal but as an integral component of a "fairer and more sustainable future." This holistic approach underscores the interconnectedness of economic empowerment, technological access, and overall societal resilience.
Adrian Wall and the Core Tenets of Digital Sovereignty
As Managing Director of the DSA, Adrian Wall moderated the pivotal discussion on “Global Digital Identity and Financial Inclusion Protocol.” His leadership framed the conversation around two central themes: digital sovereignty, particularly in Africa, and the functional role of blockchain and stablecoins in expanding financial access. Wall’s comments cut to the heart of the DSA’s mission, arguing that technology alone is insufficient. He stated, “Financial inclusion without financial literacy is a bridge to nowhere. It is access without empowerment.” This perspective elevates the discourse beyond mere technical implementation to emphasize human agency. For Wall, “True inclusion must be anchored in understanding, agency, and dignity. In the digital age, agency begins with access, and dignity begins with data ownership. Data sovereignty is not a technical issue—it is a question of human freedom.” This philosophy positions data control as a fundamental right and a prerequisite for meaningful financial participation.
Blockchain and Stablecoins: Practical Tools for Inclusion
The roundtable sessions dedicated significant attention to the practical applications of blockchain and stablecoins. For the 1.7 billion unbanked, traditional banking infrastructure is often inaccessible due to high costs, lack of documentation, or geographical remoteness. Blockchain technology presents an alternative by enabling peer-to-peer transactions, secure record-keeping, and access to digital assets without the need for a traditional bank account. Stablecoins, digital currencies pegged to stable assets like the U.S. dollar, were highlighted for their potential to provide a less volatile store of value and medium of exchange compared to some native cryptocurrencies. This is particularly critical in regions suffering from hyperinflation or currency instability, where stablecoins can serve as a more reliable gateway into the digital economy. The discussion at the UN provided a high-level validation of these tools as serious instruments for development policy.
Distinguished Participants: A Coalition for Change
The roundtable’s impact was amplified by the diverse expertise of its participants. The assembly represented a powerful coalition committed to leveraging technology for sustainable development. Key attendees included:
- Tracy Wang, CEO of the Nobel Sustainability Trust Foundation
- Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital Transformation, The World Bank
- Tom Zschach, Chief Innovation Officer, SWIFT
- Dr. Oliver Zahn, Astrophysicist and Data Scientist
- Caroline Yap, former Global Head of Cloud AI, Google
- Dr. Simran Chana, University of Cambridge / FTL
- Simi Nwogugu, CEO, Junior Achievement Africa
- Connor Fennely, CEO & Founder, Abacus
- Jacqueline Corbelli, CEO, Sustain Chain
- David X. Sánchez, Secretary General, Council of Global Change
- Lena Alfi, CEO, Malala Fund
The presence of executives from established financial infrastructure giants like SWIFT alongside leaders from blockchain startups, academic institutions, and global advocacy groups illustrates a broadening consensus. It indicates that the exploration of blockchain for financial inclusion is moving from niche crypto circles into mainstream multilateral dialogue.
The Digital Sovereignty Alliance’s Expanding Mission
The DSA’s involvement in this UN event is a direct manifestation of its core mission. As a nonprofit social welfare organization, the DSA is dedicated to "advancing clear and ethical public policy, research and education surrounding emerging technologies." Its focus areas include decentralized technologies, blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, and artificial intelligence. By participating in forums like the UN General Assembly roundtable, the DSA works to "shape policy frameworks that protect individual autonomy, enhance national digital resilience, and expand access to technological opportunity." This approach advocates for a regulatory environment that does not stifle innovation but instead guides it toward ethical outcomes that prioritize public welfare and individual sovereignty.
Contextualizing the Movement: From Niche Concept to Global Stage
The ideas championed at this roundtable did not emerge in a vacuum. The concept of digital sovereignty has been a growing topic within crypto and tech communities for years, often centered on principles of self-custody and decentralization popularized by Bitcoin and Ethereum. Similarly, projects aimed at bankless banking have been launched by various blockchain entities prior to 2025. However, this UN event represents a notable maturation of these concepts. It marks a transition from theoretical technical proposals to structured policy discussions at one of the world's most prominent international organizations. The specific focus on Africa acknowledges the continent's rapid mobile adoption and its potential to leapfrog legacy financial systems directly into digital asset-based economies, provided the right frameworks are in place.
Strategic Conclusion: A Foundation for Future Collaboration
The Digital Sovereignty Alliance's push at the UN General Assembly lays a critical foundation for the future integration of blockchain technology into global development strategy. The roundtable did not produce immediate policy mandates but successfully elevated the conversation around digital sovereignty and financial inclusion to its highest level yet. The key takeaway is the formation of a powerful, multi-stakeholder coalition that recognizes the transformative potential of empowering individuals with control over their data and finances.
For observers and participants in the crypto space, this development signals a growing alignment between the ethos of decentralization and the goals of major global institutions. It suggests that future innovation will increasingly be measured not just by market metrics but by its capacity to address real-world challenges like financial exclusion.
What to Watch Next:
Readers should monitor subsequent publications and policy recommendations from the DSA and its roundtable partners, particularly The World Bank and SWIFT. Further attention should be paid to pilot programs or research initiatives that may emerge from these discussions, especially those targeting digital identity and stablecoin use cases in specific regions like Africa. The continued collaboration between legacy financial infrastructure providers and blockchain innovators will be a critical indicator of how quickly these high-level ideas can be translated into tangible financial tools for the unbanked.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information from CryptoSlate dated October 24, 2025. Readers should conduct their own research before taking any action. The author's opinions are their own and do not constitute investment advice.