AutoPGF Episode 2 - Can Stablecoins End Extreme Poverty? Inside Glo’s partnership with GiveDirectly
Welcome back to episode 2 of AutoPGF: Funding Impact with Glo Dollar—a special podcast mini-series from Crypto Altruists that explores the future of Automatic Public Goods Funding, or AutoPGF for short, and the incredible organizations leveraging this new mechanism to scale their impact.
Today we’re honored to welcome Ilan Wallentin from GiveDirectly and Garm Lucassen from Glo. GiveDirectly was the first-ever cause supported by Glo’s AutoPGF model—and for good reason. With over $800 million delivered directly into the hands of people living in poverty, GiveDirectly is proving what’s possible when we lead with trust and dignity.
In this inspiring conversation, we explore the powerful story behind GiveDirectly’s impact, the bold vision behind Glo Dollar, and how automatic, decentralized funding mechanisms might just be the future of humanitarian aid.
We discuss:
How one of the world’s most innovative nonprofits is transforming humanitarian aid by giving people cash directly— with no strings attached
How Glo Dollar’s AutoPGF model, at scale, can help these organizations like GiveDirectly maximize their impact while building trust with donors
And how new models of automatic public goods funding could offer hope for the global aid sector amidst deep funding cuts
Key Takeaways
❤️ Cash with Dignity - Direct cash transfers give people in poverty the power to choose what they need most—whether that’s food, education, medicine, or starting a business. Backed by numerous studies, cash transfers are the most researched—and misunderstood—form of aid, consistently proving that people use the money wisely and impactfully.
🔎 Trust Through Transparency - In a world where donor skepticism is rising, transparency is everything. From tracking every Glo Dollar to showcasing the real-world outcomes of GiveDirectly’s work, building transparency and trust ensures donors know exactly how and where their money is making a difference. Blockchain can be a key tool in making this a reality.
💸 Passive Giving, Massive Potential - AutoPGF flips traditional philanthropy on its head by making impact effortless. Just by holding stablecoins like Glo Dollar, users can passively fund life-changing causes. And with the stablecoin market booming, the potential to scale this model—and fund the future of humanitarian aid—is enormous.
Follow Ilan, Garm, GiveDirectly, & Glo
Thank you to Glo their support in bringing this series to life!
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Episode Time Stamps:
03:40 - I’d love to start on a personal note. What’s your ‘why’? What drives you to do this work every day—and what keeps you going when things get tough?
08:40 - Garm, can you take us back to the origin story of Glo Dollar? What was the spark that led to building a stablecoin that funds public goods—and what problem were you trying to solve?
14:10 - Ilan, GiveDirectly has fundamentally reshaped how we think about aid. What drew you personally to this model of unconditional cash transfers, and how has the mission of GiveDirectly evolved over the years?
17:05 - Garm, GiveDirectly was the very first cause that Glo chose to support. What was it about their work that stood out to you and the Glo team? Why were they the right fit to kick off this bold experiment in AutoPGF?
21:05 - Ilan, from your perspective, what excited you most about Glo’s model? How does this type of automatic funding mechanism help your team advance the mission of GiveDirectly?
26:50 - What are some of the most common misconceptions you encounter around giving directly to people in poverty—and how do the data and lived experiences push back on those assumptions?
31:50 - The numbers are incredible—1.6 million people reached, $800M+ delivered. But sometimes stories hit harder than stats. Can you share a powerful moment or story from the field that’s stayed with you?
35:00 - Humanitarian funding has faced many challenges lately. Do you see Glo’s approach as a buffer or alternative to traditional aid? What role can AutoPGF play in making essential services and humanitarian support more sustainable?
38:35 - As we near the end of the conversation, is there a specific CTA you have for listeners?
40:25 - When you reflect on your journey so far, what’s one lesson or moment that’s shaped your approach to impact? And what gives you hope as we look toward the future of philanthropy and public goods funding?
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DISCLAIMER
While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, please do not take any of this as investment advice, and please make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and confirm the legality of the project. More available HERE.
