Blockchain Pilot to Streamline US Public Benefits in 3 States

Digital Asset and the American Idea Foundation, a nonprofit founded by former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, announced on August 21, 2026, a pilot program to modernize the distribution of public benefits using blockchain technology. The initiative, named RISE (Resources for Independence, Stability, and Employment), is designed to consolidate multiple state-administered benefits into streamlined payments and is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027, pending federal approval.

The pilot will be conducted across three U.S. states, though the specific states and the benefit programs involved have not yet been identified. Under the RISE model, states could combine assistance from several programs, such as food assistance, child care subsidies, and direct cash transfers, into one or two monthly or bi-monthly payments. The system is intended to address the complexity of the current fragmented benefits landscape, where recipients often navigate separate eligibility requirements, reporting procedures, and payment schedules.

A core feature of the program is its automated adjustment mechanism. As household income changes, the system would recalculate benefit levels in real time....