Altcoin News

Grantcoin: A Grant-based Digital Currency For a New World Economy

Natalie Johnson · @https://twitter.com/BIT_FAN | Jun 23, 2015 | 19:00

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Grantcoin is the “currency with a conscience” aiming to fund a new sustainable world economy. The Grantcoin Foundation leading the project will give grants to support small local businesses and those making the world a better place. This grant-based system will be used to financially incentivize and reward individuals, businesses, and organizations who are economically, environmentally and socially responsible.

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What is Grantcoin?

• • A global alternative currency powered by Peer to Peer (P2P) technology distributed and managed by a non-profit org, The Grantcoin Foundation.
• • Grantcoin (GRT) is sold on exchanges and given as grants to people, businesses and organizations that meet triple bottom line criteria of humanitarian, environmental, and economic sustainability.
• • Target Block Time: 90 seconds
• • Proof of Work (POW) phase will use the algorithm SHA-256.
• • Mining will go on for next few months before coin switches to Proof of Stake (POS).
• • Mined Grantcoin to account for less than 0.5% of total supply, requiring much less energy to produce
• • A fork from Peercoin

“Grantcoin is about combining the amazing technology of cryptocurrency with the highest ethics, transparency, and a mission for social good. Grantcoin is distributed by a nonprofit organization as grants to incentivize businesses and organizations that are creating a more equitable and sustainable economy and to reward people who are making the world a better place.” – Eric Stetson, Founder and Executive Director, The Grantcoin Foundation

A New Financial Model

Grantcoin is not just a digital currency, essentially it is a new financial model to re-assign people the power to create an economy that supports their needs and values. The concepts presented by The Grantcoin Foundation pose real solutions to real-world problems. Aimed at reducing government reliance, the new organization proposes the question: Instead of being held hostage by the economy the government creates, why not create the economy you want to live in?

The Grantcoin movement could be considered a revolutionary way of thinking. Grantcoin’s mission statement declares: Money is a social invention which can be changed by the people according to our values.

Supporting Conscious Consumerism

The Grantcoin Foundation will partner with businesses in the conscious consumer capitalism sector. Grantcoin wants to help businesses do the right thing. Oftentimes the pressure to stay competitive in business trumps doing the best thing for the environment or society. Traditionally, businesses who maintain higher standards have higher costs. These grants will lend support to these businesses and help them stay competitive.

Grantbanks 

As the Grantcoin network expands, “Grantbanks”, or local Grantcoin chapters, will be formed worldwide. They will distribute grants to “grantworthy” businesses in their communities. Eric Stetson and his co-founders Branden Vanetta and John Freshen have prepared to take on the map! Virtually every country in the world is in The Grantcoin Foundation’s plans. They are ambitiously setting goals and planning for the long-term.

Coupon/Rebate Program

Initially, grants will be given using Grantcoin paper wallet coupons. Businesses will pay these grants forward as rebates to customers and allow purchases to be made with Grantcoin. This customer loyalty program is one of the ways the team hopes to get people engaged and using Grantcoin. As the foundation grows, grants will be given in other forms as well.

Tackling Global Issues and Economic Disparity

Stetson says some of the biggest global issues he would like to use Grantcoin to overcome are environmental and economic sustainability. He is also driven by idealistic views of a world economy not based solely on profit and exploitation of environmental and human resources.

The Grantcoin Foundation believes Grantcoin is a way to collectively balance out the economic disparity in the world. That is why the foundation also has its sights on helping small businesses in the most economically challenged parts of the world. Stetson shares an example of a small business in Ghana that creates traditional African jewelry and apparel. In order to expand or sell around the world, this business needs capital. Under the current economic system, this would be very difficult, Stetson says. Getting a bank loan could be near to impossible.

Giving these types of businesses grants not only changes people’s access to money but funds a new economic structure. As Grantcoin’s value increases, more grants can be given to businesses and organizations so they can grow and make a bigger impact. This project offers people a vehicle to make a difference just by the currency they use.

If Grantcoin attains a significant value, this will empower the people of each nation and community to take control of their own economic destiny, regardless of their current economic condition. – Grantcoin

Visit Grantcoin.org to find out more about Grantcoin, the requirements to receive a grant, or how you can be a part of the Grantcoin movement.

Images: Grantcoin
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