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joewaltman

joewaltman on Hacker News

Re:Ask HN: How to give cryptocurrency to people in need? on Monday October 01, 2018 @02:28PM (#18115429)
This is probably the best report on the cash vs. in-kind question - https://www.odi.org/publications/10505-cash-transfers-what-d...
Re:Ask HN: How to give cryptocurrency to people in need? on Monday October 01, 2018 @02:10PM (#18115222)
I have been surprised by the technical fluency and sophistication of refugees.

And, I appreciate sarcasm as much as anybody. :)

Re:Ask HN: How to give cryptocurrency to people in need? on Monday October 01, 2018 @02:08PM (#18115202)
While I agree that there are a number of challenges around actually utilizing crypto in places like this, you must also agree that some of crypto's unique characteristics are actually very compelling in these situations. For example, it is very expensive to get supplies or money into these 'camps'. The (relatively) immediate and peer-to-peer nature of cryptocurrency is perfect for this kind of help.
Re:Ask HN: How to give cryptocurrency to people in need? on Monday October 01, 2018 @12:01PM (#18113915)
I agree that fiat currency would be more useful if the recipient lives in a place with a functional financial system and/or a competent government. However, in places where money is broken (i.e. venezuela) or government is broken (i.e. refugee camps), it is possible that a crypto-currency might be more useful than fiat.

Ask HN: How to give cryptocurrency to people in need?

Posted by joewaltman on Monday October 01, 2018 @11:54AM
from the ask-hn dept.

My name is Joe Waltman and I a recently started working with GiveCrypto.org (https://www.givecrypto.org/), a non-profit that was started by Brian Armstrong. I somewhat stumbled into this job after my previous company (VetPronto) went out of business. I am far from an expert on cryptocurrency and have zero experience working with non-profits.GiveCrypto.org aims to help by making direct transfers...

( Read More... | 32 comments | 14 points | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: How to give cryptocurrency to people in need on Monday October 01, 2018 @11:49AM (#18113784)
I agree that fiat currency would be more useful if the recipient lives in a place with a functional financial system and/or a competent government. However, in places where money is broken (i.e. venezuela) or government is broken (i.e. refugee camps), it is possible that a crypto-currency might be more useful than fiat.

Ask HN: How to give cryptocurrency to people in need

Posted by joewaltman on Monday September 24, 2018 @07:27PM
from the ask-hn dept.

My name is Joe Waltman and I a recently started working with GiveCrypto.org. I somewhat stumbled into this job after my previous company (VetPronto) went out of business. I am far from an expert on cryptocurrency and have zero experience working with non-profits.GiveCrypto.org aims to help by making direct transfers of cryptocurrency. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the best...

( Read More... | 3 comments | on HN )
Re:VetPronto (YC W15) Brings Veterinary House Calls to San Francisco on Saturday January 17, 2015 @09:42AM (#8904389)
Yes. Right now, this is done informally....but we definitely have plans to provide more structured vet request and feedback systems.
Re:VetPronto (YC W15) Brings Veterinary House Calls to San Francisco on Friday January 16, 2015 @04:48PM (#8901948)
Sounds like you have a great vet who is on the cutting edge. Most veterinary clinics are not that technically sophisticated.

Also, a lot of our (note - I am a co-founder of VetPronto) technical platform is focused on making the experience as painless as possible for the vets. This involves setting availability, scheduling, records, billing, taxes, etc. It is one of those things that, if working properly, will be invisible to the end user (but is a non-trivial technical and operations effort).

Lastly, pardon the confusion around our boot-strapping. Up until a month ago, we had never raised any outside funding.

Thanks for your comment!

Re:Count to ten when a plane goes down on Monday July 21, 2014 @07:37PM (#8066659)
Great story....thanks for your willingness to share.