Here is Ryad Boulanouar again. Ten years after revolutionizing the classic banking model by co-founding Nickel, an account accessible without income conditions, in tobacconists (a commercial success sold to BNP Paribas in 2017), the businessman launched his new project, a fintech, on Thursday, November 21. called Mon ami poto, with the ambition of improving the transparency of donations to charities and associations.
“The French market for tax-exempt donations represents 5 billion euros in donations and 10 billion in subsidies. At the same time, we no longer know who to give: we have lost trust. I want to give back”explains to World the one who recognizes that“with what[il a] sold, [il] could[t] live to 570 years ».
Their solution: create a currency dedicated to solidarity relying on blockchain technology, that of crypto assets. This new currency, called “poto”, is worth one euro and each cent is a digital token equipped with a unique identifier that allows the donor to follow the path of their donation until its final use and guide it towards specific actions. such as the provision of meals or a clearly identified educational project.
Developed by a team of 25 people, the project received approval from the Prudential Control and Resolution Authority, responsible for monitoring the payments sector in France, and donations are deposited in a segregated account opened at BNP Paribas. “Cryptocurrencies mean speculation, money laundering and anonymity.recognizes the founder. So I tried to clean up cryptocurrencies (complete anonymity is not possible) while maintaining the useful aspects of the digital currency. »
“Too blocked”
Donations are made through a website, Mespotos.fr, a marketplace that allows you to choose your cause, from helping people in precarious situations to preserving forests and supporting victims of domestic violence. But none of the largest recipients of donations in France: neither Restos du coeur, nor Secours catholique, nor Médecins sans frontières, for example, something that Mr. Boulanouar does not particularly regret: “Ten associations shed light on the 200 that are behind, it is too blocked”decide.
The sixty causes gathered on the platform at the time of launch are therefore at risk of competing for the first donations. “But competition already exists on the ground, it is a financing reality”says Damien Baldin, general director of the La France s’engage foundation, one of the project partners with the Crésus federation, an important player in financial inclusion, and the SOS group, without forgetting nickel, which will be able to open bank accounts. to the recipients of the donations.
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