Digital Asset and Paul Ryan Foundation Plan Blockchain Pilot for State Benefits

Digital Asset, the company behind the Canton Network, is partnering with former House Speaker Paul Ryan’s American Idea Foundation to test a blockchain-based system for distributing state-administered benefits across three US states. The RISE program is targeted for launch in early 2027.

How the Pilot Would Work

The system would combine multiple benefit programs into single monthly or twice-monthly payments, applying specific spending rules for categories such as food, child care, and cash assistance. Benefit levels would automatically adjust as household income changes, while participating agencies could track payments, balances, and compliance data through the Canton Network. Digital Asset said the platform would manage permissions and transaction rules while restricting access to sensitive personal information.

Addressing Benefit Cliffs

Ryan said the goal is to reduce financial penalties that often occur when benefit recipients’ incomes rise, aiming to demonstrate a more modern approach to social safety net programs. The states and specific benefit programs involved have not been disclosed, and the pilot still requires federal approval.

The announcement adds a public-benefits use case to Canton’s expanding footprint, which has largely focused on institutional finance, including recent projects involving tokenized government bonds and Treasury settlements.