I originally proposed this idea with PayPal but it’s really better suited to Bitcoin / crypto.
"The biggest barrier to full financial participation is not a lack of Wi-Fi—it’s a basic lack of knowledge about digital services. As we increase access to banking services, we need to increase financial literacy, as well. We need a collective commitment across sectors—including governments, financial institutions and advocacy organizations—to developing new approaches to financial education."
-- Dan Schulman, PayPal’s CEO on Why Financial Apps Are Nothing Without Knowledge
http://www.wsj.com/articles/paypals-ceo-on-why-financial-apps-are-nothing-without-knowledge-1466091458
"If you know but don't do, you don't know."
I propose a partnership where immediate stakeholders in financial inclusion (we're all stakeholders but some have business and organizational incentives already in place) would fund accounts for socio-economically disadvantaged students - accounts that also reward them continuously and in an accelerating fashion for making smart financial decisions.
Imagine the symbolic and motivational impact of an app with a leaderboard showing kids how their peers are turning, say, an initial $20 grant into thousands of dollars (perhaps with a portion earmarked for their education) by delaying gratification, making wise choices - and succeeding in educating others to do the same.
Colleges and donors could match the gains the participants earn, opening even further opportunities for students - and giving those schools a pipeline of promising students from under-represented groups.
Let's get some ideas going on this post about how to make this happen.