Modernizing Systems with Blockchain to Prevent Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Government

The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) Budget, Accountability, and Transparency Working Group will release a new report, Modernizing Systems with Blockchain to Prevent Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Government, at a press conference on Capitol Hill on March 3, 2026. The report will be unveiled during the U.S. Capitol Hill Blockchain Showcase, bringing together policymakers, government officials, and technology experts to address one of the most urgent challenges facing public institutions today.

Why This Report, and Why Now

The report is being released in direct response to a growing wave of media coverage and official investigations documenting widespread government fraud, improper payments, and misuse of public funds at the federal, state, and local levels. Recent estimates cited by oversight bodies and investigative journalists suggest annual losses reaching billions of dollars, eroding public trust and highlighting the limitations of fragmented, outdated financial and oversight systems.

Against this backdrop, the GBA recognizes the need for a practical, evidence-based analysis of how modern technologies, particularly blockchain can shift government oversight from reactive, after-the-fact audits to real-time, preventative accountability.

What the Report Covers

Drawing on extensive research and real-world case studies, the report provides a high-level actionable roadmap for government leaders. Key areas include:

• The current gap in financial oversight which includes siloed systems, limited traceability, and outdated architectures that enable fraud, waste and abuse.
• Blockchain-enabled use cases across budgeting, grants and aid management, procurement, logistics, identity, and property management, featuring examples from U.S. federal agencies, state and local governments, and international organizations.
• Lessons learned from successful pilots and stalled initiatives, showing that cultural resistance to transparency, not technology is often the biggest barrier to adoption.
• Implementation guidance for policymakers and administrators, including planning steps, technology selection factors, and the role of standards such as the Blockchain Maturity Model (BMM).

The report positions blockchain not as a cure-all, but as a strategic accountability layer that dramatically reduces opportunities for fraud, waste, and abuse when paired with sound governance and institutional commitment.

Join the Conversation on Capitol Hill

Those interested in attending the press conference and showcase can register here: https://gbaglobal.org/u-s-capitol-hill-blockchain-showcase

If you are unable to attend in person, you can subscribe to the GBA newsletter to download the report when it is published:

As governments worldwide grapple with rising debt, growing fraud risks, and declining public trust, this report aims to move the conversation from awareness to action, showing how modern, transparent systems can safeguard public funds and strengthen democratic institutions.

For more information email WorkingGroups@GBAglobal.org.