Interview: Guardian Circle Uses Blockchain to Save Lives

In a unique and practical application of blockchain, Guardian Circle provides users with access to a decentralized emergency response network in order to rescue those in emergency situations across the world.

Guardian Circle's CEO, Mark Jeffrey, shared his vision for the company and its potential global scale impact in an exclusive interview with CryptoSlate.

Founded in 2016, Guardian Circle is a mobile application based on distributed ledger technology that gives users access to a network of citizen responders who can be called upon in real-time.

CEO Mark Jeffrey comes from a background of software engineering, launching several tech companies since 1990 as well as taking an early interest in blockchain and cryptocurrencies in 2013.

Guardian Circle users can stake their Guardium tokens in exchange for the rendering of aid from rescuers - compensating those who participate and thus expanding the application's total network size.

Jeffrey put the application to the test when the X Prize Foundation discovered Guardian Circle during the Women's Safety X Prize contest, which concluded in early 2018.

"The X Prize contestants were hardware people with hardware devices, and they spent a lot of time figuring out how to make batteries smaller the signal bigger. We provided the API to the Guardian Circle apps for free so they could pair their devices with the any Guardian Circle account. When you hit the button, the alert went out to all of the Guardians that were connected to that person's account."

Throughout the contest, Guardian Circle was able to prove its applicability and impact as a decentralized response network enabling people worldwide to access trusted and reliable citizen rescuers where no other services are available.

Philanthropists and individuals can also donate Guardium to specific regions and causes to stake in emergency cases, and all donations are tracked on the Guardian Circle blockchain.

Currently, Guardian Circle is searching for a test city to host its real-world launch and is considering New Dheli, Los Angeles and Mexico City, among others.