The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is distributing grants from its Bitcoin Development Fund, allocating 1 billion satoshis (equivalent to 10 BTC) across more than 20 global initiatives. These grants are designed to bolster open-source Bitcoin development, mining decentralization, privacy-enhancing tools, and education efforts, particularly aimed at empowering those under authoritarian regimes, with a spotlight on Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
This latest wave of funding supports a wide array of projects that utilize Bitcoin as a means of financial and human rights empowerment.
Among the recipients is NetBlocks, a digital rights watchdog that reports on internet shutdowns as they occur. These shutdowns often serve authoritarian regimes as tools to stifle protests and suppress dissent. With HRF’s support, NetBlocks will enhance its ability to monitor and document these shutdowns, thereby strengthening internet and financial freedom.
Another innovative project is TollGate, developed by ISP c03rad0r. This project allows ordinary WiFi routers to transform into decentralized internet service providers using Bitcoin and ecash, sidestepping centralized ISPs. HRF’s funding will aid TollGate in its mission to create a censorship-resistant internet, empowering users to maintain communication independence.
Vinteum, a Latin American nonprofit focused on Bitcoin research and development, aims to train and fund developers for contributions to the Bitcoin protocol. HRF’s support will help Vinteum broaden its educational programs, sponsor developers, and reinforce the Bitcoin community in Latin America, offering financial alternatives to unstable fiat currencies.
BTCPay Server also received a grant. This open-source, self-hosted payment processor lets users accept Bitcoin without third-party reliance, a crucial capability in countries where payment processors are misused to suppress NGOs. The grant will help expand BTCPay’s usability and availability, promoting censorship-resistant transactions worldwide.
In Africa, the Africa Bitcoin Institute (ABI), led by Rwandan activist Anaïse Kanimba, works to align Bitcoin adoption with policy. ABI’s HRF-backed research will foster financial autonomy and highlight Bitcoin as a cornerstone of economic liberty.
For those running full Bitcoin nodes, an essential task for financial sovereignty, Bitcoin Core Graphical User Interface (GUI) projects, including bitcoin-core/gui-qml by developer Go Qu, seek to simplify the experience. HRF funds will aid in modernizing these interfaces, especially for mobile users in developing regions.
Bitcoin Core contributor Rkrux, specializing in code review and bug testing, also benefits from HRF’s grants. His work fortifies Bitcoin’s robust and censorship-resistant network infrastructure.
Elsat, a Nostr ecosystem contributor, is enhancing decentralized messaging and software monetization. With HRF’s help, these efforts will boost free expression and financial self-reliance.
Relay Wizard, created by J the Code Monkey, facilitates the setup of Nostr communication relays, enabling non-technical users to manage their servers. HRF’s funding will further this project, building a stronger decentralized communication network.
Waye, co-founded by Amiti Uttarwar and Anna Sides, focuses on supporting open-source developers through psycho-social care. By addressing burnout, Waye strengthens the community’s human element, particularly extending help to developers in the Global South.
Hashpool, by vnprc, pioneers self-hosted mining pools, rewarding miners with ecash for private, immediate payments. The HRF grant will aid in decentralizing Bitcoin mining, promoting a more censorship-resistant environment.
Cashu KVAC advances financial privacy with improvements to the Chaumian ecash system. Developed by lollerfirst, this protocol upgrade minimizes data storage and obscures transaction amounts.
Researcher Brandon Black (Rearden) explores self-custody challenges for Bitcoin users in authoritarian settings. HRF’s support will fuel this research, leading to practical tools and educational materials.
Stable Channels, by Tony Klausing, integrates fiat-pegged balances into the Lightning Network to mitigate Bitcoin’s volatility, all while keeping user custody intact.
Bitsacco, from developer okjodom, applies Bitcoin and Fedimints to rejuvenate Kenya’s SACCO model, enabling independence from banks. HRF funding will aid Bitsacco in its development and community deployment.
The Core, an initiative by Felix Mukungu, delivers hands-on Bitcoin education in Kenya. With HRF support, the program will broaden its reach, emphasizing key skills like self-custody and node operation.
Naomi Wambui’s Bitcoin Babies program combines nutrition support with Bitcoin education for long-term security. HRF funding will help extend this innovative program to more families facing need.
In East Asia, Calvin Kim’s developer apprenticeship program trains Korean and Japanese developers, building regional talent and supporting escapees from authoritarian regimes.
TalentLand 2025 will see Bitcoin Week introduce thousands to Bitcoin through workshops and hackathons. This initiative, backed by HRF, aims to expand Bitcoin’s role in financial empowerment at Latin America’s largest tech event.
The interactive Bitcoin Live Action Role Play (LARP) experience, created by Lisa Neigut and David Rodriguez, offers an in-depth educational simulation of the Bitcoin network. HRF’s grant will fund facilitator training and broaden access to this immersive learning tool.
BTCenEspañol, a leader in Spanish-language Bitcoin education, seeks to educate over a million learners and train 100 instructors. The HRF grant will help the platform grow, reaching areas under authoritarian strain.
Researcher Daniel Batten studies how nonprofits can harness Bitcoin to overcome financial censorship. Supported by HRF, this project offers crucial insights for NGOs in hostile environments.
Hadiya Masieh’s Bitcoin for Good provides practical training for NGOs to accept Bitcoin, enabling financial independence amidst restrictions. HRF’s grant will support workshops and technical integration.
Since 2020, HRF’s Bitcoin Development Fund has provided over $7.8 million across 284 projects in 62 countries. The next grant round will be announced at the Oslo Freedom Forum from May 26–28, 2025, in Norway.
As a nonpartisan nonprofit, HRF is dedicated to protecting human rights globally, especially in closed societies. Those interested in supporting the Bitcoin Development Fund can find donation information and submit grant applications as needed.
