Human Rights Foundation Donates One Billion Satoshis For Bitcoin Development

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) It has also announced the availability of a fresh round grants. Bitcoin Development FundDistributing 1 billion Satoshis (10 BTC), to more than 20 projects in over 200 countries. Grants are being given to promote open-source Bitcoin, mining decentralization and privacy tools for people living in authoritarian countries, primarily those from Latin America, Africa and Asia.

This latest group includes a variety of projects that advance Bitcoin’s use as a tool to empower human rights, and also for financial empowerment.

NetBlocksMonitors internet shut downs and provides real-time reports. Autoritarian governments use internet shutdowns as a way to suppress dissent, silence protests and block access to finance. HRF will support NetBlocks to enhance its monitoring, research, and documentation capabilities. 

TollGateThe project, developed by ISP C03rad0r transforms WiFi routers to decentralized Internet service providers, using Bitcoin and Ecash. With this peer-topeer tool, users can bypass ISPs that are centralized and provide an alternative way of accessing the internet. TollGate’s mission to build a censorship resistant internet and empower individuals to freely communicate will be furthered with HRF funding.

Vinteum This is a Latin American nonprofit Bitcoin Research and Development Center. Its focus is on training and financing developers in order to make a contribution to the Bitcoin Protocol and Ecosystem. Vinteum will expand its developer training programs with support from HRF. It plans to sponsor developers and to help Latin America’s Bitcoin Development Community by strengthening the community.

BTCPay Server This is a self-hosted, open-source Bitcoin payment processor. Individuals and organizations can accept Bitcoins directly without the need for third-party services. The importance of this is even more apparent in countries where payment processors can be used to intimidate NGOs or activists. HRF’s grant will enable BTCPay to reach a wider audience, increase usability, as well as provide greater global access.

Africa Bitcoin Institute supported by Rwandan activist Anaïse KanimbaABI bridges the gap that exists between Bitcoin adoption and policies in Africa. ABI conducts policy research to support financial independence. ABI, with HRF’s support will help promote financial independence and Bitcoin’s position as an economic freedom pillar.

Bitcoin Core Graphical User Interface (GUI) – Running a full Bitcoin node is a cornerstone of financial sovereignty, but the technical interface can be a barrier. Bitcoin-core/gui-qmlA project that is supported by a developer Go QuThe interface of Bitcoin Core is being modernized to be more intuitive for users, particularly mobile ones in the developing world. HRF funding is used to continue development in order to reduce the barriers to entry of node-runners globally.

Rkrux He is an active Bitcoin Core Contributor, focusing on bug-testing, code reviews, and documentation improvements. He contributes to the resilience of Bitcoin. HRF will grant Rkrux a grant to allow him to continue working on ensuring the Bitcoin network is robust, secure and resistant against censorship for all users.

Elsat Developer contributing to Nostr’s ecosystem. Damus, NostrabilityThen, Zap.store. These tools allow for decentralized communication, enhanced app interoperability and peer to peer software monetization. HRF’s grant supports ongoing development that aims to strengthen freedom of expression and financial autonomy for users living in authoritarian countries.

Relay WizardCreated by Developer J the Code MonkeyThe process for setting up Nostr Relays is simplified. They are vital to the Nostr protocol’s decentralized communications. This tool allows even non-technical people to manage their own servers. The result is a communication infrastructure more resilient and resistant to censorship. The grant from HRF will help advance the development of this tool.

Waye It is an initiative founded by Amiti Utterwar, a Bitcoin Core developer and Anna Sides, a operational architect. It offers psychosocial support to open-source developers who are building freedom technology. Waye’s efforts to reduce burnout and isolate contributors strengthens the human foundation of the ecosystem. HRF funding is helping Waye to expand its reach and especially for developers in the Global South.

Hashpool It is an online mining pool that has been developed by vnprc That supports the decentralization of Bitcoin mining. Instead of relying upon centralized entities to pay miners, they are paid with ecash, which allows for instant and private payments. HRF will support Hashpool and encourage a mining environment that is more decentralized and resistant to censorship.

Cashu KVAC It is an update to Cashu’s protocol, which allows for a very high level of privacy. The protocol was developed by lollerfirstThis improvement improves privacy through a reduction in data storage, and by hiding transaction amounts. HRF’s grant will enable further development to protect financial privacy of vulnerable users.

Self-Custody Research: Brandon Black Rearden is researching the issues of Bitcoin self-custody under authoritarian regimes. Ses findings will be used to develop new tools, and provide education on how secure, private Bitcoin can be more easily accessed. HRF will use its grant to fund the research as well as develop educational materials.

Stable Channels It is an initiative by Tony Klausing The Lightning Network can now be used to store fiat balances, allowing users to maintain their full control while avoiding Bitcoin’s volatile price. The project’s integrations will be expanded and its user base increased with HRF funding. Individuals can transact without having to rely on stablecoins issued by centralized issuers.

BitsaccoThis is a product of okjodomThe platform, which is Fedimint and Bitcoin-based, modernizes Kenya’s SACCO Model (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization). The platform allows for community-based groups of financial institutions to function independently from banks. HRF’s grant funds Bitsacco’s local deployment and development.

The CoreKenyan educator founded. Felix MukunguIt provides Bitcoin education via workshops, meetups and digital content. This course is primarily focused on Lightning and self-custody. The Core will be able to reach more people in Kenya with HRF’s help.

Bitcoin BabiesFound by Naomi WambuiThrough a program that combines nutritional support with Bitcoin education, aims to combat infant malnutrition. The mothers receive Bitcoins each week and are trained to become financially secure. HRF funding expands the reach of this program for more families.

East Asia Bitcoin Developer Apprenticeship ProgramLead by Calvin KimThe program provides training for Korean and Japanese software developers to learn open-source Bitcoin programming. Apprentices get hands-on training and can contribute to large projects. HRF’s support for mentorship will help to bridge the regional talent gaps and assist defectors who fled authoritarian government.

Bitcoin Week TalentLand 2025Bitcoin Week is a series of workshops and hackathons that will be held at TalentLand – Latin America’s biggest tech conference. Organised by Super Testnet The initiative, which is a collaboration between the Bitcoin and Lightning Guadalajara communities, highlights the role of Bitcoin in financial empowerment. HRF will expand the program with its grant.

Base58’s Bitcoin Live Action Role Play (LARP) is a program created by Lisa Neigut David Rodriguez offers an immersive experience in which participants can simulate the Bitcoin network. Learners gain an in-depth understanding of Bitcoin by acting out node and transaction operations. HRF’s funding will go towards facilitator training as well as global expansion.

BTCenEspañol It is the leading Spanish-language Bitcoin educational resource. The platform wants to reach over one million students and train 100 instructors. It is now expanding throughout South America. HRF’s grant will support teacher training, course development, and outreach in authoritarian-affected regions.

Researchers: Bitcoin adoption by non-profit organizations is increasing Daniel Batten His project aims to provide data-driven insights and practical guidance for NGOs operating in hostile environments. Ses insights are based on data and he offers practical advice for NGOs working in hostile environments. HRF funding will enable NGOs to adopt Bitcoin where conventional banking has been compromised.

Bitcoin for Good led by activist Hadiya MasiehTraining is provided to non-profits to learn how to accept Bitcoin. This will allow NGOs to avoid financial constraints and still maintain their independence. HRF’s grant will finance workshops, technical support, and organization integration support.

From its launch in 2020 HRF’s Bitcoin Development Fund The BTC program has awarded more than $7.8 Million to projects from 62 nations. The next round of grants will be announced at the 17th annual Oslo Freedom Forum, taking place May 26–28, 2025, in Oslo, Norway.

The HRF It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c3) organization which promotes and defends human rights worldwide, focusing on closed society. The HRF continues to raise support for the Bitcoin Development Fund, and interested donors can find more info on how to donate here. The Applications for Grant Support by HRF Can be submitted here.