FUNDING | Human Rights Foundation Grants 1 Billion Satoshis (10 $BTC) to Support 23 Global Bitcoin Projects – 4 Are African Projects

Spanning Latin America, Africa, and Asia, the latest cohort of recipients includes initiatives that build tools, foster education, and expand access to decentralized financial systems.

CryptoGuru··5 min read

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has announced a new wave of funding from its Bitcoin Development Fund, distributing 1 billion satoshis (10 BTC) to over 20 projects across the globe. The grants are aimed at strengthening open-source Bitcoin development, enhancing digital privacy, and promoting financial autonomy—particularly in regions impacted by authoritarian governance.

Spanning Latin America, Africa, and Asia, the latest cohort of recipients includes initiatives that build tools, foster education, and expand access to decentralized financial systems.

 

Promoting Free Access to Information and the Internet

  • NetBlocks, a digital rights watchdog, received support to expand its real-time monitoring and reporting of internet shutdowns—tactics often employed by oppressive regimes to stifle dissent and restrict access to financial tools.
  • TollGate, a decentralized internet project created by ISP c03rad0r, is turning standard WiFi routers into peer-to-peer internet providers using Bitcoin and ecash. With HRF’s backing, the project will continue to develop censorship-resistant infrastructure to bypass centralized internet providers.

Advancing Bitcoin Education and Development

  • Vinteum, a nonprofit R&D center based in Latin America, focuses on training developers to contribute to Bitcoin’s ecosystem. The grant will expand its educational programs and developer sponsorships, helping to strengthen regional capacity in Bitcoin development.
  • The Core (Kenya), founded by Kenyan educator, Felix Mukungu, delivers hands-on Bitcoin education in self-custody, Lightning Network, and node operation. HRF’s support will help it grow across Kenya and beyond.
  • BTCenEspañol, a leading Spanish-language education platform, aims to train over 100 instructors and reach over one million learners throughout South America. The grant will aid curriculum development and instructor training.

Supporting Financial Tools for Activists and Communities

  • BTCPay Server, an open-source payment processor, empowers individuals and NGOs to accept Bitcoin independently of centralized payment systems—a lifeline in regimes that weaponize financial infrastructure. HRF funding will improve the platform’s accessibility and global reach.
  • Africa Bitcoin Institute (ABI) (Rwanda), supported by Rwandan activist Anaïse Kanimba, bridges the gap between Bitcoin and policy by providing research and recommendations. With this grant, ABI will continue promoting financial sovereignty on the continent.
  • BitSacco (Kenya), a Fedimint-based platform developed by okjodom, modernizes Kenya’s cooperative savings model by allowing communities to operate independently of banks. HRF’s support will fund training, development, and deployment.
  • Bitcoin Babies (Kenya), founded by Naomi Wambui, combines maternal nutrition with Bitcoin education. Through weekly Bitcoin stipends and financial training, the program promotes both health and economic empowerment for vulnerable families.

Building Tools for a Decentralized Future

  • Hashpool, created by vnprc, offers a self-hosted mining pool that rewards miners using ecash, enhancing decentralization and privacy. HRF’s support will help further its development.
  • Cashu KVAC, developed by lollerfirst, improves the Cashu ecash protocol with better data efficiency and enhanced privacy protections. The funding will continue development to protect users in high-risk regions.
  • Bitcoin-core/gui-qml, led by developer Go Qu, is making Bitcoin’s user interface more intuitive for mobile and new users—particularly important in developing regions where technical literacy can be a barrier to adoption.
  • Relay Wizard, built by J the Code Monkey, simplifies the setup of Nostr relays, helping non-technical users contribute to decentralized communications. HRF support will expand the tool’s development and adoption.
  • Elsat, a contributor to the Nostr ecosystem, works on decentralized applications that enable private messaging and app monetization. The grant will further his development work supporting free expression.

Empowering the People Behind the Tech

  • Waye, a support initiative co-founded by Bitcoin Core developer, Amiti Uttarwar, and operational architect Anna Sides, addresses the psychological well-being of open-source developers. HRF’s funding will help Waye provide mental health resources, especially for developers in the Global South.
  • Rkrux, a Bitcoin Core contributor, specializes in code review, testing, and documentation. The grant allows continued work to ensure the Bitcoin protocol remains secure, resilient, and accessible.

Innovative Research and Community Programs

  • Stable Channels, a project by Tony Klausing, introduces fiat-pegged balances to the Lightning Network, helping users avoid Bitcoin’s volatility while maintaining full custody. HRF support will boost development and outreach.
See also
  • Self-Custody Research by Brandon Black (Rearden) investigates the challenges of securely holding Bitcoin under authoritarian regimes. HRF’s grant will support both his research and the creation of practical tools and resources.
  • East Asia Bitcoin Developer Apprenticeship, led by Calvin Kim, trains developers from Korea and Japan to contribute to open-source Bitcoin development. The grant will expand mentorship opportunities and support defectors from repressive governments.
  • Bitcoin Week at TalentLand 2025, organized by Super Testnet and the Bitcoin and Lightning Guadalajara community, will bring Bitcoin education to Latin America’s largest tech conference through workshops and hackathons.
  • Bitcoin for Good, led by activist Hadiya Masieh, equips nonprofits with the knowledge to accept Bitcoin donations and operate free from financial censorship. The HRF grant will fund workshops and technical training.
  • Increasing Nonprofit Bitcoin Adoption, a research initiative by Daniel Batten, examines how NGOs can navigate financial censorship using Bitcoin. HRF’s support will enhance his data-driven work to guide nonprofits globally.
  • Base58’s Bitcoin LARP, created by Lisa Neigut and David Rodriguez, is an interactive educational experience that teaches Bitcoin by simulating network activity. With HRF’s backing, the program will expand to underserved regions worldwide.

 

Since its inception in 2020, HRF’s Bitcoin Development Fund has granted over $7.8 million in BTC to 284 projects across 62 countries.

 

 

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