Human Rights Foundation announces $500k Bitcoin development fund

The Human Rights Foundation has recently unveiled its latest round of grants under the Bitcoin Development Fund, allocating $500,000 across 14 diverse projects worldwide.

The initiatives span various realms, including global education, Lightning Network advancement, decentralized communications, and facilitating access to financial tools for nonprofits and human rights organizations.

The grants focus on Latin America, Asia, and Africa and aim to bolster efforts in regions facing socio-political challenges. Recipients are projects like USD E-Cash for Bitcoin, BTCPay Server, and BOB Builders Residency Program, each addressing different facets of the Bitcoin ecosystem.

USD E-Cash for Bitcoin introduces a USD-based Chaumian e-cash system, providing an alternative to mainstream stablecoins while maintaining privacy and interoperability with the Lightning Network. BTCPay Server offers a self-hosted payment solution, aiding merchants in navigating complex political and economic landscapes to process global payments securely.

The BOB Builders Residency Program in Thailand endeavors to fortify Bitcoin’s decentralization by empowering Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) developers. Similarly, initiatives like Yibaochina.com and Bitcoin Innovation Hub in Uganda strive to disseminate Bitcoin education and foster financial empowerment within the communities.

Additionally, projects such as Bitcoin DADA, Bitcoin Design Foundation, and Bitcoin Op-Tech focus on empowering marginalized groups, enhancing user experience, and fostering technical innovation within the Bitcoin (BTC) ecosystem.

Other noteworthy recipients include Damus Android, which supports uncensored communication in authoritarian environments, and LNbits, which facilitates multi-user Lightning Network accounts. The funding extends to events like the Bitcoin Policy Summit 2024, which aims to shape the discourse surrounding Bitcoin’s potential in liberal democracies.

Lastly, initiatives like Bitcoin for Billions and Scalar School highlight efforts to promote Bitcoin adoption and education in regions like India and Brazil.