Human Rights Foundation donates 1 billion Satoshis to fund Bitcoin development

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has announced a round of grants from its Bitcoin Development Fund to distribute 1 billion Satoshis (10 BTC) to more than 20 projects around the world. The grants are designed to support open source Bitcoin development, mining decentralization, privacy tools and educational programs for individuals living under an authoritarian regime with a focus on Latin America, Africa and Asia.

The latest queue includes a variety of projects that advance Bitcoin’s role as a financial and human rights authorization tool.

NetBlocks, a digital copyright regulator, monitors and reports on Internet closures in real time. Authoritarian regimes often use these closures to curb protests, storm door objections and limit access to financial instruments. Support for HR management will enhance NetBlocks’ monitoring, documentation and research capabilities to enhance the internet and financial scope.

Tollgate, a project developed by ISP C03RAD0R, converts a normal WiFi router into an Internet service provider that uses Bitcoin and Ecash. This peer-to-peer networking tool allows users to bypass centralized ISPs, providing an alternative to state-controlled Internet access. With HRF funding, Tollgate will continue to promote its mission to build a patience Internet that enables individuals to communicate freely.

Vinteum is a non-profit Bitcoin R&D center located in Latin America. It focuses on training and funding developers to contribute to the Bitcoin protocol and ecosystem. With the support of HRF, Vinteum plans to expand its developer education program, sponsor contributors, and strengthen the Bitcoin development community in Latin America to help the region build financial alternatives to the fragile Fiat system.

The BTCPAY Server is an open source, self-hosted Bitcoin payment processor that allows individuals and organizations to accept Bitcoin without relying on third parties. This is especially important in a regime where weapons are used to silence NGOs and activists. Grants from HR Management will help expand BTCPAY coverage, improve availability, and increase global access to anti-scrutiny payments.

The African Bitcoin Institute (ABI), supported by Rwandan activist Anaïse Kanimba, bridges the gap between Bitcoin adoption and policy in Africa. The ABI conducts research and provides policy recommendations to promote financial autonomy. With human resource management support, ABI will promote financial autonomy and consolidate Bitcoin as the backbone of economic freedom

Bitcoin Core Graphic User Interface (GUI) – Running a full Bitcoin node is the cornerstone of financial sovereignty, but technical interfaces can be a barrier. The project Bitcoin Core/GUI-QML, supported by developer GO QU, modernizes the Bitcoin core interface to make it more intuitive, especially for mobile users in the development area. HR Management Funds will support ongoing developments to reduce barriers to entry for node runners around the world.

RKRUX is a Bitcoin core contributor focused on code review, error testing and improved documentation. His contribution helps keep Bitcoin resilient. The Human Resources Administration grant will enable RKRUX to continue his work, ensuring that the Bitcoin network remains strong, secure and scrutinized drug-resistant to users around the world.

Elsat is a developer who contributes to the NOSTR ecosystem, including projects such as Damus, Nostryability and Zap.Store. These tools provide decentralized messaging, improved application interoperability, and peer-to-peer software monetization. Grants for HR Management will support ongoing development, aiming to enhance user free expression and financial independence under an authoritarian regime.

Relay Wizard the Code Monkey, created by Developer J, simplifies the process of setting up NOSTR relays. These relays are essential for decentralized communication on the NOSTR protocol. The tool allows non-technical users to operate their own servers, thus helping with a more resilient, patient communication infrastructure. Grants for HR Management will drive the development and deployment of this tool.

Waye is a support program co-founded by Bitcoin core developer Amiti Uttarwar and operational architect Anna Side. It provides psychosocial support for open source developers to build free technology. By addressing burnout and isolation among contributors, Waye strengthens the human base of the ecosystem. Funding for HR Management will help Waye expand its reach, especially for developers in the global South.

Hashpool is an autonomous mining pool developed by VNPRC that supports decentralization in Bitcoin mining. Instead of relying on centralized entities, miners are rewarded with ten tokens that can be paid for private expenses immediately. Support for HR management will be further expanded and promote a more distributed and reviewed mining landscape.

Cashu KVAC is a protocol upgrade for Cashu, a Chaumian Ecash system that can achieve extremely strong financial privacy. Developed by LollerFirst, this improvement enhances privacy by reducing data storage and hiding transaction amounts. Grants from HR Management will support further development and enhance financial privacy protection for vulnerable users.

Self-customer research: Brandon Black is studying the self-customer challenge of bitcoin users by the authoritarian regime. His discovery will inform new tools and education, making secure, private bitcoin use easier to access. Grants for HR Management will fund this research and the development of educational resources.

The Stable Channel is a project by Tony Klausing that introduces Fiat Page’s balance to the Lightning Network, helping users avoid bitcoin fluctuations while maintaining full custody. With HR Management support, the project will expand its integration and user outreach, allowing individuals to trade freely without relying on centralized Stablecoin issuers.

Bitsacco, developed by Okjodom, is a FEDIMINT-based platform that modernizes Kenya’s SACCO (Saving and Credit Cooperation Organization) model using Bitcoin and FedImints. It allows community-based financial groups to operate independently of the bank. A grant from HR Management will fund the development, training and local deployment of Bitsacco.

Founded by Kenyan educator Felix Mukungu, the core of providing practical Bitcoin education through workshops, gatherings and digital content. It focuses on self-customer, lightning usage and node operation. Support for human resource management will enable the core to expand its reach in Kenya and beyond.

Bitcoin Babies, founded by Naomi Wambui, address infant malnutrition and financial illiteracy through a unique program that combines nutritional support and Bitcoin education. Mothers receive weekly Bitcoin allowances and training to achieve long-term financial security. Funds for HR Management will expand the scope of the program and provide more families in need.

East Asia Bitcoin Developer Apprentice Program: Leaded by Calvin Kim, the program trains Korean and Japanese developers to open source Bitcoin development. Apprentices gain hands-on experience and contribute to major projects. Support for HR management will expand access and guidance opportunities, help bridge regional talent gaps and support supporters of authoritarian government.

Bitcoin Week in Talentland 2025: At Talentland, the largest technology conference in Latin America, Bitcoin Week will introduce Bitcoin to Bitcoin through workshops and hackathons. Organized by Super Testnet, as well as the Bitcoin and Lightning Guadalajara communities, the program highlights the role of Bitcoin in financial enhancement. Grants from HR Management will help expand the program.

Base58’s Base58 Bitcoin Live Action Role (LARP) created by Lisa Neigut and David Rodriguez provides an immersive learning experience where participants simulate the Bitcoin network. By performing transactions and node operations, learners gain a deeper understanding of Bitcoin. Support for HR management will fund facilitator training and global expansion, especially in underserved areas.

Btcenespañol is the main source of Spanish-language Bitcoin education. The platform aims to reach over one million learners and train 100 lecturers, so the platform is expanding throughout South America. The Human Resources Administration grant will support teacher training, curriculum development and outreach in authoritarian-affected areas.

Improve adoption of nonprofit Bitcoin: Researcher Daniel Batten is studying how nonprofit organizations use Bitcoin to overcome financial censorship. His project provides data-driven insights and practical guidance to NGOs operating in hostile environments. With the help of HR management funds, the program will support NGOs in areas where traditional banking operations are damaged.

Bitcoin, led by activist Hadiya Masieh, has hand-in-hand trained nonprofits to get how to accept Bitcoin. The goal is to enable NGOs to bypass financial restrictions and maintain independence. Grants for HR Management will fund workshops, technical assistance and organizational integration support.

Since its launch in 2020, HRF’s Bitcoin Development Fund has allocated more than $7.8 million in BTC projects to 284 projects in 62 countries. The next round of grants will be announced at the 17th Annual Oslo Freedom Forum held in Oslo, Norway from May 26 to 28, 2025.

Human Resources Management is a non-partisan nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, focusing on closed societies. Human Resource Management continues to support the Bitcoin Development Fund, and interested donors can find more information on how to contribute here. An application for grant support for HRF can be submitted here.