HRF Announcement

Summary

CK, the director of Financial Freedom at the Human Rights Foundation, and colleague Aenooru discuss their mission to combat financial repression by authoritarian regimes using Bitcoin. They oversee the Bitcoin Development Fund, providing over $2 million in grants for open-source Bitcoin projects. They also publish the Financial Freedom Report, a weekly newsletter, and offer training for nonprofits and activists on Bitcoin technology. Additionally, they track Central Bank Digital Currencies and award the Finny Freedom Prize annually to those advancing financial freedom through Bitcoin.

Takeaways

• 🌟 CK and Aen Nooro are from the Human Rights Foundation, focusing on Financial Freedom.
• 🌐 The Human Rights Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on people living in dictatorships.
• 💼 The Financial Freedom program aims to counter financial repression by authoritarian regimes and support individuals through open-source Bitcoin software.
• 💰 The Bitcoin Development Fund is a cornerstone program, granting over $2 million this year to Bitcoin development, education, and community efforts.
• 📈 They have a rolling application process for grants, announced quarterly, with the next round coming at the end of Q3.
• 📰 The Financial Freedom Report is a weekly newsletter highlighting financial repression and Bitcoin developments.
• 🛠️ Nonprofits and activists are trained on using Bitcoin to resist deplatforming and debankings.
• 🌐 The CBDC Tracker monitors the development and implementation of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) worldwide.
• 🏆 The Financial Freedom Prize awards one Bitcoin and a statue to individuals who have significantly contributed to financial freedom through Bitcoin.
• 🔍 The team is expanding, with the recent addition of FEI Long as Global Bitcoin Lead, focusing on supporting Bitcoin development in Africa and other regions.

Q & A

What is the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), and what is its primary focus?

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights worldwide, with a special focus on people living under dictatorships.

What is the mission of the Financial Freedom program at HRF?

The mission of the Financial Freedom program at HRF is to highlight how authoritarian regimes engage in financial repression to crack down on dissent and opposition and to support individuals pushing back through open-source Bitcoin software.

What is the Bitcoin Development Fund, and how much is HRF planning to give in grants this year?

The Bitcoin Development Fund is a cornerstone program of the HRF's Financial Freedom program. HRF is planning to give more than $2 million in grants this year to support open-source Bitcoin development, education, and community efforts.

How does HRF distribute grants through the Bitcoin Development Fund?

HRF distributes grants through an open application process, accepting applications on a rolling basis and announcing grants every quarter.

What is the purpose of the Financial Freedom Report, and how often is it published?

The Financial Freedom Report is a weekly newsletter published every Thursday morning. It highlights stories of government financial repression around the world and showcases developments in the Bitcoin space that help fight against this repression.

What is the role of HRF in training nonprofits and activists on Bitcoin usage?

HRF trains nonprofits and activists on how to use Bitcoin, particularly because they are often the first to be deplatformed or debanked. HRF runs webinars every quarter to help these groups adopt Bitcoin technology.

What is the CBDC Tracker, and what does it monitor?

The CBDC Tracker is an online tool maintained by HRF that monitors the progress, research, development, and implementation of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) around the world. It is updated quarterly.

What is the Finny Freedom Prize, and how often is it awarded?

The Finny Freedom Prize is an award given by HRF every Bitcoin halving (approximately every four years) to individuals or groups who have done the most for financial freedom through Bitcoin. The prize includes one Bitcoin and a special award.

Who is the new Global Bitcoin Lead at HRF, and what has been their contribution to the Bitcoin community?

The new Global Bitcoin Lead at HRF is Femi Long, who has been instrumental in helping Bitcoin developers in Africa contribute to Bitcoin Core and start Bitcoin businesses.

How can people learn more about HRF's Financial Freedom program and its initiatives?

People can learn more about HRF's Financial Freedom program by visiting their website, scanning the provided QR code, or visiting Booth 629 at events where HRF is present. The booth offers magazines, brochures, and opportunities to meet the team.