Panels
The Human Rights Risk of Central Bank Digital Currencies
- March 9, 2025
- 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon K
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are on the rise. Today, at least 127 jurisdictions are actively engaged with CBDCs, while 19 governments have deployed CBDCs, 41 have built a pilot CBDC, and 67 are in the research phase. However, they pose existential risks for civil liberties. Hear from CBDC experts who will focus on China and Nigeria, and give a global overview of whatтАЩs happening and how we can push back.
Art in Protest: Fostering Democracy Through Creative Dissent
- March 12, 2025
- 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Austin Convention Center, Room 8ABC
Listen to inspiring testimonies from artists at the frontlines of democracy-building in Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia about how different art modalities can make a difference. This discussion offers perspectives and global case studies on how artivism can be a potent tool for peaceful, creative dissent by illuminating democratic pathways. Join a diverse group of artists from different corners of the world, using various media, including performance art, film, visual arts, and music, as they wield their creativity as a force for change.
Booths
The DictatorтАЩs Laundromat
- March 9 - 12
- 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Social Impact Pavilion
This SXSW booth will resemble a laundromat, but instead of washing clothes, participants will be able to тАЬlaunderтАЭ either money or reputations (or both). We will have multiple washing machines, complete with video screens, explaining how dictators use shell companies, lobbyists, and the sports industry to launder their money, whitewash their reputations, and entrench their regimes.
Central Bank Digital Currency Tracker
- March 9 - 12
- 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Innovation Pavilion
The CBDC tracker aims to educate the public about the rise and danger of Central Digital Bank Currencies (CBDCs). The booth showcases HRFтАЩs CBDC tracker and staff will use it to educate guests on why HRF cares about financial freedom and why it is important.
Activation concept: Guests learn about HRFтАЩs efforts in tracking the impact and threats of CBDCs around the world. They enter the booth and engage with one of the members of our Financial Freedom team, who introduces them to the CBDC tracker. Guests navigate online in the tracker, see how it works, see what is at stake.
