Financial Freedom - Human Rights Foundation

About

Today, 5.7 billion people — 72% of the world — live under authoritarianism.

All governments, especially those of dictators, frequently debase, manipulate, demonetize, and surveil currencies, confiscate property, and freeze the bank accounts of people they don’t like. Dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists, and nonprofit organizations in authoritarian countries face enormous obstacles just to receive donations and pay bills.

HRF’s Financial Freedom program educates activists worldwide, unites people from different industries and backgrounds, and makes grants in the service of advancing Bitcoin as a tool for human rights.

Our Recent Publications

HRF’s Weekly Financial Freedom Report #50

HRF Bitcoin Development Fund Grants One Billion Satoshis to 13 Projects Worldwide

How to Dictator-Proof Your Money

Financial Freedom Track at Bitcoin Atlantis

STRANDED: HOW BITCOIN IS SAVING WASTED ENERGY AND EXPANDING FINANCIAL FREEDOM IN AFRICA

Our Strategy

Education

We educate the public on the threats to people’s financial freedom through op-eds in top news outlets, speaking engagements, educational events, and funding initiatives.

Training

We provide hands-on training to activists and human rights defenders on how to get started with bitcoin, safely store it, crowdfund with it, and accept private donations under the threat of dictators.

Grants

We provide grants and financial support to software developers, entrepreneurs, and community builders tackling the most pressing issues facing activists, especially around financial surveillance, suppression, and control.

Community

We unite a global network of dissidents, developers, entrepreneurs, community builders, educators, and investors to advance financial freedom worldwide.

Our Initiatives

The Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF) is dedicated to supporting individuals and projects that make Bitcoin and related freedom technologies more powerful tools for human rights defenders operating in challenging political environments.

A weekly newsletter focusing on the role currency and banking play in the civil liberties and human rights struggles of those living under authoritarian regimes.

In 2024, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) created the Finney Freedom Prize with the blessing and approval of Fran Finney, wife and partner of the civil liberties advocate, software developer, and Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney.

In the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, something extraordinary unfolded: the inaugural Global Bitcoin Summit. This was not just another technology or activism event. It was a gathering of minds sharing inspiring stories about Bitcoin and its ability to combat authoritarianism, empower marginalized communities, and drive financial education.

An initial set of 10 bounty challenges to help increase the usability and privacy of Bitcoin, Lightning network, E-cash, and Nester. An individual or team who fully solves any of the ten challenges will be eligible to receive a bounty of 2 BTC.

A central bank digital currency (CBDC) tracker with the goal of charting the research, development, and implementation of CBDCs worldwide.

An educational resource to help you get your first bit of bitcoin. It’s also your first step to becoming your own bank and earning, or receiving a little bit of bitcoin.

A guide showcasing how a variety of nonprofit organizers and donors use bitcoin around the world that illustrates why, and precisely how, they do it.

News & Media

How to Dictator-Proof Your Money

Empowering Human Rights Through Bitcoin And Open Source Software

Human rights advocates tell Congress bitcoin is essential in countries with ‘collapsing’ currencies

Ukraine’s Defense—and Hacktivists—Have Raised Over $4M in Cryptocurrency

Can Governments Stop Bitcoin?

Bitcoin Is Protecting Human Rights Around the World

Bitcoin could change the game for foreign aid

Why Bitcoin Matters for Freedom

Take Action

Take Action

We believe that when we rise, tyranny falls.

+1 (212) 246-8486

350 5th Ave #6500, New York, NY 10118, United States

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FAQs

Find answers to commonly asked questions in our FAQs.

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