If it were solely a cryptocurrency conference, it would be unusual to find human rights activists sharing their first encounters with political oppression. There were also investigative journalists discussing their battle against propaganda and cybersecurity experts analyzing phones for potential spyware. Looking back, cryptocurrency events might benefit from incorporating more of these elements.

The Role of Cryptocurrency in Advancing Human Rights

While many individuals and institutional investors enter the cryptocurrency industry to seek financial gains, some are discovering its valuable role as a tool for human rights. Cryptocurrency has emerged as an effective solution to circumvent financial censorship and surveillance, particularly in regions where such issues are widespread. This use case is becoming increasingly relevant on a global scale, alongside the tremendous potential impact of cryptocurrencies.

Jack Mallers, CEO of the Bitcoin payment startup Stripe, highlighted during the event that despite differing opinions on Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency facilitates the movement of value across borders and advocates for freedom. A forum attendee asked Alex Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and curator of the forum’s financial freedom track, whether the activist community is embracing cryptocurrency. Gladstein responded by explaining that he actively integrates Bitcoin content into the forum, as several organizations are already using it, and he has helped others adopt it.

Gladstein’s Influential Workshops

Alex Gladstein’s workshops left a lasting impact on many in the activist community. Meron Estefanos, a human rights activist focused on freeing human trafficking victims in Eritrea, shared how her initial skepticism toward Bitcoin dissipated after attending one of Gladstein’s sessions. At the time, the Eritrean government was tightening restrictions on Hawala, an ancient remittance system that relies on individuals moving cash across borders. Brokers were now requiring clients’ names. The Eritrean authorities were aware of Estefanos’s advocacy work, and as a result, she could not send money to her mother. Bitcoin emerged as a reliable alternative, and she now funds a team of researchers working in Bitcoin to support her cause.

Russian activists in exile are also utilizing Bitcoin as a vital link to their friends and family in Russia. Leonid Volkov, who managed crypto donations for imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, shared how Bitcoin became indispensable in supporting their colleagues in Russia after the Russian government labeled their movement as terrorists. Without Bitcoin, the authorities would have detained recipients for accepting funds from what they considered “terrorists.”

Bitcoin is evolving into an underground payment system in governments that impose abusive financial surveillance, where activists are persecuted for receiving money from abroad. Students for Liberty, a U.S.-based NGO, experienced this firsthand while supporting student protests globally. The NGO transferred funds to a student in China, only for the police to summon him the next day for questioning about the transaction. Wolf von Laer, the NGO’s CEO, also revealed that Bitcoin was used to send funds to staff in Ukraine for evacuation during the Russian invasion.

Gladstein’s dedication to promoting Bitcoin in his cryptocurrency panels at the forum led to a series of practical workshops on software and services for Bitcoin transactions. The human rights angle is one of the most compelling arguments in favor of cryptocurrencies. CryptoChipy’ analysis highlights how crypto coins protect civil liberties and challenge authoritarian regimes. Bitcoin, in particular, plays a crucial role in supporting human rights. Alex Gladstein points to two major technological innovations that make Bitcoin an effective tool for individuals under financial and political oppression: its accessibility and fairness as a savings technology and its censorship-resistant nature as a medium of exchange. Bitcoin’s revolutionary technology is reshaping global financial systems to foster greater equity.

Is Bitcoin the Best Medium for Donations?

While Bitcoin is widely used for donations related to human rights, some criticize the environmental impact of this cryptocurrency. As a result, Wikipedia stopped accepting crypto donations. However, organizations like The Giving Block have recently started accepting crypto donations through a campaign called “Caring with Crypto.” Additionally, Save the Children has been accepting Bitcoin, Ether, and NFTs as donations for some time.