Today, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) announced its most recent round Bitcoin Development Fund Grants, in a press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine.
700,000,000 satoshi (7 BTC) which is currently worth $706,000 at the time of writing, in 20 different projects around the world for people living under authoritarian regimes, providing independent media outlets, decentralized mining, and human rights groups. Emphasis is being placed on technical education. Private Financial Solutions — America, Asia and Africa with the main regions for these grants centering around countries and regions in Latin.
While the HRF While not disclosing how much money each project is receiving specifically, the following 20 projects are the recipients of today’s round of grants worth 7 BTC:
Stratum V2 reference implementation (SRI), an open-source software that decentralizes Bitcoin mining by enabling nodes to create their own block templates. This helps encourage solo mining, reduces reliance on large mining pools, and strengthens Bitcoin’s permissionless and censorship-resistant qualities. The funding will support developer Bit-Aloo’s full-time work on SRI, including benchmarking tools, integration tests, codebase maintenance, and software documentation to evaluate Stratum V2’s performance.
Public poolA free and open-source mining pool optimized for devices with a low hash rate (a mining device with limited computational power). Users can self-host a Stratum server and choose their own block templates without relying on a third party. Public pools strengthen the Bitcoin network by making Bitcoin mining more accessible and decentralized. Funding will support hosting costs, hardware upgrades, and operational costs.
neomaFirst female Bitcoin core developer from Africa. Hailing from Kenya, she is dedicated to promoting an open financial system rooted in transparency, freedom and fairness. His work focuses on reviewing pull requests (PRs), addressing bugs via new PRs, and improving Bitcoin Core’s codebase. The funds will support his full-time contributions to advancing Bitcoin Core.
Daniela BrozoniAn experienced software developer. Previously, he contributed to the Bitcoin Development Kit (BDK), a software library that allows you to create cross-platform Bitcoin wallets. She is now shifting her focus to Bitcoin Core, where her work will include reviewing major pull requests (PRs), contributing new features, and improving testing coverage. Through her efforts, Daniela aims to enhance the decentralization, privacy and resilience of Bitcoin. The grant will support his full-time contributions to Bitcoin Core.
UX/UI Design for Bitcoin CoreRedesign work by product designer Michael Haas which aims to bring the Bitcoin Core app to mobile devices (making it accessible outside of desktop use). This update will enable users to run Node, access essential wallet features (such as silent payments and multi-signatures) directly on their phone and improve their financial privacy. The funding will support the design and development of the project.
No BS BitcoinA newsdesk provides the latest Bitcoin news and updates on open-source technologies in a clear and accessible format. Free of ads, tracking and paywalls, the platform consistently highlights the privacy and freedom technologies essential to activists and citizens under authoritarian regimes. The funding will ensure continued operation of the site, enable the hiring of an additional editor, and support the introduction of Nostr features (such as Zaps and Comments) to encourage greater community engagement.
TandoA new payment application co-founded by Sabina Gitau, which gives 54 million Kenyans the option to use Bitcoin for everyday transactions. By integrating with M-PESA, Kenya’s leading mobile payment system, Tando allows users to pay in Bitcoin via Lightning Wallet, while merchants receive Kenyan Shillings. The platform is KYC-free and has no fees, offering an affordable and private payment solution. The funds will help Tendo boost liquidity, support a growing user base, and expand expansion across the African continent.
yakihonA client for the decentralized Nostr protocol built by a team in East and Southeast Asia. It was developed by Wendy Ding to support free speech and promote Bitcoin payments in 170 countries. With innovative functionality and a combination of online and offline events, Yakihon strives to embrace decentralized social media. The funding will support smart widget development, relay network improvements and influencer engagement to increase Noster’s reach and impact.
Seesigner Multi-Language Support A translation project by developer Ace to integrate multi-language functionality into the fully customizable, open-source Seedsigner hardware wallet. It will increase accessibility for users around the world and empower marginalized communities to achieve financial sovereignty through affordable and accessible self-monitoring. The funding will support the developer’s efforts to deliver a multilingual version of SeedSigner within the next year.
promissory noteA peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading application founded by Lea Petrasova to provide users with a private and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) free Bitcoin experience. By connecting users through their phone contacts, Vexel enables secure, direct Bitcoin transactions in a peer-to-peer manner. The app aims to make private Bitcoin usage more accessible while offering serious protection against authoritarian regimes. The funding will support Vexl’s growth, focusing on reaching African communities and improving its backend infrastructure.
Tomatech, a community focused on building a team of developers to advance Bitcoin infrastructure and free and open source software (FOSS) projects in India. By offering mentoring and training, it bridges the gap between education and practical experience. Additionally, its Goa-based cultural center and community space will foster a vibrant Bitcoin community through meetings, workshops and residencies. Funding will support developer training, creation of a developer hub, prizes and grants, and general operations.
CruxOpen-source software that turns ordinary devices into hardware wallets for secure Bitcoin self-monitoring and transactions. It includes air-gapped operation, key management and backup, an intuitive interface, and support for 10 languages. This project could help decentralize Bitcoin custody and protect liberty and property rights in authoritarian regimes. The funding will help developer Oddex advance this innovative open-source project.
IrisA Nostr web client created by developer Marti Malmi designed to make private and secure messaging simple and secure. Using the MIT-licensed Noster-Double Ratchet library, it aims to improve security for metadata and message content, ensuring that conversations remain private—especially in monitored environments. The funding will help hire a developer to enhance Iris’ features and functionality.
African UX Bitcoin BootcampA program that offers talented Bitcoin UX designers from authoritarian countries the opportunity to attend the Africa Bitcoin Conference (ABC) for hands-on training and networking. led to Bitcoin Design FoundationCo-founder, Mogashani Naidu, participants will receive on-the-ground training and test the usability of their products at ABC. Funds will cover program costs, including flights, accommodation and logistics, ensuring accessibility for all participants.
Bitcoin historyA research project by Pete Rizzo Dedicated to documenting and preserving key people, events, and materials (such as photos, videos, links, information) that shaped Bitcoin’s rise as a global currency and human rights force. Focused on the “future history of money,” the project highlights Bitcoin’s role as a tool for financial freedom. The grant will support an additional researcher to investigate and document stories of Bitcoin’s use against authoritarian regimes.
CashewsThe primary software development kit (SDK) in the Cashew ecosystem developed by Gandlaf21. It simplifies wallet creation, integrates the latest protocol updates, and powers popular wallets (such as MiniBits, Ents, and NutStash). By enabling the development of secure, privacy-focused “digital cash” wallets, Cashu-ts plays an important role in advancing the Cashu ecosystem and financial privacy. This grant will assist developers in maintaining and improving this essential library.
unityA Payjoin wallet developed by Fontaine to increase privacy in Bitcoin transactions. Built using Nostr and Bitcoin Core, it uses Pegoins to obfuscate transaction history by enabling peer-to-peer payments (making Bitcoin inherently more private). This functionality is especially important for individuals navigating oppressive regimes. The funding will support full-time developer contributions, advance Unify’s features and expand its compatibility with other wallets.
Financial Freedom Policy Coalition, a policy coalition founded by Venezuelan activists, George JaraistiBrings together youth leaders, policy makers and industry experts to promote economic opportunities for people living under authoritarian rule. The coalition plans advocacy missions to educate policymakers about how Bitcoin can support human rights and create social benefits. The funds will cover the costs of organizing and running these missions.
Zone attackA Bitcoin Core contributor and Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) editor, known as one of the longest-serving contributors to Bitcoin Core. As a dedicated developer, he plays a major role in increasing the decentralization and robustness of Bitcoin. Atack is also a staunch advocate for using Bitcoin and open-source software as tools to resist oppression and advance global human rights. This grant will empower him to continue his significant contribution to the development of Bitcoin.
on the shoreAn organization committed to strengthening the Bitcoin protocol through research and development. Co-founded by Mike SchmidtBrink supports Bitcoin protocol engineers with grants and provides training and mentoring to new contributors to open-source development. The grant will cover operational costs to ensure continued support for open-source developers and the advancement of Bitcoin’s core infrastructure.
HRF is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. Fundraising for HRF continues Bitcoin Development FundAnd interested donors can find more information on how to donate here. Applications for grant assistance can be submitted through HRF here.
