The Human Rights Foundation has honored with the support of the Fini family Peter Will And Gregory Maxwell prestigious Finney Freedom Prize For their significant contributions to Bitcoin’s usability, scalability, and privacy. The award recognizes their work during the 2012-2016 era, corresponding to Bitcoin’s block height of 210,000 to 420,000.
The Finney Freedom Prize honors individuals who advance the computer as a tool to protect individual liberties around the world, following in the footsteps of Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney, who was the first recipient of the award.
An independent committee selected Vuel and Maxwell from a shortlist that included notable Bitcoin contributors such as Andreas Antonopouloscried Mahbub, and Ross Ulbricht.
As open-source software, Bitcoin relies on voluntary contributors to maintain, review and improve its codebase. Unlike a traditional company, Bitcoin has no central authority, making the work of developers like Vuille and Maxwell critical to its continued success. Both have played important roles in ensuring that Bitcoin remains strong, secure, and a viable tool for financial freedom.
“The efforts of Wuill and Maxwell have made bitcoin a viable human rights tool for millions of people, especially many who labor under authoritarian regimes and financial repression,” the Finney Freedom Prize announcement said. .”
Their contributions have helped Bitcoin become a powerful financial resource for individuals around the world, especially in oppressive environments.
The winners will be awarded a monetary prize of 100,000,000 satoshi (1 Bitcoin), and will each receive a Finney Freedom Prize statuette designed by Cryptography.
Next Finney Freedom The winner covering the 2016-2020 era (block height 420,000 to 630,000) will be announced on January 10, 2026.
