The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has unveiled a new round of funding amounting to 1.5 billion satoshis through its Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF), aimed at bolstering initiatives that enhance Bitcoin infrastructure, privacy, and educational efforts.
This funding initiative is directed towards open-source developers, researchers, and educational programs operating within the Bitcoin ecosystem. The focus is particularly on tools that enhance financial privacy and resist censorship. HRF states that these grants are designed to promote technologies based on Bitcoin that can assist dissidents and human rights advocates functioning under oppressive regimes.
According to the organization, their work ultimately benefits billions living in restrictive political environments where access to open financial networks and uncensorable payment systems may be limited or monitored. The projects supported will encompass software development, research into Bitcoin technology, as well as grassroots education initiatives across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
HRF emphasizes that this initiative aims to strengthen Bitcoin’s position as a vehicle for financial freedom—enabling journalists, non-profits, and activists worldwide to communicate securely while organizing support via Bitcoin.
The grantees selected by HRF for the first quarter of 2026 include:
Bitcoin Privacy
Enhancements in P2P Privacy for Bitcoin Core
The ongoing enhancements in P2P privacy within the core framework of Bitcoin are crucial. Developer Naiyoma is working on improvements intended to obscure tracking of nodes operating across various networks. This effort enhances the confidentiality features of one of the most widely utilized software implementations in cryptocurrency today. With HRF’s grant backing Naiyoma’s full-time commitment toward these enhancements; it will empower activists and regular users alike with safer operational capabilities within environments where their financial activities might be scrutinized.
JoinMarket-NG
The public ledger nature of bitcoin allows transactions to be traced easily; however CoinJoin serves as a method enhancing user anonymity by merging multiple transactions together—making it more challenging to link payments back to specific individuals. JoinMarket-NG represents an innovative adaptation utilizing this technique through a peer-to-peer liquidity market where some participants provide liquidity while others pay for enhanced privacy measures during transactions. This grant will facilitate development along with necessary external security audits required for launching JoinMarket-NG as an effective open-source tool focused on improving financial confidentiality especially among those who need it most.
Bitcoin Payments
Banxaas
A significant number of individuals residing under authoritarian rule in West Africa struggle with converting local currency into bitcoin without resorting either banks or custodial services due lack adequate options available locally . Banxaas—a platform developed by Nourou—offers users instant exchanges between CFA franc & bitcoin without requiring accounts thereby eliminating many barriers associated centralized exchanges making it easier accessible more people throughout region . Support from HRFs grant would help finalize mobile app developments alongside integrating additional mobile money providers further broadening reach potential usage across West African markets
ChapSmart
Tanzanians often face exorbitant remittance fees when sending money abroad losing substantial amounts each time due intermediaries involved . To alleviate this burden , Brian Mosha created ChapSmart which allows seamless remittances bill payments accessing bitcoins instantly affordably bridging Lightning Network directly M-Pesa thus connecting existing payment rails enabling everyday activities usability . Grant assistance from HRFs fund would aid outreach efforts helping educate citizens preserve savings transact freely amidst increasing authoritarianism surrounding them.
Minmo
Centralized digital asset platforms necessitate submission sensitive personal data posing risks surveillance especially human rights defenders conducting transactions dictatorships . Minmo provides alternative solution linking users trusted local agents facilitating exchanges fiat currencies bitcoins without dependence centralized platforms embedding services apps community networks allowing individuals access bitcoins through reliable intermediaries rather than traditional means.
Tando
In Kenya majority merchants rely heavily upon M-PESA system processing digital payments ; hence African technologist Sabina Waithira Gitau co-founded Tando—a payment application enabling customers pay vendors using bitcoins while sellers receive Kenyan shillings via integration M-PESA thus allowing Kenyans spend their own Lightning wallets like any other currency domestically supporting expansion opportunities throughout region empowering communities transact globally using cryptocurrencies seamlessly.
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