We end with an article published this week by Alex Gladstein, HRF’s chief strategy officer, in Reason Magazine, profiling the growth of the nostr communications protocol and its potential to reshape online interactions, especially for human rights activists. Finally, we ask for your help to get topics like Central Bank Digital Currencies and Nostr onto the radar of SXSW participants by voting in our panel picker.

Venezuela | Restricts Access to Binance and Blocks X Amid Post-Election Upheaval

Venezuelans are now struggling to access Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. “Like several company websites in different segments in Venezuela, including social media, Binance’s pages have been facing access restrictions,” Binance announced. Binance is a peer-to-peer exchange popular with Venezuelans in search of US dollars, stablecoins, and Bitcoin to escape the regime’s ongoing devaluation of the bolívar. With Binance now inaccessible, many find themselves financially trapped and increasingly vulnerable in a country where 82% live in poverty and 53% live in extreme poverty. Alongside censoring Binance, Maduro has blocked access to social media platform X for 10 days, revoked passports arbitrarily, and detained over 2,000 activists, lawyers, opposition figures, and civilians protesting the fraudulent election results. If you’d like to support nonviolent dissidents opposing Venezuela’s dictatorship, consider donating dollars or bitcoin to HRF’s Venezuela Solidarity Fund here.

Nigeria | Activist Sues Regime for the Right to Own, Acquire, and Trade Bitcoin

James Otudor, a Nigerian politician and activist, launched a legal case to defend Nigerians’ rights to own, use, and trade Bitcoin. Otudor is challenging key government and regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission, for imposing restrictions to access digital assets. “Bitcoin and other digital assets are vital tools for protecting savings from inflation and enabling international transactions, particularly in light of naira devaluation and foreign exchange shortages,” he argues. The lawsuit, represented by human rights lawyer Maurice Oru Ebam, demands the immediate reversal of the Bitcoin ban, a declaration of these restrictions as unconstitutional, and a call for the regulation of Bitcoin as a commodity. If successful, this case could fundamentally reshape the Bitcoin landscape in Nigeria and establish Bitcoin as a critical human right for those living under the country’s authoritarian regime.

China | Censors Criticisms of its Digital ID System

The Chinese regime is pushing for a nationwide digital ID system that would be administered by cyber regulators and the police. Though framed as a way to protect data and privacy from tech giants, this system would “give authorities a more direct and comprehensive window into people’s digital lives,” tech analyst Catherine Thorbecke in Bloomberg said. If linked with China’s central bank digital currency, the Digital Yuan, this digital ID system could become a powerful tool for financially penalizing citizens’ based on online activities. Authorities could, for example, decide to freeze money, limit spending, or apply expiry dates to dissenting individuals. Naturally, the proposal sparked criticism. But those speaking out face censorship. One such example is prominent criminal law professor Lao Dongyan, whose Weibo account was muted for 90 days after criticizing the digital ID system.

Kyrgyzstan | Plans to Launch CBDC by 2027

Kyrgyzstan is moving forward with plans to launch its own central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital som, by 2027. For now, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic is amending laws and seeking vendors to develop the necessary digital platform. It is also defining the “roles and responsibilities of each participant, access conditions, and the types of transactions permitted.” This would suggest the potential for hyperpersonalized banking services, which is concerning. Human rights concerns have grown since President Sadyr Japarov won a snap election in 2021. Under his rule, pressure on civil society has increased, as have legal actions against journalists and media outlets. Foreign human rights workers remain banned from the country, where domestic abuse, violence against women, and police brutality against LGBTQ+ individuals are prevalent. Given this context, the digital som could be exploited by Japarov’s regime, turning a tool of alleged financial innovation into an instrument of repression.

Russia | Blocks Signal Messaging App

Russia’s state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, blocked access to the Signal messaging app. The regime claimed that Signal did not comply with national laws designed to prevent its use for terrorist activities. It’s not surprising this is the case, as Signal’s end-to-end encryption makes it difficult for Vladimir Putin’s regime to monitor or intercept messages. This comes as part of a broader crackdown that includes restrictions on YouTube, X, and Instagram, as well as intensified financial repression tactics. The regime closely monitors activists’ transactions, freezes their bank accounts, and censors financial activities. What’s becoming apparent is that dictators like Vladimir Putin and Nicolás Maduro are using similar strategies — simultaneously suppressing the freedom to speak and the freedom to transact — in order to maintain absolute power.

If you’re a nonprofit or activist looking for uncensorable financial tools, we encourage you to sign up for our upcoming Financial Freedom Webinar from Nov. 4-6, which is being led by HRF’s nonprofit Bitcoin adoption lead and veteran Russian human rights activist Anna Chekhovich.

Speed | Introduces New Stablecoin on Lightning Network

Speed, a Bitcoin Lightning payment processor and the creators of Speed Wallet, launched USDT-L — a new stablecoin (or a digital currency pegged to the US dollar) on the Lightning Network. It is a wrapped Tether (USDT) stablecoin that leverages the Taproot Assets protocol. This means a Tether digital dollar can be transacted on the Bitcoin Lightning Network instead of networks like Ethereum. According to Speed, USDT-L offers users lower fees, faster transactions, greater privacy, and improved reliability compared to USDT on networks like Ethereum, Tron, or Solana. Lightning also promises some privacy improvements over these networks, especially if used in a non-KYC setting. By combining the stability of stablecoins with the speed and efficiency of the Lightning network, USDT-L could become an interesting solution for activists looking for financial stability in unstable economies.

Voltz | Launches Custodial Lightning Network and eCash Wallet

Voltz is a new custodial Lightning Network wallet that allows users to manage on-chain Bitcoin transactions, Lightning payments, and eCash all in one place. To do this, it leverages Cashu, an open-source Chaumian eCash protocol for privately trading Bitcoin-backed eCash. Voltz also operates a BTC and USD Cashu Mint (a mint is a server or entity that issues and manages eCash tokens within the Cashu system), reducing over-reliance on existing mints. While the wallet is custodial, using eCash alongside Bitcoin and Lightning payments can help users protect their financial privacy and avoid financial censorship. Learn more about the Voltz wallet here.

Proton VPN | New Anti-Censorship Features

Proton, the company behind privacy tools like Proton Mail and Proton Wallet, introduced new anti-censorship features for its Proton VPN service. One feature, a “discreet icon” in Android phones, lets users disguise the Proton VPN app as something harmless (like a weather or calculator app). Another feature, called “Stealth,” helps users hide their VPN usage, making it “almost impossible to detect,” according to Proton. In addition to these new features, Proton has expanded to 12 new countries, including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Yemen. While dictators frequently block access to digital asset platforms (as seen in Venezuela or Nigeria this past week), VPNs can help bypass these restrictions. This is a welcome development from Proton, which has also provided free privacy servicesto Venezuelans and added a Bitcoin wallet in recent weeks.

New BIP Draft | FROST Signing for BIP340-Compatible Threshold Signatures

A new draft Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) titled “FROST signing for BIP340-compatible Threshold Signatures” introduces a standard for the Flexible Round-Optimized Schnorr Threshold (FROST) signing protocol. Proposed by Bitcoin developer Sivaram Dhakshinamoorthy, this standard allows a group of signers in a FROST setup to sign transactions in a way that makes it appear as if only one person signed it. This helps keep the details of who and how many people were involved in a transaction private. The FROST protocol also allows a signing group to change its members without moving any funds, making it useful for multisignature setups where the signers may change over time. This flexibility could be valuable for activists who need to adapt their security measures as circumstances change. You can learn more about this proposal in the project’s GitHub Repository.

OpenSats | Announces 6th Wave of Nostr Grants

OpenSats, a public nonprofit that funds free and open-source projects, announced its 6th round of grants. These grants focus on advancing decentralization and privacy within the Nostr ecosystem, equipping activists, journalists, and the general population with censorship-resistant communications tools. Among the nine funded projects is Osty, an open-source framework for building web applications on Nostr. Another recipient is Corny Chat, a decentralized audio spaces platform integrated with nostr that offers privacy-focused and supports Lightning payments. As dictators intensify their attacks on free speech, it’s encouraging to see continued support for the development of Nostr. To learn more about the other grants, visit the OpenSats website here.

OP_Next | Upcoming Technical Bitcoin Conference

The OP_Next conference, happening on Nov. 9, will bring together Bitcoin developers, builders, and founders to explore new Bitcoin proposals and scaling solutions. Hosted at Fidelity’s Center for Applied Technology in Bost, MA., the event aims to foster a collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on hands-on workshops. The conference hopes to push the development of Bitcoin’s open-source protocol through expert-led sessions and networking opportunities. For more details on tickets and the agenda, visit OP_Next’s website here.

Telegram | CEO Arrested in France

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested on Monday at France’s Le Bourget airport on 12 different offenses. Reportedly, these accusations include insufficient content moderation, facilitating illicit transactions, fraud, refusal to disclose information to authorities, and providing “cryptology” tools. Relied on by millions of users in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes, Telegram has been an important platform for pro-democracy activists and human rights defenders to communicate in a way that, so far, is mostly free from government censorship. The arrest raises major concerns. Following this news, the value of decentralized technologies like Nostr becomes even more clear, as they provide a global, censorship-resistant platform for free communication and speech.

Hong Kong | Diaspora Denied Access to Retirement Savings 

Hong Kongers in exile are being denied access to $3.8 billion of their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) savings. As the Chinese Communist Party tightens its control over Hong Kong, some residents are using their British National Overseas (BNO) passports to move abroad. BNO status is a form of British nationality created in 1987 that offers Hong Kong residents limited rights and a pathway to UK residency. Normally, BNO passport holders who relocate can have early access to their retirement savings plan within the MPF. But they are now unable to do so as Hong Kong officials no longer recognize BNO passports as valid identification. “A lot of Hong Kongers rely on this fund,” Hong Kong Watch reported. “They need the money to start a new life, and the government is blocking it.” This denial of savings, along with bounties issued to exiled pro-democracy activists, highlights the ongoing and transnational financial repression faced by the diaspora.

Nigeria | Prominent Whistleblower (and Bitcoin User) is Missing

Nigerian investigative journalist David Hundeyin reports that PIDOM NIGERIA, a prominent whistleblower known for exposing regime corruption, is missing and that their online accounts are compromised. PIDOM, who used Bitcoin and USDT to avoid government censorship, is presumed to have been targeted by the Nigerian regime. Hundeyin suspects that the regime may have accessed PIDOM’s information through Binance, a digital asset exchange, which either shared or was coerced into revealing PIDOM’s Know-Your-Customer (KYC) details. This case highlights the dangers of requiring extensive personal data through KYC, particularly under authoritarian regimes, where such information can be misused to target and punish whistleblowers and activists. This incident is an important reminder that financial privacy is not a luxury but a lifeline for those living under authoritarian regimes. 

Egypt | Raises Electricity Prices by Up To 50%

The Egyptian regime is hiking electricity prices by up to 50% for households as it phases out energy subsidies as part of an agreement to expand its loan program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to $8 billion. This hike comes at a time when citizens are already grappling with 26% inflation (driven largely by repeated currency devaluations to meet IMF loan conditions) and the removal of a bread subsidy that quadrupled the cost of bread. These combined policies are pushing millions of impoverished citizens further into despair, all while the dictatorship gets a bailout for its militaristic operations. This example highlights how tyrants are able to borrow in the current international system, pushing the cost onto the public and paying no cost of their own.

Burma | Rising Costs Cripple Households

Burma’s national currency, the kyat, plunged to record lows this week due to the military junta’s destructive economic policies and rampant printing of currency. In just a few days, the kyat has fallen from 5,000 to more than 7,500 per US dollar, leading to sharp price increases for essential goods like food, medicine, and fuel. “It used to cost about 25,000 kyat ($11.94) per week for our household groceries until about a month ago, but now it costs about 40,000 kyat,” reported a resident of Naypyitaw, Burma’s capital. As citizens struggle with skyrocketing prices for basic necessities, the rush to acquire more stable currencies underscores a deepening sense of desperation. A money transfer agent in Thailand observed that “people are frantically buying (Thai) baht and selling kyat.” In addition to the baht, Bitcoin offers support, providing a way to protect financial value and access to global capital markets for those trapped in an “unfair monetary system,” according to Burmese activist Win Ko Ko Aung.

Ghana | Drafts Regulation Guidelines on Digital Assets

Ghana is witnessing a growing popularity of digital assets driven by tech-savvy youth, high mobile and Internet usage, and a 21% inflation rate eroding citizens’ purchasing power. In response, the Bank of Ghana released draft regulations that establish a framework for the digital asset industry. This framework will require Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to register with the central bank, increasing government oversight and control over digital asset transactions. Moreover, the Financial Intelligence Center will require all VASPs to report “suspicious” activity, which could lead to monitoring or flagging transactions based on unclear criteria. While governments claim to want to “modernize financial systems,” putting new forms of money over increased state control and oversight creates an even bigger surveillance state.

Bisq 2 | Adds Support for Lightning Network Settlements

Bisq 2, a peer-to-peer Bitcoin exchange and successor of Bisq, introduced support for Lightning Network settlements. Users can now settle Bitcoin trades faster, more privately, and at a lower cost. The latest update also includes a QR code scanner, making it easier to input Lightning Network addresses and invoices. Decentralized exchanges like Bisq enable users worldwide to buy and sell Bitcoin without requiring proof of identity, a bank account, or centralized intermediaries. In light of recent events, such as PIDOM Nigeria’s case above, which underscored the risks of using centralized platforms that collect extensive personal data, Bisq offers a vital solution for activists and privacy-conscious individuals. It enables them to access KYC-free Bitcoin, reducing the risk of being targeted or censored.

Floresta | New Release Makes Running Full Nodes More Accessible

Floresta is a lightweight Bitcoin full-node implementation powered by Utreexo. (A Bitcoin node is a computer that validates and relays Bitcoin transactions and stores a copy of the Bitcoin ledger, ensuring the network’s integrity and consensus.) Recently, it introduced libflorestad — a tool that facilitates easier integration of Floresta into Bitcoin wallets. Created by HRF grantee Davidson Souza, Floresta aims to “create a node implementation that offers full security and privacy while significantly reducing the resource requirements compared to traditional full nodes like Bitcoin Core.” This update makes it easier for users to run full nodes wherever they go without needing specialized hardware or technical expertise. This development is long-awaited and will be important for enhancing Bitcoin’s decentralization and security.

SeedSigner | Adds Support for Legacy Bitcoin Addresses

Seedsigner, an air-gapped (meaning not connected to the Internet) Bitcoin hardware wallet made with affordable and publicly available hardware, released v0.8.0. This update introduces support for older Bitcoin transaction types — including Pay to Public Key Hash (P2PKH) and Pay to Script Hash (P2SH) — enhancing compatibility across older systems. Additionally, the update brings user-friendly improvements, such as a smoother QR code scanning interface, faster QR code reading for wallets, and improved experience when entering BIP-39 passphrases (an advanced security measure that gives users the ability to apply a passphrase to their seed phrase and create a new wallet in the process). Seedsigner offers an affordable option for activists to build their own customized hardware wallet at inexpensive prices. HRF is a proud supporter of SeedSigner and its efforts to advance financial independence.

Fountain | Integrates Nostr Into Podcasting Platform

Fountain, a podcast app powered by the Bitcoin Lightning Network, integrated Nostr, a decentralized social protocol, into its platform. With this update, Fountain users can now create or connect a Nostr profile and opt to share their boosts (similar to likes) and comments directly to Nostr. The update also introduces zaps (bitcoin micropayments) to allow listeners to send small amounts of bitcoin directly to podcasters without going through a third party. By integrating Nostr, Fountain is helping create a more decentralized, open, and censorship-resistant podcasting experience for journalists, educators, and activists. To give an example, one could be based in any country, put out audio content, and receive financial support from one’s audience, with no government able to stop the creator. You can try Fountain here.

OpenSats | Long-Term Support for Vitor Pamplona

OpenSats, a public nonprofit funding free and open-source software and projects, announced long-term support for developer Vitor Pamplona. Pamplona is known for his work on Nostr, particularly the Amethyst Nostr client, which makes it easy to access Nostr on Android phones. With this support, Pamplona will continue improving Amtheyst and work on other projects like Sheetstr, a collaborative spreadsheet client for Nostr, and Crafters, a Nostr-based resume builder. These applications not only enable more collaborative work, secure data sharing, and the ability to build professional profiles, but they also help expand Nostr’s utility. In light of the Telegram news, the proliferation of Nostr clients that allow users to control their own data, identity, and preferences is critical.

Btrust Builders | Upcoming BitDevs Meetup

Btrust Builders, a nonprofit advancing Bitcoin development in the Global South, is hosting their next BitDevs meetup at the Fairtrade Business Complex in Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. WAT (West Africa Time). This event is a great opportunity for those in the area to dive deeper into the latest Bitcoin developments, expand their technical knowledge, and connect with the local Bitcoin community. If you’re in Abuja, don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation and network with other Bitcoin developers. You can RSVP here. HRF is proud to support local meetups and developers like this one in the Global South and in difficult political climates worldwide.