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.

Nigeria | Regime Sends Security Forces to Quell Cost of Living Protests

In Nigeria, financial instability has led to widespread protests against government policies that pushed inflation to a 30-year high. Protesters condemn President Tinubu’s economic reforms, which they blame for the soaring costs of basic goods in a country where 40% of the population lives in extreme poverty. In response, the regime deployed security forces, tightened borders, imposed a curfew, used force against demonstrators (resulting in seven deaths and more than 700 arrests), and blocked the bank accounts of protest sponsors. Notably, according to a government spokesperson, blocking the bank accounts of protest organizers is proving ineffective, as many have turned to crowdfunding in Bitcoin, which the government cannot stop.

Libya | Russian Counterfeiting Fueling Dinar Devaluation

Libya has seen an influx of unofficial banknotes, some printed in Russia, destabilizing the local currency, the dinar, and contributing to its devaluation. These illicit notes exchanged for real US dollars on the black markets and at local banks, are also funding infrastructure projects in Eastern Libya and possibly activities of Russian mercenaries. Since 2016, Russia has sought to solidify its regional influence by supplying billions to eastern Libyan political and military figures. Despite the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) declaring these notes counterfeit, they remain in circulation. To stabilize the economy, the CBL plans to withdraw all 50-dinar notes by the end of the month. As always, ordinary citizens bear the ultimate burden and suffer the erosion of their purchasing power.

Somalia | Targets Press Freedom Through Financial Repression

Somalia continues to suppress press freedom through arbitrary detentions and financial repression of journalists and media organizations. Last week, officials arrested journalist AliNur Salaad after he reported on military drug use, accusing him of “immorality, false reporting, and insulting of the armed forces.” This follows similar arrests of journalists Mohamed Salah and Said Abdullahi Kulmiye, who were detained for exposing corruption and police misconduct. Earlier this year, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), an organization that defends press freedom, saw their bank accounts frozen and their secretary general, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, imprisoned by the regime. Today, the Somalian regime increasingly employs financial monitoring and banking controls to stifle free speech. This prevents citizens’ access to critical reporting that could inform their voting decisions.  

Pakistan | Escalating Internet Censorship

Pakistan is intensifying internet censorship by introducing a nationwide internet firewall and imposing stringent compliance requirements on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority plans to screen and approve state-compliant VPNs. While the government cites national security as a reason for this action, critics and digital rights activists argue that these measures enhance the regime’s ability to monitor and control internet activity. The impact of these restrictions extends beyond communication barriers. They can also impact access to financial services, for example, by cutting off access to alternative currencies like Bitcoin (which have provided a liferaft for many Pakistanis but which was restricted in 2018). These policies contribute to a troubling pattern of digital and financial repression for the 235 million Pakistanis living under a hybrid authoritarian regime. Similar measures have been observed in China and Iran, where the regimes exert internet controls to suppress dissent and maintain their power.

Tanzania | Forcibly Relocates Indigenous People

The Tanzanian government is forcefully relocating Indigenous Maasai from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) to Msomera village. To force relocation, authorities have not only cut essential public services (like schools and health centers) but restricted the Maasai’s access to cultural and agricultural resources and limited movement into the NCA by requiring identification and, at times, high entry fees. Additionally, the government removed Ngorongoro from the voters’ register, denying over 100,000 Maasai the right to vote and the ability to access traditional financial services. By severing the Maasai’s connection to their land, wealth (measured in number of cattle), and modern banking, the regime enriches itself at the expense of some of its poorest citizens.

Fedi | Launches its Community Superapp

Fedi, a company leveraging Bitcoin-based ecash technology, officially launched its “community superapp.” The app helps communities, especially in authoritarian regimes, to send money instantly and privately and communicate securely. Fedimints works by having trusted community members jointly manage and secure Bitcoin funds with a wallet requiring multiple keys. Therefore, it increases security while minimizing custody risks and providing privacy to users who trade ecash. Fedi may be a useful app for human rights groups, civil rights groups, or isolated communities where regular banking services are hard to find or at the grasp of dictators. HRF is proud to have played a role in the development of Fedi through its Oslo Freedom Forum and Financial Freedom programs.

Strike | Launches BTCPay Server Plugin

Strike, a Bitcoin and Lightning payments platform, released a new plug-in for BTCPay Server — an open-source, self-custodial Bitcoin payment processor and HRF grantee. This plug-in allows BTCPay Server merchants to process cheap, instant, global bitcoin payments with options for local currency settlements. Merchants often face challenges when integrating bitcoin payments — from settling each payment in USD for accounting purposes to converting bitcoin to fiat currencies to cover costs. Having a Bitcoin point-of-sale software (via BTCPay Server) with optional financial services (via Strike) gives merchants flexibility in meeting their unique business needs. Though this sounds promising, it’s important to note Strike is not yet accessible globally. Find out if you can access Strike in your jurisdiction here.

Mutiny Wallet | Winding Down Operations by End of Year

Tony Giorgio, CEO and co-founder of the popular Bitcoin Lightning wallet Mutiny, which began as a progressive web app, announced that the wallet will shut down at the end of 2024. Despite its success in pioneering privacy-centric features and innovations such as self-custodial Nostr zapping wallets and the first hybrid Fedimint and self-custodial Lightning wallet, the team cites scalability and sustainability concerns. It is important to point out that users can still self-host the wallet themselves. The Mutiny team will now pivot to developing services and tools that empower other developers and projects within the Bitcoin ecosystem, focusing on privacy infrastructure for the global Bitcoin community.

Alby Hub | Open Source Bitcoin Lightning Wallet and Node

Alby, a Lightning Network development company, introduced Alby Hub, an open-source self-custodial Lightning wallet that integrates a full Lightning node. It seeks to offer an accessible interface for managing the complexities of Lightning (such as nodes and payment channels). All the while, it allows users to remain fully sovereign by holding their own keys. Alby Hub also includes unique functionality, like Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC), “which enables remote, easy and secure use of funds by various apps, whether Nostr social media clients or wallet interfaces.” Given its simplicity, Alby Hub helps make the Lightning Network more accessible to mass audiences without compromising custody and security. You can learn more about Alby Hub here.

Aqua Wallet | Releases v0.2.0

Aqua Wallet, an open-source mobile wallet for Bitcoin, Lightning, Liquid, and Tether, released v0.2.0. This version introduces several new features, including a significant reduction in Liquid Network transaction fees to about 40 sats (which Aqua claims makes transactions ten times cheaper). The update also introduces Replace-by-Fee (RBF) for Bitcoin transactions, allowing users to increase the fee on stuck transactions to expedite confirmation. Additionally, it supports native Tether (USDT) transactions and enables USDT to cover Liquid Network fees. USDT as a digital currency is especially useful for individuals searching for currency stability in emerging markets. Lastly, Aqua includes Taproot swaps for instant refunds on failed Lightning transactions. Together, these updates provide users with more options for managing their funds. Learn more about Aqua Wallet here. 

Voltage | New Bitcoin Core Solution

Voltage, a provider of enterprise-grade infrastructure for Bitcoin and Lightning Network companies, launched a new Bitcoin Core solution designed to simplify the deployment and management of Bitcoin nodes. This product aims to enhance operational efficiency for developers and enterprises through a myriad of ways: providing access to the Bitcoin blockchain, a personal mempool, and an interface for configuration and management. According to the Voltage team, potential use cases for Bitcoin Core on Voltage include independent fee estimates, access to blockchain data, broadcasting transactions, transactions discovery, and integrating with custom applications, all while offloading the complexities of server management to Voltage. Learn more about the project’s offerings, which might be very helpful for NGOs managing their own Bitcoin donations, here.