Bitcoin: Empowering Human Rights and Challenging Authoritarian Regimes

• Bitcoin is now liquid enough to be used in a human rights context.
• Bitcoin helps empower financially disenfranchised individuals.
• Bitcoin Dada educates African women on investing in and using Bitcoin.
• Bitcoin Dua teaches community members in Ghana about Bitcoin and job skills.
• Bitcoin is a financial network of last resort for pro-democracy activists under authoritarian regimes.
• Challenges include high fees and the need for Layer 2 solutions.

Summary :
Bitcoin is being increasingly recognized as a tool for promoting human rights. With its growing market cap and reduced volatility, it can empower financially marginalized individuals. Bitcoin Dada educates African women on investing in and using Bitcoin, enabling them to save and subvert patriarchal restrictions. Bitcoin Dua in Ghana teaches community members about Bitcoin and provides them with skills for job opportunities. Lyudmyla Kozlovska, President of the Open Dialogue Foundation, argues that Bitcoin is crucial for pro-democracy activists living under authoritarian regimes, as it serves as a financial network of last resort. However, challenges remain, such as high fees on the Bitcoin base chain, which may exclude certain users from self-custody. Layer 2 solutions like Lightning and ecash offer alternatives, but they come with tradeoffs. Despite imperfections, these technologies provide access to a parallel financial system, acting as a hedge against existing monetary systems. Organizations like the Human Rights Foundation will continue to address emerging challenges and work towards bringing Bitcoin to those who need it most in the Empowerment Epoch.

Sources :

- Bitcoinmagazine