Bitcoin as an opportunity in the fight for self-determination and human rights
For people all over the world, outside of Wall Street, Bitcoin offers a way to break free from inflation, political unrest, and an outdated monetary system. For these people — a large part of the world's population — digital money could, in some circumstances, even save their lives.
As CSO of the Human Rights Foundation, Alex Gladstein is in a unique position to describe the rise of Bitcoin as a useful tool — from cypherpunk dream to last bastion capable of protecting people around the world from oppression. Gladstein is clear: whoever was born into a reserve currency such as the Euro, Yen, or Dollar holds a financial privilege over 89% of the world's population, who grow up within a weaker system.
In Nigeria, human rights activists have relied on Bitcoin donations after being targeted by authoritarian regimes. In Cuba, those who saved in Bitcoin were able to stay afloat after a dual-currency system severely devalued the peso. In El Salvador, where remittance fees and exchange rates can largely devour a simple money transfer to needy family members, Bitcoin offers hope through lower fees and faster transactions.