@ HRF

Good morning, readers! Georgian officials froze the bank accounts of five nonprofit organizations that provide financial and legal support to detained protesters. This follows rising public unrest as Georgia’s regime pushes new laws restricting free speech and assembly, introducing new fines and penalties, and expanding law enforcement powers. By eroding civil protections, the regime makes it more dangerous and costly for activists, dissenters, and everyday citizens to stand up against an increasingly repressive regime.\ \ Meanwhile, the Indian government introduced a new income tax bill that grants tax authorities sweeping surveillance power over anyone they “suspect” of tax evasion. If suspected, tax authorities are legally allowed to access Indians' email, social media, and bank accounts, raising obvious concerns over state overreach and invasions of individual financial privacy.\ \ In freedom tech news, HRF donated 1 billion satoshis to more than 20 projects worldwide, focusing on supporting human rights defenders and vulnerable communities under authoritarian regimes across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These gifts advance censorship-resistant communications and transactions, bitcoin education, and privacy tools so that dissidents, nonprofits, and individuals may better protect their human rights and financial freedom. In this letter we also spotlight a new open-source mobile Bitcoin wallet called Cove. While still in beta, the wallet can be used with a hardware device or on its own as a hot wallet, offering a flexible self-custody setup for managing Bitcoin. We end with a podcast in which HRF Chief Strategy Officer Alex Gladstein discusses the state of freedom tech and why Bitcoin stands as the most promising tool for financial liberation. **Now, let’s get right to it!** ### [**SUBSCRIBE HERE**](https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter?mc_cid=bf652c0a5a) ## **GLOBAL NEWS** #### **Georgia | Officials Freeze Accounts of Organizations Supporting Protesters** Georgian officials have [frozen](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/03/georgia-authorities-freeze-accounts-of-organizations-supporting-protesters-to-kill-the-peaceful-protests/) the bank accounts of five nonprofit organizations that provide financial and legal aid to dissenters. This comes in response to an uprising of protests over new controversial laws that restrict free expression and assembly, increase fines and detention periods, and expand law enforcement powers. Georgian officials justify the account freezes as part of an investigation into “sabotage,” yet they have provided no evidence. Amnesty International [warns](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/03/georgia-authorities-freeze-accounts-of-organizations-supporting-protesters-to-kill-the-peaceful-protests/) this financial assault could “kill the entire protest movement.” Bitcoin provides a way to circumvent these struggles. Its uncensorable and permissionless nature has helped [sustain](https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclusive/how-to-dictator-proof-your-money/) pro-democracy movements across Belarus and Nigeria, proving it is capable of addressing the immense financial restrictions dictators impose. #### **United Arab Emirates | Plans to Launch “Digital Durham” CBDC in 2025** The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will [launch](https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/uae-to-launch-digital-dirham-by-year-end-to-modernise-payments-and-noost-financial-inclusion-470013-2025-03-31?utm_source=semafor#) its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the “[Digital Durham](https://cbdctracker.hrf.org/currency/united-arab-emirates),” by the end of 2025. [According](https://www.ledgerinsights.com/uae-to-launch-cbdc-in-q4-2025/) to the central bank, the CBDC will be available through licensed financial institutions and operate via a government-run digital wallet. Every transaction will be recorded on a permissioned blockchain run by the government. The central bank further [admitted](https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/finance-and-economy/central-bank-digital-currency-strategy) the CBDC will replace cash and [assist](https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/uae-to-launch-digital-dirham-by-year-end-to-modernise-payments-and-noost-financial-inclusion-470013-2025-03-31?utm_source=semafor#) law enforcement “by leaving a digital trail for transactions involving illicit funds.” Officials [claim](https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/uae-to-launch-digital-dirham-by-year-end-to-modernise-payments-and-noost-financial-inclusion-470013-2025-03-31?utm_source=semafor#) this is to combat financial crime, but it also enables real-time surveillance and tracking of individual financial activity. In a country known for strict laws against dissent and extensive surveillance capabilities, it is not hard to see how a CBDC will erode the autonomy and rights of activists, dissenters, and others who oppose an increasingly authoritarian regime. #### **India | Grants Tax Authorities Access to Citizens’ Online Data** Starting in April 2026, the Indian government will [grant](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/tax/your-email-and-social-media-account-can-be-accessed-by-income-tax-officer-starting-next-financial-year-in-these-cases/articleshow/118685184.cms) tax authorities legal access to the private online data of any citizen “suspected” of tax evasion. This will include legal access to personal emails, social media, and bank accounts. The new law expands on the Income Tax Act of 1961, which previously limited officials to searching physical premises for financial documents. Now, officials can bypass digital security measures and access private data without consent — all under a legal framework. This dissipation of financial privacy sets an intrusive precedent and opens the door to state-level corruption and surveillance in a country where the Modi regime has already made it clear they are happy to use financial repression to further cement their power. #### **Myanmar | Bitcoin as a Tool Support Earthquake Disaster Relief** Last week, a [7.7 magnitude earthquake](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/world/asia/earthquake-myanmar-thailand-death-toll.html) struck central Burma, with strong tremors reaching neighboring Thailand. The [official death toll ](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/survivors-myanmar-quake-left-without-food-water-shelter-aid-groups-say-2025-04-01/)has surpassed 2700. And in Bangkok, a 33-story building under construction [collapsed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynrhyIh4ozo). Despite an already strenuous situation, Burma’s military junta continues its oppression. They are [blocking](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/world/asia/myanmar-earthquake-rescue.html) rescue teams from reaching the Sagaing region — the epicenter of the earthquake and the heart of Burma’s pro-democracy movement — and instead channeling aid to regime-controlled cities like Naypyidaw and Mandalay. The junta is also continuing to conduct air strikes on civilians and restricting equipment and fuel for aid groups, leaving a [million](https://data.unhcr.org/en/country/mmr) people in Sagaing to fend for themselves. In these repressive circumstances, Bitcoin can provide a censorship-resistant way to send funds directly to those affected. #### **Angola | Regime Jacks Price of Diesel** The Angolan regime [raised](https://www.rigzone.com/news/wire/angola_doubles_diesel_prices_after_imf_call_for_subsidy_cuts-25-mar-2025-180020-article/) diesel prices by 50% in the process of eliminating fuel subsidies. Diesel prices suddenly increased from 200 to 300 kwanza per liter, driving up transportation costs in a country where over half the population lives on [less](https://www.rigzone.com/news/wire/angola_doubles_diesel_prices_after_imf_call_for_subsidy_cuts-25-mar-2025-180020-article/) than $2 a day and inflation is over 42%. Previous fuel subsidy cuts in 2023 (where the price of diesel rose [80%](https://www.dw.com/en/angolan-police-crack-down-on-fuel-hike-protests/a-65978231)) sparked [protests](https://www.dw.com/en/angolan-police-crack-down-on-fuel-hike-protests/a-65978231) between taxi drivers, nonprofit workers, and law enforcement. This recent price increase now raises fears of renewed crackdowns. The Angolan regime also introduced new civil society laws that Guilherme Neves, chairman of the human rights organization Associacao Maos Livres, [describes](https://www.dw.com/en/angolan-police-crack-down-on-fuel-hike-protests/a-65978231) as a “license to erase non-governmental organizations that are not government-compliant.” Angolans find themselves in increasingly precarious financial positions as the government erodes the civil safeguards protecting nonprofits and dissenters. #### **Nicaragua | Ortega’s Dismantling of Press Freedom** Since coming to power in 2007, Ortega has [closed or seized](https://havanatimes.org/features/ortegas-war-on-journalism-in-nicaragua/) 61 media outlets, imprisoned countless journalists, and forced over 280 journalists into exile. His [assault on press freedom](https://havanatimes.org/features/ortegas-war-on-journalism-in-nicaragua/) has unfolded in two phases: initial raids on local radio stations and TV channels between 2007 and 2017, followed by full-scale censorship in 2018 on independent media outlets like [La Prensa](https://www.laprensani.com/) and [CONFIDENCIAL](https://confidencial.digital/). Ortega then intensified attacks from 2019 to 2021 by closing Nicaragua’s second-oldest newspaper and passing laws to [criminalize](https://havanatimes.org/features/ortegas-war-on-journalism-in-nicaragua/) free expression. This is a deliberate strategy to eliminate dissent and independent voices. What’s happening in Nicaragua highlights the importance of open and decentralized protocols like nostr, which allow journalists to publish freely without getting censored. While still early, it is becoming essential for sharing information absent the fear of being blocked or silenced by autocratic leaders. ## BITCOIN AND FREEDOM TECH NEWS #### **HRF | Gifts 1 Billion Satoshis to 20+ Open Source Projects Worldwide** HRF gifted 1 billion satoshis in its Q1 2025 round of [Bitcoin Development Fund](https://hrf.org/program/financial-freedom/bitcoin-development-fund/) (BDF) grants, supporting more than 20 open-source projects around the world. These projects advance Bitcoin education, open-source software, mining decentralization, and privacy tools for activists contending with authoritarian regimes across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Supporting permissionless financial tools and censorship-resistant technologies empowers dissidents, journalists, and civil society to organize, transact, and communicate without state suppression and interference. Learn more about the grantees and their work [here](https://hrf.org/latest/hrf-bitcoin-development-fund-supports-20-projects-worldwide/). #### **Cove | New Open-Source and Permissionless Bitcoin Wallet** [Cove](https://github.com/bitcoinppl/cove) is a new open-source and permissionless mobile Bitcoin wallet that aims to put users in full control of their Bitcoin. Users can connect their own hardware wallet (to manage Bitcoin offline) or use Cove as a hot wallet (to manage Bitcoin online). It also allows users to create multiple wallets from the app itself. In the future, Cove plans to add Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) selection and coin control, giving users more independence over their transactions and the tools to better protect their financial privacy. While still in beta and only suitable for test funds, this wallet holds promise as a privacy tool to equip dissidents with self-custodied Bitcoin. You can try it [here](https://github.com/bitcoinppl/cove). #### **Second | New Ark Implementation Launches on Bitcoin Signet** [Second](https://second.tech/), a company building on Ark, a protocol designed to help scale Bitcoin’s transaction throughput, [launched](https://blog.second.tech/try-ark-on-signet/?ref=nobsbitcoin.com) “Bark.” Bark is a test implementation of the Ark protocol deployed on Bitcoin’s [Signet](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Signet) network (where developers test software). More broadly, the Ark protocol helps make Bitcoin transactions more private, faster, and cheaper, supporting the network in handling more transactions and users with the tradeoff of being less trusted than the mainchain, as funds stored in a noncustodial way on Ark can expire if not used. While it is still in early development, the test release of Bark marks a step toward deployment on the main Bitcoin network. Scaling solutions like Ark could be important for activists and individuals. They might ensure Bitcoin remains accessible to all, even as block space demand increases and network fees rise. Learn about it [here](https://blog.second.tech/try-ark-on-signet/?ref=nobsbitcoin.com). #### **Braiins | Open Sources Bitcoin Control Board** [Braiins](https://braiins.com/), a company building tools for Bitcoin mining, [open-sourced](https://x.com/BraiinsMining/status/1904601547855573458) its [BCB100](https://github.com/braiins/BCB100) Bitcoin Control Board, giving miners using their products greater insight and control over their Bitcoin mining hardware and firmware. Sharing the design files and firmware openly helps strengthen Bitcoin’s decentralization, making it more resilient against corporate or state interference. Specifically, open-sourcing mining hardware ensures individual miners can operate independently, reducing censorship risks across the entire network. In turn, this preserves financial freedom by keeping Bitcoin accessible and usable by dissidents, nonprofits, and individuals who need it most. #### **African Bitcoiners | Publish Bitcoin Starter Guide** [African Bitcoiners](https://x.com/afribitcoiners) just published “[Bitcoin: Africa’s Guide to Freedom Money](https://x.com/afribitcoiners/status/1904516726273851513),” a Bitcoin guide providing clear, practical insights into how Bitcoin can help people across the continent escape inflation, corrupt regimes, and failing financial systems. It covers essential topics to get started — from choosing a wallet to properly securing Bitcoin. In Africa, where some of the world’s longest-standing dictators restrict even basic financial activity, this guide is a powerful resource for human rights defenders, nonprofits, and everyday citizens. Read it[ here](https://bitcoiners.africa/bitcoin-africas-guide-to-freedom-money/). #### **OpenSats | 10th Wave of Nostr Grants** [OpenSats](https://opensats.org/), a nonprofit that supports open-source software development, [announced](https://opensats.org/blog/10th-wave-of-nostr-grants) its tenth wave of grants for projects in the nostr ecosystem. Nostr is a decentralized protocol that enables digital identity and communications outside the reach of authoritarian states. The grant round provides support to nostr Epoxy, which enhances access to nostr by circumventing censorship through a network of paid proxies. This ensures activists and dissidents can continue to communicate even in restrictive environments. Additionally, Zapstore received a grant for providing a permissionless app store built on nostr that enables developers to distribute software without corporate gatekeepers. This provides an open-source alternative to centralized app stores that often comply with government censorship and restrict dissidents’ access to freedom tools. ## RECOMMENDED CONTENT #### **Freedom Tech with Alex Gladstein** In this [episode](https://x.com/blockspacepod/status/1896229100702089589?s=46&t=yEPKerGEzeCp5j_mIaNJ8A) of The Gwart Show, Alex Gladstein, chief strategy officer at HRF, breaks down how and why Bitcoin serves as “money dictators can’t stop.” Drawing on more than 17 years of human rights work, he shares real-world examples of activists and citizens using Bitcoin to escape financial repression in authoritarian countries. Gladstein also explores privacy tools, cross-border payments, and why Bitcoin offers promising hope for financial freedom. Watch the full conversation [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ng961QZwI0). #### **The State of Personal Online Security and Confidentiality with Meredith Whittaker**   In this [keynote](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyH7zoP-JOg) for SXSW 2025, Signal CEO Meredith Whittaker shares her growing concerns around AI, personal data collection, and the erosion of privacy in today’s increasingly digital world. She emphasizes the need for more secure, uncensorable, and privacy-protecting technologies that shield users from surveillance and exploitation, especially in the context of authoritarian regimes. Watch the [full discussion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyH7zoP-JOg) for a pragmatic view into the future of digital privacy and security. *If this article was forwarded to you and you enjoyed reading it, please consider subscribing to the Financial Freedom Report [here](https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter?mc_cid=bf652c0a5a).* *Support the newsletter by donating bitcoin to HRF’s Financial Freedom program [via BTCPay](https://hrf.org/btc).*\ *Want to contribute to the newsletter? Submit tips, stories, news, and ideas by emailing us at ffreport @ [hrf.org](http://hrf.org/)* *The Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF) is accepting grant proposals on an ongoing basis. The Bitcoin Development Fund is looking to support Bitcoin developers, community builders, and educators. Submit proposals [here](https://forms.monday.com/forms/57019f8829449d9e729d9e3545a237ea?r=use1)*. [**Subscribe to newsletter**](http://financialfreedomreport.org/) [**Apply for a grant**](https://forms.monday.com/forms/57019f8829449d9e729d9e3545a237ea?r=use1&mc_cid=39c1c9b7e8&mc_eid=778e9876e3) [**Support our work**](https://hrf.org/btc?mc_cid=39c1c9b7e8&mc_eid=778e9876e3) [**Visit our website**](https://hrf.org/programs/financial-freedom/)