A pro-democracy protester gives the three-finger salute while holding up a sign on an electronic ... [+] tablet during an anti-government rally on the outskirts of Bangkok on October 19, 2020. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP) (Photo by JACK TAYLOR/AFP via Getty Images)
In a COVID-19 era marked by aggressive political consolidation and economic troubles, there have been sparks of protests around the world. From Hong Kong, to the United States to Nigeria, to Thailand, to Belarus and beyond no corner of the world has been untouched by a wave of fresh political protests.
Their causes are diverse: fighting against established political classes, opposing police brutality or calling for reexaminations of elections with possibly fraudulent vote counts.
Yet their concerns are common: they are aligned against powerful and entrenched politicians who largely control trust within their borders. From use of force against dissidents to regulations that control domestic banking systems to the control of state-affiliated media, political incumbents have a lot of power to wield to advance their interests. In order to create meaningful dissent, you have to work around that power.
Cryptocurrency offers one way to doing so. From the payment processor side, you can set up your own payment service using open-source software such as BTCPay. With decentralization, you dont rely on any third-party organization to vet or potentially censor your payments, and there are no processing fees: a stark contrast from the conventional banking system in nation-states that are largely dependent on the corpus between political and legal power to maintain their good financial standing.
An example of this is the Feminist Coalition, an organization of Nigerian activists, moving to accept donations in bitcoin as part of the #EndSARS movement dedicated to fighting police brutality in Nigeria. The Feminist Coalition has reported that its bank account has been shut down, along with a donation link provided by centralized payment processor Flutterwave. Flutterwaves chairman is Tunde Lemo, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The move to bitcoin not only helps the Feminist Coalition to be resilient to censorship for payment processors who are entrenched in traditional power structures, it also helps donors decide the level of privacy they need to make donations to a cause that might be frowned upon in official circles.
People can choose to use Wasabi wallet and the combination of tools they bring to the fore (broadcasting via the Tor network, using CoinJoin to more deeply anonymize transactions) to express a strong desire for privacy. They can use a bitcoin address they dont use very often and which cant be strongly tied to their identity to send cryptocurrency donations. Or they can choose to express a very loose expression of privacy by sending from a more centralized exchange with stricter identity rules such as Coinbase.
The essential point is that people can send cryptocurrency when centralized exchanges censor payment processing and theres no other ways to transact, and they can choose how strongly they want to link their personal identity to financial transactions in the face of political repression and political power.
This same dynamic is what happened with Hong Kong Free Press, an English-level media organization that has pro-democracy support and perspectives within Hong Kong which is also using BTCpay to accept bitcoin and donations.
Given the new national security law, its possible that payment processors might shut off Hong Kong Free Press and their access to the financial resources required to operate and its possible that they might go after with their donors, especially ones with weaker privacy protections.
In Thailand, where pro-democracy protestors have emerged, protestors have put up signs asking for others to buy bitcoin. In Belarus, government employees fired for supporting the political opposition have been supported with grants partially financed through cryptocurrencies by the BYSOL organization, an organization founded by civic society and technologists that support[s] anyone who was repressed, prosecuted, or lost their jobs because of participating in strikes or peaceful protests in Belarus.
Those facing political prosecution fill out a form that took one just ten minutes to figure out, and then theyre set up on a mobile cryptocurrency wallet, then sent grants and support. BYSOL is fundraising with bitcoin and ethereum as funding options. The organization has raised slightly over $2 million USD to send out to support protesters for their bravery if they are economically tied to the state and are punished for it.
Around the world, as protests mount, cryptocurrencies are starting to be used in various ways to go around established political power and to support protestors and dissidents. Each use further bolsters the case that cryptocurrencies can help support meaningful dissent and political diversity even in the face of extreme repression.
See the article here:
Dissidents Are Turning To Cryptocurrency As Protests Mount Around The World - Forbes
- Crypto()Currency - CryptoCurrency.org [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- TNW - Stefan Molyneux - Money, Power and Politics The Cryptocurrency Revolution - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- How to Set Up a Ripple (CryptoCurrency) Generating System! - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Bitcoin / Cryptocurrency - An Extensive FAQ - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- --- The Great Debate --- Bitcoin vs Altcoin @ The CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Bryce Weiner @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Popularcoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Joshua Nold - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- TimeKoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Michael Brown - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Infinitecoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Loring Small - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Bitcoin Exchange CryptoRush Loses Millions of BlackCoin Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Brock Pierce, Entrepreneur "FireSide Chat" @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC - 4/9/14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- [OFFICIAL SPONSOR] Nick Spanos, Bitcoin Center NYC @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- AuroraCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - David Lio - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Dogecoin Founder Speaks on the Future of Cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- As Bitcoin Soars in Value, Alternative Cryptocurrencies ... [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Florincoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Joe Fiscella - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- DigiByte @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Jared Tate - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Digitalcoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Andrew Davidson - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- PotCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Nick Iversen - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- ZenithCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Eddie Corral - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- BitAngels Co-Founder, David Johnson @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Australian dogecoin founder speaks on the future of cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Coinnext Cryptocurrency Exchange Coming Soon - Video [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency News Round-Up: MtGox Hearing Begins as Bitcoin gets Bloomberg Endorsement [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- mTrader.org - Cryptocurrency Mining System - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency - cryptobars commodity Launch! - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- The Mises View: "Taxing Cryptocurrency" | Jeff Deist - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Coin Pursuit Launches SliceFeeds Interactive Cryptocurrency Network [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency | Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- CS 171 Final Project: Cryptocurrency Visualizations - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Explained The Tech Guy 1046 - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Know How 74 Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- MIT undergrads will each receive $100 in bitcoin [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2014]
- cryptocurrency - Fortune Finance: Hedge Funds, Markets ... [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Bitcoin wins US election panel's approval for political donations [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency of the World Unite! - Video [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- Major Dogecoin Wallet Hacked, Shut Down [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Such hack, much sad: Doge Vault reportedly loses $56,000 in heist [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- BBT Presents: Ode to Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Scryptify Cryptocurrency Video - Crypto Currency Exchanges - Video [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- AMD cuts Radeon R9 280 price as inflation woes die down [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Certification Consortium - Video [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2014]
- Bitpagar Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- TagPro - Cryptocurrency Juke Session w/ LTB & Counterpary - Video [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- How to Mine Cryptocurrency Safely - Video [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- Bunnycoin - Innovative New Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- Jan Irvin on Learning, Statism, Culture, Cryptocurrency and Voluntarism -- Potent News Podcast #1 - Video [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- Nxt cryptocurrency platform: Proof of Stake mining system - Video [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Round-Up: Darkcoin Rise Continues; Dogecoin Saved My Life & Bitcoin Explainer Videos [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2014]
- Givecoin.info Announces Partnership with Do A Bit of Good: World's First Charitable Mining Screensaver [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency: Get Mining! - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- Violincoin - The first cryptocurrency for musician - - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- Trollcoin - The Fun Cryptocurrency! - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency and Nonprofits with Eric Nakagawa - Video [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Store - Video [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Store (Spanish/Espagnol) - Video [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2014]
- How To Trade CryptoCurrency: Sign up to a safe and reliable exchange for trading CryptoCurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2014]
- UT students to launch cryptocurrency exchange [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2014]
- Videoconferencia Cryptocurrency 201243946 - Video [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- VideoCharla Jesus Ramos Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Round-Up: Bitcoin Pioneer Dies and Digital Currency's Status in Australia [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Bitcoin enthusiasts discuss the cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Make Fast 1.0 up to 10.00 BTC or Any Cryptocurrency REAL CASH - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Halcyon cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Selling products / services / fiat money for cryptocurrency - Coinkite PoS Terminal - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Selling cryptocurrency to customers - Coinkite PoS Terminal - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Made Simple - A Plain English Guide to Bitcoins [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2014]
- PotatoCoin - The cryptocurrency for the third world - Video [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2014]
- How To Trade One Kind Of Cryptocurrency For A Different Kind Of Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2014]
- How To Fund Your Bleutrade Cryptocurrency Trading Account - Video [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2014]
- How To Open An Account At Bleutrade.com Cryptocurrency Exchange - Video [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Round-Up: Apple Pay Boosts Bitcoin, Nakamoto Negotiates With Hacker [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2014]
- Qoinpro Cryptocurrency Faucet ok - Video [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2014]
- Weekly Roundup - CEX.IO - Multi-Functional cryptocurrency exchange - Video [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2014]
- TCR #27: Cryptocurrency growth, 9/11 Anniversary, CDC Scandal, Face Your Fears - Video [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2014]
- VanosEnigmA 011 Bitcoin-Comedy BitcoinDog CryptoCurrency-Cat Naughty - Video [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2014]
- WikiLeaks Avoided Bitcoin to Prevent Government 'Destroying' Cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2014]
- LXC Coin crowdfunds in challenge to Bitcoin [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2014]
- Why Bitcoin Is Poised To Win Big In Las Vegas [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2014]