During a summit organized by the Bitcoin Policy Institute in Washington, Chief Operating Officer of the Human Rights Foundation Alex Gladstein emphasized the important role of bitcoin in the fight against authoritarian regimes. He highlighted that cryptocurrency has become a reliable financial tool for people living in countries with harsh political or economic situations, where governments restrict citizens’ rights.
This is reported by Finway
Bitcoin as a Protection for Citizens in Unjust Systems
Gladstein noted that critics often underestimate bitcoin, failing to understand its true value for people outside developed countries. According to him, residents of the U.S. and Europe enjoy financial privileges that are unavailable to most people in other nations. He cited the example of activists in Ukraine during protests against the Yanukovych regime, whose bank accounts were frozen, forcing them to turn to alternative financial solutions, including bitcoin.
“We face resistance in the press, from politicians, and from various experts who claim that bitcoin has no value or utility. […] They fail to grasp how people use money here in the U.S. and in Europe — it’s not the same as in other countries,” said Gladstein.
According to the expert, about 87% of the world’s population lives in states with unstable economies, weak national currencies, or under authoritarian governments that deprive people of the ability to participate in political life and control their finances. Bitcoin, in Gladstein’s view, gives such citizens a chance to save their wealth and access global markets even amid inflation and political repression.
Bitcoin – Financial Freedom Under Pressure
Particular attention was given to the fact that banks can block the accounts of opposition politicians, activists, or individuals inconvenient for the authorities, increasing citizens’ dependence on the official financial system. Gladstein emphasized that bitcoin makes such discrimination impossible, as it does not require banking intermediaries and does not depend on users’ personal data. He provided examples of bitcoin usage in Belarus, Afghanistan, and Venezuela, where cryptocurrency has become a means of financial independence from dictatorships.
Gladstein also stressed that bitcoin cannot be a tool for discrimination: users are not denied access to services based on their identity, gender, or political beliefs. In his opinion, by 2030, bitcoin will become a key asset in the protection of human rights worldwide.
“The main takeaway from my speech is: ‘Bitcoin is bad for dictators.’ We first thought about this many years ago when Ukrainian protesters against the Yanukovych regime [former president of Ukraine] faced account freezing. They turned to us for help. And it worked,” Gladstein stated.
In conclusion, the expert emphasized that bitcoin is money that dictators cannot stop, unlike traditional currencies such as the dollar. He noted that bitcoin is not meant for everyone, but is accessible to anyone who needs independence from repressive financial structures.