Human Rights Foundation partners with Casa to strengthen Bitcoin security
Today we're excited to share that Casa is working with the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) to deliver expert consultancy on digital security and bitcoin security to activists and dissidents, helping to protect vital funds used to fight human rights abuses around the world.
Founded in 2005, HRF is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting civil liberties and challenges authoritarianism around the world. The charity also hosts the Oslo Freedom Forum, a series of global conferences that brings activists and leaders from different industries together to discuss human rights and expose dictatorships.
According to HRF, non-profit organizations such as independent media outlets, environmental groups, anti-corruption activists, and pro-democracy movements face many financial difficulties when working in societies ruled by repressive regimes. Not only can activists and NGOs find it very difficult to access traditional banking services, but governments and banks can freeze their accounts or block access to their funds.
Casa will be working with HRF in its growing efforts to educate non-profit organizations and activists around the world in understanding and using Bitcoin. The Casa team will participate in HRF workshops, lending its expertise in cybersecurity and bitcoin security to help activists use tools to protect themselves.
Bitcoin also provides a unique opportunity for non-profits like HRF to more easily receive donations and give grants — but only if they can keep their coins safe while making it easy to transfer funds without the friction of traditional highly-secure solutions. Casa provides the solution: Bitcoin self-custody that marries security with usability.
Casa uses proven technologies, combining multisig, hardware wallets and risk diversification in a way that’s highly secure yet simple and intuitive for anyone to use. HRF will be using Casa to protect its bitcoin donations, including bitcoin gifted to its recently announced Bitcoin Development Fund. Casa will ensure these funds are highly secure yet easy to transfer when necessary.
“Bitcoin has enormous potential to help activists raise funds to fight human rights abuses in difficult political environments, but storing it in a safe yet accessible way has always been a challenge,” said Alex Gladstein Chief Strategy Officer at Human Rights Foundation. “With software like Casa, organizations can keep their bitcoin secure while maintaining full control, without the risk of losing funds due to a mistake. It’s critical that activists control the private keys to their bitcoin, so they can always get their funds to where it’s needed, when it’s needed.”
“Sadly, human rights organizations face unique challenges when it comes to managing their funds, including having their bank accounts frozen,” said Nick Neuman, CEO at Casa. “But this can happen to any charity, as we saw in 2019 when HSBC froze the account of Hong Kong pro-democracy group Spark Alliance due to political pressure.”
“But Bitcoin changes the game,” continued Neuman. “As long as it is protected within a highly secure self-custody solution, Bitcoin enables activists to receive and spend funds in a way that governments and corporations can’t control. Bitcoin also provides significantly more freedom for moving funds around the world and, since it’s not subject to the fees and friction of international transfers, more money is available more quickly to fund projects that make a real difference.”
ABOUT CASA
Casa is the secure home for your Bitcoin. The Company builds tools at the forefront of Bitcoin self-custody, enabling individuals to take control of their wealth by holding their own Bitcoin private keys in an easy and secure manner. Casa is building for a future where self-custody is default and every individual, family, and business can freely manage their own wealth and data.
Are you a non-profit organization wanting to accept Bitcoin donations?
We can help—contact us at membership@team.casa for more information.