Alex Gladstein is a prominent advocate for human rights and individual freedom.
As the Chief Strategy Officer of the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) and a leading voice promoting Bitcoin as a tool for freedom, Gladstein has dedicated his career to merging technology and activism to challenge authoritarian regimes and oppressive economic systems.
In this article, we’ll explore Alex Gladstein’s journey and discover how he uses Bitcoin not only as a technological innovation but as a powerful tool in the global fight for autonomy and dignity.
Shall we begin?
Table of Contents
Who Is Alex Gladstein and What Is His Connection to Bitcoin?
Alex Gladstein is the Chief Strategy Officer of the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) and a passionate advocate for Bitcoin as a tool for freedom.
Born in 1986 in the United States, Gladstein is one of the most influential voices connecting Bitcoin and human rights. As an author and speaker, he actively highlights how technology and freedom intersect to transform lives, particularly in oppressive and challenging environments.
At HRF, an organization dedicated to defending human rights in authoritarian regimes, Gladstein also leads the Oslo Freedom Forum, a global conference that brings together leaders and activists to discuss freedom and justice worldwide.
In recent years, Gladstein has emerged as a key proponent of Bitcoin, emphasizing its role not just as a technological innovation but as a crucial tool to safeguard freedom in regions where governments exert control and suppress their citizens.
Human Rights Advocate
Alex Gladstein is a dedicated human rights activist who began his career supporting movements that promote equality and justice.
In 2007, he joined the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), and by 2009, he became the Chief Strategy Officer for the Oslo Freedom Forum, playing a key role in shaping the project from its inception.
Before fully embracing Bitcoin, Gladstein spent over a decade supporting activists and journalists in countries like Russia, China, and North Korea. It was during this time that he recognized Bitcoin’s potential as a powerful tool for resisting oppression and advancing freedom.
Major Books by Alex Gladstein
As an author, Alex Gladstein has written extensively on the intersection of human rights, economics, and technology, with a strong focus on Bitcoin’s role in advancing individual freedom.
Some of his notable books include:
The Little Bitcoin Book (2019)
Co-written in 2019, The Little Bitcoin Book offers a clear and accessible explanation of the flaws in the current financial system and how Bitcoin, as a decentralized and censorship-resistant currency, can address these issues.
It highlights Bitcoin’s ability to empower individuals worldwide by providing financial access to anyone with an internet connection.
Check Your Financial Privilege (2022)
Released in 2022, Check Your Financial Privilege by Alex Gladstein highlights how Bitcoin empowers individuals living in financially challenging and oppressive environments.
The book encourages readers from developed nations to recognize the struggles faced by millions in unstable economies with fragile currencies and repressive government controls.
Through real-life stories, Gladstein demonstrates how Bitcoin has become a vital tool for protecting financial freedom and human rights in regions where traditional financial systems either fail or perpetuate oppression.
Hidden Repression: How the IMF and World Bank Sell Exploitation as Development (2023)
In his latest book, Hidden Repression: How the IMF and World Bank Sell Exploitation as Development, Alex Gladstein critiques how institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank often harm the very countries they claim to help.
Gladstein argues that these organizations impose economic policies that perpetuate poverty, exploitation, and dependence, ultimately serving the interests of wealthier nations and local elites rather than fostering genuine development.
The book examines how loans and imposed conditions can trap developing nations in cycles of debt and stagnation. He calls for a rethinking of these traditional “development” models and advocates for fairer, more sustainable alternatives.
With his expertise and passion, Alex Gladstein highlights Bitcoin’s potential to serve not just as money but as a tool for freedom and dignity for millions worldwide.
His Involvement with Bitcoin
Since 2014, the HRF has recognized Bitcoin as a powerful tool for promoting freedom and financial autonomy, particularly for individuals living under authoritarian regimes.
In this context, Alex Gladstein has emerged as a leading advocate for Bitcoin. He emphasizes that Bitcoin allows activists to bypass financial censorship, enabling them to receive support and funds without government interference.
In an interview on the What Bitcoin Did podcast (linked below), Gladstein described Bitcoin as a “superpower” for those facing repression, helping them protect their finances and continue their fight for freedom.
Key points Gladstein highlights about Bitcoin:
- Censorship Resistance: as a decentralized currency, Bitcoin cannot be easily controlled or blocked by governments. This enables people to send and receive money even in repressive conditions.
- Protection Against Inflation: in countries where local currencies are collapsing, such as Venezuela and Zimbabwe, Bitcoin serves as a much more stable and reliable alternative, acting as a store of value and protecting purchasing power.
- Financial Inclusion: in regions without access to banking systems, Bitcoin provides a practical solution for people without access to traditional financial services.
Bitcoin Development Fund
At the Human Rights Foundation, Alex Gladstein leads the Financial Freedom Initiative, which includes the Bitcoin Development Fund. This fund provides critical support to people and projects that use Bitcoin and other tools to advance freedom worldwide.
The fund finances developers, activists, educators, translators, designers, and community leaders working to make Bitcoin more accessible and impactful.
Since its inception, it has backed numerous initiatives, including privacy tools like CoinSwap, Bitcoin wallets, and educational projects.
Even Area Bitcoin is among the projects supported by the Bitcoin Development Fund, with HRF contributing to content creation and translating materials into languages like English and Spanish.
Pretty cool, right?!
Gladstein’s Role as a Speaker
As seen, Alex Gladstein is an inspiring figure when it comes to talking about Bitcoin and freedom.
As a speaker, Gladstein travels the world sharing his vision of how Bitcoin can transform lives, particularly in regions where human rights are under threat. He brings powerful, real-life stories of individuals using Bitcoin to escape authoritarian regimes, combat hyperinflation, or send money to loved ones where traditional financial systems have failed.
Known for his passionate yet approachable style, Alex Gladstein avoids complex technical jargon, focusing instead on Bitcoin’s human impact. He connects deeply with audiences, helping them see Bitcoin as more than just numbers and charts, but as a lifeline with meaning and urgency.
If you’ve heard Alex Gladstein speak, you’ll know he challenges you to think differently. While some may use Bitcoin for convenience or curiosity, he reminds us that, for millions, it’s a necessity.
Most recently, Gladstein spoke at SatsConf, Brazil’s 100% Bitcoin-focused conference, where he delivered a talk on “Bitcoin’s Global Utility: Commerce and Freedom.”
Final Thoughts
Alex Gladstein has dedicated his career to advancing individual and financial freedom while defending human rights. He is a pivotal voice in global discussions about Bitcoin as a crucial tool for protecting autonomy, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes or in emerging economies.
Gladstein also emphasizes the need to improve Bitcoin’s privacy and accessibility, recognizing that overcoming these challenges is vital for its broader adoption. He believes collaboration among developers, activists, and educators is essential to ensure Bitcoin remains a practical and accessible resource for everyone.
His work reminds us that Bitcoin is more than just financial protection—it is a lifeline for those striving and fighting for greater freedom.
In a world where millions live under oppression, Bitcoin provides a way to resist.
I hope you enjoyed learning about Alex Gladstein and his remarkable journey!
Until the next article, and Opt Out.
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Founder of Area Bitcoin, one of the largest Bitcoin education projects in the world, she is a marketer, passionate about technology, and a full-time hands-on professional. She has participated in major Bitcoin conferences such as Adopting Bitcoin, Satsconf, Surfin Bitcoin, and Bitcoin Conference.
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