The Human Rights Foundation, in collaboration with the Finney family, awarded Peter, Will and Gregory Maxwell the prestigious award Finney Freedom Award For their pioneering contributions to Bitcoin’s usability, scalability, and privacy. The award recognizes their work during the 2012-2016 era, corresponding to Bitcoin’s block spike of between 210,000 and 420,000.
The Finney Freedom Award honors individuals who have advanced the computer as a tool to protect individual freedoms around the world, following in the footsteps of Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney, who was the first recipient of the award.
An independent panel selected Wuille and Maxwell from a shortlist that included prominent Bitcoin contributors such as Andreas Antonopoulos, Roya Mahboob and Ross Ulbricht.
As open source software, Bitcoin relies on volunteer contributors to maintain, review, and improve its code base. Unlike traditional companies, Bitcoin has no central authority, making the work of developers like Wuille and Maxwell crucial to its continued success. Both have played pivotal roles in ensuring that Bitcoin remains strong, secure, and a practical tool for financial freedom.
“The efforts of Weill and Maxwell make Bitcoin a practical human rights tool for millions of people, especially many who work under authoritarian regimes and financial oppression around the world,” the Finney Freedom Prize announcement said.
Their contributions have helped Bitcoin become a powerful financial resource for individuals around the world, especially those living in oppressive environments.
The winners will share a cash prize of 100,000,000 Satoshi (1 Bitcoin), and each will receive a Vinny Prize of Freedom statue designed by Cryptograffiti.
the next Freedom in me The winner, covering the 2016-2020 era (block height from 420,000 to 630,000), will be announced on January 10, 2026.
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