Btrust

Bitcoin runs because of people. Developers who review code, fix bugs, debate tradeoffs, and quietly maintain the software behind a global monetary network. Btrust was created to help decentralize Bitcoin development across the Global Majority. One way we do this is by funding and supporting African developers contributing to Bitcoin open‑source projects. In 2025, we focused on building the systems to make this work better. We experimented, improved our processes, and strengthened the pipeline that supports developers contributing to Bitcoin. And our grantees delivered. They contributed to 15 Bitcoin open‑source projects, including Bitcoin Core, Lightning Dev Kit, Bitcoin Dev Kit, BTCPay Server, BlueWallet, Rust‑Bitcoin, and more. Together they produced 431 commits, 222 merged pull requests, and 475 code reviews, helping improve tools used across the Bitcoin ecosystem. This blog, co-authored by Kelvin Isievwore, breaks down the projects they worked on, the technical contributions they made, and the impact across the Bitcoin stack. Read the full blog to learn more: https://blog.btrust.tech/2025-btrust-developer-grantee-im… Learn more about our developer grant program and apply through our website: https://www.btrust.tech/grants/developer

Reminder 🚨 Tomorrow is the final day to apply for the Programs & Operations Officer and Communications Associate positions. We’ve received an overwhelming response, with over 490 and 480 applications respectively. Learn more and submit your application below: Programs & Operations Officer: https://btrust.homerun.co/programs-operations-officer/en Communications Associate: https://btrust.homerun.co/communications-associate/en

We recently had the pleasure of sponsoring and being part of the just concluded @Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town 🇿🇦 conference. Things kicked off on Thursday with the Bitcoin Circular Economy Summit, followed by the pre-conference hangout. It was a great chance to meet people, network, and enjoy some fun activities like sim golf ⛳ before the main event began. On day 1, @Sy ⚡, a Btrust developer grantee working on Stratum V2, presented a session on mining decentralization. He broke things down from the basics all the way to the technical details, showing why mining pool centralization can become a censorship risk. He also shared how Stratum V2 helps miners choose their own transactions, making Bitcoin more secure and decentralized. On day 2, @Sharon Murugi, our communications lead spoke about what it takes to support and sustain open-source development in Africa and the Global South. She reminded everyone that behind Bitcoin is a strong human layer, consisting of developers, reviewers, maintainers, and community builders whose work keeps the network running and growing. She also shared how developers help turn Bitcoin from just a protocol into tools people actually use every day, like wallets, self-custody solutions, and payment infrastructure. That’s why decentralization shouldn’t stop at the code. We need builders from more places, especially those who understand local challenges, helping shape the tools that will bring Bitcoin to the next billion users. We’re proud to support this work by creating more sustainable paths for contributors and helping strengthen the ecosystem. One of the coolest parts of the conference was seeing bitcoin used in real life. We were able to buy coffee using bitcoin, powered by @BTCPay Server, one of the open-source projects helping make bitcoin payments possible. There was also a dedicated workshop space where builders got to share what they’re working on. It was exciting to see solutions being built from real local problems, and we loved connecting with the community and exploring new partnerships. A big thank you to the organizers and everyone involved for putting together such an amazing experience.

A big thank you to the @HRF team for featuring us in this week's edition of the Financial Freedom Report. 🧡 Read the full report and subscribe here: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=c5e3037cd362a8e29147… We've been working on the BitDevs Playbook for a while, so it's incredibly rewarding to finally see it out in the world. The playbook is live and fully open-source, and you're welcome to give your feedback and contribute to it. You can access the playbook here: https://github.com/btrustteam/the-bitdevs-playbook Learn more about why developed it and what it aims to support: https://blog.btrust.tech/introducing-the-bitdevs-playbook/

Over the past few years, BitDevs communities across Africa have been building technical spaces rooted in learning, openness, and collaboration. Today, we’re sharing the guide that brings those lessons together. The BitDevs Playbook v0.1.0 is the first public release of a practical, open‑source guide for building and sustaining Bitcoin‑only technical communities across the Global South. Grounded in real experience from BitDevs communities across Africa, it explains what BitDevs is, why the model works, and how to start, run, and sustain high‑quality technical meetups with shared standards around learning, privacy, neutrality, and non‑commercial focus. In the accompanying blog, we reflect on why BitDevs matters, how the model creates space for open discussion and open‑source contribution, and how communities across Africa have grown beyond monthly meetups into hubs of ongoing learning and collaboration: https://blog.btrust.tech/introducing-the-bitdevs-playbook/ Many of these communities, supported by organizations like Btrust and @Bitcoin Zambia, have helped members access advanced programs such as Chaincode Labs’ BOSS program and the @Btrust Builders pathways. Some members have gone on to start careers in Bitcoin open‑source development, supported by organizations like Btrust and the @HRF, while others have gone on to build products and projects of their own. The Playbook is fully open‑source and community‑driven. It covers the full lifecycle of a BitDevs location, from assessing local interest and hosting a first meetup, to maintaining quality, handling challenges, and even responsibly pausing or closing a location when needed. It’s designed for organizers, sponsors, contributors, and anyone who cares about building credible, technically grounded Bitcoin communities. Huge thanks to Stephanie Titcombe for authoring the playbook, and @Abubakar Nur Khalil, Simon from BitDevsNBO, and Tobechi Chukwuleta for shaping this first release with their experience and feedback. 📘 Explore the Playbook to learn how to use it and contribute your insights here: https://github.com/btrustteam/the-bitdevs-playbook

Highlights from the 2025 #BtrustGalaDinner ✨ We called, and you answered. The theme for the night was elegant, and attendees showed up and showed out. It was a night filled with joy, and incredible energy! The evening kicked off with aperitifs and light bites at the backstage lounge, setting the tone for relaxed networking and easy conversations. As guests made their way into the hall, the host, Paul Eke, got things started with ice-breakers, followed by a welcome address from @Abubakar Nur Khalil. @Obi 🔅 then shared a moving farewell, representing the outgoing inaugural Btrust Board. Since 2021, this board has been responsible for overseeing the delivery of Btrust’s mission, guiding the organization through its formative yea rs and setting the foundation for future success. We celebrate and thank them for their vision and leadership. The night also saw us celebrate the 2025 cohort of the Btrust Builders pathways, recognizing top students for their dedication, growth, and excellence throughout the program. A special moment was dedicated to celebrating Abubakar Nur Khalil and formally welcoming him into the office of the CEO. Under his leadership, Btrust has experienced a period of significant growth and transformation, moving from early groundwork to executing at scale. This includes expanding our programs, launching new partnerships, growing our developer reach, strengthening our grants review and delivery processes, and refining our internal systems and team structure. We wrapped up the evening with great food, drinks, dancing, and conversations, the perfect close to an unforgettable year. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the night truly special. We hope to see you soon 🧡

Events and conferences are often the gateway into Bitcoin open‑source development, spaces where curious builders can connect, learn, and take their first steps toward meaningful contribution. They’re where discovery turns into collaboration, and collaboration into lasting impact. That’s why we’re excited to present the recipients of our second round of 2025 Btrust event grants, supporting nine unique gatherings across Africa, Latin America, and beyond: • Dev/Hack/Day at @BTC Prague • OSCAFEST 2025 by Open Source Community Africa • Hack4Freedom by EVENTO • DevFest Mauritius 2025 by GDG Mauritius • Code & Chain: A Bitcoin Meetup by Bitnob • Bitcoin CoreDev Meetup organized by Brink • Bitcoin Dev Summit and Satsconf at the São Paulo Bitcoin Week • DevFest Lagos 2025 by GDG Lagos Each one is creating new entry points into the global Bitcoin developer ecosystem while strengthening the community in the Global South. Event Grants help keep these gateways open and inclusive, feeding into the long‑term pipeline of developer education programs, fellowships, and open‑source contribution, ensuring Bitcoin development remains decentralized and globally distributed. Read the full blog and meet the grantees: https://blog.btrust.tech/introducing-the-second-round-of-… Applications for Btrust event grants are open year-round. Learn more and apply through our website: https://www.btrust.tech/grants/event

Highlights from this year's @Africa Bitcoin Conference in Mauritius 🇲🇺. On day one, our CEO, @Abubakar Nur Khalil, delivered his keynote on Btrust in 2026, sharing our achievements in 2025 and our strategic roadmap for the year ahead. Later that day, Abubakar Sadiq Ismail led a technical workshop on building a Bitcoin Node using the libbitcoinkernel library, introducing Bitcoin Core’s upcoming consensus engine. Day two featured a presentation on BTCPay Server plugins by Tobechi Chukwuleta, highlighting how plugins expand merchant tools and create new business opportunities. In the afternoon, Raj, CEO of @bitshala, spoke about training Bitcoin developers in India 🇮🇳 and the Global South, outlining a roadmap for developer growth and contribution. Day three brought education and collaboration to the fore, with Tuedon Tuoyo kicking off the BOSS Challenge by Chaincode Labs, giving participants a practical entry point into Bitcoin open‑source contribution. Applications for the BOSS Challenge are open until December 31st, offering aspiring developers a chance to join a hands‑on, skill‑building journey. Apply to join the 2026 cohort here: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/chaincodelabs/jobs/40676… The final day was also a moment of pride for our community, as Abubakar Nur Khalil was named most impactful African Bitcoiner of 2025, and @Btrust Builders was recognized as the African Bitcoin project of 2025. A huge thank you to the @African Bitcoiners team for the recognition. As a sponsor, we also had a booth which was a point for conversations, and learning about our programs, with visitors leaving with exclusive merch and new ways to get involved. We are proud of the incredible representation from our ecosystem at #ABC2025 and grateful to everyone who interacted with us in Mauritius. We’re looking forward to the work ahead as we continue building the future of open‑source Bitcoin development across the Global South.🧡 #ABC25

Day one of the #BtrustGathering began with an engaging opening plenary by Stephanie Titcombe, followed by the state of Btrust address from our CEO, @Abubakar Nur Khalil, who shared a thoughtful year‑in‑review, key milestones from 2025, and the outlook for 2026. The morning continued with the 2025 program reports, where @Btrust Builders, @8c1f6163…ac921ba2, @bitshala, and Libreria de Satoshi presented updates on their work, growth, and the impact they’ve created in supporting open‑source Bitcoin development across the Global South. In the afternoon, participants joined cross‑organization working groups to explore opportunities for collaboration on joint programs, developer connectivity, localization, and technical cooperation. Discussions also covered shared initiatives, developer exchange and communication, grants and sustainability, as well as community growth, storytelling, and brand alignment. These sessions were energetic and idea‑driven, with groups sharing thoughtful outputs that reflected the strength of cross‑community collaboration. The day captured the essence of what the gathering stands for; connection, transparency, and collective progress. It was a powerful reminder of how much can be achieved when builders from across the Global South come together to advance open‑source Bitcoin development.

@Abubakar Nur Khalil, Btrust CEO and Bitcoin Core contributor, joins the #BtrustDeveloperDay lineup to share insights on the future of Bitcoin development across Africa. Abubakar is one of the leading voices shaping the continent’s Bitcoin ecosystem, and also serves as CEO of @Recursive Capital, a bitcoin-focused venture fund fueling innovative projects across the global Bitcoin landscape. Through his leadership at Btrust, he drives initiatives that empower developers in the Global South with training and mentorship, helping cultivate the next generation of Bitcoin builders. Beyond his technical and community-building work, Abubakar contributes to Forbes Digital Assets, where he shares thoughtful analysis on Bitcoin’s evolution and highlights key developments within Africa’s growing Bitcoin space. Join Developer Day to hear Abubakar’s vision for a decentralized, sustainable Bitcoin ecosystem and the work being done to unlock Africa’s potential in global Bitcoin development. 👉 Secure your spot here: https://clooza.com/events/BTRUSTDEVELOPERDAY

In July, we put out a call for a Chief Executive Officer, and after a long, thoughtful, and rigorous selection process, we’re excited to share that @Abubakar Nur Khalil has been appointed as the new CEO of Btrust. Abubakar will be stepping down from his position on the Board to take on this full-time role, where he will report directly to the Btrust Board. His appointment marks an important new chapter for Btrust as we continue our mission to strengthen and support open-source development across Africa and beyond. This is a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal by a subsequent board for one additional three-year period. Read more about the appointment, as featured on @Bitcoin Magazine: https://bitcoinmagazine.com/builders/btrust-names-abubaka… Join us in congratulating Abubakar on this new role and in looking forward to what’s ahead for us.

This past week, our CEO, @Abubakar Nur Khalil, took the stage at the Baltic Honeybadger Conference in Latvia 🇱🇻 He gave a talk on The Global Majority: Bitcoin by the Billions 🌍. He reminded us why Bitcoin matters most to those who need it most, and why the people who rely on it must be the ones building it. He spoke about building for a sustainable future and how we at Btrust are committed to decentralizing Bitcoin development so it truly belongs to everyone. Abubakar also joined a panel on building communities alongside Mir Liponi, @keypleb, and Mike Peterson, moderated by @Efrat Fenigson. The discussion provided insights into the process of building bitcoin communities. Panelists shared their unique experiences from various parts of the world, highlighting efforts to build different communities. Our team members, Kelvin Isievwore and Sharon Murugi, were also present engaging with attendees and building connections within the global Bitcoin community. Catch the livestream recordings on @Hodl Hodl's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@hodlhodl?si=Ij9AiSiY6FqOFCFI #BH2025

We’re excited to announce that we're partnering with @BTC Prague, the largest Bitcoin conference in Europe, to bring you this year’s Dev/Hack/Day. 🚀 This one-day, in-person event will be happening at Hotel Duo in Prague and is for anyone who’s interested in Bitcoin technology. You’ll get to dive into sessions covering the foundations of Bitcoin technology, the latest Layer 2 solutions, next-generation digital cash, and user-friendly Bitcoin design. Plus, our team will be running workshop sessions throughout the day, so come join us, learn and connect. Our CEO, @Abubakar Nur Khalil, will also be speaking this Thursday at BTC Prague on the panel, “Behind the Magic: Why Bitcoin Technology Just Works.” If you’re curious about what makes Bitcoin secure, reliable, and built to endure, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Visit https://btcprague.com/dev-hack-day/ to learn more about Dev/Hack/Day, get tickets, and stay updated. See you in Prague! 🇨🇿