The Human Rights Foundation, in collaboration with the Finney family, is awarded Pieter Wuille and Gregory Maxwell the famous Finney Freedom Award for their significant contributions to Bitcoin's usability, scalability, and privacy. The award recognizes their work in the century 2012-2016, corresponding to the height of the Bitcoin block from 210,000 to 420,000.
The Finney Freedom Award honors individuals who advance the computer as a tool to protect individual freedom around the world, following in the footsteps of Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney, who received the first prize
An independent committee selected Wuille and Maxwell from a shortlist that included prominent bitcoin donors such as Andreas AntonopoulosRoya Mahboob, and Ross Ulbricht.
As open source software, Bitcoin relies on volunteer contributors to maintain, review and improve its code base. Unlike a traditional company, bitcoin has no central authority, making the work of developers like Wuille and Maxwell critical to its continued success. Both have played an important role in ensuring that bitcoin remains strong, secure, and a practical tool for financial freedom.
“Wuille and Maxwell's efforts to make bitcoin a practical human rights tool for millions of people, especially those who work under authoritarian regimes and financial controls around the world, are evident. ” said the Finney Freedom Award nominee.
Their contributions have helped bitcoin become a powerful financial resource for individuals around the world, especially those in oppressive environments.
The laureates will share a cash prize of 100,000,000 satoshis (1 bitcoin), and each will receive a Finney Freedom Award statue designed by Cryptograffiti.
Next Freedom Finney Laureate, covering the period 2016-2020 (Block Height 420,000 to 630,000), will be announced on January 10, 2026.
