Btrust

Rust 🦀 is quickly becoming one of the most important languages in the Bitcoin ecosystem. From wallet libraries to Lightning implementations, more projects are adopting Rust for its safety, performance, and reliability, traits that align perfectly with Bitcoin’s need for secure and predictable software. At the 2025 #BtrustDeveloperDay, Jamal ERRAKIBI explored this growing trend in his talk, breaking down what makes Rust different from other languages and why it’s reshaping how Bitcoin software is built. 🎥 Watch the session recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/bDxhY5p1yKQ?t=5145s In our latest blog, Jamal expands on that talk, diving deeper into how Rust’s memory safety, high performance, and strong type system power projects like rust-bitcoin, BDK, rust-lightning, and Fedimint. He also shares lessons from contributing to Rust-Bitcoin and practical advice for developers looking to get started or contribute. 👉 Read the full article here:

Btrust Blog

Why Rust Is Becoming Essential in Bitcoin

Written by Jamal Errakibi This article is a written version of my talk “Why Rust Is Becoming Essential in Bitcoin,” which I gave during the 20...

We recently had the pleasure of sponsoring and being part of the just concluded @AdoptingBitcoinCapeTown 🇿🇦 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.

Btrust is hiring! 🚀 We’re looking for a Communications Associate to support the planning, creation, and execution of communications and marketing initiatives that amplify Btrust’s mission and showcase the impact of our work across the Global South. This is a full-time, remote role focused on content coordination, campaign support, community engagement, and storytelling around Bitcoin open-source development. If you’re proficient in communications, digital marketing, and building in the Bitcoin ecosystem, we’d love to hear from you. 📅 Application deadline: February 13, 2026 Learn more about the role and apply here:

Btrust

Communications Associate

We’re looking for a Communications Associate to support communications and marketing initiatives that amplify Btrust’s mission.

Btrust is hiring! 🚀 We’re looking for a Programs & Operations Officer to help execute and scale Btrust’s programs, grants, and community infrastructure across the Global South. This is a full-time, remote role at the center of our work supporting Bitcoin developers, grassroots communities, and open-source education initiatives. If you’re a strong operator who enjoys coordinating programs, improving systems, and delivering impact in a mission-driven organization, we’d love to hear from you. 📅 Application deadline: February 13, 2026 Learn more about the role and apply here:

Btrust

Programs & Operations Officer – Btrust

We’re looking for a Programs & Operations Officer to help execute and scale Btrust’s programs, grants, and community infrastructure acr...

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:

Financial Freedom Report #106

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:

GitHub

GitHub - btrustteam/the-bitdevs-playbook: A practical guide for running technical bitcoin developer meetups across Africa

A practical guide for running technical bitcoin developer meetups across Africa - btrustteam/the-bitdevs-playbook

Learn more about why developed it and what it aims to support:

Btrust Blog

Introducing the BitDevs Playbook

A practical guide for building and sustaining Bitcoin-only technical communities across the Global South.

We’re excited to be back at the @AdoptingBitcoinCapeTown Conference for the third year in a row and proud to return as a sponsor. 🚀 @Sharon Murugi and @Sy ⚡ will be on-ground speaking at the conference and sharing more about the work we’ve been doing at Btrust. We’re looking forward to reconnecting with the community, meeting new builders, and continuing the conversation around building a more sustainable and decentralized future for Bitcoin. See you soon! #abct26

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:

Btrust Blog

Introducing the BitDevs Playbook

A practical guide for building and sustaining Bitcoin-only technical communities across the Global South.

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:

GitHub

GitHub - btrustteam/the-bitdevs-playbook: A practical guide for running technical bitcoin developer meetups across Africa

A practical guide for running technical bitcoin developer meetups across Africa - 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 🧡

On December 3rd, we hosted the #BtrustGalaDinner at the Hennessy Park Hotel in Mauritius 🇲🇺. It was an evening to pause, breathe, and celebrate after a year of hard work. Leaders, builders, and friends from across the Bitcoin ecosystem came together to reflect on our collective progress and strengthen the connections shaping Bitcoin’s future globally. A huge thank‑you to everyone who joined us and made the evening so special. 🧡

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:

Btrust Blog

Introducing the Second Round of 2025 Btrust Event Grant Recipients

Global, December 31, 2025 - At Btrust, we know that growing the Bitcoin open-source developer ecosystem starts with creating gateways; spaces where...

Applications for Btrust event grants are open year-round. Learn more and apply through our website: https://www.btrust.tech/grants/event