Bitcoin News

Story: Btrust revamps board, expands bitcoin development in global south

By Steven Anderson

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A Transition That Took Time, But Was Done Properly. The transition period officially ended on April 30, 2026.

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Qala Becomes Builders, and It's Central. In 2023, Btrust acquired Qala — a company training Bitcoin and Lightning Network developers — and…

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The Genesis Principles as a Compass. The appointments followed what Btrust calls its Genesis Principles — a framework emphasizing…

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Btrust is changing hands. The nonprofit organization dedicated to open-source Bitcoin development has just appointed three new board members — Janet Maingi, Bruno Garcia, and…

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The context: In 2021, Jack Dorsey and Jay-Z donated 500 BTC to launch Btrust, with a clear goal from the start. To fund Bitcoin development in Africa and India.

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The transition period officially ended on April 30, 2026. During this phase, the two boards — the old and the new — worked together.

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The three new board members bring, according to Btrust, expertise in Bitcoin infrastructure, energy systems, and open-source software development. Complementary, not redundant.

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Not now, but soon: the new board is tasked with guiding grant strategy, overseeing the Builders Program, and expanding Btrust's presence in underrepresented developer communities.

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In 2023, Btrust acquired Qala — a company training Bitcoin and Lightning Network developers — and rebranded it as the Btrust Builders Program.

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It's probably the most tangible asset Btrust has today. A training program in operation, trained developers, a recognized brand on the African continent.

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Read also: Iran launches Bitcoin-settled Hormuz shipping insurance worth over $10 billion

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And the ambition doesn't stop there. Btrust also wants to expand into Latin America. The source doesn't specify when or how, but the intention is there.

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More context: Tom Lee Says Oil Prices Are Crushing Ethereum as ETH Falls to Ten-Month Low Against Bitcoin

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What's interesting in all this is the logic behind it. Bitcoin is often criticized for its very homogeneous contributor base — geographically, culturally.

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The appointments followed what Btrust calls its Genesis Principles — a framework emphasizing transparency, fairness, and alignment with the mission.

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