Little has been written on the role of blockchain vis-à-vis a cryptocurrency in the war of resistance and in the fight against economic imperialism, probably because of its far too complicated or contrary to ethics to make blockchain the subject of war.
But it is nevertheless encouraging to know that Sterling Labs, a blockchain initiative, funded by the University of Stanford currently documents Russian war crimes against Ukraine, a remarkable example of blockchain technology with good humanitarian use.
This example also demonstrates that even if the consumer media focuses on the laser on the way the forces of bad money cryptocurrency to move illegal funds in the world, there is an unique inspiring history of the way the forces of good use not only invaders, but also to financially empower a population under seat.
If the news of Russia taking advantage of cryptocurrency to bypass American economic sanctions already sounds a bell, how much do you know on Ukrainedao and Project Yafa? Did you know that in 2022, before the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, an indigenous internet organization collected $ 8 million to support the Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invasion? Did you know that Project Yafa, another initiative based on blockchain, was born from Gaza brought to war to allow marginalized financial populations around the world?
Whether it is to take advantage of the blockchain to collect funds, or to provide a secure decentralized platform for financially marginalized and oppressed persons or to document despicable war crimes, or to preserve cultural heritage, the role of blockchain technology is deeply rooted in self-preservation and the fight against economic imperialism. It can be considered as the triumph of the destruction of evidence, culture, means of subsistence and civilization.
Although it is not originally conceived as a weapon of war, blockchain technology can actually play a crucial role in the change in war, a reality underlined by the humanitarian efforts of the Ukrainaa and Yafa project.
Throughout history, tyrants and oppressors have used famine and economic blockade to intimidate, oppress and conquer those who dare to challenge their rule, effectively refuse them from their right to economic freedom – and to date, these dark tactics continue to find echoes in the world today.
Blockchain technology ethics
As human beings, our first primordial instinct is self-service. The decentralized nature of blockchain naturally uses this instinct and can be found in our desire for financial autonomy and self -determination.
In addition, in a world where economic sanctions are often considered as an economic power tool, the use of decentralized technologies such as blockchain can be considered as an attempt to create financial systems and alternative information less sensitive to the control of dominant economic powers.
Ukrainao
Founded in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukrainao quickly attracted the attention of traditional media as the war broke out. It is considered the indigenous organization of the crypto which collected $ 8 million thanks to the sale of an NFT in the form of the Ukrainian flag, symbolizing resistance to the Russian invasion.
Since the period preceding the invasion and beyond, Ukrainao has been actively involved in the mobilization of support for Ukraine around the world. He has constantly exposed Russian propaganda propagated by agencies sponsored by the State such as RT.
In the first days of war, Ukrainedoo mobilized its own trucks to the critical war sectors to provide humanitarian aid to those who have been affected by the free destruction that followed, an act which could be considered extremely dangerous.
More importantly, the role of Ukrainedao in resistance has been largely fueled by its ability to assert financial autonomy, blockchain technology serving as a tool for coordination and fundraising. He appreciated the support of emblematic characters such as the founder of Ethereum Vitalik Buterin, who was one of his greatest donors.
YAFA project
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict quickly became one of the deadliest in human history, with civilian victims on both sides. At the same time, this current conflict caused displaced and marginalized populations in the Gaza Strip, a disastrous situation affecting millions of its inhabitants.
Determined to fight against the financial exclusion and the destruction of the cultural heritage of Gaza torn apart by the war, Project Yafa, an initiative based on blockchain, takes advantage of blockchain technology for the effective transparent distribution of humanitarian aid and the digitization of the cultural heritage of Gaza.
Built on the Solana blockchain, Project Yafa seeks to make the most of nature without border, resistant to censorship and decentralized of blockchain technology to provide access to financial aid and by preserving the cultural relics of the past.
Thanks to the tokenization of historic artefacts and its partnership with Digital Palestine, it seeks the preservation of historical documents and artifacts for future generations, ensuring that they remain accessible and to the test of external threats.