The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded this Friday, October 11 to the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo “for its efforts in favor of a world without nuclear weapons”. However, another candidate had attracted interest: Julian Assange, the controversial founder of WikiLeaks and fervent defender of Bitcoin.
A Bitcoin evangelist in search of recognition
Since its creation in 2006, WikiLeaks has established itself as a major player in government transparency, publishing thousands of confidential documents. This approach earned Assange numerous legal setbacks, but also iconic status for defenders of digital freedoms.
It is in this context that Assange approached Bitcoin in 2011. Faced with the freezing of his assets by traditional financial institutions, he saw in Satoshi's invention a way to circumvent economic censorship. WikiLeaks began accepting Bitcoin donations, becoming one of the first major organizations to adopt the technology.
Over the years, Assange has become a true Bitcoin evangelist. He touted its potential for social and economic transformation, going so far as to call it “the Internet's most exciting development.” This position has strengthened his ties with the crypto community, which sees him as a strong ally in the fight for financial decentralization.
Bitcoin as a vector of peace?
The idea that a decentralized currency could contribute to world peace may seem counterintuitive. However, Assange's supporters argue that Bitcoin, by limiting the power of states over financial flows, reduces the risk of economic conflicts. The transparency inherent in blockchain could also deter corruption and hidden war financing.
Although the Nobel committee finally chose to reward Nihon Hidankyo for his fight against nuclear weapons, Assange's candidacy highlighted the potential of Bitcoin as a tool for social transformation. His use of cryptocurrency to defend freedom of information will remain an important chapter in the history of journalism and technology.
Although Julian Assange did not win the Nobel Peace Prize this year, his fight and his commitment to Bitcoin continue to inspire many activists and defenders of digital freedoms around the world. His journey reminds us that technological innovation can be a powerful vector of social and political change.
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