Stanford University-funded Blockchain Initiative Documents Russian War Crimes Against Ukraine

Not much has been written about the role of blockchain vis a vis cryptocurrency in the war of resistance and in the fight against economic imperialism, probably because of its far too complicated or unethical to make blockchain the subject of warfare.

But it is nonetheless encouraging to know that Sterling Labs, a blockchain initiative, funded by Stanford University is currently documenting Russian war crimes against Ukraine, a remarkable example of putting blockchain technology to good humanitarian use.

This example  further demonstrates that while the mainstream media is laser-focused on how the forces of evil leverage cryptocurrency to move illicit funds around the world, there’s some untold inspiring story of how the forces of good are using blockchain to not only resist invaders but to also financially empower a population under siege.

If the news of Russia leveraging cryptocurrency to bypass US economic sanctions already rings a bell, how much do you know about UkraineDAO and Project Yafa? Do you know that in the year 2022, before the full scale invasion of Ukraine, an internet native organization raised a whopping $8 million dollars to support the Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invasion? Do you know that Project Yafa, another blockchain-based initiative, was born out of war -ravaged Gaza to empower financially marginalized populations across the world?

Whether it is leveraging blockchain to raise funds, or providing a secure decentralized platform for financially marginalized and oppressed people or documenting despicable war crimes, or preserving cultural heritage, the role of blockchain technology is deeply rooted in self-preservation and the fight against economic imperialism. It can be regarded as the triumph over the destruction of evidence, culture, livelihood and civilization.

While not originally conceived as a weapon of war, blockchain technology can actually play a crucial role in changing the course of warfare, a reality underscored by the humanitarian efforts of UkraineDAO and Yafa Project.

Throughout history, tyrants and oppressors have used starvation and economic blockades to intimidate, oppress and conquer those who dare to defy their rule, effectively denying them of their right to economic freedom–and to this day, these grim tactics continue to find echoes in the world today.

The Ethos of Blockchain Technology

As humans, our first primordial instinct is self-preservation. The decentralized nature of blockchain naturally appeals to this instinct and can be found in our desire for financial autonomy and self-determination.

Additionally, in a world where economic sanctions are often regarded as a tool of economic power, the use of decentralized technologies like blockchain can be seen as an attempt to create alternative financial and information systems that are less susceptible to the control of dominant economic powers.

UkraineDAO

Founded in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, UkraineDAO quickly caught the mainstream media attention as the war broke out. It is reckoned as the crypto native organization that raised 8 million dollars through the sale of an NFT in the form of the Ukrainian flag, symbolizing resistance to the Russian invasion.

From the period leading up to the invasion and beyond, UkraineDAO has been actively involved in the mobilization of support for Ukraine across the world. It has consistently exposed the Russian propaganda spread through state-sponsored agencies like the RT.

In the early days of the war, UkraineDAO mobilized its own trucks to critical sectors of the war to provide humanitarian aid to those that were affected by the wanton destruction that followed, an act that could be considered as extremely dangerous.

Most importantly, the role of UkraineDAO in the resistance has largely been fueled by its ability to assert financial autonomy,  blockchain technology serving as a tool for coordination and fundraising. It enjoyed the support of iconic figures like Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, who was one of its biggest donors.

Project Yafa

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fast becoming one of the deadliest in human history, with civilian casualties on both sides. At the same time, this ongoing conflict has brought about displaced and marginalized populations in the Gaza Strip, a dire situation affecting millions of its inhabitants.

Determined to fight financial exclusion and the destruction of the cultural heritage of war-torn Gaza, Project Yafa, a blockchain-based initiative, is leveraging blockchain technology for the efficient transparent distribution of humanitarian aid and the digitization of Gaza’s cultural heritage.

Built on the Solana blockchain, project Yafa seeks to take maximum advantage of the borderless, censorship-resistant and decentralized nature of blockchain technology in providing access to financial aid and preserving cultural relics of the past.

Through the tokenization of historical artifacts and its partnership with Digital Palestine, it seeks the preservation of historical records and artifacts for future generations, ensuring that they remain accessible and tamper-proof in the face of mounting external threats.