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Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey-Backed Bitcoin Non-Profit ₿trust Appoints Bitcoin Core Contributor As Interim CEO

Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey-backed Bitcoin non-profit ₿trust has appointed Bitcoin Core contributor Abubakar Nur Khalil as its Interim CEO. The organization, which focuses on training Bitcoin developers in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, aims to decentralize Bitcoin open-source development.

Key Takeaways

₿trust appoints Abubakar Nur Khalil as Interim CEO.
The non-profit focuses on training Bitcoin developers in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Nur Khalil will serve as Interim CEO for one year starting August 2024.
₿trust was founded in 2021 with initial funding from Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey.

About ₿trust

₿trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to training and funding developers from the Global South for Bitcoin open-source development. Founded in 2021 with initial funding from Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey, the organization has since expanded its network of Bitcoin developers in Africa, Latin America, and India.

Abubakar Nur Khalil’s Appointment

Abubakar Nur Khalil, a Bitcoin Core contributor and one of ₿trust’s inaugural board members, has been appointed as the Interim CEO. He will serve in this role for one year, starting in August 2024. During this period, he will retain his board seat and serve as a non-voting member.

Nur Khalil’s Background

Nur Khalil co-founded Qala, an African Bitcoin developer training program that ₿trust acquired and rebranded to ₿trust Builders in September 2023. His expertise as a developer and his status as a resident of Nigeria make him a leading voice in the African Bitcoin ecosystem.

Board Members’ Confidence

Other ₿trust board members have expressed their confidence in Nur Khalil’s leadership. Obi Nwosu, a founding board member and CEO of Fedi, stated, "Ever since I first met him, Abubakar has resolutely focused on supporting the advancement of Bitcoin and open-source development in Africa, the Global South, and beyond."

Future Goals

As Interim CEO, Nur Khalil will focus on growing ₿trust’s developer pipeline, increasing the number of grants the institution distributes, and improving its developer program. His goal is to ensure ₿trust cements itself as the primary driving force behind Bitcoin’s development in Africa and to cultivate a unique Bitcoin FOSS ecosystem in the regions they serve.

"I am truly grateful for the board’s trust in me to take on this role over the next year," said Nur Khalil. "I look forward to growing our initiatives, ensuring ₿trust cements itself as the primary driving force behind Bitcoin’s development in Africa, and cultivating a unique Bitcoin FOSS ecosystem in the regions we serve."