Bitcoin as a Lifeline: How a Palestinian Taxi Driver is Using Cryptocurrency to Help Gaza
Countless lives were changed on October 7th, 2023, and Yusef Mahmoud’s was no different. The Palestinian taxi driver, already deeply affected by the pre-war realities of unemployment and hunger in Gaza, found himself navigating the devastating aftermath of conflict. More than two million Gazans lacked access to clean water and proper sanitation, while two-thirds of the population lived in poverty – a dire situation further exacerbated by the war’s unprecedented destruction.
This dire context sparked a creative solution in Yusef: to utilize Bitcoin, the first decentralized cryptocurrency, as a means to help his community. He envisioned a way to leverage the global reach of Bitcoin to gather support, raising funds to purchase essential goods like food and toys for children in Gaza. His call for help found an echo in the heart of a UK-based Bitcoiner named Fumble, who recognized the genuine need and the potential impact of Yusef’s vision.
"I quickly saw that Yusef was genuinely transferring over the support he received to people on the ground," recalls Fumble. "As Bitcoiners sent satoshis (bitcoin’s smaller monetary units) to Yusef, he returned pictures of the donations’ impact on elderly people and orphans around him. The more proof I saw of his work, the more I wanted to help, and that’s when I suggested Geyser as a means for Yusef to organize his initiative and scale up the project."
Geyser, a global Bitcoin crowdfunding platform, provided the ideal framework for Yusef’s initiative. In April 2023, he launched a project on Geyser to raise funds and provide food and potable water to Palestinian civilians in need. The project’s impact was immediate, and within months, Yusef’s efforts expanded to address the escalating needs of a population grappling with displacement, restricted access to essential services, and rampant poverty.
The conflict escalated, displacing 85% of Gaza’s population and further worsening poverty and unemployment. Demand for food and water skyrocketed, and Yusef shifted his focus from Ramadan support to providing basic necessities for everyday survival.
From April 2023 to May 2024, more than 1,500 individuals donated to Yusef’s project, enabling him to support 20,000 families in Gaza – an average of five to seven members per family. Around 500 of the individuals he helps are orphans.
"More people over here are now using Bitcoin; there’s no other way." Yusef’s words highlight the critical role Bitcoin plays in Gaza’s dire situation. With the local financial system heavily reliant on Israel, access to funds for many residents has become a constant uphill battle.
"During wars, you’re left with only the change you had in your wallet," Yusef explains, highlighting the difficulty of accessing funds amidst war. "Bank apps in our phones are down and banks are freezing accounts in Gaza. We only have cash or Bitcoin." The occupation has rendered traditional payment processors inoperable, forcing many to rely on unreliable and often exploitative intermediaries to access funds.
Bitcoin’s peer-to-peer, permissionless nature allows Yusef to bypass financial and bureaucratic barriers, receiving aid from abroad and distributing it directly to those in need. This direct approach through Bitcoin eliminates the need for intermediaries, saving Palestinians significant amounts of money and mitigating the potential for fraud. Furthermore, Bitcoin exchange fees are significantly cheaper than conventional alternatives, further reinforcing its value in this context.
The war has crippled Gaza’s economy, pushing unemployment rates to 79.3% within just two months of its onset. While traditional crowdfunding platforms are often unavailable in Gaza due to geopolitical restrictions, Geyser remains a reliable and secure platform, allowing Yusef to continue his humanitarian efforts. The platform’s robust identification system ensures that donations are not misappropriated and safeguards funds from being misused for sanctioned individuals.
"Citizens have no fault in this war; that’s why I help them." Yusef’s poignant statement encapsulates the core motivation behind his efforts. He understands that the devastation he witnesses is not a consequence of individual actions, but rather the result of a larger conflict. His commitment to alleviate the suffering of his community is unwavering, driven by a deep sense of humanity and empathy.
Yusef regularly drives to Rafah, the main crossing point between Gaza and Egypt, in search of essential supplies. This journey is fraught with danger, with military checkpoints and restrictions hindering the flow of humanitarian aid. Fumble emphasizes the deliberate obstruction of crucial resources, describing instances of supplies being sabotaged and essential medical equipment being withheld.
However, amidst the hardship, small acts of hope emerge. In March 2024, Yusef successfully purchased 2,700 chickens from Egypt, leveraging a "commercial capacity" designation that simplified the bureaucratic process. Successes like this are vital for Yusef, but they remain dependent on a consistent inflow of donations.
The Save Gaza project has consistently ranked among the most funded projects on Geyser, demonstrating the overwhelming support Yusef has received from the Bitcoin community. He describes his greatest accomplishment as "getting people, especially children, the help they need." His efforts have not only provided relief through food and water but have also extended to constructing tents for displaced families, providing a glimmer of shelter amidst the chaos.
Despite the project’s success, the ever-increasing needs of the Gazan population present constant challenges. The war has led to skyrocketing food prices, making it difficult for Yusef to meet the demands of the community. On rare occasions, the project faces a shortage of donations, creating a tense situation where Yusef has been forced to consider selling his car to access funds for critical medical supplies.
"To help more people, we need the money to access large-scale supplies and rent cars or trucks to transport those goods to displaced communities," Yusef explains, highlighting the ongoing need for larger donations to effectively address the scale of the humanitarian crisis.
Beyond the on-ground efforts, the online presence of Yusef’s work is crucial for sustaining public engagement and channeling donations. Fumble plays a vital role in promoting the project on social media platforms, sharing transparent updates and emphasizing the authenticity of Yusef’s efforts.
"Yusef sends me videos of the work being carried out on the ground, which helps to prove that the project is credible and genuine," Fumble explains. "The consistency with which he shares those videos helps to demonstrate transparency about his intentions." This approach builds trust and ensures that potential donors are confident that their contributions are reaching the intended recipients.
"You have to be very mindful,” says Fumble. "We want to show as much as possible what’s happening and Yusef’s first-hand content is precious in that regard. The more transparency, the more likely people are to donate. But at the same time, we need to protect innocent civilians in Gaza, many of whom feel quite abandoned by the world." Balancing the need for transparency with the safety of the individuals involved requires careful consideration and a delicate approach.
Despite the challenges, the people of Gaza hold onto a resolute belief in a brighter future. Yusef echoes this sentiment with unwavering conviction: "Yes, of course." Until life returns to a semblance of normalcy, the hope for a brighter tomorrow propels their resolve.
In addition to providing immediate relief, Fumble is exploring innovative solutions for long-term impact. He envisions the possibility of using 3D printing technology to create prosthetic limbs for children who have lost limbs due to the war. "When I share these ideas with Yusef, he just says ‘God willing’," says Fumble, highlighting Yusef’s humble and pragmatic approach.
Yusef’s focus remains on the immediate needs of those facing hardship, utilizing Bitcoin donations as a lifeline to sustain their existence day by day. As he navigates the complexities of the crisis, his spirit remains unyielding, driven by a deep desire to improve the lives of those around him. Through the power of Bitcoin, a taxi driver from Gaza has become a beacon of hope, demonstrating the potential of cryptocurrency to address humanitarian crises on a global scale.
Donate to Yusef’s Save Gaza project here: https://geyser.fund/project/wecollectdonationsforsacrificesofeidaladhapalestine
This is a powerful reminder that even in the face of unimaginable adversity, humanity finds strength in collective action, and that technology, in the form of Bitcoin, can play a vital role in fostering compassion and supporting those in need.
