At Gemini, we are committed to unlocking the future of financial, creative, and personal freedom through crypto. Central to that effort is the work we do to support the Bitcoin community through the [__Gemini Opportunity Fund__](https://www.gemini.com/opportunity-fund). 

The Gemini Opportunity Fund is a donor-advised fund focused on making Bitcoin more scalable, secure, and sustainable through grants, fellowships, and donations. The fund supports a range of individuals, foundations, nonprofits, and projects that we believe will help to ensure the continued success of the Bitcoin Network.

Launched in December 2020, the Fund has pledged over $2.25 million to date toward supporting the Bitcoin community.

Below is an overview of the support we’ve provided through the Fund:

### Bitcoin Core Developers

In 2021, we announced the sponsorship of four Bitcoin Core Developers: [Amiti Uttarwar](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-to-sponsor-bitcoin-core-developer-amiti-uttarwar), [Dhruv Mehta](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-to-sponsor-bitcoin-core-developers-dhruv-mehta-and-jarol-rodriguez), [Jarol Rodriguez](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-to-sponsor-bitcoin-core-developers-dhruv-mehta-and-jarol-rodriguez), and [Michael Ford](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-sponsors-bitcoin-core-maintainer-fanquake).

- __Amiti's__ main area of work is centered on the security of the Bitcoin Network, and the ways in which nodes connect and communicate with each other. Alongside other Bitcoin Core Developers, Amiti is building a secure, private, and non-influenceable way to store node addresses, enhancing the reliability of the Bitcoin Network. Check out [Amiti’s GitHub](https://github.com/amitiuttarwar?tab=repositories) and this piece about her [Bitcoin Core journey](https://medium.com/@amitiu/onboarding-to-bitcoin-core-7c1a83b20365).
- __Dhruv__ is passionate about the censorship resistance of the Bitcoin Network and has been working on BIP324, which introduces end-to-end encryption for Bitcoin peer-to-peer traffic. BIP324 adds encryption without overhead or risk of network partition, and provides the ability to observe directly. Check out [Dhruv's work on GitHub](https://gist.github.com/dhruv/5b1275751bc98f3b64bcafce7876b489) and some [posts about Bitcoin](https://voluntarymind.com/bitcoin/).
- __Jarol__ is focused on the Bitcoin Network’s graphical user interface (GUI), and is involved in revamping the GUI to enhance user flow and streamline multi-wallet support. Working with fellow Bitcoin Core Developers, as well as the vibrant Bitcoin design community, Jarol is building a functional, appealing, and intuitive user interface for the Bitcoin Network. Check out [Jarol’s work on GitHub](https://github.com/bitcoin-core/gui-qml).
- __Michael__ is currently a Bitcoin Core Maintainer, starting as a Bitcoin Core Contributor in 2012. His current projects include porting the macOS toolchain from a custom system to using the [vanilla LLVM programming library](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/21778), and enhancing the Linux build system by implementing the use of [an alternative C programming library](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/23203).

### Foundation and Nonprofit Support

- [__MIT’s Digital Currency Initiative__](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-opportunity-fund-donates-to-mits-digital-currency-initiative) is building a team of senior, specialized open-source developers focused on systemic threat mitigation and rigorous improvements to Bitcoin's underlying infrastructure, including code audits, increasing automation, and novel research into Bitcoin's long-term economic security. The Gemini Opportunity Fund has pledged $1 million over four years to the Initiative. 
- [__The Human Rights Foundation’s Bitcoin Development Fund__](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-opportunity-fund-launches-to-support-bitcoin-core-developers) supports Bitcoin developers working to enhance privacy on the Bitcoin Network and ensure that bitcoin is a tool for financial freedom. The Gemini Opportunity Fund provided an initial grant of $50,000 in BTC, which funded grants to Bitcoin entrepreneurs and educators __Farida Nabourema__ and __Roya Mahboob__. Farida is a Togolese human rights activist who is launching “Togo’s Bitcoin Academy,” a Bitcoin education project. Roya is an Afghan entrepreneur and Bitcoin educator who is relaunching “The Women’s Annex,” a platform facilitating bitcoin payments to female content creators. 
- [__Brink__](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-opportunity-fund-launches-to-support-bitcoin-core-developers) is a London-based, non-profit fellowship program that will sponsor and mentor exemplary Bitcoin developers. Fellows will work closely with one another and be mentored by Brink founder John Newbery, formerly a Chaincode Labs developer, and Mike Schmidt, a Blockstream alumnus. The Gemini Opportunity Fund provided $150,000 in BTC to support Brink’s fellowship program. 

### Project Donations

- [__Mempool.space__](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-supports-bitcoin-ecosystem-with-usd25k-mempool-space-sponsorship) provides the crypto community with seamless visibility into the bitcoin blockchain without ads, altcoins, or third-party trackers, and we are privileged to have been the project’s first enterprise sponsor, donating $25,000 to support the team’s ongoing development. 
- [__Gemini Green__](https://www.gemini.com/green) is a long-term initiative to incorporate climate-conscious practices into our business. At Gemini, we’re committed to making crypto more environmentally friendly. To that end, in collaboration with Gemini Green, the Gemini Opportunity Fund has designated $1 million to support companies, projects, and nonprofits focused on sustainability in the crypto industry.
- __Summer of Bitcoin__ is a global program that introduces student developers to Bitcoin and open-source development and pairs them with mentors. The Gemini Opportunity Fund donated $25,000 to support the program. 

We are deeply committed to empowering the Bitcoin Network and look forward to expanding our support in 2022. If you think you’re a great candidate for the Gemini Opportunity Fund, or know someone who is, please reach out to us at [opportunityfund@gemini.com](mailto:opportunityfund@gemini.com).

Onward and Upward!

Beth Kurteson  
Managing Director

Gemini Opportunity Fund: Investing in the Future of Bitcoin

Today, we are delighted to announce __Gemini’s sponsorship of Bitcoin Core Maintainer Michael Ford, aka [Fanquake](https://twitter.com/fanquake)__. Michael’s sponsorship via the [Gemini Opportunity Fund](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-opportunity-fund-launches-to-support-bitcoin-core-developers) further supports the Fund’s mission to improve the scalability, security, and sustainability of the Bitcoin Network.

Starting as a Bitcoin Core contributor in 2012, Michael now serves as a maintainer on the Bitcoin Core project, and has recently taken an active role collaborating on new code releases. He also focuses on strengthening the project’s build systems and programming tools, or toolchains.

Michael’s current projects include porting the macOS toolchain from a custom system to using the [vanilla LLVM programming library](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/21778), and enhancing the Linux build system by implementing the use of [an alternative C programming library](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/23203).

Michael is the fourth Bitcoin Core Developer sponsored through the Gemini Opportunity Fund, joining [Amiti Uttarwar](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-to-sponsor-bitcoin-core-developer-amiti-uttarwar), [Dhruv Mehta](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-to-sponsor-bitcoin-core-developers-dhruv-mehta-and-jarol-rodriguez), and [Jarol Rodriguez](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-to-sponsor-bitcoin-core-developers-dhruv-mehta-and-jarol-rodriguez).  

The [Gemini Opportunity Fund](https://www.gemini.com/opportunity-fund) is a donor-advised fund that supports Bitcoin Core development through grants, fellowships, and donations. Launched in December 2020, the Fund has pledged over $1.5 million to date toward Bitcoin Core development, and will continue to support the Bitcoin Network and developer community through 2022 and beyond.

We are deeply committed to empowering the Bitcoin Network and its developer community and look forward to expanding our support. If you think you’re a great candidate for the Gemini Opportunity Fund, or know someone who is, please reach out to us at [opportunityfund@gemini.com](mailto:opportunityfund@gemini.com).

Onward and Upward!

Beth Kurteson  
Managing Director

Fanquake's sponsorship via the Gemini Opportunity Fund further supports the Fund’s mission to improve the scalability, security, and sustainability of the Bitcoin Network.

Gemini Sponsors Bitcoin Core Maintainer, Fanquake

Today, we are delighted to announce the sponsorships of Bitcoin Core Developers Dhruv Mehta and Jarol Rodriguez. These sponsorships, made through the [Gemini Opportunity Fund](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-opportunity-fund-launches-to-support-bitcoin-core-developers), will continue to support the fund’s mission to improve the scalability, security, and sustainability of the Bitcoin Network.

Our sponsorship of Dhruv is in partnership with Square Crypto and the Human Rights Foundation and will support his efforts to improve the security of Bitcoin Network nodes. Dhruv’s work relates to the susceptibility of the Bitcoin Network to DNS and border gateway protocol attacks on Bitcoin seed nodes. 

Our sponsorship of Jarol has been made directly through the Gemini Opportunity Fund. He was recently part of a Chaincode Labs study group and plans to focus on providing support for open issues, reviewing and testing pull requests, as well as improving the Bitcoin Network's graphical user interface. 

Dhruv and Jarol’s sponsorships start this month, and they join [Amiti Uttarwar](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-to-sponsor-bitcoin-core-developer-amiti-uttarwar) as the first three Bitcoin Core Developers sponsored by the Gemini Opportunity Fund. 

The Gemini Opportunity Fund is a donor-advised fund focused on making Bitcoin more scalable, secure, and sustainable through grants, fellowships, and donations. Launched in December 2020, the Gemini Opportunity Fund has pledged nearly $1.5 million toward Bitcoin Core development to date, and plans to continue to support Bitcoin and the developer community going forward.

We are thrilled to collaborate with Dhruv, Jarol, and Amiti as we continue on our mission to empower the individual through crypto. 

Onward and Upward!

Beth Kurteson  
Managing Director

Gemini Sponsors Bitcoin Core Developers Dhruv Mehta and Jarol Rodriguez

Today, we are thrilled to announce Gemini’s __sponsorship of Bitcoin Core Developer Amiti Uttarwar__. Our first direct sponsorship, via the [Gemini Opportunity Fund](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-opportunity-fund-launches-to-support-bitcoin-core-developers), will support Amiti on her mission to improve the resilience, security, and usability of the Bitcoin Network.

An alum of Chaincode Labs, Amiti brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked as a full-stack developer in Silicon Valley. She is the first woman known to have contributed to Bitcoin Core and was named to the 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 list for finance as well as to Coindesk’s 2020 Most Influential list.

With a passion for Bitcoin’s potential to redefine how we conceptualize wealth, Amiti’s specific focus will continue to be on improving the privacy, testing, and robustness of Bitcoin’s peer-to-peer layer. Our sponsorship of Amiti will start in June. 

The Gemini Opportunity Fund is a donor-advised fund that supports Bitcoin Core development through grants, fellowships, and donations. Launched in December 2020, the Gemini Opportunity Fund has pledged nearly $1.5 million to date toward Bitcoin Core development, and will continue to support the Bitcoin Network and developer community as Bitcoin further gains widespread appeal.

We are honored to work side-by-side with Amiti and collaborate with her on our mission to empower the individual through crypto, as we continue to build the financial system of the future. 

Onward and Upward!

Beth Kurteson  
Managing Director

Gemini To Sponsor Bitcoin Core Developer, Amiti Uttarwar

This Saturday, October 5th marks the four-year anniversary since Gemini’s official launch day. Our founders, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, built Gemini because of their strong belief in the potential of Bitcoin. They launched Gemini because the industry needed a safe and regulated way for people to engage with an entirely new asset class, which then was mostly unknown. We started small; the founding team was a handful of people in a tiny office west of Madison Square Park in what is now dubbed “Crypto Alley”. Fast forward to today, we are a global organization with more than 200 incredibly talented employees, reaching customers in the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and many more jurisdictions soon.

When I joined Winklevoss Capital in 2013, Cameron and Tyler were focused on investing and empowering the early entrepreneurs that were pioneering the crypto market. Bitcoin 2013 — one of the first crypto conferences — was taking place in San Jose, California. The auditorium was filled with Bitcoin enthusiasts who were on a journey to build the future. They were the risk takers, the misfits, the futurists and innovators. It was an underground audience, a movement and a moment in history. It was the beginning of crypto and of Gemini. \[Read more about the early days in Ben Mezrich’s [Bitcoin Billionaires](https://www.amazon.com/Bitcoin-Billionaires-Genius-Betrayal-Redemption/dp/1250217741)\]. So much has evolved since then.

In 2014, there weren’t many HODLERs let alone bitcoin spenders (aside from a couple of [Virgin Galactic](https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/twins-space) tickets and the infamous bitcoin pizza). At a SXSW conference in 2015, we could barely give away bitcoin to the audience — but four years later, nearly everyone at the conference was a proud owner.

Gemini’s journey, and my own journey, has been an evolution. However, our DNA has never changed. It took us a year and a half, before we launched, to obtain our **Trust License** (note: not BitLicense) from the New York Department of Financial Services. Our values still hold true: act with the highest integrity, have conviction, and play for the long game. It was always our ethos to _ask for permission, rather than forgiveness_. To be a member of the founding team on an extraordinary mission to **_build the future of money_** has been incredible.

Since regulation, security, and compliance are three of our founding pillars, our first hires were our Chief Compliance Officer, followed by our Chief Security Officer, then our VP of Engineering. They all remain a part of the Gemini family today. Over the years, we have continued to make key hires that align with our values and embody the Gemini way.

Gemini’s key milestones would never have been possible without the individuals that have joined us on our mission, and the people outside of Gemini who believe in the potential of crypto. An organization is only as strong as its people, and it’s people who will collectively improve money and a centuries old financial industry — building, creating, and innovating the future of finance in a safe and secure manner. If you are interested in joining Gemini’s mission, please check out our [Careers](https://gemini.com/careers/) page. Happy 4th Birthday, Gemini!

Onward and Upward,

Beth Kurteson, Managing Director of Operations, People Strategy & Growth

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/0*2OvYyjTRX9BtabH_) 
*October 5, 2015 — Gemini Launch Day! A toast to the moon!*

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/0*1UNkof3YXdrsqmMV) 
*October 8, 2015 — Gemini is open for business.*

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/0*sm-_QWam04gyhZTw) 
*October 8, 2015 — should’ve bought more BTC…at least I HODLed!*

Beth Kurteson

ARTICLES BY Beth Kurteson

Gemini Opportunity Fund: Investing in the Future of Bitcoin

Gemini Sponsors Bitcoin Core Maintainer, Fanquake

Gemini Sponsors Bitcoin Core Developers Dhruv Mehta and Jarol Rodriguez

Gemini To Sponsor Bitcoin Core Developer, Amiti Uttarwar

Gemini’s 4th Birthday!

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