After the February 6, 2023, earthquake in Turkey, Paul helped raise six figures for tents, food, shipping containers, and tiny houses distributed through local churches. When he tried to send leftover designated funds farther east, the government froze the account for more than 18 months, and by the time it was released the chance to help had passed.
That loss led him to explore Bitcoin for borderless generosity, resilient communities, and money that stays neutral. He points back to the early church sharing across regions, and warns that programmable central bank money could let authorities control who gives and how. A Bitcoin Manifesto PDF outlines his framework.
Paul Weaver published this essay on his Substack on March 20, 2026. He is part of the Brilliance Labs network and has given us permission to share his work. This summary is ours; the essay is his.