Michael Rathebe
Founder of SowetoBTC, a non-profit initiative dedicated to providing Bitcoin-only education to youth and businesses in Soweto, South Africa.
A dedicated Bitcoin educator, Trezor Academy local organizer, My First Bitcoin educator, and an active participant in the Federation of Bitcoin Circular Economies.
Michael's work is driven by his conviction that, many socio-economic challenges facing South African communities stem from mismanaged government monetary policies, and that Bitcoin offers a powerful alternative to this broken system.
Session
Soweto, a historic centre of resistance with 1.7 million residents, continues to face severe socio-economic challenges in 2025, including systemic unemployment and financial exclusion.
This presentation introduces SowetoBTC, a non-profit initiative that leverages Bitcoin education to drive economic sovereignty.
The session will analyse how Bitcoin financial literacy and practical training empower local youth to access the global digital economy and enable small businesses (SMEs) to bypass traditional banking barriers. By examining current Bitcoin adoption trends within Soweto's informal sectors, this presentation argues that Bitcoin is a modern form of resistance against economic inequality.
Attendees will gain actionable insights into building sustainable circular economies within marginalized communities.