Btrust, the non-profit organization funding open-source Bitcoin development, has completed a governance transition with the appointment of three new board directors. The move signals the organization's evolution from its founding phase and its continued focus on building Bitcoin developer talent in underrepresented regions.
New Leadership Takes the Helm
Janet Maingi, Bruno Garcia, and Laurence Aderemi now comprise Btrust's Board of Directors following a multi-stage selection process that concluded on April 30, 2026. The trio was selected through an open, global call guided by the organization's Genesis Principles, which emphasize transparency and mission alignment.
The transition fulfills the original governance mandate established in 2021, when Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and Jay-Z provided a 500 BTC endowment (valued at approximately $24.5 million at the time) to fund Bitcoin development in Africa and India. The founders intentionally stepped back from governance, allowing the board full operational independence—a structure that remains intact with the new appointments.
The outgoing board, which included Obi Nwosu, Ojoma Ochai, Carla Kirk-Cohen, and Abubakar Nur Khalil, spent the initial years establishing operational and financial infrastructure. Khalil transitioned to CEO in late 2025 after serving in an interim capacity.
Implications for Bitcoin Development Careers
The board transition comes as Btrust expands its talent development initiatives beyond its initial geographic focus. In 2023, the organization acquired Qala, a Bitcoin and Lightning Network training program, rebranding it as the Btrust Builders Programme. The program directly addresses the need for more open-source Bitcoin contributors from Africa and other underrepresented regions.
Btrust has signaled expansion into Latin America, suggesting additional opportunities for developers in emerging markets to access Bitcoin-focused training and potential grant funding. The new board brings expertise in Bitcoin infrastructure, energy systems, and open-source software development—areas that align with growing workforce needs across the Bitcoin ecosystem.
For professionals working in Bitcoin open-source development, the governance transition reinforces institutional stability while maintaining Btrust's focus on diversifying the contributor base. The board will oversee grantmaking strategy and the Builders Programme, potentially opening new pathways for developers seeking to enter Bitcoin development careers from non-traditional markets.
