As the world marks the somber 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz today, the crypto community is joining in the collective remembrance and reflection. While seemingly far removed from the horrors of the Holocaust, the crypto world’s core principles of freedom, decentralization, and fighting oppression make this date deeply resonant for many in the digital asset space.
Survivors Return to Auschwitz 80 Years Later
Elderly survivors of Auschwitz made the emotional journey back to the notorious Nazi death camp in Poland to commemorate 80 years since the Red Army liberated it on January 27, 1945. They were joined by world leaders and dignitaries who came to honor the over 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, systematically murdered there.
Piotr Cywiński, director of the Auschwitz museum, emphasized the importance of memory:
“We are here to remember those who perished and to ensure that their story is not forgotten. Our presence here is a call for action to renew our collective memory to prevent such atrocities today and in the future.”
– Piotr Cywiński, Auschwitz Museum Director
For the dwindling number of survivors, returning was a painful but vital ritual. One survivor shared:
“Every step here is difficult, but I return each time while I still can. I do it for those who didn’t survive to be their voice, to carry their message and memories. I owe them this.”
Crypto Community Reflects on Shared Values
The crypto space, while focused on building the future of finance and web3, still found the Auschwitz anniversary deeply meaningful and relevant. Many reflected on how the crypto ethos is rooted in resisting authoritarianism and censorship – the very forces that enabled the Holocaust’s horrors.
In social media posts and online discussions, crypto thought leaders drew parallels between the Nazis’ centralization of power and today’s threats to freedom. They noted how crypto’s decentralized networks and privacy tools can help safeguard human rights and push back against oppressive regimes.
“Crypto is about giving power back to the people and preventing any centralized authority from imposing its will unchecked. On a day like this, we’re reminded of how critical that mission is.”
– Anonymous Crypto Influencer Tweet
Never Forget, Never Repeat
As the official speeches and commemorations took place at Auschwitz, the crypto world joined the global remembrance online. Profile photos were changed to black and white, retweets of survivor testimonies flooded feeds, and donation campaigns for Holocaust education nonprofits gained traction.
Beyond the social media activism, many in crypto paused to reflect on the core tenets that unite the often-divided space:
- Resistance to authoritarianism and centralized control
- Protection of individual freedoms and privacy
- The power of decentralized networks to enact change
- Using technology to solve societal issues and inequality
The resounding message was to never forget the lessons of Auschwitz and to use the tools of crypto and web3 to create a world where such evil could never again take hold.
“Crypto has the potential to be a powerful force for good – for protecting rights, privacy, and dignity. As we build this new digital economy, we must keep the memory of the Holocaust’s victims in our hearts and let ‘never again’ guide us forward.”
– Crypto Company Founder Blog Post
While blockchain buzzwords and crypto conferences seem a world apart from the harrowing history being honored at Auschwitz, the two are inextricably linked by a shared hope – that in connecting people through networks of value and trust, we can together forge a future free from the hatred and inhumanity of the past.
