Leon Acosta is a software developer and Bitcoin advocate who builds open-source tools for Bitcoin adoption and decentralized identity. He is the founder of Mapping Bitcoin and Nostr Web of Trust.
Projects
Mapping Bitcoin
Mapping Bitcoin is an open-source platform that maps Bitcoin-accepting businesses worldwide. Launched in 2024, the project integrates data from OpenStreetMap to create a multilingual directory of merchants accepting Bitcoin and Lightning Network payments, with support for merchant verification and real-time data updates. The platform is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, reflecting Acosta's focus on making Bitcoin adoption tools accessible across Latin America and beyond.
The project includes a comprehensive knowledge base covering Bitcoin organizations, projects, people, books, and events -- providing educational context alongside the merchant directory.
Nostr Web of Trust
Nostr Web of Trust is an open-source tool for exploring and visualizing trust networks on the Nostr protocol. Launched in 2024, it enables users to discover and evaluate identities through their web of trust -- the network of follows, endorsements, and interactions that establish reputation in a decentralized system without central authorities.
Philosophy
Acosta's projects share a common thread: making decentralized systems accessible and useful for everyday people. Mapping Bitcoin bridges the gap between Bitcoin's digital infrastructure and physical commerce, while Nostr Web of Trust addresses the challenge of trust and identity in decentralized networks. Both projects are fully open-source, reflecting a commitment to transparent, community-driven development.
External Links
References
- Mapping Bitcoin -- Bitcoin merchant directory platform
- Nostr Web of Trust -- decentralized identity explorer
- Lightning Network -- payment technology integrated into Mapping Bitcoin
- BTCPay Server -- merchant payment processor used by many listed businesses
- Wences Casares -- fellow Argentine Bitcoin pioneer