As Liberland approaches its historic 10th anniversary, I had the privilege of interviewing President Vít Jedlička about the nation's history, blockchain ecosystem, and future vision.
Let’s start with the basics. What is Liberland, and how did it all begin?
Liberland was born out of a desire for more freedom and less bureaucracy. On April 13, 2015, we claimed a piece of land between Croatia and Serbia terra nullius on the west bank of the Danube. We chose this date symbolically to coincide with Thomas Jefferson's birthday, as his ideas about limited government have been a significant inspiration for our project. No nation had claimed the land after the Yugoslav Wars, so we declared it the Free Republic of Liberland. It was a peaceful act, aimed at building a country based on individual liberty, voluntaryism, and limited government. Today, we’re a community of over 700,000 citizenship applications, more than 1000 citizens, entrepreneurs, and freedom lovers from around the world.
What motivated you to create Liberland?
The co-founders and I created Liberland to demonstrate how a sovereign nation based on libertarian principles could function in the modern world. After years in politics in the Czech Republic, I saw that meaningful change within existing systems was exceptionally difficult. I wanted to create a place where people could experience maximum freedom with minimal state interference. Our motto 'To live and let live' captures this philosophy perfectly. We're building a voluntary society where individuals are truly free to pursue their happiness as long as they respect the same right for others.
Can you explain the purpose of Liberland Blockchain?
Liberland Blockchain is the backbone of our governance system and implements what we call 'direct meritocracy.' It allows our citizens to participate in governance regardless of their physical location, making Liberland truly a global, decentralized nation. The blockchain enables transparent governance, secure voting, and serves as the foundation for our economic ecosystem. It's not just a technological solution it's the embodiment of our philosophy that combines individual freedom with collective decision-making in a transparent way.
What is the role of the Liberland Dollar in this ecosystem? Is it just another crypto token?
The Liberland Dollar (LLD) is more than just a currency it’s the lifeblood of our digital economy. It’s used to pay for government services, pay for transactions, registering companies, and eventually for things like land registration and dispute resolution on Liberland Blockchain. LLD represents our vision of a voluntary tax-based system where citizens support what they believe in. It’s transparent, and it’s designed to empower a freer market within our borders and beyond.
Is LLD live today? Can people use it?
Yes, LLD is live and has already been bridged to multiple chains including Ethereum, Solana, and TRON. We’re currently working with partners to expand its utility on DeFi platforms, and people can swap it directly on decentralized exchanges like Uniswap, Raydium, and SunSwap. It’s an exciting time we’re moving from theory to real-world adoption!
What upgrades are you making to the Liberland Blockchain?
We're currently incorporating EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) compatibility while maintaining our Substrate foundation. This is a significant upgrade that will make our system fully compatible with Ethereum standards for smart contracts and wallets. The practical benefit is that citizens will be able to use familiar tools like MetaMask to interact with apps on Liberland Blockchain, and this change will greatly increase our interoperability with the broader blockchain ecosystem, enhance security through widely-tested standards, and make our system more user-friendly. This is part of our commitment to using the best available technology while maintaining sovereignty.
How does the Liberland Dollar relate to your taxation system?
This connects to one of our foundational principles: voluntary taxation. Citizens can choose to pay taxes to fund projects they believe in, rather than being coerced. The Liberland Dollar and our blockchain make this transparent and efficient. You can see exactly where your contributions go on blockchain.liberland.org. This creates a market-based approach to public services where projects that genuinely serve citizens' needs receive funding, while wasteful initiatives naturally fade away. It's a radical reimagining of the relationship between citizens and state finances.
What economic opportunities do you envision for Liberland and its citizens?
We're creating a jurisdiction with maximum economic freedom minimal regulation, low taxation, and strong property rights. I see Liberland becoming a hub for innovation in emerging technologies, particularly in blockchain, fintech, and digital services. Citizens are already benefiting from networking opportunities, collaborative business ventures, and representing Liberland in their regions. Some are developing settlement projects on the land, others are building our digital infrastructure, and many are representing us internationally. The economic opportunities will expand exponentially as we secure more recognition and develop our physical territory.
Some people say Liberland is just a symbolic project. What do you say to them?
I say symbols are powerful but we are far more than that. We’ve built a functioning digital governance system. We’ve established diplomatic relationships with dozens of countries. We host real events on our territory every year. And we’re building physical infrastructure step by step. Yes, it’s unconventional. Yes, it takes time. But Liberland is a real nation for the 21st century borderless, decentralized, and grounded in real principles of freedom.
What are your immediate priorities for Liberland?
Our immediate priorities are our 10th anniversary celebration, continuing blockchain development, expanding diplomatic relationships particularly with the United States and Argentina and strengthening our physical presence in and around our territory. We're focused on making our systems more professional and building both our digital and physical infrastructure. The new congressional elections will bring fresh energy to our government, and I'm excited about the growing team of talented people joining our cause.
How do you envision Liberland in 5-10 years?
In 5-10 years, I see Liberland as a recognized innovation hub showcasing how a 21st-century nation can operate. We'll have a thriving settlement in our territory – perhaps not quite a 'mini Dubai' as some have suggested, but a beautiful, sustainable development that respects the natural environment of the Danube region while incorporating cutting-edge technology. Our blockchain governance will be a model studied worldwide, and we'll have a network of Liberland communities across the globe. Most importantly, we'll have demonstrated that the principles of liberty, when properly implemented, create prosperity and harmony. We're not just building another country we're creating a proof of concept for a better way to organize society.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a Liberland citizen?
I would say: join us in making history. Liberland is a unique opportunity to be part of building a nation from the ground up based on the principles of liberty. Whether you're a programmer, entrepreneur, diplomat, or simply someone who believes in our vision, there's a place for you in our community. We need builders people who don't just talk about freedom but are willing to create it. The journey has challenges, but the reward is being part of something truly revolutionary. Visit liberland.org to learn more and apply for citizenship. As we approach our 10th anniversary, there's never been a better time to become part of our story.
