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More than 800,000 people have applied for citizenship in Liberland, a self-declared micronation on disputed territory between Croatia and Serbia that has attracted interest from wealthy figures in the technology and cryptocurrency sectors, according to its founder Vit Jedlicka.
The self-proclaimed Free Republic of Liberland was announced by Czech-born Jedlicka in 2015 on Gornja Siga, an approximately 16.8-square-kilometer area caught up in a border dispute between Croatia and Serbia.
Despite operating its own administrative structure and maintaining documents it describes as a constitution, Liberland has not been internationally recognized as an independent state.
Jedlicka said more than 800,000 people had applied for Liberland citizenship since the project was launched, arguing that its lack of international recognition had not stopped people from signing up.
The project particularly appeals to people who favor low taxes and limited government intervention, while Liberland also charges fees for residence permits and applies financial requirements during its citizenship process.
Its economic and governance model also incorporates a digital token called "Liberland Merits."
Liberland has also drawn attention from wealthy figures in the technology and cryptocurrency industries.
According to information reported by The Telegraph, several technology billionaires have backed the project, while cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun has also been linked to its supporters.
Jedlicka has argued that people who contribute more to Liberland should have a greater say in decision-making, setting its proposed political structure apart from conventional state models.
Liberland's biggest obstacle remains the legal status of the territory itself, as Croatia does not recognize its claim to independence and Croatian authorities maintain effective control over the area.
Croatian police have previously carried out operations to remove structures from the territory and tightened controls over access to the peninsula.
Jedlicka himself has also faced difficulties entering the land he describes as Liberland. During a visit reported by The Telegraph, a boat carrying Jedlicka and the newspaper's team was stopped by Croatian police while approaching through the Danube River, leaving them about 30 meters from the shore.
Although Liberland says more than 800,000 people have sought citizenship, the applications do not give the project internationally recognized statehood. Its future remains tied to the legal status of Gornja Siga, Croatia's position and Liberland's continuing efforts to gain international recognition.
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