The Wikimedia Foundation is facing pressure from users to accept cryptocurrency donations.
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Back in 2019, Wikimedia Basis started accepting crypto donations through Bitpay, but three years later, the nonprofit behind Wikipedia is facing pressure from contributors to disable it. this option because of environmental concerns.
A proposal submitted by Molly White (GorillaWarfare) calls for the fund to stop accepting cryptocurrencies. According to White, the adoption of cryptocurrencies is inconsistent with Wikimedia’s commitment to actively working to improve environmental sustainability.
White suggests that crypto adoption is like an “endorsement of the crypto space” by Wikimedia and its members while noting that there are risks to the organization’s reputation because they continue to accept cryptocurrencies.
Discussions immediately followed. Wiki user Gamaliel supported this suggestion. “Long overdue. Crypto adoption is a joke compared to WMF’s commitment to environmental sustainability,” they wrote.
On the other hand, Wiki user ATDT says it’s hard to believe that “resuming accepting crypto donations in 2022 is a particularly significant signal”. The user noted that along that line of thinking, “the adoption of the USD signals an endorsement of the exploitative systems of labor and the deterioration of the natural environment that underlies global capitalism. ”
While there are many who oppose disabling crypto donations, they are outnumbered at the time of writing. However, the page notes that a decision will not be made based on what the majority wants. Instead, an agreement will be made depending on the merits of the arguments presented.
Related: Dogecoin Creator Criticizes Mozilla For Pausing Crypto Donations
Mozilla’s decision to pause crypto donations was also cited in the discussion. Last week, Mozilla’s co-founder, Jamie Zawinski, publicly objected to the Mozilla Foundation’s continued acceptance of cryptocurrency donations to support their browser. After seeing a tweet reminding users that the platform was accepting cryptocurrencies, Zawinski urged the company to stop affiliated with “Ponziers that burn the planet.”