After Wikipedia editors voted to drop cryptocurrency as a donation possibility final month, the Wikimedia Foundation has confirmed that it’s going to not settle for Bitcoin or different types of crypto, The Verge reported. As a part of that call, it is closing its Bitpay account to forestall any future donations.
“The Wikimedia Foundation has determined to discontinue direct acceptance of cryptocurrency as a method of donating. We started our direct acceptance of cryptocurrency in 2014 based mostly on requests from our volunteers and donor communities. We are making this choice based mostly on latest suggestions from those self same communities. Specifically, we can be closing our Bitpay account, which is able to take away our capacity to immediately settle for cryptocurrency as a way of donating,” the WMF wrote in an replace.
“We will proceed to watch this subject, and admire the suggestions and consideration given to this evolving matter by folks throughout the Wikimedia motion. We will stay versatile and attentive to the wants of volunteers,” it added.
Wikipedia editor GorillaWarefare (aka Molly White) wrote a proposal for the muse to cease accepting cryptocurrencies, calling them “extraordinarily dangerous investments.” She additionally identified that they might not align with the muse’s dedication to environmental sustainability, as annual crypto manufacturing makes use of extra power than complete international locations. White additionally cited the Mozilla Foundation’s change of coronary heart in its choice to simply accept Bitcoin after going through a heavy backlash from customers.
Wikimedia welcomed requests for feedback (RfC) to GorillaWarfare’s proposal, with 232 voting in favor of it and 94 in opposition to. The WMF mentioned it could take all that under consideration earlier than making a remaining choice. “I’m actually pleased with my neighborhood for making what I really feel was the moral choice after a variety of considerate dialogue,” White advised The Verge in an announcement. “There are simply too many points with crypto for any potential donation income to be value the price of serving to to legitimize it.”
