Wikileaks bypass US banking restrictions by accepting bitcoin donations on their website

On June 14, 2011, WikiLeaks found a way to circumvent the financial blockade imposed by the United States by turning to Bitcoin for donations. This strategic move came after traditional payment processors like Bank of America, Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal ceased their services to WikiLeaks, effectively cutting off a significant source of funding.
 

The blockade was a response to WikiLeaks’ release of classified information about US military operations and diplomatic cables, which the US government considered a threat to national security. As a result, WikiLeaks faced severe financial challenges, prompting the organization to seek alternative methods to receive support from its global base of contributors.
 

By accepting Bitcoin, WikiLeaks could bypass the traditional financial system, allowing supporters to contribute without revealing their identities or involving banks. This use of Bitcoin was a powerful demonstration of the cryptocurrency’s potential to facilitate transactions that are resistant to censorship and government control.
 

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, later reflected on the decision to accept Bitcoin as a fortuitous one. The value of Bitcoin donations to WikiLeaks appreciated significantly over time, providing the organization with a substantial financial windfall. This unintended benefit highlighted the investment potential of cryptocurrencies, in addition to their utility as a medium of exchange.
 

The move by WikiLeaks to adopt Bitcoin donations brought attention to the increasing use of Bitcoin by political dissidents and activists as a tool against government censorship and surveillance. The historical account of WikiLeaks’ adoption of Bitcoin remains a testament to the transformative power of digital currencies in promoting freedom of expression and supporting the work of whistleblowers around the world.