An anonymous donor has significantly contributed to the cause of Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, by covering almost the entire cost of his travel expenses as he transitioned from detainment to freedom. This donation of 8 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at nearly $497,000 at current market rates, nearly fulfills the total appeal of $520,000 outlined by Assange’s family.
Bitcoin Donor Covers Assange’s Private Jet
On Tuesday, Assange’s wife Stella posted via X: “URGENT: Emergency appeal for donations to cover massive $520,000 debt for jet. Julian’s travel to freedom comes at a massive cost: Julian will owe $520,000 which he is obligated to pay back to the Australian government for charter Flight VJ199. He was not permitted to fly commercial airlines or routes to Saipan and onward to Australia. Any contribution big or small is much appreciated.”
This appeal for donations was heard by an anonymous Bitcoiner who has not yet been identified. Daniel Sempere Pico discovered and shared via X: “Someone donated 8.07173122 BTC to cover Assange’s jet and recovery costs. That single donation is almost the entire goal of $520,000 and is more than all the other donations in all currencies put together. Bc1qsqn2e2hv5a5wmmtnnh8p0gvf385zxvyj4xjgl8”
Julian Assange’s legal saga reached a turning point on Monday when he agreed to plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy related to the Espionage Act in a US court situated on the Mariana Island of Saipan. Following years of contention and diplomatic negotiations, this plea allows Assange to evade further US imprisonment by acknowledging a lesser part of the extensive allegations against him.
He has been a contentious figure, celebrated by many as a whistleblower and journalist, and vilified by governments as a threat to national security. His work with WikiLeaks led to one of the most significant information leaks in US history, including detailed logs of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Bitcoin network’s immutable and censorship-resistant properties have made it a tool for bypassing traditional financial systems, which previously hindered WikiLeaks due to embargoes by major payment processors. The use of a BTCPay server was instrumental in this process, allowing for the secure, private, and direct transfer of funds. BTCPay, known for its robustness and resistance to censorship, has been a preferred platform for those looking to avoid the traditional banking system’s constraints and surveillance.
Julian Assange’s advocacy for and utilization of Bitcoin dates back to its early days. WikiLeaks started accepting Bitcoin after conventional payment platforms like PayPal, MasterCard, and Visa blocked its access to funding services in 2010. Furthermore, Assange has publicly discussed his profitable investments in Bitcoin, notably mentioning a 50,000% return during a spike in the BTC’s value.
His discussions with Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious Bitcoin creator, about using Bitcoin for donations have become a part of crypto lore, emphasizing the digital currency’s role in supporting free speech and anti-censorship efforts. This latest development is more than just a financial lifeline; it symbolizes the meaning of Bitcoin as freedom money.
At press time, BTC traded at $61,550.
Featured image from X @Stella_Assange, chart from TradingView.com
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