Wikimedia Foundation Called to Stop Accepting Crypto Amid Environmental Concerns
The Wikimedia Foundation is being asked to stop accepting cryptocurrency donations on behalf of Wikipedia, as scrutiny over the industrys carbon footprint persists. Molly White, a longtime editor of Wikipedia who edits under the username GorillaWarfare, has submitted a proposal that seeks to end the Wikimedia Foundations acceptance of crypto donations. The Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that has been set up to fund Wikipedia. Whites concerns revolve primarily around the environmental impact of cryptocurrencies. Currently, Wikipedia accepts Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ethereum. White presented three key reasons for why the platform should end crypto donations. First, she claims that “accepting cryptocurrency signals endorsement of the cryptocurrency space by the Wikimedia Foundation and members of the Wikimedia Movement,” adding that she believes Wikipedia is “mainstreaming the usage of ‘investments’ and technology that are inherently predatory.” She also claims that cryptocurrencies “may not align with the Wikimedia Foundations commitment to environmental sustainability,” and that the Wikimedia Foundation “risks damaging [its] reputation by participating in this.” Debating Whites proposal Whites proposal, which was published on Tuesday, is followed by several sub-discussions and a vote. It is important to point out that the proposal is not being judged by a majority vote, but instead