The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), the group behind Wikipedia, has introduced that it’ll not settle for donations in cryptocurrency, as first reported by Web3 Is Going Just Great. In an update, the WMF says it “has decided to discontinue direct acceptance of cryptocurrency as a means of donating.” It additionally says it would shut its Bitpay account, stopping any future contributions in crypto.

After a prolonged discussion with virtually 400 members of the WMF group, the bulk voted to do away with crypto contributions 234 to 94. Some of the primary arguments involved the environmental implications of Bitcoin, the chance of scams, in addition to the truth that the WMF will get such a low quantity of donations in cryptocurrency in comparison with different types of cost. The WMF says it received $130,100.94 value of cryptocurrency donations in 2021, making up simply 0.08 p.c of the entire contributions it obtained. Following the group’s vote, the WMF held an inner dialogue and made the ultimate name to discontinue cryptocurrency donations.

The WMF first began accepting Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ether donations in 2014, however plenty of points prompted the group to reevaluate this coverage. Molly White, a longtime Wikipedia editor and the creator of Web3 Is Going Just Great, proposed the WMF cease taking cryptocurrency donations in January, arguing that it contradicts the group’s dedication to environmental sustainability and likewise indicators that the Wikimedia Foundation helps “inherently predatory” investments.

White (who goes by the username GorillaWarfare on Wikipedia) additionally cited Mozilla’s reevaluation of its involvement within the crypto house. Mozilla in the end determined to cease cryptocurrency donations in April after receiving backlash from customers, builders, and one in all its founders, Jamie Zawinski, for posting a tweet reminding customers that it accepts donations in Bitcoin and Ethereum.

“I’m really happy that the Wikimedia Foundation implemented the request from its community, and I’m really proud of my community for making what I feel was the ethical decision after a lot of thoughtful discussion,” White stated in an announcement to The Verge. “There are just too many issues with crypto for any potential donation revenue to be worth the cost of helping to legitimize it.”

The WMF concluded its replace by saying it “will continue to monitor this issue” and can “remain flexible and responsive to the needs of volunteers and donors.”