Julian Assange’s Bitcoin Donation for Freedom

WikiLeaks Co-Founder Julian Assange’s Bitcoin Donation for Freedom

WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange recently received a significant donation of 8.07 bitcoin (BTC) from one entity to cover the expenses of a private jet that flew him out of the UK to Australia after reaching a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Emergency Appeal and Cryptocurrency Donation

Initially, Assange’s wife Stella launched an “emergency appeal” to raise £520,000 for the transportation costs. A crowdfunding page was set up to accept fiat currency donations, but it did not support crypto contributions. Consequently, a separate page was created to accept bitcoin donations.

Donation Details

The bitcoin address received a total of 34 donations, with the majority of the funds coming from the 8.07 BTC donation. In total, donations reached just over $500,000. The fiat donation site also collected approximately $500,000 in contributions.

Cost of Julian Assange’s Freedom

Stella Assange highlighted the significant cost associated with Julian’s journey to freedom, amounting to USD 520,000 owed to the Australian government for charter Flight VJ199. Due to travel restrictions, a private jet organized by the Australian government was necessary for Assange’s transport.

Historic Plea Deal

Assange’s freedom was secured through a historic plea deal where he pleaded guilty to espionage charges in exchange for his release.

Bitcoin and WikiLeaks

Bitcoin and Assange have a longstanding relationship, with WikiLeaks surviving on bitcoin over a decade ago after facing banking restrictions. Assange acknowledged that WikiLeaks and bitcoin have mutually supported each other, stating that they “kept each other alive” in a 2014 interview.