Mozilla says they'll accept Bitcoin & crypto donations

[hugeblack]

We have more adoptions here:

Dabble in
@dogecoin
? HODLing some #Bitcoin & #Ethereum?

We’re using
@BitPay
 to accept donations in #cryptocurrency

They talked about Dogecoin first.

Source ---> https://twitter.com/mozilla/status/1476951030638260225?s=20


The downside is that they accept payments using BitPay, I don't know but I think Mozilla is big enough to have developers running a full node of the company.
Overall, it's a good move.

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[mk4]

They're receiving so much hate in the Tweet replies because of this lmao.

They talked about Dogecoin first.

Don't read too much into this. I'm guessing it's highly likely they did this to potentially get more impressions from retweets from angry Bitcoiners.

[NeuroticFish]

they definitely have time to setup self-hosted BTCPay.

Yeah, just I expect they only care of fiat, which BitPay will give them without any complications.
And since the average Joe doesn't know nor care about all privacy implications, I feel like this is a manifest of trust in Bitcoin, hence an extra point for Bitcoin. So I agree with OP: it's a good move.

[dkbit98]

They talked about Dogecoin first.

Well I guess we know one person who is going to be happy about this...and his name is Elon Musk.
They just got a new loyal fan on Firefox browser, until something else draws his attention.

The downside is that they accept payments using BitPay, I don't know but I think Mozilla is big enough to have developers running a full node of the company.

All this years and just now they come up with an idea to accept Bitcoin and other crypto donations  
Maybe that is one of the reasons why google chrome have huge market share compared to firefox browser, but I still like them more than chrome.
Instead of using Bitpay they should start using BTCPayServer, run their own node, and accept donations on their own terms.  

[electronicash]

They talked about Dogecoin first.

Well I guess we know one person who is going to be happy about this...and his name is Elon Musk.
They just got a new loyal fan on Firefox browser, until something else draws his attention.

The downside is that they accept payments using BitPay, I don't know but I think Mozilla is big enough to have developers running a full node of the company.

All this years and just now they come up with an idea to accept Bitcoin and other crypto donations  
Maybe that is one of the reasons why google chrome have huge market share compared to firefox browser, but I still like them more than chrome.
Instead of using Bitpay they should start using BTCPayServer, run their own node, and accept donations on their own terms.  

Elon would be happy to donate Doge for them.
even the Linux developers page actaully doesn't have some of the BTC donation options. they are the first that i thought would go all-in for crypto since they are the community with so much concern for privacy. but i'm guessing they are avoiding disagreements from sponsors just like Mozilla.

mozilla team could really run a full node, have a wallet of their own for LN, it's not gonna be hard for them to catch up since many people uses firefox.

[SFR10]

They talked about Dogecoin first.

For what it's worth, that's not the case with their "FAQ/Wiki" page

Overall, it's a good move.

I'm having mixed feelings about this... They didn't even bother to generate a proper donation button from BitPay ^[SMH]: Screenshot

Well I guess we know one person who is going to be happy about this...and his name is Elon Musk.

That clown is going to have the time of his life when he returns from his short break.

[o_e_l_e_o]

And since the average Joe doesn't know nor care about all privacy implications

This. The Twitter thread is full of replies of people saying they will move to Chrome because Mozilla are endorsing cryptocurrencies. If a browser which you can use to protect your privacy endorsing a currency which you can use to protect your privacy is enough to make you use actual literal spyware instead, then apart from being a moron you really don't care if they are using a third party or a self hosted solution. I wonder why all these Twitter morons who are going to switch browser over this haven't also switched social network, since you know, Twitter endorses Bitcoin now. Lol.

It's a shame, though, because Mozilla will get no donations from privacy conscious users until they stop using BitPay.

[NeuroticFish]

The Twitter thread is full of replies of people saying they will move to Chrome because Mozilla are endorsing cryptocurrencies. If a browser which you can use to protect your privacy endorsing a currency which you can use to protect your privacy is enough to make you use actual literal spyware instead, then apart from being a moron you really don't care if they are using a third party or a self hosted solution. I wonder why all these Twitter morons who are going to switch browser over this haven't also switched social network, since you know, Twitter endorses Bitcoin now. Lol.

Business as usual. No matter the name under it. I didn't even expect such a response. But you're right. I can't say more than "Morons, morons everywhere"

It's a shame, though, because Mozilla will get no donations from privacy conscious users until they stop using BitPay.

I may sound a bit harsh/extreme, but some privacy conscious users may even wait for Monero.

[o_e_l_e_o]

I may sound a bit harsh/extreme, but some privacy conscious users may even wait for Monero.

Well, that's true to an extent. However, if I really want to donate to Mozilla and I already own some Monero, then it is fairly easy to almost completely anonymously convert that Monero in to Bitcoin and to send it to a Bitcoin address. That becomes almost impossible when a unnecessary third party intermediary requires you to make an account and verify your identity with them first, though.

I really don't understand why they have gone down the BitPay route. If you look at other software, sites, and services which privacy conscious users might use - Tor, Tails, Qubes, EFF, Prism Break, etc. - all simply provide a donation address. Mozilla are bigger than all of these. There is no way they don't have someone who could set up a BTCPay server or similar.

[NeuroticFish]

I may sound a bit harsh/extreme, but some privacy conscious users may even wait for Monero.

Well, that's true to an extent. However, if I really want to donate to Mozilla and I already own some Monero, then it is fairly easy to almost completely anonymously convert that Monero in to Bitcoin and to send it to a Bitcoin address. That becomes almost impossible when a unnecessary third party intermediary requires you to make an account and verify your identity with them first, though.

I really don't understand why they have gone down the BitPay route. If you look at other software, sites, and services which privacy conscious users might use - Tor, Tails, Qubes, EFF, Prism Break, etc. - all simply provide a donation address. Mozilla are bigger than all of these. There is no way they don't have someone who could set up a BTCPay server or similar.

You are completely right.

And about the BitPay route: my take is that they didn't care that much. Way too many still don't care about bitcoin to HODL or take care to handle it themselves. For them it was an opportunity - make some waves, get some more (fiat) funds (and customers) - while showing support to the new technology. Maybe someday they'll do the next steps too.

[sheenshane]

I tend to agree with about reply above, it's a good move for them.
I remember before that Mozilla has announced accepting Bitcoin in a donation and that was in November last year and now they have 4 cryptocurrencies that can be used in sending donations.

I don't see any especially on that news because Bitcoin adoption has already been announced, so now they are accepting doge that has a low market cap and low transaction.

Anyway, that's good news.

[PrimeNumber7]

It's a shame, though, because Mozilla will get no donations from privacy conscious users until they stop using BitPay.

Donations to Mozilla are tax-deductible. In order to claim a deduction on your tax return, you will generally need to give identifying information to the entity you are donating to (or their agent), so they can produce the documentation you need to support the donation in the event you are audited. I doubt many people, privacy-conscious or otherwise, are going to forgo a tax deduction so they can incrementally improve their privacy.

This is also not new, nor is it news. According to their FAQ, they have been accepting bitcoin since November 2019.

[mk4]

I may sound a bit harsh/extreme, but some privacy conscious users may even wait for Monero.

My rough guess: while accepting Monero makes total sense for a privacy-focused entity, I'm guessing that it's just going to be a total pain in the arse for the Mozilla Foundation. You know, the authorities and stuff. As far as I know their main office is still in the US.

[o_e_l_e_o]

Donations to Mozilla are tax-deductible.

Donations to all the entities I listed above are tax deductible as well. Tor provides an option to give your name alongside your donation to receive an acknowledgement document from them for tax purposes (or to donate anonymously if you wish). Tails give an email address you can contact to receive a donation receipt if you want one. If I want to claim tax deduction on my donation, then I'd be much happier giving only my name to the Tor project than I would giving my full KYC info and scans of documents to BitPay.

My rough guess: while accepting Monero makes total sense for a privacy-focused entity, I'm guessing that it's just going to be a total pain in the arse for the Mozilla Foundation.

Tor and Tails both accept Monero, and both have offices in the US. It can be done if there is the will to do it, but I agree with NeuroticFish that Mozilla seem to just be looking for the easiest solution. Disappointing.

[PrimeNumber7]

Donations to Mozilla are tax-deductible.

Donations to all the entities I listed above are tax deductible as well. Tor provides an option to give your name alongside your donation to receive an acknowledgement document from them for tax purposes (or to donate anonymously if you wish). Tails give an email address you can contact to receive a donation receipt if you want one. If I want to claim tax deduction on my donation, then I'd be much happier giving only my name to the Tor project than I would giving my full KYC info and scans of documents to BitPay.

Again, if you don't disclose your KYC information, you are giving up what could amount to ~50% of the value of your donation in the form of a tax deduction. So if there was a way to donate to them without disclosing your KYC information, doing so would effectively mean you are paying 50% of your donation in the name of "privacy".

To be frank, if you are complaining about the entity that you disclose your KYC information, in order to claim a tax deduction, or if you are wanting to not disclose your KYC information (which will result in you not receiving 50% of your donation back), you are just being stubborn.

BTW, I would also be hesitant to support the tor project in general, as IMO, it really just gives people a false sense of privacy.

[o_e_l_e_o]

or if you are wanting to not disclose your KYC information (which will result in you not receiving 50% of your donation back), you are just being stubborn.

And yet, if you look at the list of large donations for Tails (https://tails.boum.org/sponsors/index.en.html), there are dozens of large anonymous donations, including 300 Monero, 7 Bitcoin, and 50,000 euros. Since donations lower than $1,000 are not listed, there will be likely be hundreds more anonymous donations at these levels.

If you think paying to protect your privacy is stubborn, that's fine. You don't get to decide for everyone else though. People pay for VPNs, VPSs, email hosting, various pieces of software, entirely separate hardware and devices, etc., all in the name of protecting their privacy. If they want to protect their privacy by not claiming a few bucks of tax relief, then that's their prerogative. And of course, there are countries other than US which will have different laws and requirements regarding claiming tax relief.

All these other companies accept anonymous bitcoin and other crypto donations directly. There is no reason that Mozilla can't do the same.

[LTU_btc]

It would be good news, but they're using BitPay. It's probably worst possible option to use. Offcourse, for Mozilla it doesn't matter much as long as they're getting donations.
Still, Mozilla is my prefered browser, but no way that I'm going to donate them Bitcoin through BitPay.

To be frank, if you are complaining about the entity that you disclose your KYC information, in order to claim a tax deduction, or if you are wanting to not disclose your KYC information (which will result in you not receiving 50% of your donation back), you are just being stubborn.

But not if you live on country where donation to US-based organization isn't tax deductible. Why bother revealing my identity if i can't get tax deduction or only wanted to donate small amount of money?

Exactly. I didn't even know that donation is tax deductable thing in US. But here is my country, there is no such thing, so, not disclosing KYC details is not stubborn, it's common sense.
If I would want to donate to Mozilla, I'll rather use fiat than Bitcoin through BitPay.

[vv181]

Well, looks like it didn't age well. According to their latest tweet, they stated that they will review the cryptocurrencies donation over environmental concerns. That's made me wonder what's the reason they accept cryptocurrency donation in the first place if they didn't thoughtfully consider according to their climate goals area. Which make me agree with what NeuroticFish said regarding this and OP, they just taking the opportunity.

Last week, we tweeted a reminder that Mozilla accepts cryptocurrency donations. This led to an important discussion about cryptocurrency’s environmental impact. We’re listening, and taking action. 1/4

Decentralized web technology continues to be an important area for us to explore, but a lot has changed since we started accepting crypto donations. 2/4

So, starting today we are reviewing if and how our current policy on crypto donations fits with our climate goals. And as we conduct our review, we will pause the ability to donate cryptocurrency. 3/4

In the spirit of open-source, this will be a transparent process and we'll share regular updates.

We look forward to having this conversation and appreciate our community for bringing this to our attention. 4/4

[hugeblack]

Which make me agree with what NeuroticFish said regarding this and OP, they just taking the opportunity.

The reasons that were mentioned did not seem convincing to me, so I decided to dig a little deeper and see what I found.

Mozilla co-founder Jamie Zawinski tweeted:

"Hi, I'm sure that whoever runs this account has no idea who I am, but I founded @mozilla and I'm here to say fuck you and fuck this,"

 "Everyone involved in the project should be witheringly ashamed of this decision to partner with planet-incinerating Ponzi grifters."

also, Peter Linss (designed the Gecko browser engine used in the Firefox browser)

"Hey @mozilla, I expect you don't know me either, but I designed Gecko, the engine your browser is built on," Lines tweeted. "And I'm 100% with @jwz on this. What. The. Actual. Fuck. You were meant to be better than this."

It seems that the problem is either related to a misunderstanding on the part of many of the project developers, or that they have other investments (such as investments in the environment or the banking sector) that may be affected by Mozilla's acceptance of cryptocurrencies.

In general, the societal discussion ("important discussion" about the environmental impact of digital assets) is not intended for ordinary people but rather the founders.

Read more and sources

[SFR10]

That's made me wonder what's the reason they accept cryptocurrency donation in the first place if they didn't thoughtfully consider according to their climate goals area.

In "this blog" post, they mentioned, "Mozilla supporters were asking for it and they just fulfilled that request".

Mozilla co-founder Jamie Zawinski tweeted:

"Hi, I'm sure that whoever runs this account has no idea who I am, but I founded @mozilla and I'm here to say fuck you and fuck this,"

 "Everyone involved in the project should be witheringly ashamed of this decision to partner with planet-incinerating Ponzi grifters."

~Snipped~
It seems that the problem is either related to a misunderstanding on the part of many of the project developers,

In my eyes, he just lost some of his credibility for generalizing everything and indirectly pointing to BTCitcoin as a "Ponzi grifter"!
^{- I may not be a developer, but I can easily identify if someone is a lunatic or not... In this case, both of the developers in question belong to this category [apart from the possibility of having ulterior motives]!}