So, here’s why Mozilla has stopped accepting cryptocurrencies and everything else you should know.
Mozilla Stops Accepting Cryptocurrency Donations
Mozilla is no longer accepting donations in cryptocurrencies. The non-profit organization broke the news on Twitter, and since then, has removed cryptocurrency support on its donation page. With cryptocurrency donation out of the window, you can only donate via PayPal and your debit or credit cards.
The move comes slightly over seven years after the organization officially started accepting donations in Bitcoin, in November 2014, joining several other organizations.
Since 2014, Mozilla has added support for five stablecoins, including USDC, and seven altcoins, including Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, and Litecoin.
Why Has Mozilla Paused Crypto Donations?
Mozilla’s move to pause accepting cryptocurrency donations despite supporting them for years didn’t come out of the blue. It all started on December 31, 2021, when the company reminded its users about its ability to accept cryptocurrency donations through cryptocurrency payment service provider BitPay.
The company received almost immediate backlash, spearheaded by Mozilla founder Jamie Zawinski, who criticized the company for partnering with “planet-incinerating Ponzi grifters.”
His tweet blew up, starting a broader discussion on the already existing concerns about the environmental impact of cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin. Peter Linss, who designed the Gecko engine powering Firefox web browser, tweeted his disappointment over the same issue.
Without surprise, Mozilla later announced they’re pausing taking cryptocurrency donations. The company says it has launched a review to determine whether accepting cryptocurrency donations aligns with its climate goals.
Can Cryptocurrencies Align With a Company’s Climate Goals?
That depends. Although cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin (all thanks to its Proof of Work consensus mechanism), have received bad press due to their energy use, eco-friendly cryptocurrencies have since emerged.
Perhaps accepting donations in environmentally friendly cryptocurrencies could help. This could be a viable path for The Mozilla Foundation to take.
