After halting crypto donations on the basis of environmental concerns, the Mozilla foundation has resumed accepting donations in cryptocurrencies (basically altcoins) with the exception of Bitcoin.
According to a blog post by executive director Mark Surman, the Mozilla Foundation has decided to resume accepting crypto donations in the near future. It has, however, outlawed energy-intensive “proof-of-work” cryptocurrencies, which means it will no longer accept Bitcoin donations.
Later this year, Ethereum, the second-largest proof-of-work cryptocurrency, is anticipated to move to proof-of-stake. After the much-anticipated improvement, its energy usage is estimated to shrink by 99.95 percent.
Proof-of-work cryptocurrencies, according to Surman, can “substantially” raise the foundation’s greenhouse gas footprint, preventing it from reaching its climate obligations.
By the end of the second quarter of 2022, Mozilla will have compiled a list of cryptocurrencies that it will accept.
Mozilla’s reaction to crypto donations
In 2014, the non-profit company behind the Firefox web browser began taking cryptocurrency payments, the company abandoned crypto in early January after a public outcry over a tweet. Jamie Zawinski, the creator of Mozilla, criticized the organization for funding “planet-incinerating Ponzi grifters.”
Many members of the bitcoin community accused the foundation of caving in to the internet mob when it decided to suspend donations in response to criticism. Billy Markus, the co-founder of Dogecoin, was one of the critics of Mozilla’s reversal of crypto donations.
The Bitcoin community is likely to be outraged by the recent decision to exclude proof-of-work cryptocurrencies. Its members argue that fears regarding the largest cryptocurrency’s detrimental environmental impact are exaggerated.
International Animal Rescue (IAR) has also discontinued support for crypto donations due to climate-related concerns, as previously reported.
