Embracing the Lightning Revolution

In a groundbreaking move, the Tor Project, acclaimed for its role in championing online anonymity, has announced the acceptance of Bitcoin (BTC) donations through the Lightning Network. This announcement came on November 19, coinciding with Bitcoin Tuesday, an initiative aimed at promoting crypto fundraising led by the charitable organization The Giving Block.

How to Donate: New and Improved Wallets

The Tor Project has recommended using the BottlePay wallet for its simplicity and user-friendliness. BottlePay allows you to find The Tor Project effortlessly, so no more fumbling around with copying and pasting long, cryptic addresses. Just search, click, and you’re done! Plus, you can donate not just in Bitcoin but in a variety of currencies.

From Bitcoin to Fiat: Flexibility in Donations

Unlike traditional fundraising avenues, the Lightning Network donation feature offers flexibility. Want to contribute in good ol’ fiat? No problem! BottlePay allows users to convert United States dollars, euros, British pounds, Australian dollars, Brazilian reals, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs, and a whopping 15 other currencies—all at the click of a button. Talk about modern-day giving!

The Funding Background of Tor

The development of the Tor network isn’t entirely grassroots, as it receives substantial financial backing from U.S. government agencies. This funding traces its origins back to 1995 when the U.S. Office of Naval Research first financed the technology known as onion routing. It’s almost ironic that a tool initially designed for government such as Tor is now being utilized to hide nefarious activities on the dark web, like those infamous Silk Road escapades.

The Double-Edged Sword of Anonymity

While Tor is widely recognized for providing critical privacy for users—including political dissidents and whistleblowers—it also faces a problematic relationship with hackers. The anonymity that Tor offers can be a double-edged sword. Recently, Cointelegraph reported that ESET, a major antivirus software supplier, detected a trojanized version of the Tor Browser aimed specifically at swiping Bitcoin from unsuspecting darknet shoppers. Talk about a plot twist!