Tor reports 20% of individual donations come via crypto

Stellar targets Tor and five other non-profits for XLM donation matching campaign.

The Tor Project, the nonprofit organization behind the privacy-centric Tor Browser, receives approximately 20% of its individual donations via cryptocurrency.

Sarah Stevenson, the organization’s fundraising director, shared the statistic on Twitter on Friday while retweeting a charity matching campaign by Stellar and its Lumens (XLM) currency.

Thanks again to @StellarOrg for sponsoring this match to @torproject! We are seeing a boost in donations via other cryptocurrencies as well! Currently cryptocurrency donations make up 20% of our contributions from individuals. You rock! https://t.co/AQn7choEIt https://t.co/lw2nhxvv0U

— Sarah Stevenson (@elkakai) April 3, 2020

The Tor Browser is a web browser designed to safeguard its users’ anonymity, and also serves as an entryway to the dark web. Cryptocurrency is often used for anonymous purchases on the dark web, including for illicit items and services.

The Tor Project has accepted Bitcoin donations for years and added support for other cryptocurrencies in March 2019. Now it accepts a number of cryptocurrencies for donations, such as Ethereum, Zcash, Litecoin, Monero, and Stellar. The organization’s website also has a BTCPay Server tool for quick donations, plus Tor accepts credit card and PayPal donations.

Stellar’s TOR campaign

Throughout April, Stellar is matching donations made in XLM to six non-profit organizations: UNICEF France, The Tor Project, Heifer International, Watsi, Freedom of the Press, and Women Who Code.

Stellar launched the campaign in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has committed to matching a total of up to 1.9 million XLM (about $75,600 USD) in donations made directly to each organization.

Stellar joins crypto lobbying group Blockchain Association

Additionally, any donations made to Stellar’s Lumenthropy website will be divided equally amongst the organizations. Stellar has also donated 100,000 XLM (about $4,200 USD) to each of the six organizations in addition to its matching campaign.

Decrypt recently explored how increased cryptocurrency support will affect charities, with crypto donations reportedly totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over the past few years.