An anonymous Bitcoin donor has paid more than $500,000 in bitcoin to cover WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s expenses on his return trip to Australia. Assange is now a free man after pleading guilty in a US court under a deal that ended his 14-year legal battle.
just in: #Bitcoin Pioneer and freedom fighter Julian Assange has arrived in Australia. He’s officially a free man!
A victory for freedom of expression and freedom 👏 pic.twitter.com/lDyPabqa8u
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 26, 2024
Assange was released from prison in the UK on June 24 and headed to the US territory of Saipan to make his application. He was fighting extradition to the United States on espionage charges related to WikiLeaks’ publication of classified documents.
On June 26, Assange returned to his native Australia and embraced family members in Canberra. He has been a leader in Bitcoin and WikiLeaks since their inception, even receiving BTC donations in 2010 when few people knew about it.
Just one day before, to cover the cost of his private charter flight arranged by the Australian government, amounting to $520,000, He issued an urgent appeal For donations. As presented by A Bitcoin address for contributions.
Remarkably, only one Bitcoin donor was sent 8 BTC worth about $500,000 To the title to cover the entire debt. This allowed Assange to return to his home country without financial burdens.
The anonymous donor’s huge contribution highlights the Bitcoin community’s enduring support for Assange and his work in exposing government secrets. Bitcoiners have long advocated for its release.
While the identity of the whale remains unknown, the donation underscores Bitcoin’s role in enabling freedom of expression and uncensored financial freedom.
The coming weeks will focus on helping Assange recover after a long period of detention. However, given his long history with the technology, his involvement with Bitcoin will likely continue. The Assange saga symbolized the battle between individual freedoms and unchecked government power.