Key facts
- WikiLeaks began accepting Bitcoin donations in June 2011.
- Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal had previously cut off WikiLeaks' revenue.
- This event served as an early test for Bitcoin's viability as a payment system.
In June 2011, WikiLeaks began accepting Bitcoin donations after payment processors such as Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal cut off its revenue, which represented 95% of its income. This decision marked an early test for Bitcoin's viability as a payment system, with Satoshi Nakamoto reportedly warning that the move was akin to 'kicking the hornet's nest'.