Key facts
- WikiLeaks began accepting Bitcoin in June 2011.
- Major payment processors banned WikiLeaks' revenue streams.
- WikiLeaks received 4,043 BTC.
- The 4,043 BTC received by WikiLeaks is now valued at $268 million.
- WikiLeaks' use of Bitcoin was an early test of censorship resistance.
- Bitcoin's market capitalization has reached $1.34 trillion.
- Elon Musk's estimated net worth is $1.1 trillion.
- Bitcoin's market cap now exceeds Elon Musk's net worth.
WikiLeaks started accepting Bitcoin in June 2011 following a ban by major payment processors that cut off its revenue streams. The platform received a total of 4,043 Bitcoin, which at current valuations is worth approximately $268 million. This move by WikiLeaks is recognized as an early demonstration of Bitcoin's capacity for censorship resistance.
In a separate, but related development highlighting Bitcoin's growing financial significance, its overall market capitalization has reached $1.34 trillion. This figure surpasses the estimated net worth of prominent tech figure Elon Musk, which stands at $1.1 trillion. This comparison is often used within the crypto community to emphasize the sentiment that 'we are so early' in the adoption and development of Bitcoin, suggesting substantial future growth potential for the cryptocurrency.