Key facts
- WikiLeaks started accepting Bitcoin in June 2011.
- Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal cut off WikiLeaks' revenue streams.
- WikiLeaks received 4,043 BTC, now worth $268 million.
WikiLeaks began accepting Bitcoin donations in June 2011, following financial restrictions imposed by major payment processors Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. This move served as an early test for Bitcoin's viability as a censorship-resistant payment system. The platform ultimately received 4,043 BTC, which is now valued at approximately $268 million.