Crypto Users Answer Ukraine's Call for Help By Donating MillionsHowever, some crypto platforms are refusing to act on all of Ukraine's requests.
As the international community rallies around Ukraine amid Russia's invasion,cryptocurrencyusers are also chipping in. According to blockchain-analysis firm Elliptic,nearly $55 million in cryptoassetshave been donated as of this writing, either directly to the Ukranian government or to an NGO called Come Back Alive that supports the Ukrainian military.
Elliptic chief scientist Tom Robinson toldAP Newsmost donations so far have been in Bitcoin and ether. However, people are also sending NFTs to the Ukrainian government's Ethereum account. Ukraine Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has praised cryptocurrency donations, and even directly called upon Elon Musk anddogecoincreator Shibetoshi Nakamoto to aid in the effort.
"Now even meme can support our army and save lives from Russian invaders," Fedorov tweeted.
@dogecoinexceeded Russian ruble in value. We start to accept donations in meme coin. Now even meme can support our army and save lives from Russian invaders.$DOGE业主的e world,@elonmusk,@BillyM2k, let's do it. Official$DOGEwallet: DS76K9uJJzQjCFvAbpPGtFerp1qkJoeLwL
——正式Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo)March 2, 2022
乌克兰政府在推特上cryp的请求tocurrency donationslast week, recognizing Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood's large donation.
The people of Ukraine fighting for our freedom are forever grateful to Gavin Wood@gavofyorkfor the generous donation of $5M of@Polkadot$DOTas promised publicly. Thank you from all of us here in Ukraine working for a peaceful future
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine)March 1, 2022
Related:The 50 Richest People in Crypto
Fedorov has also tweeted directly to major crypto exchanges, asking these platforms to get involved by blocking addresses of Russian users. Coinbase and Binance have thus far refused to go that far.
I'm asking all major crypto exchanges to block addresses of Russian users.
——正式Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo)February 27, 2022
It's crucial to freeze not only the addresses linked to Russian and Belarusian politicians, but also to sabotage ordinary users.
A Binance spokesperson toldCNBCthat, while it would block the accounts of Russian users who have been specifically targeted by sanctions, an outright freeze on all Russian users "would fly in the face of the reason why crypto exists." Instead, thecompanypledged that it would donate $10 million to help with Ukraine's humanitarian efforts.
Coinbase expressed similar sentiments toMotherboard, saying that a total ban "would punish ordinary Russian citizens who are enduring historic currency destabilization."
Related:5 Things to Know Before You Invest in Cryptocurrency
