“There’s a problem with bank accounts, something happened … the transactions are being stopped, for whatever reason.” – Overheard from Walter Lekh in Twitter Spaces dialog discussing avenues of donation in help of Ukraine
Activities in jap Europe have taken the middle stage for a lot of the world up to now few days. I’ve been doing one of the best I can to keep on prime of data and intelligence that is coming by way of — one of many many beauties of the fashionable age and the opening of data that the web and smartphones has allowed; aggressive and constant flows of studies from the bottom as they are coming in by the minute. This permits for better distribution of data at a fee and effectiveness that supersedes earlier centralized mechanisms of “news” distribution, which has already been underneath aggressive assault for occasions which have transpired up to now 24-plus months.
Coming out of those occasions of battle and bloodshed have been studies of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) which have been [reportedly] working immediately with the Ukrainian authorities since 2015. Additionally, the Ukrainian authorities’s official tTwitter account announced that they are now accepting donations of bitcoin and ether.
Before dialogue goes any additional I would love to expressly advise that no person donate ANY funds till important effort has been devoted to verifying addresses as greatest as will be completed. This is not a political admission of help, nor a name to motion. There are important efforts by a number of completely different events partaking in deception and confusion of data and site visitors right now. Also, for those who are partaking within the viewing of any stay streams of webcam footage and/or social media postings, DO NOT click on on hyperlinks offered by events that you just have no idea or belief.
This is a particularly unstable state of affairs, and these areas have develop into a battleground for intelligence organizations, with hacker teams reminiscent of Anonymous becoming a member of in efforts. Taking half on-line in these areas could actively insert your self within the digital crossfire.
As I’ve been following alongside as carefully as I can, probably the most shared NGOs is “SaveLife.” SaveLife just lately had their Patreon account frozen, comparable to latest occasions surrounding the Canadian Freedom Convoy, in addition to many different tangentially associated eventualities which have occurred over the previous two years with regards to centralized organizations actively working to restrict freedom of data, in addition to cash transmission.
“Bitcoin donations in support of Ukrainian forces skyrocketing” – OSINT areas 02/24/22 10:04 p.m.
This ongoing, unstable state of affairs highlights a large number of considerations within the fashionable period.
First, the [arguably] apparent: Money the world over wants to be separated from the state, if not totally, at the least partly. Ukrainians have been discussing frustration with makes an attempt to conventionally switch funds internationally to financially help their households, in addition to their fellow countrymen. Of explicit observe is Walter Lekh, a Ukrainian who is at present within the U.S. however has been spreading phrase on-line of developments for weeks as his household stays inside Ukraine. Fiat rails present too many factors of friction to get funds the place they are most wanted in a well timed method.
Second, the bureaucracies and radically outdated techniques of monetary organizations proceed to show impotent when coping with real-world developments, as they embrace the speedy transmission of data within the fashionable period. Their laggard fee of technological adoption continues to lead to important bottlenecks for efficient distribution and dissemination of data. Mainstream media (MSM) has confirmed to be a common farce from developments over the previous two years particularly. These centralized entities proceed to fall in need of legit and high-quality data because it is taking place. Decentralized teams, affectionately referred to as OSINT (open-source intelligence) are being actively sought out as respected sources. This has been witnessed on my own, by trusted reporters reminiscent of Mark Goldberg, in addition to a number of politicians, ambassadors, and lively obligation intelligence officers. This proves the effectiveness, attain, and effectivity of decentralized operations past that of the Bitcoin community.
Third, these occasions additionally expose how more and more harmful a lot of the actions on-line are turning into. This dynamic additionally implies that vulnerabilities of centralized monetary techniques (which a lot of the developed world depend on) are turning into more and more extra grave. The purpose for this being {that a} centralized entity, whereas appearing as a digital fortress, additionally offers a single level of assault, permitting for aggressors and unhealthy actors to focus efforts in direction of breaching their defenses. It is crucial to acknowledge that whereas some techniques profit from a blockchain, not all techniques and mechanisms profit — not to mention require — a blockchain mechanism.
I’ve written beforehand for Bitcoin Magazine on the worth of separating cash from the state. Part of the reasoning for that article was to announce the launch of a Declaration of Monetary Independence, which is a digital product that enables for signing — working comparable to a petition, and will probably be sporting a bodily show on the Bitcoin 2022 Conference in Miami this April.
This is a visitor publish by Mike Hobart. Opinions expressed are totally their personal and don’t essentially replicate these of BTC, Inc. or Bitcoin Magazine.