Here’s what it took to free Julian Assange — Lugano’s Plan B Forum

As a seasoned analyst with years of experience in tracking global events and their financial implications, I find it fascinating to witness the power of collective action in Julian Assange’s case. The sheer magnitude of resources mobilized by Bitcoiners and crypto enthusiasts worldwide is nothing short of astonishing.


At the Plan B Forum held in Lugano, Switzerland, Julian Assange’s family members spoke about their ongoing struggle against his extradition to the U.S. and their aim to secure his release as a journalist. This fight has cost over $30 million and taken 14 years of tireless effort.

Among those on the panel were Julian’s spouse, Stella Assange, his dad, John Shipton, and his half-nephew, Gabriel Shipton. It was Gabriel who shared additional information about the significant funds being mobilized for his release.

“We’re looking at upwards of $30 million, just across campaign costs, campaigning fees, legal fees. It was a global campaign with tens of thousands of individual donations and larger donations from some very wealthy Bitcoiners.”

In addition, Gabriel mentioned that AssangeDAO, a self-governing and dispersed entity, played a significant part in liberating Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder. This group was backed by approximately 10,000 individual contributors who supported the endeavor with their donations.

Here’s what it took to free Julian Assange — Lugano’s Plan B Forum

Bitcoiners and crypto enthusiasts answer the call

The vast financial resources required to secure Assange’s release were previously made public by AssangeDAO member Silke Noa.

It was disclosed by Noa that the DAO used a total of $37 million for legal expenses and publicity efforts, with the aim of securing the journalist’s release.

In June 2024, Bitcoin enthusiasts once more extended help to Julian Assange, following his release from custody. Subsequently, due to restrictions that prevented him from using commercial flights to re-enter the region, Assange, the creator of WikiLeaks, had to charter a private aircraft from the UK to fly back home to Australia.

The private charter that cost a hefty sum of $520,000 would have left Assange deeply in debt. However, luckily for him, an anonymous Bitcoin donor gifted over 8 Bitcoins (worth approximately $520,000 at the time) to cover Assange’s travel expenses.

In 2010, when Barack Obama, then U.S. President, deemed WikiLeaks’ publication of leaked government documents as illegal, crypto assets emerged as a crucial financial lifeline for the organization.

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed recent developments where U.S. authorities have instructed payment processors and financial institutions to cease their services to WikiLeaks. This move seems aimed at silencing the whistleblower platform.

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2024-10-25 23:52