The company behind one of the largest web browsers, Firefox, has once again raised the ire of the crypto community. This comes after Mozilla stopped accepting donations in cryptocurrencies.
The founder of dogecoin, Billy Markus, criticized Mozilla after the platform raised the idea that the adoption of cryptocurrency DOGE was akin to joining a Ponzi pyramid scheme. Plus there was criticism of the environmental damage bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies caused.
Markus referred the following in his Twitter account:
“Thank you for succumbing to an ignorant, reactionary internet mob. Wait till them guys hear about the environmental cost of paper dollars and the entire banking infrastructure, I am sure they will have the same level of meltdown about their own constant environmental impact.”
The comments imply that Mozilla was “innocent enough” to believe random statements on the internet to appease the baying mobs looking to indulge in some cancel culture, without all of the facts.
Mozilla and DOGE controversy
The organization confirmed a few days ago that it will “stop the ability to donate with cryptocurrencies” immediately. The team says they are in an open debate about the potential environmental damage that can come from accepting donations via cryptocurrency, stating:
“We are reviewing whether our current cryptocurrency donation policy is in line with our climate goals.”
The controversy began in late 2021, on December 31. Mozilla posted on Twitter that they will now accept DOGE for donation to its foundation. Mozilla Firefox already accepted cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum.
The debate has also attracted Bitcoin proponents such as Ari Paul, CEO and founder of BlockTower Capital, who claimed that cryptocurrencies are helping the proliferation of renewable energy:
Bold public stances are commendable, but maybe spend 5 minutes learning about the electricity side? Crypto has been the world’s largest ever green energy subsidy and we’ve seen the beneficial effects already. PoW has a more renewables heavy energy mix than any industry.
— Ari Paul (@AriDavidPaul) January 4, 2022
(@AriDavidPaul) January 4, 2022A few hours later, Zawinski stated on his private blog:
“I am happy for whatever part I played in getting them to rescind that terrible decision. Cryptocurrencies are not only an apocalyptic ecological disaster, and a greater-fool pyramid scheme, but are also incredibly toxic to the open web, another ideal that Mozilla used to support.”
He did, however, say that the debate is open. The final decision could affect the 220 million current users of the browser spread across the globe.
In contrast to Firefox’s move to handle crypto assets, the privacy-focused browser Brave has fully embraced cryptocurrencies. They have Solana integrations among other key alliances and has even seen its base surpass 50 million active users in 2021. The Mozilla Foundation has been receiving cryptocurrency donations since 2014.
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