Share this article
'Not an Investment': Internet Archive Defends Decision to Hold Bitcoin
The Internet Archive, the nonprofit dedicated to providing "open access to all knowledge," has spoken out on why it accepts bitcoin donations.
Updated Sep 13, 2021, 6:53 a.m. Published Sep 5, 2017, 4:40 p.m.
The Internet Archive, the nonprofit digital library dedicated to providing "open access to all knowledge," has spoken out on why it accepts – and holds onto – the bitcoin donations it receives.
In a recent blog post, the organisation spelled out that it includes the cryptocurrency on its balance sheets – alongside other means of donation, including zcash – "to be a living example of an organization that is trying this innovative internet technology."
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
The post continued:
"The Internet Archive explores how bitcoin and other internet innovations can be useful in the non-profit sphere – this is part of it. We want to see how donated bitcoin can be used, not just sold off. We are doing this publicly so others can learn from us. And it is fun. And it is interesting."
As a nonprofit, the archive has been accepting bitcoin donations since 2012, and has offered the digital asset as a salary option to employees since 2013. Local businesses around the Internet Archive office have also been encouraged to accept the currency – sometimes with success.
Rather than immediately exchange its bitcoin donations for fiat currency, however, the Internet Archive attempts to find ways to use them.
"What we are doing is trying to 'play the game' and see how it works for non-profits," the organization said. "It is not an investment for us, it is testing a technology in an open way."
Internet Archive server image from John Blyberg/Flickr
More For You
What to know:
- As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.
- GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.
- Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.
More For You
Barclays Sees ‘Down-Year’ for Crypto in 2026 Without Big Catalysts
Spot trading volumes are cooling, and investor enthusiasm is fading amid a lack of structural growth drivers, analysts wrote in a new report.
What to know:
- Barclays forecasts lower crypto trading volumes in 2026, with no clear catalysts to revive market activity.
- Spot market slowdowns pose revenue challenges for retail-focused platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood, the bank said.
- Regulatory clarity, including pending market structure legislation, could shape long-term market growth despite near-term headwinds.
Top Stories
