Tor Project and Funding the Commons Launch Web3-Native Crowdfunding Campaign

⦿ Executive Snapshot

• What: The launch of a Web3-native crowdfunding campaign by the Tor Project and Funding the Commons to support internet freedom organizations.
• Who: The Tor Project, Funding the Commons, and ten nonprofit organizations including SecureDrop and OONI.
• Why it matters: This campaign addresses a funding crisis for critical tools that support internet freedom in a landscape of increasing censorship and surveillance.

⦿ Key Developments

• The crowdfunding campaign will accept donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Zcash, Monero, and Golem until June 18.
• An initial matching pool of $115,000 has been established, contributed by Cake Wallet, Zcash Community Grants, Logos, and Octant.
• The campaign employs a quadratic funding model, prioritizing projects with broad community support over larger individual donations.

⦿ Strategic Context

• Internet freedom has seen a decline for 15 consecutive years, with increasing censorship and surveillance complicating efforts of organizations like the Tor Project.
• Traditional funding sources for public goods are under strain, necessitating innovative funding models like the one introduced in this campaign.

⦿ Strategic Implications

• Immediate implications include enhanced funding for internet freedom tools, potentially reversing some negative trends in digital privacy and security.
• Long-term adoption of quadratic funding could reshape how public-interest projects are financed, emphasizing community engagement and support.

⦿ Risks & Constraints

• Potential risks include regulatory scrutiny over cryptocurrency donations and the fluctuating value of crypto assets during the fundraising period.
• Competition from other funding models and initiatives for public goods could impact the campaign's success and sustainability.

⦿ Watchlist / Forward Signals

• Key milestones include the total amount raised by the campaign and community engagement metrics throughout the fundraising period.
• Future developments will signal success or failure, particularly any shifts in funding models for public goods or changes in internet freedom conditions globally.