An independent examiner has revealed shocking details surrounding the inner workings of Celsius – a crypto lender that filed for bankruptcy in July 2022. The examiner claimed that Celsius did not operate by the business model that it presented to customers. He likened it to a Ponzi scheme, much like FTX – a company that happened to have used the same accounting software: QuickBooks. The Truth About CEL Token Per a filing from examiner Shoba Pillay on Tuesday, Celsius had…
What Are Political Crypto Donations?
Crypto political donations contribute to political campaigns or candidates using cryptocurrency as payment. This can include digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Stablecoins. Political crypto donations work similarly to traditional campaign contributions, with the main difference being the use of cryptocurrency as the payment method.
Making a crypto political donation typically involves sending the desired cryptocurrency from the donor’s wallet to the campaign’s wallet. The campaign must then convert the cryptocurrency into fiat currency for campaign expenses.
Crypto Political Donations vs. Traditional Donations
Crypto political donations have the potential to be more transparent than traditional donations because the blockchain technology that underlies most cryptocurrencies provides a public, tamper-proof record of all transactions. This means that any crypto political donations can be tracked and traced through the blockchain, making it possible to see the source of the funds and the amount donated.
However, it’s important to note that crypto donations can be made anonymously by using a pseudonymous address, and it can be hard to trace the source of the funds. Additionally, it is possible to launder money through crypto political donations.
In comparison, traditional campaign donations are often made through a check, wire transfer, or cash, making it difficult to trace the source of the funds and the amount donated. Also, traditional political donations are often made through political action committees (PACs) or Super PACs, making it even more difficult to trace the source of the funds.
In summary, while crypto political donations can be more transparent than traditional donations, the anonymity of the donor and the potential for money laundering can make it difficult to ensure complete transparency.
Is It Mandatory to Disclose Political Crypto Donations?
The regulations surrounding crypto political donations vary by jurisdiction, but political campaigns must disclose any contributions to their campaign, regardless of the payment method.
In the United States, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has issued guidance stating that cryptocurrency donations should be treated as in-kind contributions and subject to the same disclosure and reporting requirements as traditional campaign contributions.
It is important for political campaigns to be aware of the laws and regulations in their jurisdiction and to comply with them when it comes to disclosing and reporting crypto donations.
Failure to do so can result in penalties and fines. It’s worth noting that some countries don’t have specific laws for crypto political donations. Campaigns should seek legal advice to ensure compliance with the laws that apply to campaign financing and donations.