WikiLeaks is looking for a global blockade of one of the world’s biggest exchanges for crypto trading, Coinbase, soon after the organization banned that the WikiLeaks Shop from its platform “without explanation”.
Even the whistleblowing organization claims the cryptocurrency payments processor is responding into a “concealed influence,” and is urging members of their digital foreign exchange community to boycott it.
WikiLeaks Shop stated that the actions was taken without explanation or a notice. A statement from Coinbase published by WikiLeak shops cites breach of provisions of services as the main reason behind the decision.
“Upon careful review we believe your account has engaged in prohibited use in violation with our Terms of Service and we regret to inform you that we can no longer provide you with access to our service,” the message shared by WikiLeaks Shop reads.
Wikileaks Shop sells merchandise such as t-shirts, hoodies, posters and accessories to help fund its own operations. Payment is accepted through cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin.
Bitcoin advocate Andreas M. Antonopoulos noticed that the movement demonstrates “we now have come full circle,” pointing out that for lots of people, curiosity about cryptocurrency was sparked when important financial firms boycotted Wikileaks in 2010.
Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, and Bank of America prohibited contributions for the whistleblowing organization after it released thousands of classified US diplomatic cables on the web.
The statement comes as the Democratic National Committee launches a lawsuit against Wikileaks, the Russian government and the Trump election effort for conspiring to change the 2016 US presidential race in a way that damaged the Democratic Party.
By seeking contributions from the supporters using the intent of starting a counter-suit, wikiLeaks responded to the legal actions.
Coinbase isn’t any stranger to controversy itself – the crypto currency market system is currently facing a lawsuit for alleged insider trading.
