Tor Project Launches $115,000 Crypto Fundraiser for 10 Internet Freedom Groups
Updated
Updated · CyberInsider · May 20
Tor Project Launches $115,000 Crypto Fundraiser for 10 Internet Freedom Groups
6 articles · Updated · CyberInsider · May 20
$115,000 in matching funds is backing a Tor Project crowdfunding drive for 10 nonprofits building anti-censorship, secure communication and privacy tools, with donations open through June 18.
The campaign uses quadratic funding, so projects with many small contributors receive a larger share of the match pool than those backed by a few large donors.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Zcash, Monero and Golem donations can be made through internetfreedom.torproject.org or a Tor Onion Service, and organizers said more sponsors may still join.
Tor said the push comes as digital-rights nonprofits face shrinking funding and rising costs that have already forced some groups to cut staff, scale back infrastructure or delay software development.
The supported projects include SecureDrop, OnionShare, OONI and tools serving users in restrictive environments such as Iran, reflecting Tor's broader warning that internet freedom has declined for 15 straight years.
As governments escalate digital surveillance, can community crypto donations truly safeguard our online freedoms?
Is Web3's 'quadratic funding' the future for protecting human rights, or just a niche experiment?
With AI enhancing surveillance, are privacy tools now fighting a battle they have already lost?
Tor Project’s $23.8B Web3 Crowdfunding Pivot: Quadratic Funding and the Fight for Internet Freedom in 2026
Overview
In 2026, The Tor Project launched a Web3-native crowdfunding campaign as a structural shift to secure sustainable funding and advance internet freedom. This campaign leverages decentralized technologies and is accessible both on the clear web and through a dedicated Onion Service, ensuring broad participation. By embracing Web3, Tor aims to reach more supporters and adapt to the challenges of declining internet freedom and funding cuts. The campaign’s dual accessibility and innovative approach highlight Tor’s renewed commitment to privacy, censorship resistance, and building a resilient financial foundation for its mission.