Receiving donations with bitcoin - Revision history

CypherpunkDev: Add section on open source, self-hosted donations processors

2021-07-01T09:46:17Z

Add section on open source, self-hosted donations processors

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:46, 1 July 2021
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	See also: [[Why Your Business Should Use a Full Node to Accept Bitcoin]], written for businesses but much of it applies to donations too.		See also: [[Why Your Business Should Use a Full Node to Accept Bitcoin]], written for businesses but much of it applies to donations too.

	A better solution is to use ~~the~~ [[BTCPay]] ~~open source payment processor~~.		==Using open source, self-hosted payment processors==

			A better solution is to use open source payment processor running on your own server.

			Example open source payments / donations processors include [[BTCPay]], [[CypherpunkPay]], LnMe, One-Time-Address, or SatSale.

	==Examples of real-life use==		==Examples of real-life use==

Belcher: Elaborate on centralized payment processors

2020-06-12T12:26:36Z

Elaborate on centralized payment processors

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:26, 12 June 2020
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	Because of this [[address reuse]] is best avoided. An easy way to do that is to set up an instance of the [[BTCPay]] open source payment processor. Another way is to code a simple solution yourself which gives a brand new address to each visitor, optionally when they click a `generate new address` button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. When avoiding [[address reuse]] be aware of the possibility of [[Mystery shopper payments]] as a privacy attack.		Because of this [[address reuse]] is best avoided. An easy way to do that is to set up an instance of the [[BTCPay]] open source payment processor. Another way is to code a simple solution yourself which gives a brand new address to each visitor, optionally when they click a `generate new address` button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. When avoiding [[address reuse]] be aware of the possibility of [[Mystery shopper payments]] as a privacy attack.

	==Using payment processors==		==Using centralized payment processors==

	Some payment processors offer a donations-receiving service. Some of them can convert immediately to USD or another fiat currency. A big downside is this loses many of the advantages of bitcoin from above like censorship resistance and anonymity because the payment processor may block payments, but they may still be appropriate in some situations.		Some centralized payment processors offer a donations-receiving service. Some of them can convert immediately to USD or another fiat currency. A big downside is this loses many of the advantages of bitcoin from above like censorship resistance and anonymity because the payment processor may block payments, but they may still be appropriate in some situations.

	See also: [[Why Your Business Should Use a Full Node to Accept Bitcoin]], written for businesses but much of it applies to donations too.		See also: [[Why Your Business Should Use a Full Node to Accept Bitcoin]], written for businesses but much of it applies to donations too.

			A better solution is to use the [[BTCPay]] open source payment processor.

	==Examples of real-life use==		==Examples of real-life use==

Belcher: Rewrote section on privacy to also mention censorship resistance

2020-06-12T12:25:20Z

Rewrote section on privacy to also mention censorship resistance

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:25, 12 June 2020
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	[[Electrum]] can create multisig wallets. See also: [[Multisignature#Multisignature_Wallets]]		[[Electrum]] can create multisig wallets. See also: [[Multisignature#Multisignature_Wallets]]

	==Improving privacy==		== Improving censorship-resistance and privacy by avoiding address-reuse ==

	Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[~~Address~~ reuse]], which is bad for privacy as all the transfers to and from that address are visible to everybody. Anybody can put the bitcoin address into a blockchain explorer and see every single transaction to and from the donation address. In some situations this public visibility may be good for accountability, making this one of the only times when address re-use may be useful.		Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[address reuse]].

	~~To avoid~~ this ~~[[Address reuse\|reuse]],~~ you ~~could set up a web server to hand out unique addresses with~~ a ~~'click to generate~~ new address~~' button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. A simpler way that avoids the need~~ to ~~write code is to set up the [[BTCPay]] open source payment processor. With this method also be aware of the possibility of [[Mystery shopper payments]] as a privacy attack~~.		Regulated bitcoin exchanges might one day be required by law to block transfers to your donation address, but this becomes impossible if you give a brand new address to each donator.

	~~When using~~ a ~~static~~ donation address, ~~its also worth taking measures~~ to ~~stop being tracked from~~ it ~~(with a mixer, see~~ [[~~Anonymity~~]]~~) in~~ the ~~situation when you're not using~~ a ~~unique address each time~~.		The transfers to and from that single [[address]] are visible to everybody. Anybody can put the bitcoin address into a blockchain explorer and see every single transaction to and from the donation address. So privacy is completely ruined.

			Because of this [[address reuse]] is best avoided. An easy way to do that is to set up an instance of the [[BTCPay]] open source payment processor. Another way is to code a simple solution yourself which gives a brand new address to each visitor, optionally when they click a `generate new address` button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. When avoiding [[address reuse]] be aware of the possibility of [[Mystery shopper payments]] as a privacy attack.

	==Using payment processors==		==Using payment processors==

Belcher: /* Examples of real-life use */ Add Sci-hub example

2020-06-12T12:02:33Z

Examples of real-life use: Add Sci-hub example

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:02, 12 June 2020
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	Tails OS (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) project accepts bitcoin donations, as does GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Project) and Rasterbator (wall art generator).		Tails OS (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) project accepts bitcoin donations, as does GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Project) and Rasterbator (wall art generator).

			Sci-hub is a website that allows firewall-free access to scientific papers. It used to accept donations via centralized payment processors such as PayPal. Now it only accepts Bitcoin, presumably to avoid banking blockades or government seizure.

	Sometimes gamers, streamer and tournament organizers accept bitcoin, for example for prize money.		Sometimes gamers, streamer and tournament organizers accept bitcoin, for example for prize money.
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	File:Rasterbator-donation-screenshot.png\|Rasterbator		File:Rasterbator-donation-screenshot.png\|Rasterbator
	File:Zeroempires-aoczone-donation-screenshot.png\|Zeroempires gaming streamer		File:Zeroempires-aoczone-donation-screenshot.png\|Zeroempires gaming streamer
			File:Sci-hub-donation-screenshot.png\|Sci-hub
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Belcher: /* Improving privacy */ Added note about mystery shopper payments

2020-02-01T21:39:52Z

Improving privacy: Added note about mystery shopper payments

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:39, 1 February 2020
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	[[Electrum]] can create multisig wallets. See also: [[Multisignature#Multisignature_Wallets]]		[[Electrum]] can create multisig wallets. See also: [[Multisignature#Multisignature_Wallets]]

	==Improving privacy ~~by avoiding address re-use~~==		==Improving privacy==

	Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[Address reuse]], which is bad for privacy as all the transfers to and from that address are visible to everybody ~~on the blockchain~~. Anybody can put the bitcoin address into a blockchain explorer and see every single transaction to and from the donation address. In some situations this public visibility may be good for accountability, making this one of the only times when address re-use may be useful.		Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[Address reuse]], which is bad for privacy as all the transfers to and from that address are visible to everybody. Anybody can put the bitcoin address into a blockchain explorer and see every single transaction to and from the donation address. In some situations this public visibility may be good for accountability, making this one of the only times when address re-use may be useful.

	To avoid this [[Address reuse\|reuse]], you could set up a web server to hand out unique addresses with a 'click to generate new address' button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. A simpler way that avoids the need to write code is to set up the [[BTCPay]] open source payment processor.		To avoid this [[Address reuse\|reuse]], you could set up a web server to hand out unique addresses with a 'click to generate new address' button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. A simpler way that avoids the need to write code is to set up the [[BTCPay]] open source payment processor. With this method also be aware of the possibility of [[Mystery shopper payments]] as a privacy attack.

	When using a static donation address, its also worth taking measures to stop being tracked from it (with a mixer, see [[Anonymity]]) in the situation when you're not using a unique address each time.		When using a static donation address, its also worth taking measures to stop being tracked from it (with a mixer, see [[Anonymity]]) in the situation when you're not using a unique address each time.

Belcher: /* Examples of real-life use */ Add example of the runescape 20btc guy

2019-01-13T19:58:17Z

Examples of real-life use: Add example of the runescape 20btc guy

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:58, 13 January 2019
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	File:Zeroempires-aoczone-donation-screenshot.png\|Zeroempires gaming streamer		File:Zeroempires-aoczone-donation-screenshot.png\|Zeroempires gaming streamer
	</gallery>		</gallery>

			Also [https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/afj1dy/a_twitch_streamer_that_plays_runescape_was/ this runescape streamer received 20btc in January 2019]

	==References==		==References==

Belcher: /* Improving privacy by avoiding address re-use */ link to btcpay

2018-09-05T18:53:26Z

Improving privacy by avoiding address re-use: link to btcpay

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 5 September 2018
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	Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[Address reuse]], which is bad for privacy as all the transfers to and from that address are visible to everybody on the blockchain. Anybody can put the bitcoin address into a blockchain explorer and see every single transaction to and from the donation address. In some situations this public visibility may be good for accountability, making this one of the only times when address re-use may be useful.		Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[Address reuse]], which is bad for privacy as all the transfers to and from that address are visible to everybody on the blockchain. Anybody can put the bitcoin address into a blockchain explorer and see every single transaction to and from the donation address. In some situations this public visibility may be good for accountability, making this one of the only times when address re-use may be useful.

	To avoid this [[Address reuse\|reuse]], you could set up a web server to hand out unique addresses with a 'click to generate new address' button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. When using a static donation address, its also worth taking measures to stop being tracked from it (with a mixer, see [[Anonymity]]) in the situation when you're not using a unique address each time.		To avoid this [[Address reuse\|reuse]], you could set up a web server to hand out unique addresses with a 'click to generate new address' button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. A simpler way that avoids the need to write code is to set up the [[BTCPay]] open source payment processor.

			When using a static donation address, its also worth taking measures to stop being tracked from it (with a mixer, see [[Anonymity]]) in the situation when you're not using a unique address each time.

	==Using payment processors==		==Using payment processors==

Belcher: /* Examples of real-life use */ added archived link to reddit

2018-03-22T16:30:23Z

Examples of real-life use: added archived link to reddit

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:30, 22 March 2018
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	==Examples of real-life use==		==Examples of real-life use==

	One of the very first uses of bitcoin was by Wikileaks to accept donations after Paypal and Visa imposed a worldwide blockade. <ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/2ghp54/i_am_julian_assange_ama_about_my_new_book_when/ckjcmyw/?context=1 Julian Assange's comment reply on reddit AMA about Bitcoin and Wikileaks]</ref>. Their website has a 'generate new bitcoin address' button for improved privacy.		One of the very first uses of bitcoin was by Wikileaks to accept donations after Paypal and Visa imposed a worldwide blockade. <ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/2ghp54/i_am_julian_assange_ama_about_my_new_book_when/ckjcmyw/?context=1 Julian Assange's comment reply on reddit AMA about Bitcoin and Wikileaks] [https://archive.is/5DyMt archived]</ref>. Their website has a 'generate new bitcoin address' button for improved privacy.

	Thepiratebay torrent site accepts bitcoin donations too, as do some torrent uploaders.		Thepiratebay torrent site accepts bitcoin donations too, as do some torrent uploaders.

Belcher: /* Avoiding address re-use to improve privacy */ changed heading and added a sentance

2017-09-02T18:48:22Z

Avoiding address re-use to improve privacy: changed heading and added a sentance

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:48, 2 September 2017
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	[[Electrum]] can create multisig wallets. See also: [[Multisignature#Multisignature_Wallets]]		[[Electrum]] can create multisig wallets. See also: [[Multisignature#Multisignature_Wallets]]

	==~~Avoiding~~ address re-use ~~to improve privacy~~==		==Improving privacy by avoiding address re-use==

	Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[Address reuse]], which is bad for privacy as all the transfers to and from that address are visible to everybody on the blockchain. In some situations this public visibility may be good for accountability, making this one of the only times when address re-use may be useful.		Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[Address reuse]], which is bad for privacy as all the transfers to and from that address are visible to everybody on the blockchain. Anybody can put the bitcoin address into a blockchain explorer and see every single transaction to and from the donation address. In some situations this public visibility may be good for accountability, making this one of the only times when address re-use may be useful.

	To avoid this [[Address reuse\|reuse]], you could set up a web server to hand out unique addresses with a 'click to generate new address' button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. When using a static donation address, its also worth taking measures to stop being tracked from it (with a mixer, see [[Anonymity]]) in the situation when you're not using a unique address each time.		To avoid this [[Address reuse\|reuse]], you could set up a web server to hand out unique addresses with a 'click to generate new address' button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. When using a static donation address, its also worth taking measures to stop being tracked from it (with a mixer, see [[Anonymity]]) in the situation when you're not using a unique address each time.

Belcher: slight rewording

2017-08-16T14:35:08Z

slight rewording

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:35, 16 August 2017
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	==Divided control wallets using [[multisignature]]==		==Divided control wallets using [[multisignature]]==

	In some situations Bitcoin's [[multisignature]] contracts may be useful. They work by creating a wallet divided amongst N people where a minimum of M of the must agree to actually spend the money. These M-of-N multisignatures wallets could help against embezzlement if that is a problem. They can also increase security as one person being hacked or infected with malware doesn't result in lost coins, and if one or two people lose interest the project's donations do not become stuck.		In some situations Bitcoin's [[multisignature]] contracts may be useful. They work by creating a wallet divided amongst N people where a minimum of M of the must agree to actually spend the money. These M-of-N multisignatures wallets could help against embezzlement if that is a problem. They can also increase security as one person being hacked or infected with malware doesn't result in lost coins, and if one or two people lose interest the project's donations do not become stuck. People may be more willing to donate to a project if they know the funds are much less likely to go straight into someone's pocket.

	[[Electrum]] can create multisig wallets. See also: [[Multisignature#Multisignature_Wallets]]		[[Electrum]] can create multisig wallets. See also: [[Multisignature#Multisignature_Wallets]]
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	==Avoiding address re-use to improve privacy==		==Avoiding address re-use to improve privacy==

	Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[~~Address_reuse~~]], which is bad for privacy as all the transfers to and from that address are visible to everybody on the blockchain. In some situations this public visibility may be good for accountability, making this one of the only times when address re-use may be useful.		Publishing a single donation address is an example of [[Address reuse]], which is bad for privacy as all the transfers to and from that address are visible to everybody on the blockchain. In some situations this public visibility may be good for accountability, making this one of the only times when address re-use may be useful.

	To avoid this [[Address reuse\|reuse]], you could set up a web server to hand out unique addresses with a 'click to generate new address' button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. When using a static donation address, its also worth taking measures to stop being tracked from it (with a mixer, see [[Anonymity]]) in the situation when you're not using a unique address each time.		To avoid this [[Address reuse\|reuse]], you could set up a web server to hand out unique addresses with a 'click to generate new address' button along with a recaptcha to prevent it getting crawled. When using a static donation address, its also worth taking measures to stop being tracked from it (with a mixer, see [[Anonymity]]) in the situation when you're not using a unique address each time.
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	==Using payment processors==		==Using payment processors==

	Some payment processors offer a donations-receiving service. Some of them can convert immediately to USD or another fiat currency. A big downside is this loses many of the advantages of bitcoin from above like censorship resistance and anonymity, but it may still be appropriate in some situations.		Some payment processors offer a donations-receiving service. Some of them can convert immediately to USD or another fiat currency. A big downside is this loses many of the advantages of bitcoin from above like censorship resistance and anonymity because the payment processor may block payments, but they may still be appropriate in some situations.

	See also [[~~Why_Your_Business_Should_Use_a_Full_Node_to_Accept_Bitcoin~~]], written for businesses but much of it applies to donations too.		See also: [[Why Your Business Should Use a Full Node to Accept Bitcoin]], written for businesses but much of it applies to donations too.

	==Examples of real-life use==		==Examples of real-life use==