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In crypto, “HODL” means holding strong no matter the ups and downs.
At Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), we ask you to HODL the Line for Press Freedom by donating cryptocurrency to sustain our critical work defending the First Amendment.
Why crypto matters for press freedom
The values behind cryptocurrency — decentralization, resilience, freedom from centralized control — are the same values at the heart of press freedom. Just as you HODL through market volatility, journalists must HODL the line against censorship, secrecy, and repression.
HODL with us
At FPF, we are committed to HODLing the line with you, and will put your donation to work strategically, only converting our crypto to U.S. dollars slowly over time — ensuring we’re building lasting defenses for press freedom. As our assets grow, so does our ability to protect journalists as they expose the truth.
Your Crypto Donation Directly Supports:
New privacy technology
To protect users from tampering, while enhancing end-to-end encryption in browsers.
Digital Security Training
Digital security training for independent journalists working under threat.
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
The definitive record of press freedom violations.
First Amendment Rights for ALL
We fight for strong press freedom rights for everyone, across the political spectrum — as a matter of principle.
Donate NOW!
FPF supports donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, Zcash, Stellar, and Litecoin. If you would like to discuss your donation, or donate in a cryptocurrency not currently supported, please contact [email protected] with the subject “Cryptocurrency Donation.”
FAQ for HODL The Line For Press Freedom
Why is FPF focused on cryptocurrency?
Like the cryptocurrency community, FPF believes strongly in resisting financial censorship and in the importance of decentralization. In fact, FPF was founded in part to end the financial censorship of WikiLeaks by the credit card monopolies in the 2010s. Our current work focuses on building decentralized tools for whistleblowers and journalists that enables privacy and government transparency.
We deploy SecureDrop, the decentralized whistleblower submission system used by dozens of news outlets worldwide for anonymous communications. We are now developing a tool called WEBCAT, reliant on blockchain technology, that will enhance end-to-end encryption in web browsers and prevent code tampering. WEBCAT aims to further strengthen SecureDrop, but WEBCAT has significant security applications for everything from password managers to cryptocurrency wallets. This work has primarily been funded by the Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web.
How long has FPF supported cryptocurrency donations?
FPF was one of the first non-profits in the U.S. to accept cryptocurrency for donations. We began accepting Bitcoin back in 2013, and have accepted a variety of other cryptocurrencies since 2018.
If I give you a big cryptocurrency donation, are you going to immediately cash it all out?
No! (Unless you want us to). We are building this HODL The Line Fund specifically to grow with our organization over time. We will use small portions of the fund slowly — over a years-long time frame — when we need to fund our vital work. The vast majority of the fund will be held long-term and grow as the cryptocurrency ecosystem grows. Our goal is to build a large war chest so that we are free from the influence of other donors’ political whims and the large cost that comes with year-to-year fundraising.
FPF’s mission is to protect press freedom. Does that mean you only stick up for professional journalists?
No. The First Amendment’s press clause was not meant to protect just full-time, mainstream journalists. It bestows rights onto everyone, and it’s vital to protect independent journalists, filmmakers, or ordinary people exercising their right to record, gather news, or publish — online or off.
Do you only protect journalists you agree with?
No! We are a proudly non-partisan organization that defends rights, not just the journalism or political views of those we agree with. We believe the First Amendment can only be defended in a principled way that protects journalists across the political spectrum. We criticize those in power – no matter the party. We aggressively push back on the Trump administration, but we went after the Obama and Biden administrations just as hard when they were infringing on the First Amendment. This is a guiding principle of our organization, which you can read more about in our strategic plan.
