The announcement followed a confirmation by the Ukrainian government that Gavin Wood, co-founder of the Ethereum ETHUSD, -2.17% blockchain and creator of the Polkadot DOTUSD, -2.48% blockchain, gave $5 million in digital assets to support Ukraine’s efforts fighting off a Russian invasion.
The government said in its tweet that Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation for Ukraine, would be the point person going forward for its crypto donation campaign, which has so far raised nearly $40 million across more than 29,000 in crypto donations, according to blockchain analysis firm Elliptic. $10.7 million of that was donated just on Tuesday, including Gavin Wood’s donation an a non-fungible token worth $200,000.
“Elon Musk, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine,” Federov wrote Saturday. “We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.” Two days later, he tweeted a photo, apparently of Starlink equipment packed into boxes on the back of a truck.
Some companies have been reluctant to remove their products and services from Russia, fearing that the move would be counterproductive for the Ukrainian effort.