Assange Freed from Prison Following U.S. Plea Deal

Julian Assange has been freed following a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice, marking the end of his long legal battle.

What's the scoop?

• Release and Plea Deal: Assange’s plea deal ends five years in a U.K. jail following nearly seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London
• Legal and Financial Support: AssangeDAO played a crucial role in funding his defense, raising over 16,500 ETH, with more than 11,000 ETH ($37M) allocated for legal costs and campaigning. Some in the community have asked for greater transparency in how those funds have been spent.
• WikiLeaks and Crypto: The relationship between WikiLeaks and cryptocurrency goes back to 2011, when the site first started accepting Bitcoin donations. These donations provided essential funding during financial blockades, helping sustain WikiLeaks's operations.

Bankless Take:

This deal likely marks the end of Julian Assange's jail time. During his time in prison, Assange remained confined to a 2x3-meter cell, where he was isolated 23 hours a day. As a highly public figure fighting for values that crypto holds near and dear, Assange's release is long overdue and acts as a reminder that the values of a free and open web will not always come easy.