Gabriel Shipton, the brother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, has strongly denied allegations that AssangeDAO engaged in “suspicious” transactions, asserting that the decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) has fulfilled its commitments.
On June 17, Shipton responded to reports from blockchain security firms SlowMist and RescuETH, which suggested that AssangeDAO might be involved in a “soft rug” — a gradual exit scam. These firms had raised concerns over the DAO’s activities, citing “suspicious” transactions.
Shipton countered these claims “SlowMist’s article is just false — they have confused AssangeDAO with the Wau Holland Foundation, to start with.” He clarified that AssangeDAO no longer holds the 16,593 Ether (ETH), approximately $53 million, raised in 2022. Instead, these funds were used to purchase a “Clock” non-fungible token (NFT) created by the artist Pak as part of the “Censored” collection.
The proceeds from the NFT sale were donated to the Wau Holland Foundation, a German charity organization, and are no longer controlled by AssangeDAO. Shipton explained, “The proceeds of the sale were all donated to the Wau Holland Foundation Moral Courage Project: Julian Assange — with the nominated purpose to support the freedom and defense of Julian Assange.”
Shipton also emphasized that the Wau Holland Foundation is using the funds as intended and is complying with all relevant laws: “The ETH has been with the Wau Holland Foundation, who draw down on it to pay Julian’s many legal bills and campaigning costs. The Wau Holland Foundation is governed by German charity law and has a long-standing relationship supporting Julian and WikiLeaks.”
Julian Assange is currently in a London jail, facing extradition to the United States on espionage charges related to his role in publishing classified documents on WikiLeaks. He is scheduled for a hearing on July 9. Supporters, including the organizers of AssangeDAO, argue that his actions were protected free speech and did not constitute criminal behavior.
Blockchain data verifies that AssangeDAO purchased the Clock NFT on February 9, 2022, for 16,593 ETH. The proceeds from the sale were transferred to the Censored: Clock deployer address, beginning with 0x5DA, and are no longer held by AssangeDAO.
SlowMist is a blockchain security firm known for providing Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance and wallet security software, and for assisting exchanges and protocols in tracking down stolen and laundered funds.
Summary Review: Gabriel Shipton has firmly refuted allegations that AssangeDAO was involved in any fraudulent activity, emphasizing that all funds raised were used transparently and for their intended purpose. The confusion, as he noted, stemmed from a misunderstanding by blockchain security firms SlowMist and RescuETH, which mistakenly linked AssangeDAO’s activities to those of the Wau Holland Foundation. The clarification from Shipton underscores the legitimate use of the funds to support Julian Assange’s legal defense and related campaign costs, managed under the stringent regulations of German charity law. This incident highlights the importance of accurate reporting and the need for clarity in the rapidly evolving world of blockchain and decentralized organizations. As Julian Assange continues to fight extradition, the efforts of his supporters and organizations like AssangeDAO remain crucial in advocating for his rights and ensuring his actions are recognized as protected free speech. The upcoming hearing on July 9 will be a significant milestone in this ongoing legal battle.
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