Neovim have a ~$800k Bitcoin donation sitting untouched since 2023 | Hacker NewsHacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitloginNeovim have a ~$800k Bitcoin donation sitting untouched since 2023101 points by jakemanger 1 hour ago | hide | past | favorite | 27 commentsI was looking at neovim's donation footer at the bottom of their site and saw a bitcoin donation address.Thought I'd check how much in donations they've gotten. And I saw this massive 10 Bitcoin donation from back in 2023 (worth $800,000 now...)From the activity history, neovim last sent bitcoin out of the address in 2019 so it's been max 7 years since they've definitely had access.Does anyone from the neovim project know about this?
Seems like a pretty significant amount of funding to have sitting there. Hope it can come to good use as I use neovim daily.https://www.blockchain.com/explorer/addresses/btc/1Evu6wPrzjsjrNPdCYbHy3HT6ry2EzXFyQ help

zicohacks 2 minutes ago | next [–]
I checked their official donation channel is OpenCollective. I think the Bitcoin address is no longer being used and they just forgot to update the footerreplyseymon 45 minutes ago | prev | next [–]
I hope they still have the private key.replyjakemanger 24 minutes ago | parent | next [–]
Really hope so too. Would be devastatingreplyRazengan 6 minutes ago | prev | next [–]
This could become the premise of a near-cyberpunk heist movie..replywyclif 45 minutes ago | prev | next [–]
The project no longer uses that Bitcoin wallet for bounties.replyricardobeat 35 minutes ago | parent | next [–]
What does that mean for that donation, and why is the wallet still listed on the website?replyramijames 3 minutes ago | root | parent | next [–]
I think that a large part of the priced in "value" of Bitcoin is just lots and lots of Bitcoin that nobody can access anymore.replyJimBlackwood 52 minutes ago | prev | next [–]
I imagine they might wait, to make it’s legally obtained Bitcoin.replya3w 19 minutes ago | parent | next [–]
In which country would waiting help?replycyberpunk 13 minutes ago | root | parent | next [–]
In Germany at least if you've held the coin(s) for 7 years before selling you don't need to pay tax on the profit.Not sure how this applies to donations though, and of course this will almost certainly be changed in the future, .nl is leading the way in taxing _unrealised_ gains; we are sure to follow!replyT0Bi 8 minutes ago | root | parent | next [–]
It's one year, unless something changed recently.replypluc 47 minutes ago | prev | next [–]
hodlreplyesskay 37 minutes ago | parent | next [–]
I know you're joking but keeping bitcoin now really does feel like a poor investment given it's showing no signs of ever being revived.replyaccountrequired 31 minutes ago | root | parent | next [–]
Bitcoin died *again*? hehe :Preplyesskay 22 minutes ago | root | parent | next [–]
oh i dont think its 'dead' in the way people often describe. More...done. Like, the period of obscene growth is over and its now seemingly settled into a fairly dull investment with mediocre returns.replysph 8 minutes ago | root | parent | next [–]
Well, that’s what people have said all the way to $70k+ price.replyw4yai 24 minutes ago | root | parent | prev | next [–]
https://bitcoindeaths.com/replyzeofig 19 minutes ago | root | parent | prev | next [–]
Buy signalreplycolesantiago 36 minutes ago | prev | next [–]
Bitcoin really isn't money.They should send it to a dead wallet instead.replyAIiscoming 33 minutes ago | parent | next [–]
True and its also not compareable to gold.But as long as others giving you real money for this garbage, it would be better to use it for a project like neovim :)replydeniska 28 minutes ago | root | parent | next [–]
To never have experienced a usefulness of cryptocurrency is a privileged position to be in.replycolesantiago 22 minutes ago | root | parent | prev | next [–]
A dead wallet has better use for Bitcoin though.We don't know where the Bitcoin has come from, so it needs to go extensive through anti money laundering checks.Save the hassle of all of that taxes, accountancy and just send everything to a dead wallet.replydone_lurking 0 minutes ago | root | parent | next [–]
In what country does a bitcoin donation need to go through an "anti money laundering check"? Also, you could pay a lawyer 100k to handle the taxes and accounting and you would still have 700k left over.gitowiec 31 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [–]
Exactly this! It was rendered money by some minds.replynullbio 26 minutes ago | root | parent | next [–]
Unlike that paper money. That paper money was created by the Gods!replycolesantiago 22 minutes ago | root | parent | prev | next [–]
It is even more useless than fiat.replyloopydosuette 30 minutes ago | prev [–]
is this (w)hole lie still hodling up? crazy! is my botnet still not out of puberty?reply

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A discussion has arisen concerning a reported approximately eight hundred thousand dollar Bitcoin donation from Neovim, allegedly sitting untouched since 2023, which was noted in the footer of their website. The central concern revolves around the accessibility and ownership of these funds, as the activity history indicates that Neovim last sent Bitcoin from the associated address in 2019, meaning there has been a significant delay in potential access. This situation prompts questions about the wallet's current status, with some commenters speculate that the large portion of Bitcoin's perceived value resides in amounts that are inaccessible to certain parties.

The conversation quickly expands into broader philosophical and economic debates regarding cryptocurrency. Some participants suggest that Bitcoin is not inherently money and compares it unfavorably to assets like gold, arguing that its utility depends on others valuing it. There is a contemplation that if the funds are inaccessible, a dead wallet might serve a more appropriate use for the Bitcoin, necessitating thorough anti-money laundering checks. This leads to discussions about the complexities of taxation and legal compliance; for instance, one commenter mentioned that holding Bitcoin for a period might offer tax advantages in certain jurisdictions, while others questioned the necessity of such scrutiny for donations.

The discussion also touches upon the nature of wealth and investment. One perspective suggests that the value of Bitcoin is debatable, and the emphasis should be on using the funds for projects, as suggested by one user in relation to Neovim. There is a sentiment that waiting might be a viable approach to legally obtaining the assets, contrasting with the immediate realization of gains. Furthermore, the discourse touches upon the perceived decline in Bitcoin's investment viability, with some viewing it as having settled into a less dynamic investment landscape. Ultimately, the thread explores the intersection of digital asset ownership, financial regulation, and the evolving utility of cryptocurrency.