ANDREW YANGS PAC ACCEPTING DONATIONS IN BTC VIA LIGHTNING NETWORK

Last updated: June 20, 2025, 01:19 | Written by: Tyler Winklevoss

Imagine a future where political campaigns are funded not just by traditional fiat currency, but also by the decentralized power of Bitcoin. Humanity Forward Fund, a new PAC supporting presidential candidate Andrew Yang, accepts donations in Bitcoin via Lightning Network. A new political action committee (PAC) supporting presidential candidate Andrew Yang is allowing donations in Bitcoin via Lightning Network.That future is edging closer to reality.A new political action committee (PAC), Humanity Forward Fund (Humanity FWD), supporting the 2025 presidential ambitions of Andrew Yang, has embraced this innovative fundraising approach by accepting donations in Bitcoin (BTC) through the Lightning Network.This groundbreaking move not only signals a shift in campaign finance but also showcases the increasing acceptance and utility of cryptocurrency within the political sphere.The initiative, named ""21 Days of Bitcoin for the 21st Century,"" highlights Yang's forward-thinking stance on technology and his commitment to exploring modern solutions.By leveraging the Lightning Network, Humanity Forward aims to streamline the donation process, making it faster and more cost-effective while tapping into the growing community of Bitcoin enthusiasts. 13 votes, 66 comments. 1.1M subscribers in the btc community. When r/Bitcoin moderators began censoring content and banning users they disagreedThis bold step could potentially influence other political campaigns to consider similar strategies, paving the way for a more technologically integrated political landscape. Supporters of presidential candidate Andrew Yang can now send bitcoin donations to a new super PAC via the Lightning Network. By Leigh Cuen Updated, a.m. PublishedThe implications of this move are far-reaching, impacting everything from campaign finance regulations to the broader adoption of cryptocurrencies.

The Significance of Bitcoin and the Lightning Network in Political Fundraising

The decision by Humanity Forward to accept Bitcoin donations via the Lightning Network is more than just a technological novelty; it's a strategic move with several potential benefits.To fully understand its significance, let's break down the key components:

Bitcoin (BTC): The world's first and most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin offers a decentralized and transparent method of transferring value. Spearheaded by a handful of bitcoin faithfuls, the super PAC will accept bitcoin donations through the Lightning Network in partnership with OpenNode, marking both the first Bitcoin-specific super PAC and the first time Lightning has been used to help fund a political campaign.Its finite supply and increasing adoption have made it a popular store of value and a medium of exchange.
Lightning Network: A ""layer-2"" scaling solution built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain, the Lightning Network enables faster and cheaper transactions.It addresses Bitcoin's scalability limitations by allowing users to conduct off-chain transactions, only settling the final balances on the main blockchain.
Political Action Committee (PAC): A type of organization that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.

By combining these elements, Humanity Forward is pioneering a new model for campaign finance, one that is:

Faster: The Lightning Network enables near-instant transactions compared to traditional methods.
Cheaper: Lower transaction fees compared to credit card processing or bank transfers.
More Accessible: Opens up donations to a global audience of Bitcoin users.
Potentially More Transparent: Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a public ledger (though anonymity can be achieved).

The move aligns with Andrew Yang's history of embracing innovative technologies and his focus on a ""human-centered"" future.It also allows the PAC to connect with a tech-savvy demographic that is often overlooked by traditional political campaigns.

How Humanity Forward is Accepting Bitcoin Donations

The technical infrastructure for accepting Bitcoin donations via the Lightning Network is powered by OpenNode, a Lightning Network BTC payment processor. A new political action committee (PAC) supporting presidential candidate Andrew Yang is allowing donations in Bitcoin (BTC) via Lightning Network. The PAC, named Humanity Forward Fund (Humanity FWD), rolled out its Bitcoin-powered fundraising program, named 21 Days of Bitcoin for the 21st Century on July 25, and will continue acceptingOpenNode provides the tools and technology needed for businesses and organizations to accept Bitcoin payments seamlessly.

Here's how the donation process typically works:

Donor Visits the Humanity Forward Website: The donor navigates to the donation page on the PAC's website.
Selects Bitcoin/Lightning Network as Payment Method: The donor chooses to donate using Bitcoin via the Lightning Network.
OpenNode Generates an Invoice: OpenNode creates a unique invoice with a QR code and a Bitcoin address.
Donor Scans the QR Code or Enters the Address: Using a Lightning Network-enabled wallet, the donor scans the QR code or manually enters the Bitcoin address.
Transaction is Processed: The Lightning Network processes the transaction almost instantly.
Donation is Confirmed: The PAC receives confirmation of the donation.

This process is significantly faster and more efficient than traditional donation methods, which can often involve lengthy processing times and higher fees.

The 21 Days of Bitcoin Initiative

To kick off their Bitcoin-powered fundraising program, Humanity Forward launched ""21 Days of Bitcoin for the 21st Century"" which ran from July 25th to August 14th. Humanity Forward Fund, a new PAC supporting presidential candidate Andrew Yang, accepts donations in Bitcoin via Lightning Network. A new political action committee (PAC) supporting presidential candidate Andrew Yang is allowing donations in Bitcoin (BTC) via Lightning Network. The PAC, named Humanity Forward Fund (Humanity FWD), rolled out its Bitcoin-powered fundraising program, named 21During this period, the super PAC focused exclusively on accepting Bitcoin donations. 2025年米大統領選の民主党候補、アンドリュー・ヤン氏を支援している政治行動委員会（PAC）「ヒューマニティ・フォーワード基金（ヒューマニティFWD）」が、仮想通貨ビットコイン（BTC）による寄付を受け付ける政治資金調達プログラム「21世紀のための、ビットコインの21日間」を開始したThis focused effort allowed them to:

Showcase the technology.
Educate donors on how to use Bitcoin and the Lightning Network.
Garner media attention.

Following the 21-day trial, the PAC planned to accept fiat donations as well, demonstrating their commitment to providing donors with multiple options for supporting the campaign.

The Benefits of Using the Lightning Network for Political Donations

The Lightning Network offers several advantages over traditional payment methods and even standard Bitcoin transactions when it comes to political donations:

Speed: Transactions are processed in seconds, allowing for real-time donations. Andrew Yang s PAC Accepting Donations in BTC Via Lightning Network cointelegraph.com, UTC Bitcoin's Lightning Network Set to Help U.S. Presidential Candidate Andrew YangThis is particularly useful during critical fundraising periods.
Low Fees: Lightning Network fees are significantly lower than credit card processing fees, saving the PAC money and maximizing the impact of each donation.
Microtransactions: The Lightning Network enables microtransactions, allowing donors to contribute even small amounts of Bitcoin. (outlining Andrew Yang s general ideas on climate engineering). Andrew Yang s PAC Accepting Donations in BTC Via accepting-donations-in-btc-via-lightningThis lowers the barrier to entry for potential supporters.
Scalability: The Lightning Network can handle a large volume of transactions, making it suitable for high-traffic fundraising periods.

OpenNode CEO Afnan Rahman emphasized the importance of accepting large donations, and the Lightning Network, although known for microtransactions, facilitates efficient and scalable transactions of all sizes.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

While accepting Bitcoin donations via the Lightning Network offers numerous benefits, it also presents some challenges and considerations:

Volatility: The value of Bitcoin can fluctuate significantly, which could impact the value of donations received.
Complexity: Using Bitcoin and the Lightning Network can be complex for those unfamiliar with cryptocurrency.Education and user-friendly tools are essential.
Regulatory Uncertainty: The regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrencies is still evolving, which could create uncertainty for political campaigns.
Public Perception: Some individuals may have negative perceptions of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, which could impact their willingness to donate.

To address these challenges, Humanity Forward needs to:

Implement strategies for managing Bitcoin's volatility.This can include converting Bitcoin to fiat currency promptly after receiving donations.
Provide clear and concise educational resources for donors who are new to Bitcoin.
Stay informed about the latest regulatory developments in the cryptocurrency space.
Proactively address any public concerns about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency through transparent communication.

The Broader Implications for Cryptocurrency and Politics

Humanity Forward's decision to accept Bitcoin donations via the Lightning Network could have broader implications for the intersection of cryptocurrency and politics:

Increased Adoption: It could encourage other political campaigns and organizations to explore cryptocurrency as a fundraising tool.
Legitimization of Cryptocurrency: It could help to legitimize cryptocurrency in the eyes of the public and policymakers.
Innovation in Campaign Finance: It could lead to new and innovative approaches to campaign finance, such as decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) for political fundraising.
Greater Financial Inclusion: It could provide access to political fundraising for individuals who are underserved by traditional financial institutions.

The move also underscores the growing importance of technology in politics and the need for political campaigns to adapt to the changing technological landscape.

Andrew Yang's Stance on Cryptocurrency

Andrew Yang has long been a proponent of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Humanity Forward Fund (Humanity FWD), a Super PAC supporting Yang, has been accepting donations in BTC via the Lightning Network since July 2025. Its co-founder, Seth Adam Cohen, toldDuring his 2020 presidential campaign, he advocated for:

Clear regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies.
Investing in blockchain technology research and development.
Exploring the use of blockchain for voting and other government applications.

Yang's support for cryptocurrency reflects his broader vision of a future driven by technology and innovation. Thanks to the PAC s payment processor, OpenNode, the entity will be able to accept payments from lightning wallets. The super PAC obviously wants to receive donations as large as possible.His PAC's decision to accept Bitcoin donations is a natural extension of this vision.

The Role of OpenNode in Facilitating Bitcoin Donations

OpenNode plays a crucial role in enabling Humanity Forward to accept Bitcoin donations via the Lightning Network. Another week, another round of Crypto Tidbits. Bitcoin price action-wise, this week was rather boring. BTC trended lower, with volatility actuallyAs a leading Lightning Network payment processor, OpenNode provides the infrastructure and tools needed to seamlessly integrate Bitcoin payments into the PAC's fundraising platform.

OpenNode's services include:

Payment Gateway: A secure and reliable platform for processing Bitcoin transactions.
Lightning Network Integration: Easy integration with Lightning Network wallets and applications.
Invoice Generation: Automated invoice generation for Bitcoin donations.
Real-time Transaction Monitoring: Monitoring and tracking of Bitcoin transactions in real-time.
Conversion to Fiat Currency (Optional): Option to convert Bitcoin donations to fiat currency to mitigate volatility risk.

By partnering with OpenNode, Humanity Forward can focus on its core mission of supporting Andrew Yang's political ambitions, without having to worry about the technical complexities of accepting Bitcoin donations.

Future Trends in Cryptocurrency and Political Fundraising

The acceptance of Bitcoin donations by Humanity Forward is likely just the beginning of a larger trend. Author: Topic: Andrew Yang Super PAC Will Accept Lightning-Powered Bitcoin Donations ₿₿₿ (Read 145 times)As cryptocurrency becomes more mainstream, we can expect to see even more innovation in the use of digital assets for political fundraising.

Some potential future trends include:

The rise of DAOs for political fundraising: DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) could be used to create transparent and community-driven fundraising platforms.
The use of stablecoins for donations: Stablecoins, which are pegged to a stable asset like the US dollar, could mitigate the volatility risk associated with Bitcoin donations.
The integration of cryptocurrency into mobile voting apps: Cryptocurrency could be used to secure and verify mobile voting, making it more accessible and trustworthy.
The development of new blockchain-based fundraising platforms: Blockchain technology could be used to create more efficient and transparent fundraising platforms that bypass traditional intermediaries.

Addressing Common Questions

Let's address some frequently asked questions about Andrew Yang's PAC accepting Bitcoin donations via the Lightning Network:

Is donating Bitcoin to a political campaign legal?

Yes, in the United States, donating Bitcoin to a political campaign is generally legal, but subject to certain regulations and limitations. 305 votes, 60 comments. 6.9M subscribers in the CryptoCurrency community. The leading community for cryptocurrency news, discussion, and analysis.The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has provided guidance on the treatment of cryptocurrency donations.It's crucial for campaigns to comply with these regulations, which may include reporting the value of Bitcoin donations and verifying the identity of donors.

How does the PAC handle the volatility of Bitcoin?

Humanity Forward likely has strategies in place to manage Bitcoin's volatility.One common approach is to convert Bitcoin to fiat currency (e.g., US dollars) shortly after receiving the donation. Skip to main content Bitcoin Insider. MenuThis helps to lock in the value of the donation and minimize the risk of losses due to price fluctuations.

What are the tax implications of donating Bitcoin to a political campaign?

Donating Bitcoin to a political campaign is generally treated as a charitable contribution for tax purposes. From July 25th to August 14th we will be EXCLUSIVELY accepting Bitcoin donations via OpenNode! the initiative s website reads. Following the 21-day trial, the super PAC will accept fiat donations, as well. Other sections of the website laud Yang s self-named Freedom Dividend.Donors may be able to deduct the fair market value of the Bitcoin at the time of the donation from their taxable income, subject to certain limitations. A new political action committee (PAC) supporting presidential candidate Andrew Yang is allowing donations in Bitcoin via Lightning Network. The PAC, named Humanity Forward Fund (Humanity FWD), rolled out its Bitcoin-powered fundraising program, named 21 Days of Bitcoin for the 21st Century on July 25, and will continue accepting BitcoinIt's always best to consult with a tax professional for personalized advice.

Is it possible to donate anonymously using Bitcoin?

While Bitcoin offers a degree of pseudonymity, it is not entirely anonymous.All Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a public ledger (the blockchain). To enable the donation system, Humanity FWD partnered with OpenNode, a Lightning Network BTC payment processor. In an interview with CoinDesk, OpenNode CEO Afnan Rahman said: The super PAC obviously wants to receive donations as large as possible.It may be possible to donate anonymously using Bitcoin, but it requires careful planning and the use of privacy-enhancing tools.However, political campaigns are still required to collect and report information about donors as required by law, even if the donation is made using Bitcoin.

Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Future of Campaign Finance

Andrew Yang's PAC accepting donations in BTC via the Lightning Network is a bold and innovative move that signals a potential shift in campaign finance.By embracing cryptocurrency, Humanity Forward is tapping into a new source of funding, connecting with a tech-savvy demographic, and streamlining the donation process.While challenges and considerations remain, the potential benefits of using Bitcoin and the Lightning Network for political fundraising are significant. Andrew Yang s PAC Accepting Donations in BTC Via Lightning NetworkThis move could pave the way for greater adoption of cryptocurrency in the political sphere, leading to more transparent, efficient, and accessible campaign finance.As the regulatory landscape evolves and technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovation in the use of digital assets for political purposes. A new political action committee (PAC) supporting presidential candidate Andrew Yang is allowing donations in Bitcoin via Lightning Network. The PAC, named Humanity Forward Fund (HumanityThe key takeaways are: this initiative is a step towards modernizing political fundraising, embraces a growing technology, and aligns with Yang's future-focused vision. Several Bitcoin enthusiasts who support US presidential candidate Andrew Yang today announced the launch of a super political action committee (PAC), Humanity Forward Fund (Humanity FWD). The PAC s payment processing service will reportedly accept Bitcoin payments through the Lightning Network (LN), a second-layer scalability solution for conducting faster BTC transactions, reports CoinDeskExplore donating to the Humanity Forward Fund to support innovation in campaign finance, or research how cryptocurrencies are shaping modern finance and politics.