[orbidewa]

Jennifer MattsonJuly 18, 2012 20:16 | Global Post

WikiLeaks is almost broke after Visa, MasterCard donations blocked



CNN reported WikiLeaks announced Wednesday that it has found a loophole around a block
on donations from Visa and MasterCard, which has nearly bankrupted the website.

The site which publishes leaked documents online said it will begin processing donations through
a French credit card system, Carte Bleue.

WikiLeaks claims Visa and MasterCard "are contractually barred" from cutting off Carte Bleue
payments, according to CNN, but advised "global supporters to make use of this avenue immediately
before Visa/MasterCard attempts to shut it down."

According to the Wall Street Journal, WikiLeaks' had less than $120,000 at the end of June and said
it would run out of money "within a few months" unless its donations dramatically increase. That's in
contrast to over $983,600 it had in the bank in December 2011.

Under pressure from the US government, Visa and MasterCard cut off processing WikiLeaks
donations soon after the site began publishing State Department cables at the end of 2010.