Ireland wants to ban cryptocurrency donations to political parties to prevent Russian election interference

• Ireland wants to ban political parties from accepting crypto donations, according to the Irish Independent.
• Darragh O'Brien, Ireland's Local Government Minister, cited the threat of Russian election interference.

Ireland wants to ban political parties from accepting donations through cryptocurrencies to combat potential Russian election interference as the Kremlin continues its war on Ukraine.

Darragh O'Brien, Ireland's Local Government Minister, wants to amend the Electoral Bill 2022 to enact a ban, telling the Irish Independent that Russia's continued disinformation effort shows the "fundamental threat faced by all democracies."

Ireland's Electoral Commission will also issue take-down notices to social media sites and clarify its rules on misinformation.

Ireland isn't the first government body to move to ban cryptocurrency donations made to political parties. States like California, Oregon and Michigan have all passed legislation banning political donations made via digital assets.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government has embraced crypto donations in recent months amid its ongoing war with Russia. Ukraine even has an official website where users can donate 16 different cryptocurrencies.