Helping Turkey Earthquake Victims, Crypto Community Contributes More Than IDR 64 Billion in Cryptocurrency

JAKARTA - The crypto community has participated in helping Turkey, which was recently hit by an earthquake. Within seven days, more than US$4.5 million or equivalent to IDR 64 billion had been raised from three wallets created to collect donations on 7 February.

Avalanche (AVAX), founded by Turkish professor Emin Gün Sirer, donated $1 million or around IDR 14 billion. Meanwhile, Waves (WAVES) founder Sasha.waves donated US$50,000 or around IDR 710 million on the first day of fundraising.

Crypto exchange platforms operating in the region such as Icrypex, Bitget Turkey, Bitci, MexC Turkey, Bitfinex Turkey, OKX, and Gate.io also took part in helping by donating a total of US$371,499 or around IDR 5.2 billion, which is equivalent to 7 million Turkish Liras.

Not only that, Turkish and global crypto influencers were also moved to take part in this fundraiser by donating thousands of dollars in crypto to help with disaster relief in the region.

Haluk Levent, a Turkish singer, managed to persuade the country's financial watchdog (MASAK) to allow the collection of crypto donations which is currently illegal in the country. Once allowed, three crypto wallets are opened during the week to collect donations.

Levent's wallet has been one of the most active in publishing all significant contributions and expenses on its Twitter account. It is hoped that this act of solidarity from the crypto community will make a positive contribution to Turkey's disaster relief efforts.