SlowMist Advocates for Transparent Operations in Light of Recent AssangeDAO Transfers, Prompting Scrutiny Over Fund Allocation.

SlowMist analysts have sounded the alarm regarding potential irregularities in AssangeDAO's activities, particularly surrounding a significant Ethereum transaction on March 10. The transfer, totaling 100 Ether, raised eyebrows as it was directed from an AssangeDAO address to a recipient seemingly linked to the decentralized autonomous organization.

Expressing uncertainty about AssangeDAO's true motives, the blockchain forensics firm has advised investors to exercise caution and undertake thorough due diligence before engaging with the organization.

Originating in 2022, AssangeDAO gained prominence for its advocacy for the freedom of Julian Assange, the Australian activist renowned for establishing WikiLeaks. In response to a pivotal 2021 UK court ruling on Assange's extradition, supporters launched AssangeDAO with the aim of championing his cause.

The initiative garnered over $53 million in cryptocurrency contributions, including a notable donation from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. Funds raised were earmarked for bidding on a unique nonfungible token (NFT) from the "Censored" drop by digital artist Pak, in collaboration with Assange. Proceeds from the sale were intended to bolster Assange's legal defense fund and support awareness campaigns against his extradition to the United States.

With a staggering $53.7 million raised via the community funding platform Juicebox, AssangeDAO surpassed the fundraising achievements of ConstitutionDAO, which made headlines in late 2021 by raising $49 million for bidding on a rare copy of the United States Constitution.

However, collaborative analysis by SlowMist and RescuETH revealed concerning developments. Starting in 2022, AssangeDAO initiated large-scale fund transfers to various addresses, including those associated with prominent cryptocurrency exchanges like Kraken and Coinbase. Additionally, more than 1,000 Ether was dispersed among unidentified smart contracts and multiple addresses, raising questions about the ultimate destination of the funds. AssangeDAO has remained silent on the matter.

Emphasizing the necessity of transparency in DAO operations, SlowMist analysts underscored the ambiguity surrounding recent transfers, prompting inquiries into fund utilization.

On November 8, 2023, AssangeDAO announced that 16 members of the US Congress had signed a letter urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to drop charges against Assange. In a recent development, on March 26, Assange was granted permission by a UK court to appeal his extradition to the United States.