Community Announcement on the Disposition of AssangeDAO’s Remaining Funds
To: The WHS Foundation, the Assange Family, Mr. Pak, and all members of the AssangeDAO Community
Since the founding of AssangeDAO in 2022, we have collectively completed a historic mission: to bring together the strength of tens of thousands of donors from around the world for Julian Assange’s legal defense and his eventual freedom. Now that Assange is free, the first phase of AssangeDAO’s historic task has been accomplished.
Against this backdrop, the community has both the responsibility and the will to engage in frank, calm, and constructive consultation with all parties regarding a sum of remaining funds that still sits with the WHS Foundation and has seen no substantive use for over two and a half years.
We fully understand that this matter involves multiple dimensions—legal, moral, and emotional—and is by no means reducible to a simple “refund.” This announcement therefore seeks to clarify the community’s position and requests, and to sincerely invite all parties to jointly seek a lawful, reasonable, and dignified solution.
I. The Legal Reality We Understand and Respect
The community fully understands and respects the German charity law framework under which the WHS Foundation operates. We are aware that:
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From a formal legal perspective, the donation entered WHS via Mr. Pak’s NFT transaction, and there is no direct donor relationship between WHS and AssangeDAO;
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As a charitable foundation, WHS’s use of funds is subject to oversight by tax authorities and the foundation supervisory authority, and public disclosure of detailed accounts carries political sensitivity;
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The disposition of remaining funds must be premised on maintaining charitable status compliance.
We have no intention of denying the coordination efforts WHS has made over the past years for Assange’s legal defense, nor do we wish to overlook the substantial work undertaken by WHS board members without compensation.
II. The Community’s Core Concerns
However, legal compliance does not mean the problem does not exist. The community’s concerns are concrete and real:
First, these funds have long been in a “suspended” state. Since Assange’s release, the remaining funds have seen no substantive use for over two and a half years. WHS has not proposed a clear plan for their use either. Funds sitting idle for a long period serve neither the original intent of donors nor the principle that charitable funds should be put to effective use.
Second, the community is the actual moral source of these funds. Tens of thousands of donors pooled their resources through AssangeDAO, and the funds entered WHS via Mr. Pak’s NFT transaction. On the legal chain, Pak is the direct donor; on the moral chain, the community is the true source of the funds. WHS itself has publicly acknowledged this point.
Third, prolonged suspension benefits no one. For WHS, a sum that cannot be used yet cannot be returned is a continuing compliance burden and reputational risk; for the community, unclear fund destination is the root of eroding trust; for the Assange family’s public image, allowing this matter to drag on is hardly helpful either.
III. The Community’s Proposal: Four-Party Consultation for a Lawful and Dignified Solution
We believe that resolving this matter requires the joint participation of WHS, the Assange family, Mr. Pak, and the community. No single party can accomplish this alone, but together, the four parties are fully capable of finding a solution that both complies with German charity law and respects the will of donors.
We offer the following suggestions for discussion:
Option 1: Change the use of funds for public-interest purposes directly related to the Assange case.
Subject to compliance with German charity law and approval by tax authorities and the foundation supervisory authority, the remaining funds could be used for public-interest projects directly related to the Assange case, press freedom, or related human rights causes. The community could participate in discussions on project direction, with WHS responsible for compliant execution.
Option 2: Establish a dedicated fund or oversight mechanism jointly by WHS and the community.
Within the WHS framework, establish a dedicated-purpose fund jointly overseen by WHS, community representatives (and possibly a neutral third party), ensuring the funds are used for public-interest purposes recognized by all parties, with regular disclosure to the community (to the extent permitted by law).
Option 3: With Mr. Pak’s cooperation, explore a lawful return path.
Given that Mr. Pak is the direct donor in legal terms, if the four parties can reach consensus, Mr. Pak could come forward to communicate with WHS and regulators, exploring whether the remaining funds could be used for purposes recognized by the community within the charity law framework, or handled through lawful procedures. The community understands this is complex, but it is not without room for discussion.
We are not demanding that WHS “refund unlawfully”; rather, we hope the four parties can sit down together and jointly examine: within what the law permits, what else can this money do?
IV. A Sincere Appeal to the Assange Family
The community has always held the Assange family in respect. We understand the enormous pressure the family has endured over the past decade and more, and we understand Assange’s own desire for privacy and a quiet life.
But the community also wishes to say sincerely: the goodwill of tens of thousands of donors deserves a public word of thanks. This is not an excessive demand, but the most basic reciprocity between people. A word of thanks will not diminish the family’s dignity; rather, it will let the community feel that their contributions have been seen and respected.
We believe that if the Assange family is willing to play a positive role on this issue—even simply publicly acknowledging the community’s contributions, or expressing support for a public-interest use of the remaining funds—it would greatly ease the current trust tension and create a favorable atmosphere for four-party consultation.
V. An Appeal to Mr. Pak
We understand that Mr. Pak, as an anonymous artist, does not wish to participate further in public affairs after making the donation. But without Mr. Pak’s cooperation, the lawful paths to resolution will be extremely limited. We sincerely hope Mr. Pak can understand the community’s situation and provide assistance within his capacity when necessary for the four-party consultation.
VI. Our Stance
The community’s stance is clear and restrained:
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We do not seek confrontation. We have no intention of placing WHS, the Assange family, or Mr. Pak in opposition. We seek consultation, not accusation.
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We respect the law. We will not make any demand that violates German charity law. What we ask is to find the greatest common ground within the legal framework.
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We hope to initiate dialogue as soon as possible. Two and a half years of suspension is long enough. We suggest that the parties hold a four-party online or offline communication in the near future, even if only for a preliminary exchange of views.
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We reserve the community’s right to express itself. During the consultation, the community will continue to express concerns through lawful and peaceful means, but we commit to the principle of constructiveness.
VII. Conclusion
The story of AssangeDAO began with a common goal: to secure one man’s freedom. Now that man is free. We are happy for him, and we are proud of what the community has accomplished.
Now, this story needs a dignified ending. The disposition of the remaining funds should not be a continuation of suspicion and opposition, but the final chapter jointly completed by all parties with goodwill and wisdom.
We believe that between WHS, the Assange family, Mr. Pak, and the community, there is no lack of common ground. That common ground is this: this money came from the goodwill of countless ordinary people, and it should ultimately be used where that goodwill is worthy.
We look forward to responses from all parties.
AssangeDAO Community
November 2026
关于AssangeDAO剩余资金处置的社区公告
致：WHS基金会、阿桑奇家族、Pak先生及全体AssangeDAO社区成员
自2022年AssangeDAO成立以来，我们共同完成了一项历史性的使命：为朱利安·阿桑奇的法律辩护与最终自由，汇聚了来自全球数万捐款者的力量。如今，阿桑奇已重获自由，AssangeDAO第一阶段的历史任务已经完成。
在这一背景下，社区有责任也有意愿，就一笔至今仍存放于WHS基金会、已超过两年半未有实质性动用的剩余资金，与各方展开坦诚、平和、建设性的协商。
我们深知，这件事涉及法律、道德与情感的多重维度，绝非简单的“退款”二字可以概括。因此，本公告旨在阐明社区的立场与诉求，并诚恳邀请各方共同寻求一个合法、合理、体面的解决方案。
一、我们理解并尊重的法律现实
社区充分理解并尊重WHS基金会所面临的德国慈善法框架。我们知悉：
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从法律形式上看，捐款经由Pak先生的NFT交易进入WHS，WHS与AssangeDAO之间不存在直接的捐赠法律关系；
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WHS作为慈善基金会，其资金使用受税务机关与基金会监督机构的监管，公开详细账目存在政治敏感性；
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剩余资金的处置必须以确保慈善地位合规为前提。
我们无意否定WHS在过去数年中为阿桑奇法律辩护所付出的协调努力，也感谢WHS董事会成员在无报酬情况下承担的大量工作。
二、社区的核心关切
然而，法律合规不等于问题不存在。社区的关切是具体而真实的：
第一，这笔资金已长期处于“悬置”状态。 自阿桑奇获释至今，剩余资金已超过两年半未有实质性用途。WHS方面亦未提出明确的使用计划。资金长期闲置，既不符合捐款者的初衷，也不符合慈善资金应发挥效用的原则。
第二，社区是这笔资金的实际道德来源。 数万捐款者通过AssangeDAO汇聚资金，经Pak先生的NFT交易转入WHS。法律链条上Pak是直接捐款人，但道德链条上，社区是资金的真正来源。这一点，WHS方面亦曾公开承认。
第三，长期悬置对各方均无益处。 对WHS而言，一笔无法动用、又无法退回的资金是持续的合规负担与舆论风险；对社区而言，资金去向不明是信任流失的根源；对阿桑奇家族的公共形象而言，此事久拖不决亦非好事。
三、社区的建议：四方协商，寻求合法且体面的解决方案
我们认为，此事的解决需要WHS、阿桑奇家族、Pak先生与社区四方共同参与。单靠任何一方都无法完成，但四方合在一起，完全有可能找到一个既符合德国慈善法、又尊重捐款者意愿的方案。
我们提出以下建议，供各方讨论：
方案一：变更资金用途，用于与阿桑奇案件直接相关的公益目的。
在符合德国慈善法且经税务机关与基金会监督机构认可的前提下，将剩余资金用于与阿桑奇案件、新闻自由或相关人权事业直接相关的公益项目。社区可参与项目方向的讨论，WHS负责合规执行。
方案二：由WHS与社区共同设立专项基金或监督机制。
在WHS框架下设立一个由WHS、社区代表（及可能的第三方中立机构）共同监督的专项用途资金，确保资金用于各方认可的公益目的，并定期向社区披露使用情况（在不违反法律的前提下）。
方案三：在Pak先生配合下，探索合法退回路径。
鉴于Pak先生是法律上的直接捐款人，若四方能够达成共识，可由Pak先生出面，与WHS及监管机构沟通，探索在慈善法框架内将剩余资金用于社区认可的用途，或通过合法程序处理。社区理解此事复杂，但并非没有讨论空间。
我们并非要求WHS“违法退钱”，而是希望四方坐下来，共同研究：在法律允许的范围内，这笔钱还能做什么？
四、对阿桑奇家族的诚恳呼吁
社区对阿桑奇家族始终怀有敬意。我们理解家族在过去十余年中所承受的巨大压力，也理解阿桑奇本人对隐私与平静生活的渴望。
但社区也想诚恳地说一句：数万捐款者的善意，值得一句公开的感谢。 这并非苛求，而是人与人之间最基本的对等。一句感谢，不会削弱家族的尊严，反而会让社区感到自己的付出被看见、被尊重。
我们相信，阿桑奇家族如果愿意在这一问题上发挥积极作用——哪怕只是公开认可社区的贡献，或对剩余资金的公益用途表达支持——都将极大缓解当前的信任紧张，并为四方协商创造良好氛围。
五、对Pak先生的呼吁
我们理解Pak先生作为匿名艺术家，在捐款后不愿进一步参与公共事务。但此事若没有Pak先生的配合，法律上的解决路径将极为有限。我们诚恳希望Pak先生能够理解社区的处境，在必要时为四方协商提供力所能及的协助。
六、我们的态度
社区的态度是明确的，也是克制的：
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我们不寻求对抗。 我们无意将WHS、阿桑奇家族或Pak先生置于对立面。我们寻求的是协商，不是指责。
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我们尊重法律。 我们不会提出任何违反德国慈善法的要求。我们要求的是在法律框架内，寻找最大公约数。
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我们希望尽快启动对话。 两年半的悬置已经足够久。我们建议各方在近期内举行一次线上或线下的四方沟通，哪怕只是初步交换意见。
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我们保留社区表达的权利。 在协商过程中，社区将继续通过合法、和平的方式表达关切，但我们承诺以建设性为原则。
七、结语
AssangeDAO的故事，始于一个共同的目标：让一个人获得自由。如今，这个人已经自由了。我们为他高兴，也为社区曾经的努力感到自豪。
现在，这个故事需要一个体面的收尾。剩余资金的处置，不应该是猜忌与对立的延续，而应该是各方以善意与智慧共同完成的最后一章。
我们相信，WHS、阿桑奇家族、Pak先生与社区之间，并非没有共识的基础。那个基础就是：这笔钱来自无数普通人的善意，它最终应该被用于值得这份善意的地方。
我们期待各方的回应。
AssangeDAO社区
2026年11月