Watch & ‘Invest in Peace’: Ukrainian Deputy PM Raps to Encourage More Crypto Donations

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Jaroslaw Adamowski

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Jaroslaw Adamowski

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October 19, 2023 12:24 EDT

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Ukrainian blockchain business Everstake expressed their hope that the government-led Aid for Ukraine organization could benefit from more support from across the world — and this led them to release a rap video featuring animated pigeons and Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation.

Aid for Ukraine says it has so far raised more than USD 60m worth of cryptoassets from the global crypto community. Of this, some USD 45m has already been spent on crucial purchases such as first aid kits and bulletproof vests for those defending Ukraine against Russia’s brutal invasion, according to Everstake.

Everstake and its co-founders Sergey Vasylchuk and Yev Zaifert have made a total of USD 10m worth of crypto donations to Ukraine, the company said in a statement. 

The Invest In Peace, Bro. That’s What We Coo song, in which the deputy prime minister makes an appearance, aims to encourage further donations with its tongue-in-cheek lyrics and catchy tune.

“Peace comes at a price, but the first wave of donations have subsided,” said Vasylchuk who also serves as Everstake’s CEO, and added: 

“Cryptocurrencies are free from red-tape hurdles, which makes them the most efficient way to provide fast help. Every crypto contribution, no matter big or small, is another nail in the coffin of totalitarianism. Helping Ukraine fight off the invasion means helping us save the free world from enslavement.”

On his part, Fedorov joined the rapping pigeons near the song’s end, rapping:

“As pigeons told,

No time for sheets.

Three simple words,

Invest in peace.” 

Everstake says it is the crypto industry’s largest decentralized staking provider, with some 625,000 users.

Check out the peace-cooing pigeons feat Deputy PM below. 

Asked about the impact of Russia’s invasion on Everstake’s activities, Vasylchuk told Cryptonews.com that the war’s influence on the company extends beyond technology, and is mostly related to the working conditions of its employees.

“Technologically, we haven’t had much of an impact since our servers are located elsewhere, more specifically, in Europe and the United States. That being said, nearly 85% of our employees are Ukrainian nationals,” according to the CEO. “We had to calculate risks, so we had started relocating them almost a month before the work broke out. Some of them stayed, however. Some of them are fighting or doing volunteer work. We haven’t fired anyone, even if the last time they showed up at work was three months ago.”

Vasylchuk said that, over the past three months, Everstake has hired 15 new people.

“We offer professional psychological support to those of our colleagues who need it,” he said. “Moreover, our story has just begun, and the vicissitudes of our times only make us stronger.”

Regarding the USD 10m worth of crypto the company and its co-founders donated to support Ukraine,  “it all came down to sending USDT,” Vasylchuk said.

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Learn more: 
– Ukraine’s New Fundraising Platform Supports Over 100 Cryptos
– Crypto-Powered Ukrainian Charity Launches Debit Card for War Victims

– Finland Set to Donate Bitcoin Seized from Criminals to Ukraine – Report
– Financial Stability Board, IMF Warn of ‘Cryptoization’ Risks in Wake of Russia-Ukraine War

– Ukraine Doubles Down on Crypto-Friendly Regulation Efforts, Aims for Top Spot
– Ukrainian Central Bank’s ‘Quasi-Cash Transaction’ Restrictions Could Affect Crypto Users
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(Updated on May 24 at 09:26 UTC with comments from Sergey Vasylchuk.)