On July 4, investigator ZachXBT publicly corrected Ethereum's X account, highlighting that Proton, a privacy-focused company, accepts only bitcoin and does not offer ether as a payment method for its subscription services.
What ZachXBT Revealed
ZachXBT responded directly to an Ethereum post, stating, “Proton does not currently accept Ethereum as a payment option for subscriptions; only Bitcoin is allowed.” With a knack for exposing fraud and tracing stolen funds within the crypto industry, he included a screenshot as proof of his statement, which was a straightforward and blunt fact-check directed at a high-profile account with millions of followers.
Proton’s Payment Policy
Supporting ZachXBT's claim, Proton’s own support documentation confirms that the Swiss company, noted for its encrypted email service Proton Mail and VPN, clearly states that users can only pay with bitcoin for subscriptions. The payment process is user-friendly, requiring customers to select Bitcoin at checkout, scan a QR code or copy a BTC address, and wait for network confirmations, which can take up to 24 hours. Notably, automatic renewals are not available for bitcoin transactions, so Proton recommends making payments at least a day before bills are due.
This bitcoin-centric approach aligns with Proton’s broader strategy, evidenced by the launch of the Proton Wallet in 2024, a self-custodial wallet exclusively for bitcoin, providing no support for ether or ERC-20 tokens.
Repercussions for Ethereum
ZachXBT’s correction comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the Ethereum community, especially as the Ethereum Foundation has recently undergone significant staff turnover. The foundation, which emphasized a formal commitment to privacy last year, has been striving to enhance features that prevent censorship while bolstering its marketing efforts to attract privacy-conscious users.
As Ethereum refines its focus through its recently outlined CROPS initiative censorship resistance, capture resistance, openness, privacy, and security the necessity for accurate public representation regarding payment options remains critical. With plans to enhance payment adoption in 2026, the implications of this fact-check cannot be overstated for Ethereum's ongoing development.
