RushWallet Adds Instant Bitcoin Fundraising Feature

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12 September 2014
Example of a RushWallet Fundraiser: Sean's OutpostExample of a RushWallet Fundraiser: Sean’s Outpost

RushWallet, the browser-based platform that generates fully functional bitcoin wallets in mere seconds has added a new feature: fundraising campaigns.

The RushWallet team at KryptoKit, who also made the KryptoKit instant wallet extension for Chrome browsers, says the ‘Fundraiser’ tools can be used to fund one-off projects of any size, including charity and startup campaigns, office pools, poker games, bets and even freelancers invoicing for jobs.

Easy progress tracking

Essentially the new feature gives campaign organizers a more convenient way to keep track of one or more collection projects, providing the ability to manage several campaigns from the same basic wallet address and monitoring what percentage of pre-set target amounts have been raised.

All functions take place locally in the user’s browser or on the bitcoin block chain, and there is no central server.

Users can also add a YouTube video to the main page, should a multimedia introduction be desired.

To kick off the new service and demonstrate its features, RushWallet has teamed up with Sean’s Outpost to fund the charity’s latest project: the transformation of an 11,000 sq/ft thrift store into a skills workshop for its homeless clientele in Pensacola, Florida.

How it works

Users begin by creating a new wallet at RushWallet.com, or using an address/wallet created previously. Users may opt to set a password for the new wallet or keep it open for convenience. However, passwords are strongly recommended for users on public machines and wallets that may hold large amounts of bitcoin.

If it’s a new wallet, note down the URL and keep it secret, as this is the ‘brain wallet’ allowing full access to the bitcoin addresses.

To create a Fundraiser from the wallet, click on the ‘Settings & Tools’ icon at the top right of the screen, then select the ‘Fundraiser Manager’ icon that appears.

RushWalletCreating a project

From there, you may either create a brand new fundraiser or import a previously created one. Complete the details including name, target amount in BTC, and other options. Also note the 10-digit ‘Fundraiser ID’ code.

RushWallet: Fundraiser ManagerFundraiser projects

The fundraiser will then launch in a new browser tab. It also provides a shortened link and buttons to automatically post the fundraiser details on Facebook and Twitter.

Creators can ‘sweep’ funds from the fundraiser address into the original wallet that created it at any stage, and the total percentage raised indicator will remain unchanged.

Clicking on the ‘Payment Request Manager’ button in ‘Settings & Tools’ allows you to create a request a specific amount, or in other words, an invoice.

RushWallet: Creating a Payment Request screenCreating a Payment Request

Both Fundraisers and Payment Requests have unique ID codes which can be imported into another browser if needed.

Decentralized and free

KryptoKit the company is a team of developers based at Toronto’s cryptocurrency co-working space Decentral.

RushWallet fundraisers, the brainchild of lead developer Steve Dakh, continue KryptoKit’s ethos of developing bitcoin services that prioritize speed, convenience and decentralization.

Team leader Anthony Di Iorio told CoinDesk that since all functions are browser-based, no-one has the ability to track or control how the service is being used.

“It’s decentralized. We have absolutely no say in what the funds are being raised for. We don’t know what people are doing, because it’s not stored on any server. All the information turns into the link itself.”

 Images via RushWallet