Change.org Launches Screensaver that Mines for Cryptocurrency Monero

    <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8325" src="https://cryptodisrupt.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/screensaver-that-mines-for-cryptocurrency-Monero-on-behalf-of-change-dot-org.jpg" alt="screensaver that mines for cryptocurrency Monero on behalf of change.org" width="1024" height="512"  /><br/>The world’s largest social petition platform Change.org has launched a screensaver that mines for cryptocurrency Monero on behalf of the organization’s charitable foundation.</p>

Known as the ‘Mining Screensaver’, when a user installs the tool onto their computer, it starts mining the cryptocurrency known as Monero. All the virtual coins it mines are converted into real money for the Change.org Foundation. The Mining Screensaver ensures a user’s computer mines cryptocurrency when they are not using it.

Harnessing the power of idle PCs to mine crypto

Providing the computer is still powered up, the idle processing power operates software which mines for cryptocurrency Monero. The amount the user earns is donated directly to the Change.org Foundation. The organization hopes enough users will install the screensaver so significant funds are raised for its charitable foundation. Change.org estimates that if 10,000 PCs use the mining screensaver for 12 hours a day, donations worth around $10,000 would be generated each month.

On its website, Change.org is encouraging people to download and install the Mining Screensaver “to start helping people change the world.”

Presently the software is only available for Windows users.

Monero is an open-source cryptocurrency, which was created in April 2014. The crypto coin uses a public ledger to record transactions and is focused on privacy and decentralization.

In June 2018, Monero’s v0.12.2.0 was released with a host of new features, including Ledger support.

Cryptocurrency making a social impact

Change.org’s utilization of cryptocurrency to raise funds for charity is not entirely ground-breaking or unique. Earlier this year, UNICEF announced it was going to raise additional revenue to provide humanitarian aid for disadvantaged children through cryptocurrency mining.

Similar to Change.org, UNICEF is encouraging people to donate their computer’s power so the device mines for cryptocurrency Monero when it is idle. This way visitors to the UNICEF website are “automatically generating funds for UNICEF Australia.”

Other charities are also recognizing the potential cryptocurrency can create for charitable ventures. Both The Water Project and Save the Children are now accepting donations in bitcoin.