https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/FAQ/en#How_much_money_are_you_hoping_to_raise.3FWhy does the Wikimedia Foundation not currently accept Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a form of crypto-currency; in their own words, "an experimental new digital currency that enables instant payments to anyone, anywhere in the world."(Bitcoin P2P Digital Currency. Retrieved 2 November 2011.) The Wikimedia Foundation's position on the matter is as follows:
The Wikimedia Foundation, as a donor-driven organization, has a fiduciary duty to be responsible and prudent with its money. This has been interpreted to mean that we do not accept "artificial" currencies – that is, those not backed by the full faith and credit of an issuing government. We do, however, strive to provide as many methods of donating as possible and continue to monitor Bitcoin with interest and may revisit this position should circumstances change.
The Wikimedia Foundation does try to make donating as easy as possible, however. For a list of ways to give, see Ways to Give.
But they do accept Amazon Payments:
What is Amazon Payments?
Amazon Payments is a service that provides you with the ability to send and receive payments for goods or services by using the payment methods already associated with your Amazon.com account. To make a payment, you can use a credit card, bank account, or Amazon Payments Account balance.
How soon will it be that one will be able to donate to Wikipedia via Amazon Coins?
First Bitcoin, Now Amazon Coins – Amazon Releases New Virtual CurrencyToday Amazon announced they have launched their own virtual currency, called “Amazon Coins”. With all the recent fanfare with Bitcoins, it was inevitable that other companies would test the currency waters.
Currently, they're only used for purchasing apps--CURRENTLY!
When that day comes, it would surely negate...
...we do not accept "artificial" currencies...