Photo by Joe Brady via Electronic Arts
He believes he should have made this change earlier.
Charles Christopher White Jr., more widely recognized as MoistCr1TiKaL or penguinz0, has recently shared his reasoning behind disabling donations on his streaming platforms. He emphasized that this choice is driven by his personal principles, not out of a need for financial support. The popular content creator, who has over 17 million followers on YouTube, disclosed his decision in a video while also revealing his total earnings from the platform.
MoistCr1TiKaL expressed discomfort with the idea of receiving financial contributions from viewers who invest their hard-earned money. He clarified that since the inception of his channel in 2007, he has amassed approximately $35.8 million, showcasing an impressive transformation from producing small anime commentary to becoming a prominent figure on YouTube.
Reasons Behind MoistCr1TiKaL’s Donation Disablement
The choice to deactivate donation options on his streaming services comes from a place of personal ethics. He acknowledged that this decision had been on his mind for an extended period, stating he «should have made this decision a long time ago.» He believes his success in content creation is largely attributed to luck and timing rather than being particularly talented or unique, humbly describing himself as «not special» and having experienced «incredible luck» in his ascent on YouTube and Twitch.
This decision carries significant financial implications. MoistCr1TiKaL noted that he earned over $1 million from YouTube memberships and Super Chats, even though he had these monetization features active for only about a year. His choice to forgo this revenue stream exemplifies a commitment to his principles over profitability, which is not common among high-profile creators who often depend on direct fan support.
As for Twitch, donations remain inactive. Although subscriptions and bits are theoretically available, MoistCr1TiKaL has adjusted their settings to make them nearly unusable. He mentioned that Twitch’s payment system complicates any estimation of the income he is foregoing, while the data from YouTube clearly illustrates the scale of his decision.
His actions signify a belief that viewers should not feel obligated to support someone who is already comfortably established. Throughout his career, MoistCr1TiKaL has earned a reputation for being transparent, genuine, and grounded regarding online celebrity. His decision to turn off donations aligns perfectly with this philosophy, enhancing his image as a creator who prioritizes integrity over financial gain.
