Looks like this is for the best. They’re kicking off a set of pretty bad nodes. From BleepingComputer:

The Tor Project has explained its recent decision to remove multiple network relays that represented a threat to the safety and security of all Tor network users.

…Tor Project discovered that some relay operators engaged in a high-risk, for-profit cryptocurrency scheme that promised monetary gains with cryptocurrency tokens without endorsement or approval of The Tor Project.

If the “for-profit” element is to take scale and consume a large percentage of the Tor network’s relays, power from the community would fall into dubious hands, and the network’s safety would be undermined by invasive centralization.

It looks like this was done democratically. From the Tor blog:

[W]e proposed the rejection of those relays to our directory authorities who voted in favor of removing them.

For-profit node networks create perverse incentives towards centralization:

Take a look at Lokinet. They’re trying to create a Tor alternative based on “crypto” and “Web3” stuff.

Lokinet claims that adding a financial incentive will scare sybils, without realizing that some sybils (e.g. China, Russia) are big and rich enough while spying on everyone, whereas ordinary users are locked out from running nodes if they aren’t Rich.

Lokinet is basically a giant Carrier Grade NAT that uses “Web3” and anyone can connect to, and you can host inside the NAT. It’s harder to use than Tor, less secure as you use normal browser and choose exits manually, and doesn’t protect you from Big Data AI-powered advertising.