According to Decrypt, Make-A-Wish International is urging cryptocurrency holders to contribute to its cause, following a recent surge in Bitcoin's value. The children's charity, which fulfills the wishes of critically ill children in 50 countries, has been accepting cryptocurrency donations for three years with the assistance of The Giving Block. This initiative allows the charity to receive donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC through its website. Since its inception in 1980, Make-A-Wish claims to have granted 585,000 wishes and expanded its reach to three additional countries due to crypto contributions.
The acceptance of cryptocurrency by charities has been gradual, with some organizations initially hesitant due to concerns over token volatility, potential fraud, and legal uncertainties. However, Make-A-Wish International is among several nonprofits now embracing digital currency donations. Pat Duffy, Co-Founder of The Giving Block, highlighted the potential of cryptocurrency as a significant intersection of wealth, youth, and philanthropy, noting that nonprofits not engaging with this trend risk missing out on substantial support.
Other charitable organizations are also beginning to accept cryptocurrency. JustGiving recently enabled donations in Bitcoin and Dogecoin, while Médecins Sans Frontières launched a new initiative allowing users to donate part of their staking rewards via the Ethereum staking protocol Lido. This initiative, Stake2Care, received an advertising grant from the Lido Ecosystem Grants Organization. The generosity of crypto holders has been evident in various causes, such as Ukraine raising $50 million through 90,000 donations following Russia's 2022 invasion, prompting Ukrainian media to advocate for NFT releases.
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