How to donate cryptocurrency safely
You donate cryptocurrency by sending coins from your wallet to a charity's published address, then you keep the transaction hash and receipt for US taxes.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 5, 20263 min readFact-checked
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The transfer works like any crypto payment, but a charity gift adds two checks: prove the charity controls the address, and match the network and memo it expects.
What should you check before donating crypto?
Not every charity accepts every coin or network. Use the charity's own donation page, not a social media post or email link, to find the address and network.
How do you donate cryptocurrency step by step?
Once the address and network match, you send from your wallet or exchange. A crypto transfer is final, so the checks come before you press send.
- 1Confirm the addressUse the charity's website to verify the wallet address and the network it uses.
- 2Select the networkIn your wallet or exchange, pick the same network. Include the memo or tag if the charity asks for one.
- 3Send a test amountSend a small amount first and ask the charity to confirm it arrived. This catches a wrong address or network.
- 4Send the restAfter confirmation, send the remaining amount to the same address on the same network. Save the transaction hash.
What should you do after donating crypto?
A donation is not automatically tax-deductible. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, so a gift to a qualified charity can be deductible if you itemize and keep records.
Frequently asked questions
It can be if you give to a qualified US charity, you itemize deductions, and you keep proper records. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, not cash.
Use the fair market value at the time you send the donation. Keep exchange records or price screenshots that show that value on the donation date.
You can usually send crypto from a custodial exchange account to a charity's wallet address. Check the withdrawal network and any memo or tag before you send.
The transfer is usually irreversible. Contact the charity and your exchange right away with the transaction hash, but they may not be able to recover the funds.
