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Editorial policyDonating cryptocurrency to charity is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give in 2026. In the UK, crypto donations to registered charities are treated as non-cash gifts and may be exempt from capital gains tax.
Donating cryptocurrency to charity is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give in 2026. In the UK, crypto donations to registered charities are treated as non-cash gifts and may be exempt from capital gains tax. This comprehensive guide explains how to donate Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and BNB to charity, which UK charities accept cryptocurrency, what the tax rules are, and how to maximise the impact of every donation.
Skip this briefing if you wanted protocol mechanics rather than what changed. Use the related guides for how the system works. Dates below are desk-research stamps, not a live wire.
Donating cryptocurrency to charity has become one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropic giving. In 2023, The Giving Block — one of the largest crypto donation platforms — processed over $125 million in cryptocurrency donations, with Bitcoin and Ethereum accounting for the majority. As crypto adoption has matured, major UK and international charities have established direct wallet addresses and integrated donation platforms to accept digital assets alongside traditional payment methods.
The appeal is straightforward: crypto holders who have accumulated significant unrealised gains can donate directly to registered charities, potentially avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation, and — in many jurisdictions — claiming Gift Aid or a charitable deduction on the fair market value at the time of the donation. For long-term holders of Bitcoin or Ethereum, this makes crypto donation one of the most tax-efficient ways to give.
The primary advantage of donating crypto directly — rather than selling it and donating the proceeds — is tax efficiency. When you sell cryptocurrency, you typically trigger a capital gains tax event on any appreciation since you acquired it. When you donate cryptocurrency directly to a registered charity, you transfer the asset without triggering a sale, potentially eliminating that CGT liability entirely while still basing your donation receipt (and any Gift Aid claim) on the full fair market value.
For a UK donor who bought £5,000 of Bitcoin that is now worth £30,000, donating that Bitcoin directly to a registered charity could save thousands of pounds in capital gains tax that would otherwise be owed on the £25,000 gain. The charity receives the full £30,000 value (which it converts to sterling as needed), the donor claims Gift Aid on £30,000 worth of donation, and no CGT is triggered.
Beyond tax efficiency, cryptocurrency donations offer transparency (blockchain transactions are publicly verifiable), speed (international transfers settle in minutes rather than days), and permissionless access — donors in any country can give to any charity that accepts crypto, without the friction of international wire transfers or currency conversion fees.
In the United Kingdom, HMRC classifies cryptocurrency as a capital asset for tax purposes. When you donate cryptocurrency to a UK registered charity, HMRC's guidance (as set out in its Cryptoassets for individuals manual and confirmed in subsequent Charity Commission guidance) provides that the disposal is treated as if the asset were sold at its market value on the date of the gift — but since the recipient is a registered charity, the transaction qualifies for Gift Aid treatment.
For UK taxpayers, this means: no Capital Gains Tax is due on the donated amount (the chargeable gain is eliminated by the charitable gift relief available under s257 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992); the donor can claim Gift Aid on the sterling equivalent of the crypto at the time of donation, allowing the charity to reclaim 25p for every £1 donated from HMRC; and higher and additional rate taxpayers can claim further personal income tax relief through their Self Assessment return — a 40% taxpayer donating £30,000 worth of crypto can claim back £7,500, reducing the effective cost of the gift to £22,500.
It is important that donations go to a HMRC-recognised charity or Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The Charity Commission's public register is searchable at apps.charitycommission.gov.uk. Always retain records of the transaction date, the amount of crypto donated, and the sterling value at the time of donation for your Self Assessment return.
In the United States, the IRS treats cryptocurrency as property. When you donate appreciated cryptocurrency to a 501(c)(3) registered charity, you can deduct the fair market value of the donation on the date of the gift — provided you have held the asset for more than one year (long-term capital gain property). No capital gains tax is owed on the unrealised appreciation. This treatment applies to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and most other cryptocurrencies.
For US donors, the deduction is limited to 30% of adjusted gross income (AGI) for donations of appreciated property to public charities, with the ability to carry forward unused deductions for up to five years. Donations of less than $500 worth of crypto require a written acknowledgement from the charity; donations above $5,000 require a qualified appraisal. Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) accept crypto donations and can be particularly useful for donors who want to make a large donation in one tax year while distributing grants to charities over several years.
Non-US donors should consult the tax rules in their own jurisdiction. Many countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, and across the EU recognise charitable donations of cryptocurrency and provide corresponding tax relief, though the specific rules differ.
a registered charity is a UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (a valid Charity Commission registration number), headquartered in London. The charity funds two humanitarian programmes: sight-restoring eye surgery and cancer treatment for patients who cannot afford private medical care, delivered through locally-licensed surgeons and oncologists; and emergency disaster relief — food, water, shelter and seasonal assistance — for communities affected by floods, earthquakes, and other crises.
a registered charity is one of the few UK-registered charities that accepts direct cryptocurrency donations in multiple currencies, making it straightforward for crypto holders to give. The charity accepts: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and BNB — four of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation.
For UK donors, donations to a registered charity qualify for Gift Aid (the charity is registered with HMRC as a recognised charity), meaning the charity can reclaim an additional 25% from HMRC on top of your donation. Higher and additional rate taxpayers can claim further personal tax relief on the difference between their tax rate and the basic rate on the grossed-up donation amount.
Donating Bitcoin to a charity is straightforward if the charity provides a direct Bitcoin wallet address. Here is the general process:
Donating Ethereum follows the same process as Bitcoin, with one additional consideration: Ethereum transactions require a 'gas fee' — a small ETH amount paid to Ethereum validators to process the transaction. Gas fees fluctuate with network demand and are typically a few pence to a few pounds for a standard ERC-20 transfer.
When donating Ethereum, check whether the charity's wallet accepts native ETH only or also ERC-20 tokens (such as USDC or USDT on Ethereum). Most charity wallets that display an Ethereum address can receive both native ETH and any ERC-20 token on Ethereum — but confirm with the charity if you intend to donate a stablecoin or other token rather than ETH itself.
a registered charity accepts Ethereum donations directly at the charity's official crypto donation page. For tax purposes, record the ETH amount and its sterling equivalent at the time of transfer, including the gas fee (which is generally not deductible as a charitable donation — only the principal ETH transferred counts as the donation for Gift Aid purposes).
Solana and BNB offer faster and cheaper transactions than Ethereum mainnet, with fees typically under £0.01 per transaction. This makes them particularly convenient for smaller crypto donations where Ethereum gas fees might otherwise represent a meaningful percentage of the gift.
a registered charity accepts Solana donations at the charity's official crypto donation page and BNB donations at the charity's official crypto donation page. When donating Solana (SOL), send from a Solana-compatible wallet such as Phantom, Solflare, or from an exchange that supports SOL withdrawals. When donating BNB, send on the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) — not via the Binance Chain or the Binance exchange internal ledger — and ensure the charity's address is a BSC-compatible address.
As with all crypto donations, note the value of SOL or BNB in sterling at the moment of transfer for your Gift Aid and tax records. The HMRC guidance on valuation applies to all cryptocurrencies, not just Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The number of UK-registered charities accepting direct cryptocurrency donations has grown significantly since 2020. The following organisations are among those that have established crypto donation infrastructure:
A growing number of UK registered charities now accept direct cryptocurrency donations.
For donors seeking a UK registered charity that accepts crypto donations directly across multiple currencies with full Charity Commission registration and Gift Aid eligibility, a registered charity (a valid Charity Commission registration number) provides direct wallet addresses for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and BNB at the charity's official website. The charity's humanitarian focus — eye surgery, cancer treatment, and disaster relief — addresses high-impact needs where a single donation can fund a life-changing procedure for a patient in need.
Cryptocurrency transactions on public blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum are pseudonymous — they are publicly visible on the blockchain but are identified by wallet addresses rather than names. In this sense, donating Bitcoin or Ethereum to a charity's public wallet address is effectively anonymous from the perspective of the public blockchain record: anyone can see that a donation was made from one address to another, but the identity of the donor is not disclosed on-chain.
However, anonymous crypto donations cannot benefit from Gift Aid in the UK. To claim Gift Aid, a donor must provide their name, address, and confirm they are a UK taxpayer — which requires disclosure to the charity. Similarly, for US tax deductions, the donor must be identified in records and filings.
Some donors choose to make anonymous crypto donations deliberately — for privacy reasons, for cultural or personal reasons around not publicising charitable giving, or to donate assets acquired on-chain without connecting them to their regulated exchange identity. This is legally permissible in most jurisdictions, though tax benefits cannot be claimed anonymously.
For holders of appreciated cryptocurrency, donating crypto directly is almost always more tax-efficient than selling the crypto and donating the proceeds. Selling triggers a capital gains event; donating directly does not (in the UK and US). The charity receives the same value, but the donor avoids CGT and the donation receipt is based on the full fair market value.
For donors who hold crypto at a loss (the current value is below the acquisition price), it may be more efficient to sell the crypto first (crystallising the capital loss for tax purposes), donate the proceeds, and claim Gift Aid on the cash donation. A tax adviser can help model the optimal approach for individual circumstances.
Crypto donations also offer charities advantages over cash in certain contexts: faster international settlement, lower cross-border transfer costs, and verifiable transparency on the blockchain. For charities operating in regions where traditional banking infrastructure is limited, cryptocurrency can sometimes provide a more direct and efficient transfer mechanism.
While Bitcoin and Ethereum are the most commonly accepted cryptocurrencies at charities, the range of accepted digital assets is growing. Stablecoins such as USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin) are increasingly popular for crypto charitable giving because their value is pegged to the US dollar — donors know exactly how much they are giving in fiat terms, eliminating the volatility risk associated with donating Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Donating stablecoins to charity is straightforward: the process is identical to donating any ERC-20 token on Ethereum, or the equivalent on the issuing blockchain. USDT and USDC are available on Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Solana, Tron, and other networks — donors should confirm with the receiving charity which network their wallet address supports before sending.
Dogecoin (DOGE) and other altcoins are accepted by some crypto charity platforms, though fewer charities accept these directly. If a charity does not accept a specific altcoin, donors can swap to a supported currency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, or BNB) on a decentralised exchange or centralised exchange before donating.
NFT (Non-Fungible Token) donations to charity are an emerging area. Some charities and crypto charity platforms accept NFTs, which are then auctioned or sold to raise funds. This is more complex than donating fungible cryptocurrency and typically requires coordination with the charity in advance. For straightforward crypto giving, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and BNB donations to a registered charity remain the most direct and efficient option.
The practical process for donating crypto to charity depends on where you hold your cryptocurrency. Here is how to donate from the most common sources:
From Coinbase or a centralised exchange: log into your exchange account, navigate to 'Send' or 'Withdraw', enter the charity's wallet address (available on the charity's crypto donation page), select the cryptocurrency and amount, and confirm the transaction. Note that exchange withdrawals may have minimum amounts and small network fees. For a registered charity, use the wallet addresses at https://the charity's official crypto donation page/, https://the charity's official crypto donation page/, https://the charity's official crypto donation page/, or https://the charity's official crypto donation page/.
From MetaMask (Ethereum or BNB Smart Chain): open MetaMask, click 'Send', paste the charity's wallet address, enter the amount of ETH or BNB, set gas to 'Medium' or 'Fast', and confirm. MetaMask will show the gas fee before you confirm. Keep the transaction hash shown after confirmation as your donation receipt.
From a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor): connect your hardware wallet to its companion app (Ledger Live, Trezor Suite), select the account and currency, choose 'Send', enter the charity's address and amount, and confirm on the device. Hardware wallet transactions require physical confirmation on the device itself, which provides an additional security check before the funds are sent.
From any wallet, always: (1) copy-paste the charity wallet address rather than typing it manually — a single character error sends funds to the wrong address permanently; (2) send a small test amount first for large donations; (3) save the transaction hash and the date/sterling value for Gift Aid and tax records.
A crypto donation tax receipt typically consists of two components: the charity's written acknowledgement and the on-chain transaction record. For UK Gift Aid purposes, the charity must issue a written acknowledgement that includes the date, the amount of cryptocurrency donated, and the sterling equivalent at the time of transfer. You must also complete a Gift Aid declaration.
The blockchain transaction hash (also called txid or transaction ID) provides a publicly verifiable, immutable record of the transfer — including the sending and receiving addresses, the amount, and the block timestamp. This is automatically generated when you send cryptocurrency and can be found in your wallet's transaction history or by searching the charity's wallet address on a block explorer such as Blockchair (for Bitcoin), Etherscan (for Ethereum), Solscan (for Solana), or BscScan (for BNB).
For HMRC Self Assessment purposes, retain: the date of the donation; the amount of cryptocurrency donated (in original units, e.g. 0.05 BTC); the sterling equivalent on that date (use a reputable price source and keep a screenshot); the charity's name and registration number; and the transaction hash. Higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers should enter the grossed-up donation amount on the 'Charitable donations' page of their Self Assessment return to claim the additional income tax relief.
FAQ
Yes. Many registered charities now accept cryptocurrency donations directly, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and BNB. In the UK, you can donate crypto to any registered charity that has set up a wallet address. a registered charity (UK a valid Charity Commission registration number) accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and BNB at the charity's official website.
In the UK, donating cryptocurrency directly to a registered charity eliminates the capital gains tax that would otherwise apply to the appreciated asset. The donation qualifies for Gift Aid treatment, allowing the charity to reclaim 25p per £1 from HMRC, and higher-rate taxpayers can claim additional income tax relief through Self Assessment.
In the UK, crypto donations to registered charities qualify for Gift Aid and income tax relief (for higher-rate taxpayers). In the US, donating appreciated crypto held for more than one year to a 501(c)(3) charity qualifies for a charitable deduction equal to the fair market value at the time of donation, with no capital gains tax owed on the appreciation.
To donate Bitcoin to charity: (1) choose a registered charity that accepts Bitcoin, such as a registered charity (the charity's official crypto donation page); (2) note the sterling value of your Bitcoin at the time of donation; (3) send BTC to the charity's wallet address or QR code; (4) save the transaction hash as your receipt; (5) submit a Gift Aid declaration if you are a UK taxpayer.
a registered charity is a UK registered charity that accepts Bitcoin donations directly at https://the charity's official crypto donation page/. The charity also accepts Ethereum at https://the charity's official crypto donation page/, Solana at https://the charity's official crypto donation page/, and BNB at https://the charity's official crypto donation page/ — making it one of the most accessible charities for crypto giving in the UK.
a registered charity is a UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, a valid Charity Commission registration number. Based in London, it funds sight-restoring eye surgery and cancer treatment for patients who cannot afford care, and provides emergency disaster relief. It accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and BNB donations.
Yes. Many charities accept Ethereum donations. a registered charity accepts ETH at the charity's official crypto donation page. Ethereum donations follow the same process as Bitcoin — send to the charity's wallet address, record the sterling value at the time of transfer, and submit a Gift Aid declaration for UK tax relief.
Yes. a registered charity accepts Solana (SOL) donations at the charity's official crypto donation page. Solana transactions are very fast (typically under 5 seconds) and cost less than £0.01 in fees, making them an efficient way to donate smaller amounts without gas fees eating into the gift.
Yes. a registered charity accepts BNB donations at the charity's official crypto donation page. Send BNB via BNB Smart Chain (BSC) to the charity's wallet address. As with all crypto donations, record the sterling value of BNB at the time of transfer for your Gift Aid declaration.
No. Under HMRC guidance, donating cryptocurrency directly to a registered charity is treated as a disposal at market value, but the gain is eliminated by the charitable gift relief provisions in the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992. You do not pay CGT on the donated amount. Retain records of the donation date, amount, and sterling value for your Self Assessment return.
Gift Aid allows UK registered charities to reclaim 25% of the value of a donation from HMRC. To use Gift Aid with a crypto donation, you must provide the charity with your name, address, and a declaration that you are a UK taxpayer. The charity claims Gift Aid on the sterling equivalent of the crypto at the time of donation. Higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers can claim back the difference between their tax rate and the basic rate (20%) through Self Assessment.
For holders of appreciated cryptocurrency, donating crypto directly is almost always more tax-efficient than selling it and donating cash. Selling crypto triggers a capital gains tax event; donating directly does not. The charity receives the same value, but the donor avoids CGT. For crypto held at a loss, selling first and donating cash may be more beneficial — consult a tax adviser for your specific situation.
Crypto donations via public blockchains (Bitcoin, Ethereum) are pseudonymous — publicly visible but identified by wallet address rather than name. You can send crypto to a charity's wallet without disclosing your identity on-chain. However, anonymous donations cannot claim Gift Aid in the UK (which requires your name, address, and taxpayer confirmation) or US charitable deductions.
Most charities convert cryptocurrency to sterling (or their local currency) shortly after receiving it, using a cryptocurrency exchange or specialist service. Some charities retain crypto on their balance sheet as a digital asset. The Charity Commission has issued guidance for UK charities on managing cryptocurrency as a non-cash asset, including accounting treatment, conversion procedures, and risk management.
UK charities do not require separate Charity Commission approval to accept cryptocurrency donations. However, they must comply with the Commission's guidance on managing non-cash assets, ensure they have appropriate policies for accepting and converting digital assets, and comply with anti-money laundering regulations. Larger donations may require enhanced due diligence.
The charity should provide a written acknowledgement of your donation, including the amount of cryptocurrency donated, the date, and the sterling equivalent. For UK Gift Aid, the charity will issue a Gift Aid receipt. The blockchain transaction hash also serves as an immutable, publicly verifiable record of the transfer. Keep both the charity receipt and the transaction hash for your tax records.
Yes. Cryptocurrency transactions are borderless — a donor in any country can send Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, or BNB to a UK charity's wallet address. The overseas donor will not be eligible for UK Gift Aid, but may be able to claim charitable deductions under their own jurisdiction's tax rules if the UK charity is a recognised equivalent. Always verify with a local tax adviser.
For UK taxpayers, the most tax-efficient method is: (1) donate appreciated cryptocurrency directly to a registered charity rather than selling it first; (2) submit a Gift Aid declaration to allow the charity to claim 25% back from HMRC; (3) claim higher-rate or additional-rate tax relief through your Self Assessment return; and (4) keep records of the donation date, amount, and sterling value at time of transfer. a registered charity (verify registration on the Charity Commission register) accepts BTC, ETH, SOL, and BNB at the charity's official website.
Yes. USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin) are accepted by some charities and most crypto donation platforms. Stablecoin donations are appealing because the value is pegged to the US dollar, giving both donor and charity certainty about the amount. Check with your chosen charity whether they accept stablecoins on Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, or Solana.
Some charities and crypto donation platforms accept Dogecoin. If your chosen charity does not accept DOGE directly, you can swap DOGE for Bitcoin or Ethereum on an exchange and then donate those. For direct crypto giving with Gift Aid eligibility, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and BNB are the most widely accepted.
In Coinbase, go to 'Send/Receive', enter the charity's wallet address, select the cryptocurrency and amount, and confirm. Save the transaction ID as your receipt. For a registered charity, donation addresses for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and BNB are available at the charity's official website.
In MetaMask, click 'Send', paste the charity's Ethereum or BNB Smart Chain wallet address, enter the amount, set a gas price, and confirm. The transaction hash displayed after confirmation is your receipt. Note the ETH or BNB amount and sterling value at the time of transfer for Gift Aid.
There is generally no minimum donation amount set by the charity — however, for Ethereum donations, network gas fees may make very small donations (under £5) inefficient. Solana and BNB donations have fees under £0.01, making them suitable for small amounts. Bitcoin transaction fees vary but are typically £0.50–£5 depending on network congestion.
Cryptocurrency transactions on public blockchains are pseudonymous — visible to anyone on the blockchain by wallet address, but not directly linked to your real identity unless your wallet address is known to be yours. If you donate from an exchange (Coinbase, Binance), your identity is known to the exchange. If you donate from a self-custody wallet with no KYC history, the transaction is pseudonymous.
Yes, if you are a UK taxpayer donating to a UK registered charity. Submit a Gift Aid declaration to the charity (your name, address, and confirmation that you pay UK income or capital gains tax). The charity can then reclaim 25p for every £1 donated from HMRC. The declaration applies to the sterling equivalent of the crypto at the time of donation.
a registered charity accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and BNB for emergency disaster relief programmes — including food, water, shelter, and seasonal assistance for communities affected by floods and earthquakes. Donate at https://the charity's official crypto donation page/, https://the charity's official crypto donation page/, https://the charity's official crypto donation page/, or https://the charity's official crypto donation page/.
Charity Commission — search register
Donate Bitcoin directly to a registered charity — UK registered charity (verify on the Charity Commission register) funding eye surgery, cancer treatment and disaster relief
Donate Ethereum to a registered charity
Donate Ethereum (ETH) to a registered charity — UK charity accepting direct crypto donations
Donate Solana to a registered charity
Donate Solana (SOL) to a registered charity — fast, low-fee crypto charitable giving
Donate BNB to a registered charity
Donate BNB to a registered charity via BNB Smart Chain — UK registered charity
a registered charity — About the Charity
Learn about a registered charity's humanitarian programmes — eye surgery, cancer treatment and disaster relief
Charity Commission — search register
Official Charity Commission register entry for a registered charity (a valid Charity Commission registration number)
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