Cryptocurrencies have changed the creation of wealth over the years. The sector is often attracting attention for its volatility and risky investments, but its humanitarian potential is often overlooked.
Beyond financial markets and speculative bets, many crypto billionaires use their wealth to support humanitarian causes and contribute enormously to global challenges. Rather than focusing solely on profits, these individuals are dedicated to fundraising initiatives such as social improvement, healthcare, and education.
Vitalik Buterin
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum (ETH), has become the child of a crypto charity poster with a large donation to a humanitarian cause. In April 2021, Butaline donated 100 ETH and 100 Makers (MKR) (worth at the time $650,000) to the Indian Covid Crypto Relief Fund, founded by Polygon CEO Sandep Nailwal.
He gave another $1.2 billion to $50 trillion to Shiba Inu (Shib) Tokens in May. Additionally, the executive moved 500 ETH, worth around $1.9 million. Buterin also founded a charity called Kanro. They are trying to support research and initiatives on fighting infectious diseases, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Other recipients included Givewell, who received 13,292 ETH. The Methosera Foundation has been granted 1,000 ETH and 43 billion Dogeron Mars (Eron) tokens. Additionally, the Machine Intelligence Research Institute received 1,050 ETH.
Beyond this, Butarin also supports Ukraine. In April 2022, he donated about $5 million to two charities.
“Vitalikbuterin donated about $2.5 million in ETH to Aidforukraine two days ago, but he didn’t say anything! He gave $2.5 million to the UnchainFund.
In 2022, Butalin gave the University of Maryland $9.4 million at USDC, funding research to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens. Beincrypto reported in August 2024 that Butaline, co-founder of Ethereum, had donated 200 ETH ($532,000) to the Animal Welfare Fund.
The following month he pledged to donate all proceeds from Layer 2 (L2) and the associated project tokens he holds.
“I haven’t sold since 2018. All sales were to support a variety of projects that I think are valuable within the Ethereum ecosystem or the broader charities (e.g., biomedical R&D). The above applies to L2 tokens or other project tokens, including Biomedical R&D),” said Buterin.
The philanthropist raised over $2 million in October by selling a portion of his meme coin holdings. Again, the proceeds were directed towards charity causes.
“I am delighted to be Moo Deng’s adoptive father as she grew up in the next two years and supports her with my 10m THB donation.
Earlier this year, Butalin sold 28 meme coins and donated about 984,000 USDC to his charity Kanro.
Chris Larsen
Chris Larsen is co-founder and executive chairman of Ripple Labs. He has made a significant contribution to a variety of philanthropy throughout his career. In 2014, Larsen pledged to donate 7 billion XRP (XRP) to the cause of undisclosed charity.
In 2018, Larsen and Ripple responded to an email from Charles Best, the founder of non-profit DonorsChoose.org, to generously donated $29 million to the organization. The organization funds public school projects across the United States.
To address the growing needs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Larsen and Ripple donated $1 million each to five local food banks in San Francisco in 2020.
The following year, the executive, his wife, Raina Lamb, and the nonprofit foundation Rippleworks, gave San Francisco State $25 million in XRP.
“Larsen as alumni and two sisters and several other families, Larsen is a longtime supporter of SF. The gift is considered to be the biggest gift made primarily through the digital asset, XRP, and made with digital assets to universities in the US,” the announcement.
In June 2025, Larsen made another headline to the San Francisco police station with a $9.4 million donation. The donation is intended to upgrade police department surveillance technology, including funding for the new Real-Time Research Centre (RTIC).
Ripple Labs itself is also actively involved in charity work. In May 2025, the company pledged $25 million at RLUSD to support teachers and classrooms.
Through these donations, both Larsen and Ripple labs demonstrate a deep commitment to using crypto wealth and resources to support a range of causes, from education and food security to technological advancements and public safety.
Yam Kalkai
Yam Karkai co-founded the World of Women (WOW) NFT project. It was created to address the underestimation of women and minorities in the crypto sector.
Since its launch, Wow has become one of the most well-known projects on Web3. He donated $3 million to a nonprofit organization.
In 2021, WOW partnered with Code Green to leverage NFTS to promote sustainability, social and environmental change, focusing on diversity, transparency and measurable impact.
In 2022, WOW launched an emergency fund, dedicated $500,000 to humanitarian assistance in conflict zones. The fund was distributed equally to Ukraine, Palestine, Myanmar, Uganda and Yemen.
Other important contributions from WOW include women and involvement in climate auctions. At this auction, the project contributed 44.1 ETH total revenue to a variety of organizations specializing in climate activities and environmental sustainability. WoW has donated $120,000 to a complete international that supports LGBTQIA+ rights globally.
Therefore, through her work on The Wow Crypto project, Karkai has not only amplified the voices of women in the crypto sector, but has also made a major contribution to humanitarian causes worldwide.
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