Significant delays in transferring humanitarian aid funds often hinder the rapid delivery of assistance. To address this challenge, the global nonprofit Save the Children is embracing cryptocurrency by introducing a new Bitcoin fund designed to hold digital donations for up to four years, aiming to accelerate their response efforts.
Created in collaboration with digital asset company Fortris, this fund enables Save the Children to receive and store contributions not only in Bitcoin but also stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies. The organization highlights that this approach helps bypass traditional banking systems, which frequently become unreliable or inaccessible during crises such as natural disasters and conflicts—situations where timely aid is critical.
“While many nonprofits accept Bitcoin today, very few retain these donations or utilize blockchain’s peer-to-peer technology within their operations,” explained Antonia Roupell, head of innovation and partnerships at Save the Children. “Our supporters who donate Bitcoin wanted more control over when their contributions are converted so they can maximize impact; this fund provides exactly that flexibility.”
Save the Children began accepting Bitcoin back in 2013 and has since raised millions through its “Hodl Hope” campaign supporting children affected by conflicts in regions like Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. The newly launched fund offers crucial financial adaptability when conventional aid channels face disruptions.
“Innovative solutions are vital for ensuring we remain available for children during critical moments—especially when traditional foreign aid falters,” stated Janti Soeripto, president and CEO of Save the Children U.S. She emphasized that integrating blockchain’s speed, cost-effectiveness, and inclusivity strengthens both emergency responses and long-term initiatives worldwide.
Although designed to facilitate swift deployment of Bitcoin resources during emergencies, details about how decisions will be made regarding converting volatile crypto assets into fiat currency remain unclear. Questions about governance structures and strategies for managing price fluctuations have yet to be addressed publicly.
Requests for further comments from Save the Children were not immediately answered by Decrypt.
This development aligns with a growing trend of cryptocurrency philanthropy. The crypto sector has historically contributed significantly to global causes—including substantial support during the Covid-19 crisis—and saw over $50 million donated following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The Giving Block’s 2025 annual report reveals that more than $1 billion worth of cryptocurrencies were donated throughout 2024 alone.