Cryptocurrency has transformed wealth creation over the years. While the sector is often noted for its volatility and high-risk investments, its humanitarian potential is frequently overlooked.
Beyond financial markets and speculative bets, many crypto millionaires have used their wealth to support humanitarian causes, making significant contributions to global challenges. These individuals are not solely focused on profits but are dedicated to improving society, funding initiatives in healthcare, education, and more.
Vitalik Buterin
Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum (ETH), has become a poster child for crypto philanthropy with his substantial donations to humanitarian causes. In April 2021, Buterin donated 100 ETH and 100 Maker (MKR) (worth $650,000 at the time) to the India COVID-Crypto Relief Fund set up by Polygon CEO Sandeep Nailwal.
He contributed another $1.2 billion in May through 50 trillion Shiba Inu (SHIB) tokens. Additionally, the executive transferred 500 ETH, valued at approximately $1.9 million. Buterin has also established a charity called Kanro. It seeks to support research and initiatives on combating infectious diseases, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other recipients included GiveWell, which received 13,292 ETH. Methuselah Foundation was granted 1,000 ETH and 430 billion Dogelon Mars (ELON) tokens. Moreover, the Machine Intelligence Research Institute received 1,050 ETH.
Beyond this, Buterin has also supported Ukraine. In April 2022, he donated around $5 million to two charities.
“VitalikButerin donated almost $2.5 million in ETH to AidForUkraine 2 days ago, and didn’t say a word! He’s also donated $2.5 million to Unchainfund. Thanks for your enormous help, Vitalik, and thank you for creating Ethereum,” the charity announced.
In 2022, Buterin gave the University of Maryland $9.4 million in USDC to fund research on preventing airborne pathogen spread. BeInCrypto reported in August 2024 that Ethereum co-founder Buterin donated 200 ETH ($532,000) to an animal welfare fund.
The next month, he pledged to donate all the earnings from the Layer 2 (L2) and associated project tokens he holds.
“I haven’t sold and kept the proceeds since 2018. All sales have been to support various projects that I think are valuable, either within the ethereum ecosystem or broader charity (eg, biomedical R&D). The above also applies to L2 tokens or other project tokens I hold (incl not-yet-liquid): all proceeds will be donated, again either to support public goods within the ethereum ecosystem or broader charity (eg, biomedical R&D),” Buterin said.
The philanthropist raised over $2 million in October by selling a portion of his meme coin holdings. Again, the proceeds were directed towards charitable causes.
“I’m happy to be adoptive father to Moo Deng as she grows up over the next 2y and support her with my 10M THB donation, maybe more as I set aside 88 ETH,” he posted in November 2024.
Earlier this year, Buterin sold 28 meme coins and donated approximately 984,000 USDC to his charity, Kanro.
Chris Larsen
Chris Larsen is the co-founder and executive chairman of Ripple Labs. He has made significant contributions to various charitable causes throughout his career. In 2014, Larsen committed to donating 7 billion XRP (XRP) to an undisclosed charitable cause.
In 2018, Larsen and Ripple responded to an email from Charles Best, the founder of the nonprofit DonorsChoose.org, with a generous $29 million donation to the organization. The organization helps fund public school projects across the US.
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 Lyna Lam, and the nonprofit foundation, Rippleworks, gave San Francisco State University $25 million in XRP.
“Larsen, as an alumnus, and Lam, whose two sisters and several other family members attended, are longtime supporters of SF State. The gift will be largely made through the digital asset, XRP, and is believed to be the largest gift ever made in a digital asset to a university in the US,” the announcement read.
In June 2025, Larsen made headlines again with a $9.4 million donation to San Francisco’s police department. This donation aimed to upgrade the police department’s surveillance technology, including funding a new Real-Time Investigation Center (RTIC).
Ripple Labs itself has also been actively involved in philanthropy. In May 2025, the company pledged $25 million in RLUSD to support teachers and classrooms.
Through these donations, both Larsen and Ripple Labs have demonstrated a deep commitment to using their crypto wealth and resources to support various causes, from education and food security to technological advancements and public safety.
Yam Karkai
Yam Karkai co-founded the World of Women (WoW) NFT project. It was created to address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in the crypto space.
Since its launch, WoW has become one of the most well-known projects in web3. It has donated $3 million to non-profit organizations.
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 its emergency fund with $500,000 committed to humanitarian aid in conflict zones. The fund was equally distributed among Ukraine, Palestine, Myanmar, Uganda, and Yemen.
Other significant contributions from WoW include its involvement in a Women and Climate auction, where the project donated the total proceeds of 44.1 ETH to various organizations dedicated to climate activism and environmental sustainability. WoW also contributed $120,000 to Outright International, which supports LGBTQIA+ rights globally.
Thus, through her work with the WoW crypto project, Karkai has not only amplified women’s voices in the crypto space but also made significant donations to humanitarian causes globally.
