Donating cryptocurrency
Donating cryptocurrency to ELHAP means you can help us support over 300 families of disabled children and young people.
We accept donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum and many other leading cryptocurrencies. Through our partner, The Giving Block, you can donate crypto securely and tax efficiently and we get the equivalent value in cash.
How do I donate cryptocurrency?
Using the widget:
1. Select your crypto-currency and enter your gift amount
2. Type in your name, email and address
Please note that you are donating to ELHAP, a UK charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (registered charity number 1077508).
Cryptocurrency Frequently Asked Questions
What is cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is a type of digital or virtual asset used online. Ownership and transactions of cryptocurrencies are made using encrypted code across a large, distributed computer network, rather than through a central banking authority.
Why is ELHAP accepting cryptocurrency donations?
Millions of people in the UK own some form of crypto-asset and this is expected to grow. Donations of cryptocurrencies are also increasing as a way for these owners to give tax efficiently to causes they care about. To make sure our families benefit, and to support generous donors from all walks of life, we have updated our policy to also accept cryptocurrency through a third-party platform – The Giving Block. This aligns us with many other UK charities who are using this approach to accepting crypto-donations.
Which cryptocurrencies can I donate?
For the full list, please go to The Giving Block website by clicking here.
Are there fees?
As is usual with online giving platforms, The Giving Block applies a small fee to crypto donations we receive. The total fee it retains on gifts to us depends on the monthly donation volume but does not exceed 4% of the value of your donation.
Why can’t I donate crypto anonymously?
We need to know who our donors are and where donations come from to make sure we’re fundraising in line with UK charity regulation. While it is possible for a charity to accept small anonymous gifts, to manage risks associated with crypto we have decided at this stage that we must have basic details for all crypto donations.
Can I add Gift Aid to my crypto donation?
Currently crypto donations are not eligible for UK Gift Aid.
Can a crypto donation be refunded?
Under UK charity law we are not permitted to refund donations, other than in very specific circumstances.
If you have any issues with your donation of crypto, please contact us.
What about security, ethical and environmental concerns?
There are no legal restrictions on accepting crypto-currencies. Although crypto-assets are not formally regulated, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is responsible for ensuring third-party crypto firms have anti-money-laundering and terrorist financing processes in place. The Charity Commission and HMRC have issued guidance on handling of crypto-currency which ELHAP is following. The principal way we are avoiding risk is by working through an established and reputable third-party platform. The Giving Block is part of Shift4, a New York Stock Exchange-listed e-commerce and global payments business. Back-end functions are supplied via Gemini which is authorised and regulated by the FCA.
Environmental concerns have been expressed about the energy needed to support crypto’s digital infrastructure. But not all cryptocurrencies depend on large amounts of energy to run. And traditional banking and computing are also energy intensive. ELHAP itself will not hold or invest in crypto.