Children's Hospital Gets £60K in First Crypto Donation

A famous London children's hospital just opened the door to a completely new kind of giving that could change how charities raise money worldwide.

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity made history by accepting its first cryptocurrency donation last year. The pioneering £60,000 contribution in XRP from blockchain company Ripple represents more than just money. It's proof that digital currency can help save children's lives.

The partnership between Ripple and GOSH Charity started in 2023 with a £100,000 pledge to build a new Children's Cancer Centre. Since then, Ripple has sponsored the charity's annual gala twice, helping raise nearly £2 million over two years for children battling serious illnesses.

Six Ripple employees ran the London Marathon for the cause, while another cycled from London to Paris to raise funds. Teams volunteered at events like the British Grand Prix. These personal efforts generated more than £25,000 on top of company donations.

Chris Carter, Head of Partnership Development at GOSH Charity, says the crypto donation will help them reach new audiences and unlock support from international donors. The charity worked with Ripple and Zodia Markets to navigate the technical and regulatory requirements, ensuring donations convert seamlessly into pounds.

The Ripple Effect

This breakthrough is sparking a movement in charitable giving. In 2024, cryptocurrency donations worldwide surpassed $1 billion, with the average crypto gift reaching nearly $11,000.

Digital currency donations offer real advantages for charities and donors alike. International supporters can contribute without expensive foreign exchange fees or banking delays. Blockchain technology creates a transparent, permanent record of every gift. Direct transfers cut out middleman costs, meaning more money reaches the children who need it.

Seventy percent of Forbes' Top 100 Charities now accept cryptocurrency, a 25% jump from the previous year. For hospitals like Great Ormond Street, this means families anywhere in the world can support cutting edge medical equipment, innovative research, and support services for seriously ill children.

GOSH Charity accepts crypto donations of £10,000 or more from supporters who want to give seriously ill children fuller, longer childhoods. Every contribution funds the hospital's most urgent needs, from state of the art facilities to breakthrough treatments that align with using technology to solve real world problems.

One innovative partnership is proving that the future of giving knows no borders.