Is a charity asking for cryptocurrency donations legitimate?
Treat it with extreme caution. Very few registered charities accept crypto, and most such requests are outright fraud.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Scammers exploit public goodwill during disasters or social media moments by creating fake charity accounts that claim to accept only cryptocurrency donations. Crypto is attractive to fraudsters because transactions are irreversible, anonymous, and cannot be recalled. A small number of large, well-established charities do accept crypto through audited platforms, but this is clearly documented on their official websites. If a charity you have not heard of contacts you on social media and provides a wallet address for Bitcoin or another coin, the money will almost certainly go to a criminal. Verify any charity through your national charity register before donating.
Common red flags
- Charity contacted you first via social media or messaging app
- Only payment method is cryptocurrency to a wallet address
- Organisation cannot be found in the official charity register
- Emotional imagery and extreme urgency to donate now
- Account was created recently and has few followers
What to do now
- Search the charity name in the official national charity register
- Donate directly via the charity's verified website only
- If you have donated crypto and suspect fraud, report to the platform and police
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a refund on a crypto donation to a fake charity?
Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. Once sent, recovery is extremely unlikely. Your best recourse is reporting to local police and the national fraud authority.