Digital Currency Donors: Traits, Values, and Motivations for

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a critical transformation in the field of digital currencies, where the discussion has shifted from mere global observation to direct and formal legal engagement. The Saudi Central Bank "SAMA" announced in June 2024 its participation as a full participant in the "mBridge" project led by the Bank for International Settlements, which is the first advanced experimental system for cross-border payments using central bank digital currencies. This step comes as an extension of the Kingdom's efforts within the G20 since 2020 to enhance the infrastructure of global payments, making it faster, cheaper, more transparent, and inclusive.

This formal engagement reflects Saudi Arabia’s vision in regulating the sector instead of ignoring it, as efforts are underway to study the legal and technical challenges of cross-border digital payments, opening the door for more efficient future trade settlements, even in vital areas such as oil and gas exports.

At the same time, activity is not limited to the institutional side; the local market is witnessing a growing interest from young Saudis in cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin and Ethereum), a trend confirmed by leaders of global platforms like Binance, who see the Kingdom as one of the most important markets in the Middle East and North Africa. This trend highlights the need to build a comprehensive regulatory framework that protects investors, empowers financial institutions, and opens new opportunities for innovation in the digital economy.

Thus, it can be said that digital currencies in Saudi Arabia are inevitable, whether through a central bank digital currency (CBDC) currently being tested or through a conscious regulation of globally traded cryptocurrencies. This places the Saudi nonprofit sector in front of a historic opportunity to embrace the "digital donor" and open up to a new generation of giving that transcends traditional boundaries of cash and paper currencies.

The report "Getting to Know Digital Currency Donors: Traits, Values, and Motivations for the Next Generation of Philanthropists" is a specialized knowledge publication from The Giving Block (thegivingblock.com), a global leader in enabling nonprofits to raise funds through digital currencies.

According to the index, the report discusses key themes beginning with:

• Introduction and what distinguishes digital donors from others.
• Reasons why individuals invest in digital currencies.
• Trends and insights in the use of digital currencies globally.
• Characteristics of the digital donor: young, wealthy, and generous.
• Donor personalities: crypto evangelists and optimistic investors.
• Timing of giving and the importance of year-end season.
• Key takeaways summarizing traits and opportunities.
• Practical steps for planning upcoming fundraising campaigns.

The report concludes with a statement of The Giving Block's mission to make digital currencies a powerful force for good, while providing additional knowledge resources through its blog (The Giving Blog) that includes guides, case studies, and the latest trends in digital giving.

Understanding the Power of Giving with Digital Currencies

In 2018, the team behind The Giving Block recognized a new and important opportunity for philanthropy: digital currencies. Although the adoption by nonprofits took some time, those that took the initiative quickly discovered an enthusiastic community of cryptocurrency holders eager to support their mission.

By 2025, the impact became undeniable; nearly $2 billion in digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum were donated globally to thousands of worthy causes. This rise of what is known as crypto philanthropy has not gone unnoticed, with major media outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal affirming its growing importance.

However, despite the clear trend, there is still a need to gain a deeper understanding of the individuals behind this generosity: the cryptocurrency donors themselves.

This report is specifically designed for nonprofits like you, providing valuable data and insights on:

• Who these donors are.
• What motivates their giving.
• And what are the most effective ways to connect with them.

Open New Horizons for Fundraising with Cryptocurrency Donors

You do not need to be an expert in digital currencies to successfully take advantage of this growing charitable capital. By understanding what motivates cryptocurrency donors, your nonprofit can significantly enhance its fundraising efforts.

These donors represent a new wave of modern philanthropists; data shows that they are typically wealthier, younger, and more inclined to give generously compared to traditional cash donors. However, alongside these general traits, it is essential for organizations to understand the core values and true motivations behind these donors' giving. This report will help you understand the "why" behind their donations, enabling you to build stronger connections and achieve greater success in fundraising.

This report outlines:

• Why cryptocurrency users invest in it.
• Global trends among the growing base of cryptocurrency users.
• An approximate picture of the average "digital donor".
• An in-depth analysis of two key personalities: crypto evangelists and optimistic investors.
• The timing patterns shown by cryptocurrency donors.

Cryptocurrency donors are more diverse and complex than previously thought. Understanding their values better can help nonprofits improve their future fundraising campaigns through digital currencies.

Why Do People Invest in Digital Currencies

As of 2025, about 28% of American adults — approximately 65 million people — own digital currencies.

Globally, about 659 million people own digital currencies, representing a 13% increase from the previous year.

The most common motivations for investing in digital currencies are:

• Diversifying assets alongside traditional assets (like stocks).
• Hedging against inflation in government-backed currencies.
• Faster and cheaper international financial transactions.
• A higher level of privacy in financial transactions.
• Enhancing asset ownership (especially in countries where property rights are limited).

For nonprofits:

The existing base of cryptocurrency users currently represents the target market for digital currency fundraising campaigns, estimated at 659 million cryptocurrency users worldwide.

The graph illustrates the continuous growth in the number of cryptocurrency owners globally during 2024, where the number increased from 583 million users in January to 659 million users in December, marking a 13% increase over the year. This trend indicates that the adoption of digital currencies is no longer just a passing phenomenon but a sustained upward trajectory reflecting an expanding base of investors and traders, opening nonprofits to a growing market of potential donors.

Trends and Insights of Cryptocurrency Users

Recent global studies show significant growth in digital currency adoption:

• The number of cryptocurrency users is expected to reach 1 billion users by 2030, according to a report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
• 28% of Americans have invested, traded, or used digital currencies.
• 83% of millennial millionaires own digital currencies, with over half allocating at least 50% of their investment portfolio to digital assets.
• Males constitute the majority among cryptocurrency investors, at rates ranging from 61% to 69%.
• Women are increasingly entering the field, as they represent 33% of cryptocurrency owners in the United States.
• The number of cryptocurrency users globally is expected to reach 861 million users by 2025.

For nonprofits that accept donations in digital currencies:

The current user base of digital currencies — totaling 659 million people — represents the full potential market that can be targeted in digital fundraising campaigns. Despite the clarity, it is crucial that fundraisers focus their efforts on current cryptocurrency users, not just those who express interest in buying them in the future.

In short: Owning a digital currency is a prerequisite for donating it. While some traditional donors may support your efforts to attract new donors from the world of cryptocurrencies, it is unlikely that they will purchase digital currencies specifically to donate them to your organization.

The report will later outline the sub-segments of cryptocurrency users who are most likely to donate their digital assets.

This graph illustrates cryptocurrency adoption rates in the United States by racial categories, showing a clear disparity in usage rates: adults of Asian descent top the list with 23%, followed by those of Hispanic descent at 21%, then Black adults at 18%, while the lowest percentage is among White adults at 13%. This distribution indicates that interest in cryptocurrencies is not uniform across different population groups, but rather influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors, highlighting that the crypto user base in the United States is more diverse than might be assumed. Additionally, the accompanying text indicates that the vast majority of American adults have heard of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, reflecting a high degree of awareness even if not all individuals have become actual users.

Young, Wealthy, Generous: Meet the Digital Donor

Cryptocurrency donors have become an increasingly important source for fundraising efforts:

• By the end of 2024, The Giving Block processed over $200 million in cryptocurrency donations.
• The average digital donation was $10,978, representing a 386% increase compared to the previous year.
• Organizations focused on education, health and medicine, youth and childhood, and animal welfare were among the top beneficiaries of digital donor contributions during 2024.

The data shows that cryptocurrency donors are much younger than traditional donors. The average age of a digital donor is 38 years (belonging to the older millennial generation), while the average age of a traditional donor is 65 years. This significant age gap reflects a new generation of younger and more vibrant donors entering the philanthropic arena through digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency donors tend to be:

• Younger: with an average age of around 38 years (compared to 65 years for traditional donors).
• Wealthier: the average annual income of cryptocurrency users in the U.S. is about $100,000.
• More generous: about 45% of cryptocurrency users are likely to donate $1,000 or more annually (compared to 33% of traditional investors).

Cryptocurrency donors combine the best traits of young donors (long time horizons for giving) and high-net-worth donors (ability to make significant gifts).

The data indicates that the average income of cryptocurrency users in the United States is $110,000 annually, which is 38% higher than the national average income of $67,500 in 2020. This confirms that the base of digital donors is not only younger but also more financially capable of supporting charitable causes.

Very Generous

A study conducted by Fidelity Charitable found that 45% of cryptocurrency users are likely to donate at least $1,000 annually to charity. In comparison, only 33% of traditional investors reported donating a similar or greater amount annually.

In general, the cryptocurrency donor possesses some of the most desirable traits typically found in young millennial donors as well as high-net-worth individuals. They live under better financial circumstances than average, give generously, and have many years ahead of them to continue their charitable giving.

The comparison between the generosity of cryptocurrency users and traditional investors shows that 45% of cryptocurrency users donate at least $1,000 annually, while the percentage among traditional investors does not exceed 33%. This clearly reflects that digital donors are more willing to support charitable causes with larger amounts.

Personas of Cryptocurrency Donors

Having sketched a general picture of the typical digital donor, it is time to take a closer look at the motivations that inspire individuals to donate cryptocurrencies to charitable organizations.

Fundraisers in nonprofit organizations should focus on two main personas among users who are most likely to donate cryptocurrency:

1. Crypto Evangelists:

   These individuals are passionate about the world of cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, NFTs, and web 3, and believe in its potential to create a positive impact on the world. Their motivations for donating revolve around attracting new users to the crypto ecosystem, in addition to giving back after achieving significant gains in their digital wallets.

2. Optimistic Investors:

   They are investors and traders who entered the crypto world primarily for financial profit. Their motivations for donating are often related to reducing their annual tax bill. Donating cryptocurrencies directly to charities—rather than selling them and converting them to cash—becomes one of the common strategies to decrease tax burdens, especially at the end of the fiscal year.

The report will cover broader details about these two personas and how to effectively reach them in subsequent sections.

"Everyone has a goal. Whether it’s participating in the future of finance or simply ‘making money’, those involved in the crypto world are driven by purpose for one reason or another."

— Maria Vorovich, Chief Strategy Officer at GoodQues

Crypto Evangelists

"We truly believe that access to finance and financial stability should not depend on your current location, your heritage, your religion, or your race."

— Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum

Crypto evangelists are individuals who believe in the capability of digital currencies as an emerging technology to improve the current financial system. They are the type that discusses the merits of crypto on social media, at parties, around the family dinner table, and at any opportunity that arises. Many of them may work in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector (such as engineers or business specialists), or actively participate in web3 and NFT projects. They are more interested in the technical and intellectual aspects of sector developments, and tend to read and analyze white papers of new projects more than track prices on exchanges.

Key Characteristics

• Long-time Users: They are not just curious but active investors and traders for years. Many of them are older than the "optimistic investors" category, with some being involved in the Cypherpunk movement since the 1980s, which paved the way for the invention of Bitcoin and modern currencies.
• Eager to Learn: They constantly keep up with new developments, discussing them either in person or through digital platforms.
• Free-Willed: They embody the spirit of independence distinguishing the crypto philosophy compared to the traditional financial system and consider themselves pioneers and risk-takers in the digital community.
• Seeking Recognition: Many of them seek acknowledgment from peers and intellectual leaders in this field, as well as being early users of new projects.

Where to Find Them?

Crypto evangelists are highly active in the digital community:

• They follow news sites, blogs, and specialized publications.
• They listen to the opinions of thought leaders and executives on Twitter.
• They participate in Telegram communities and similar platforms.
• They are often early users of emerging projects.

Why Do They Donate Cryptocurrencies?

1. Encourage General Adoption of Crypto:

   They believe that crypto can solve or greatly improve many of humanity's challenges. Thus, supporting positive uses—such as charitable donations—is not just a beneficial act, but also a means to expand the adoption base within the community. Successful crypto donations enhance the technology’s reputation and drive more organizations and individuals to engage with it.

2. "Giving Back" Mentality:

   Many of them have made massive gains thanks to early investment and seek channels to give back. For example: a person who bought 5 Bitcoins in 2012 at $13 each is now valued at around $520,000 in June 2025 (and peaked at $560,000 in the recent peak in May 2025). These gains make them view donations as a way to give back and enhance the continuity of the ecosystem.

In Summary:

Crypto evangelists donate driven by a belief in the technology's mission and a desire to expand its reach, along with a strong sense of responsibility to redistribute their gains to charitable causes. They are a passionate, educated, and influential segment in the wave of global digital giving.

Optimistic Investors

"Our core thesis about Bitcoin is that it is better than gold."

— Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of Gemini

The counterpart to the "crypto evangelist" persona is the optimistic investor. These individuals view the potential of digital currencies primarily from a perspective of financial gain. They are mainly interested in generating high returns from their digital investments. Some were traditional investors or still are, but they shifted to crypto aiming to outperform traditional markets. They are often younger than crypto evangelists and less concerned with the intellectual or conceptual aspects of digital currencies.

Key Characteristics

• Do Not Want to Miss Opportunities:

  They see investing and trading digital currencies as a golden opportunity to make large profits, inspired by stories of individuals who made millions or retired early thanks to crypto.

• Diversity and Profit:

  They are dissatisfied with returns from traditional investments like the S&P 500 and consider crypto an alternative strategy for diversifying portfolios and outperforming markets.

• Relying on Personal Research:

  They do not blindly follow mainstream narratives but research and study to discover the "next opportunity" or information that grants them a competitive edge.

Where to Find Them?

Optimistic investors follow trustworthy sources and successful traders, whether through podcasts, blogs, news sites, or social media like Twitter and Reddit. They may also subscribe to investment newsletters (paid or free) and join groups on Telegram and Discord.

Why Do They Donate Digital Currencies?

Taxes:

The primary driver for them is tax savings. Donating digital currencies is considered a tax-efficient way to give and can greatly reduce annual tax bills.

• According to U.S. laws (IRS) and several other tax authorities, donating digital currencies is not considered a taxable event, meaning no gain or loss is recorded when donating.
• Donors may receive an additional charitable deduction, which increases their tax benefits.
• Since capital gains tax rates can exceed 30%, donating crypto provides an opportunity for much greater savings than cash donations.
• For nonprofits, this advantage means that donors may give larger amounts than if they had to sell the asset and then donate in cash.

Additional Strategies:

• In bear markets, where some currencies may have lost value, they may resort to tax-loss harvesting, selling underperforming assets to reduce overall tax burden.
• They often restructure their portfolios at year-end, which makes the fourth quarter their peak time for donations.

In Summary:

Optimistic investors view donating cryptocurrencies as a practical way to achieve two goals: reducing tax burdens and enhancing their financial strategies. They are thus more attracted to organizations that accept digital donations directly, allowing them to maximize these benefits as much as possible.

What Drives Cryptocurrency Donors to Give?

Each cryptocurrency donor has a charitable cause aligned with their values, but before they arrive at the choice of the organization they will support, the decision to donate cryptocurrency itself is the first step in the journey.

The attached graph illustrates the differences between the two main donor personas:

• Crypto Evangelist:

  • Tax Incentive: Average.
  • Desire to "Give Back": High.
  • Promote Community Adoption of Crypto: High.

• Optimistic Investor:

  • Tax Incentive: High.
  • Desire to "Give Back": Low.
  • Promote Community Adoption of Crypto: Moderate.

This means that crypto evangelists donate out of ideological and mission-driven beliefs, while optimistic investors see donations as a practical tool for maximizing their financial gains and reducing tax costs.

When Do Cryptocurrency Donors Donate?

Cryptocurrency donors give throughout the year, but donation activity rises sharply at the end of the year due to tax considerations.

• In 2024, donations in December alone comprised 25% of the total volume of digital donations processed by The Giving Block.
• Campaigns such as "Crypto Giving Tuesday" and other year-end seasonal initiatives raise awareness and participation.
• Notably, digital spaces like X (formerly Twitter) and other social channels turn into active venues for digital giving during the annual donation season.

"For nonprofits, cryptocurrency users are among the most interesting donor segments. For crypto users, donating digital currencies to charities is one of the best ways to minimize tax liabilities. But they didn’t have a dedicated moment to meet together, hence we started the Bag Season campaign."

— Pat Duffy, co-founder of The Giving Block

Key Takeaways

Traditionally, donors to nonprofit organizations do not think much about the type of currency they donate; they simply give whatever cash they have in their bank accounts. On the other hand, cryptocurrency donors have more complex choices; they often hold cash alongside digital assets, raising a crucial question: Do they donate cash or crypto? And why do they choose that?

When studying the perspectives of cryptocurrency donors, organizations should consider these insights:

• People use cryptocurrencies for various reasons: economic, philosophical, and practical.
• There are over 659 million cryptocurrency users worldwide representing a potential donor base.
• The digital donor is on average young, affluent, and passionate about giving.
• The digital user base is witnessing accelerating diversity.
• Crypto evangelists donate to promote community adoption and give back.
• Optimistic investors primarily donate to leverage tax benefits.
• Digital giving escalates in the fourth quarter of the year, but it is an opportunity available throughout the year.

In practice, digital giving transcends mere tax benefits; it is a meaningful way to give back while at the same time supporting the wider spread of digital currencies among people.

"Reaching a new segment of donors, such as cryptocurrency donors, is critical and exciting for nonprofits looking to diversify their funding sources and renew their strategies. It opens doors for individuals who might not engage through traditional channels, providing exciting new pathways for support."

— Paget Stanko, Senior Partner, Gemini Institutional

Planning Your Next Cryptocurrency Fundraising Campaign

• Refer back to donor personas when shaping your campaign goals and messages.
• Survey your supporters — especially millennials and Gen Z — regarding their use and interest in digital currencies.
• Highlight the tax benefits when communicating with high-net-worth donors (HNW).
• Continuously track crypto trends to effectively engage with this donor segment.

Successful fundraising relies on building connections that inspire action. Understanding the digital donor base and segmenting it will allow your organization to stand out.

Research in the psychology of philanthropy suggests that fundraising campaigns are more effective when appeals are framed to activate the donor's sense of identity. Crypto evangelists differ in their motivations from optimistic investors, so crafting messages that connect your cause to how each of these segments sees the world will be a valuable investment of time and energy to unlock this emerging source of generosity in our world.

Tim Sarantonio

Corporate Branding Manager – Neon One