When I introduced crypto giving back in April, I mentioned stablecoins in a single paragraph. So let’s go deeper on stablecoins. Because if there’s a version of crypto philanthropy that is genuinely accessible to organizations that have been hesitant to engage with digital assets, stablecoins are it.
Zero10 Exhibition, Art Basel Miami Beach © Tonya Hennessey
What Is a Stablecoin, Exactly?
A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to maintain a consistent value, typically by being pegged to a fiat currency like the US dollar. USDC (USD Coin), USDT (Tether), and RLUSD (Ripple USD) are among the most widely used. When a donor sends you $10,000 in USDC, it is worth $10,000 upon arrival. Not $7,200 because Bitcoin had a rough Tuesday.
This is the fundamental problem stablecoins solve for nonprofit finance departments. The volatility of Bitcoin and Ethereum is real and it’s significant. A gift worth $25,000 at the moment of donation might be worth $18,000 by the time your organization receives …
