This article reflects its original publication date. Programme figures, entry routes, counterparties and availability mentioned here are historical, and must be confirmed against current written terms. Start with the current review checklist.
Most foundations were not set up to hold or process crypto. The treasurer is a part-time bookkeeper, the trustees are professionals donating their time, and the auditor wants documentation that fits inside a standard charity audit framework.
The position
The retail conversion route does not fit that framework cleanly. Exchanges flag size. Withdrawals slow. Compliance reviews surface at exactly the moment the operational team needs the funds.
The institutional conversion route fits the framework.
What it does:
- BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC into the desk
- Fiat out into the foundation's operating account, in the right currency
- Settlement instructions are documented and traceable for the charity audit
- Multi-corridor banking - US, UK, Mexico, BVI, Brazil
- Fixed price at signing - operational budget does not move on slippage
What sits behind the route:
- Over five billion in monthly volume
What to consider
- More than 350 institutional counterparts including US ETF issuers
- Backed by VanEck, Valor Capital and Hack VC
- Noncustodial and principal-to-principal
What the foundation needs to bring:
- Charity registration and trustee documentation
- Wallet ownership for the receiving donation
- Operating banking corridor details
What the route does NOT do:
- Speculative conversion in advance of a confirmed donation
- Files where the donor's source of funds cannot be evidenced
Preparing the file
- Engagement without proper foundation governance
If your foundation has received a crypto donation that is currently sitting in a wallet because the conversion route has not been worked out, this is the route that fits inside your audit framework.