UNICEF Starts Accepting Donations in BTC and ETH

UNICEF has taken another step towards the introduction of cryptocurrency: donations are now available in bitcoins (BTC) and ether (ETH). The global organization began experimenting with accepting cryptocurrency donations last year.

UNICEF partnered with the Ethereum Foundation, which also made an initial donation through the French National Committee.According to a press release, the scheme will welcome funding in the two cryptocurrencies mentioned above. Commenting on this unusual step, UNICEF states that it will not convert the received funds into fiat. Instead, it will store and distribute them in their original form. UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta FORE called the plan “new and exciting venture”:

“If digital economies and currencies have the potential to shape the lives of coming generations, it is important that we explore the opportunities they offer. That’s why the creation of our Cryptocurrency Fund is a significant and welcome step forward in humanitarian and development work.”

The Ethereum Foundation has already noted the four beneficiaries of its donations, including three grantees of the UNICEF Innovation Fund and a project to provide schools with Internet access.