“By most estimates, there’s less than a few
thousand that accept crypto,” he said. “There’s a lot
of room for growth.”
PeteHowson,a seniorlectureratEngland’s
University of Northumbria who researches
cryptocurrencies, says the use of the virtual
currencies could, in some cases, increase what
he calls “surveillance philanthropy.” For example,
GiveTrack, a cryptocurrency crowdfunding
website, uses blockchain technology as well as
material from charities to send donors reports on
how their crypto contributions were spent.
Connie Gallippi, the founder and executive
director of The BitGive Foundation, which runs
GiveTrack, says the report simplifies transactions
recorded on the blockchain and shows donors
what their contributions bought. She said the
report also shows donors how a charity spends
funds it converts into a local currency.
Gallippi said the software’s goal is to increase
transparency in the nonprofit sector, adding
any criticism of tracking is unwarranted
because charities can decline to accept
restricted donations.
“It’s transparency at its best when you have
no control over the data that’s presented,” she
said. “Other than your actions that are behind
that data.”