Crypto

Should universities cash in on cryptocurrency donations?

Published

1 year ago

January 22, 2025

Should universities cash in on cryptocurrency donations?

In 2023, Korean video game company WeMade pledged to donate the equivalent of one billion Korean won in Wemix tokens – a cryptocurrency linked to the blockchain platform of the same name – to Seoul National University.

What seemed like a moment for celebration quickly descended into controversy, with the university eventually ceasing to accept cryptocurrency donations altogether.

So, what happened? Shortly after the donation was made, WeMade reportedly liquidated a large share of its coins, causing a significant currency devaluation and meaning SNU’s donation was no longer worth so much – a problem given that the funds had been earmarked for a specific project.

That wasn’t the only barrier. Under South Korean financial regulations, the university was also unable to open a corporate account for virtual asset exchange. With calls to change the law unanswered, the university was left holding on to a volatile currency it was unable to convert to cash.

Now Korean regulators are reportedly considering allowing the country’s universities to convert cryptocurrency for the first time – potentially opening a significant new fundraising stream for the country’s financially ailing sector.

Elsewhere, universities are already cashing in on the crypto craze, most notably in the US. In 2021, the University of Pennsylvania received $5 million (£4 million) in bitcoin from an unnamed donor. A year later, Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, a leading blockchain, donated the equivalent of $9.4 million in USDC coin to the University of Maryland to fund public health research in the wake of the pandemic.

The Giving Block, a US-based platform that facilitates cryptocurrency donations to non-profit organisations, said that the higher education sector has been one of its “biggest growth areas” over the past two years, with Washington State University and Northeastern University among the company’s clients.

“There are several things driving this, like the booming crypto market and broader mainstream adoption, but the biggest driver for schools is simply following the money,” said Pat Duffy, its co-founder.

With analysts suggesting popular currencies like bitcoin will continue to grow in value this year, spurred on by newly inaugurated Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly rhetoric, universities could be set to benefit – if they are prepared to manage the risks that come with the volatile landscape.

“For donors in the US, the biggest driver is the tax incentive,” said Duffy. “You can skip capital gains taxes on appreciated assets and still get a deduction for the full market value.

“The donor pays no taxes on their appreciated crypto, and neither does the school. Donors across the country are eliminating tens of millions of dollars in tax liability by choosing to give with crypto, and giving larger gifts…as a result.”

For universities, accepting cryptocurrency may also allow them to target their fundraising at a younger, tech-savvy market. “They can attract more people if they accept crypto payments,” said Nir Kshetri, professor of management at the University of North Carolina.

It’s not just donations where universities are capitalising. Some, like Bentley University, have begun accepting tuition fees in cryptocurrency, with significant implications for international students.

In Nigeria, for example, converting the naira to the US dollar to make fee payments can be a complicated process. For some, paying in decentralised cryptocurrency is simpler and faster, according to Kshetri.

However, a key risk for universities is the unpredictability of cryptocurrency markets, with fears compounded by the volatility of bitcoin in recent years. While the market is recovering, crashes such as the one experienced in 2022 have left a lasting impact and made some universities wary.

“Right now it’s at a peak, but who’s to say we won’t see a return to what we saw two years ago when the bottom fell out?” cautioned Bill Stanczykiewicz, director of the Fund Raising School at Indiana University Indianapolis.

According to Stanczykiewicz, best practice is to avoid holding on to cryptocurrency, even if it is predicted to increase in value. “What we say to fundraisers is if you get crypto, turn it into your national currency as quickly as you can,” he said, or use a platform like the Giving Block, which does this for you.

However, this approach isn’t universal. In Paraguay, Universidad Americana is less risk averse than some, evaluating the market before converting any cryptocurrency payments.

Universities considering going down this avenue also need to consider the ethical aspects, said Stanczykiewicz, and whether such donations adhere to their institution’s values.

Specifically, the environmental impact of currencies like bitcoin is a concern for some. However, Kshetri argued, the coin has already been mined prior to the donation – that is, the damage has already been done. “Just to transfer that bitcoin from you to me consumes very little…electricity,” he said.

Whatever your ethical view, those interviewed for this article agreed on this: cryptocurrency is here to stay and, for universities, it’s simply a question of how quickly they embrace it.

“Historically, it was regulatory uncertainty that made universities nervous about crypto acceptance and investing,” said Duffy. Today, he continued, in the US, “regulatory clarity and the political support we see on both sides of the aisle have cleared up those concerns”.

With countries like South Korea set to provide a regulatory green light too, it may not be long before institutions around the globe follow in the footsteps of their US counterparts.

helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com

Crypto

OKX Invests in Vietnam Exchange CAEX Ahead of Crypto Pilot

Published

3 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

OKX Invests in Vietnam Exchange CAEX Ahead of Crypto Pilot

Key Takeaways

OKX invested in CAEX to meet Vietnam’s $380 million pilot requirement, advancing regulation.
CAEX, backed by OKX and Hashkey, signals a shift to compliant platforms across Southeast Asia.
OKX expands 2026 regulatory push after Malta license, as it aims to lead efforts in shaping Vietnam’s crypto market.

Vietnam’s CAEX Gains OKX Support for Regulated Crypto Push

OKX has taken a strategic stake in Vietnam’s CAEX exchange, positioning itself to support the country’s push toward regulated cryptocurrency trading.

The investment, made alongside local partners including VPBank Securities and LynkiD, as well as Hashkey Capital, will help CAEX meet the financial threshold required to participate in a government-backed pilot program. Vietnam has set a minimum capital requirement of $380 million (VND 10 trillion) for firms seeking to operate within the trial framework.

The partnership signals a growing alignment between global crypto firms and local operators as Southeast Asia moves toward clearer regulatory oversight.

Star Xu, Founder and CEO of OKX, wrote in a blog post, saying,

We expect most Southeast Asian markets to establish clear regulatory frameworks and licensing pathways for digital asset companies. This region is already one of the most important sources of global crypto liquidity. We believe the future of crypto will be built on regulated, local platforms that users can trust, and CAEX represents that future in Vietnam.”

CAEX, formally known as Vietnam Prosperity Crypto Asset Exchange Joint Stock Company, is expected to combine domestic market expertise with international infrastructure and compliance standards. OKX said it will contribute not only capital but also technical support across areas such as risk management, security systems, and liquidity provision.

The initiative comes as Vietnam explores a controlled rollout of digital asset trading under government supervision. While details of the pilot program remain limited, authorities have indicated a preference for well-capitalized and compliant platforms.

OKX’s involvement reflects its broader strategy of working within regulatory frameworks rather than operating outside them. The company has spent recent years securing licenses and approvals in multiple jurisdictions, including registration in the United States and regulated operations across Europe.

Earlier this year, OKX obtained a Payment Institution license in Malta, allowing it to expand crypto payment services across the European Union under established regulatory regimes. The exchange has also pursued approvals in markets such as Singapore and Dubai, where it has built localized platforms tailored to regulatory requirements.

Executives at OKX have framed compliance as central to long-term growth. The firm has increased investment in anti-money laundering controls, customer verification processes, and internal risk systems, aiming to meet institutional standards as the industry matures.

That experience is now being applied to emerging markets. In Vietnam, the focus is on building a platform that can operate within a formal regulatory structure while scaling user adoption.

The investment also reflects a broader shift in the crypto industry. As governments introduce clearer rules, trading activity is increasingly moving toward licensed venues. Market participants are placing greater emphasis on transparency, asset protection, and regulatory oversight.

Southeast Asia remains a key region in that transition, accounting for a significant share of global crypto liquidity. For Vietnam, the CAEX initiative represents an early step in that process. For OKX and its partners, it offers an opportunity to shape the development of a regulated market from the ground up.

If successful, the model could serve as a blueprint for other countries in the region, where demand for digital assets continues to grow alongside calls for stronger investor protections.

Crypto

US Treasury to offer free cybersecurity intelligence to crypto firms

Published

15 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection has unveiled a new cyber threat intelligence sharing initiative with the cryptocurrency sector in a bid to bolster threat discovery, prevention, and response efforts amid increasingly prevalent and sophisticated intrusions against the industry, according t…

Crypto

Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Add Combined $443 Million in Strong Inflow Day

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Add Combined 3 Million in Strong Inflow Day

Key Takeaways:

Bitcoin ETFs saw $358.17 million inflows on April 9, led by Blackrock IBIT, restoring momentum.
Ether ETFs added $85.19 million as ETHA gained $90.94 million, showing selective but rising demand.
XRP lost $661K while Solana saw no flows, suggesting capital is still fluctuating between altcoin ETFs.

Market Turns Decisively Positive for Bitcoin and Ether ETFs

No day is ever the same in the exchange-traded fund (ETF) market, and on Thursday, April 9, the tide turned again. This time, with force.

After a stretch of uneven flows and fading conviction, crypto ETFs snapped back into positive territory, delivering one of the week’s strongest sessions. The recovery was broad, decisive, and led by familiar names.

Bitcoin ETFs recorded a powerful $358.17 million in net inflows, marking a clean reversal from the prior day’s losses. Notably, every major fund contributed, and no outflows were recorded.

Blackrock’s IBIT once again dominated the field, pulling in $269.34 million, roughly three-quarters of total inflows. The scale of that contribution underscored its continued role as the market’s anchor. Fidelity’s FBTC followed with a solid $53.33 million, while Morgan Stanley’s newly launched MSBT added $14.87 million, building on its early momentum.

Bitcoin ETFs likely to close the week in green with inflows surpassing outflows so far.

Further support came from Bitwise’s BITB with $11.73 million, Ark & 21Shares’ ARKB at $4.78 million, Vaneck’s HODL with $2.04 million, and Franklin’s EZBC at $2.08 million. Trading volume reached $1.99 billion, and net assets climbed to $93.29 billion.

Ether ETFs mirrored the rebound, though with a more mixed internal picture. The group posted $85.19 million in net inflows, driven by strong demand for select funds.

Blackrock’s ETHA led with $90.94 million, while its ETHB product added another $13.67 million, continuing its steady rise in investor preference. Grayscale’s Ether Mini Trust contributed $9.67 million.

Yet selling pressure persisted elsewhere. Fidelity’s FETH recorded a $20.98 million outflow, followed by 21Shares’ TETH with $5.53 million. Smaller outflows were seen in Franklin’s EZET at $1.68 million and Grayscale’s ETHE at $900,440. Despite these exits, inflows held firm. Trading volume came in at $831.08 million, with net assets closing at $12.69 billion.

Outside the majors, activity was limited. XRP ETFs posted a modest $661,160 outflow, entirely from 21Shares’ TOXR. Trading volume stood at $11.03 million, with net assets at $955.13 million.

Solana ETFs remained inactive for the session, with no recorded flows. Net assets held steady at $803.03 million.

The broader pattern is becoming clearer. Capital is returning, but it is concentrated. Investors are favoring scale, liquidity, and established names, particularly in bitcoin and select ether products. The market is not fully stable, but confidence is rebuilding in visible pockets.