Crypto needs a better story: Influencer thinks it starts with saving children

Entrepreneur and Web3 investor Carl Runefelt, who runs successful social media channels under the name Carl Moon, recently donated over $400,000 in crypto to Kids Operating Room (KidsOR), a nonprofit dedicated to providing surgical care for children in underserved regions.

Runefelt also persuaded the organization to start accepting crypto to unlock a new wave of global donors. KidsOR co-founder and chairman Garreth Wood told Cointelegraph that Runefelt’s donation was a “game changer” for them.

“It wasn’t just a generous gift,” Wood said. “It showed us that new ways of fundraising could bring together a community of people who want to use innovation to help children across the globe.”

Wood added that they now accept crypto donations through their JustGiving platform to make it easier for people to support them in providing surgeries for children around the world.

One of the operating rooms established by KidsOR. Source: KidsOR

Life-changing crypto money can be used to change thousands of lives

Runefelt said he views wealth gained in crypto as a responsibility to help others. His donation funds an operating theater and recovery room in Tanzania and a children’s hospital in Zimbabwe.

“Whenever we make life-changing money, we should remember that it can be life-changing not only for us, but for thousands of children around the world.”

Runefelt said that his philanthropic mission was shaped by his younger brother, who was born with Down syndrome and underwent more than 60 surgeries.

“If my little brother hadn’t gotten surgery, he wouldn’t be here today,” he said, urging crypto users to help children who face similar struggles and do not have access to the care they need.

“Around the world, children are in desperate need of help. I want to do my part, and I hope to inspire others to do the same,” Runefelt added.

KidsOR adopts crypto donations

According to KidsOR, the organization has built over 100 pediatric operating rooms across 35 countries since 2014, enabling more than 726,000 surgeries to date.

“Every operating room we build has a huge impact,” Wood told Cointelegraph. “With more support, we can go from helping hundreds of thousands of children to millions.”

Wood said that while accepting crypto donations can be “tricky,” Runefelt’s donation showed them that it was possible and that the opportunity was worth it.

He also told Cointelegraph that the transparency that crypto brings to the table allows donors to see the impact they’ve made directly. Wood said this kind of transparency builds trust, accountability and a powerful connection between donors and the lives they are changing.

Wood added that crypto and Web3’s core values align with global health equity, the idea that everyone should have access to healthcare.

“Decentralization and borderless access can unlock resources and opportunities for children everywhere, and philanthropy is the bridge that makes this vision a reality,” Wood said.

Related: South Korea to allow institutions to sell crypto donations in 2025

Crypto giving exceeds $1 billion in 2024

Crypto philanthropy isn’t new. In 2024 alone, crypto donations exceeded $1 billion as the crypto space flourished due to increased regulatory clarity across the globe.

Crypto donations platform The Giving Block reported in February that the number of nonprofits accepting crypto increased in 2024. The platform said that more than 70% of the top US-based charities started to accept crypto.

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