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What is Giveth (GIV) Crypto Coin? A Clear Guide to the Blockchain Charity Token

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What is Giveth (GIV) Crypto Coin? A Clear Guide to the Blockchain Charity Token
13 September 2025 Rebecca Andrews

Most people think of cryptocurrency as a way to make money - trade, speculate, or store value. But what if crypto could be used to do good? That’s where Giveth comes in. Giveth isn’t just another coin. It’s a platform built to make charitable giving transparent, fee-free, and powered by blockchain technology. If you’ve ever wondered where your donation went after clicking ‘Donate’ on a charity site, Giveth offers a different answer: every dollar - or rather, every ETH or GIV - is tracked forever on the blockchain.

What Exactly Is Giveth?

Giveth is a decentralized platform that lets anyone give crypto donations directly to verified social impact projects. The native token, GIV, isn’t just a currency - it’s a tool for rewarding generosity. Launched on December 16, 2021, the project was built by a global group of developers and activists who wanted to fix broken systems in traditional philanthropy. No middlemen. No hidden fees. No vague reports saying “your donation helped.” Instead, donors see exactly how funds are used, down to the transaction.

At its core, Giveth runs on Ethereum and its Layer 2 solution, Optimism. This means transactions are faster and cheaper than on the main Ethereum network. The GIV token is an ERC-20 token with 18 decimal places, making it easy to divide and use in small amounts. The contract address for Ethereum is 0x900db999074d9277c5da2a43f252d74366230da0, and on Optimism, it’s 0x528cdc92eab044e1e39fe43b9514bfdab4412b98. You can check any donation live on Etherscan or Optimistic Etherscan.

How Does Giveth Work?

Giveth has three main parts that work together:

  • Donation Interface - Anyone with a crypto wallet (like MetaMask) can send ETH, USDC, or GIV to a project. No sign-up. No credit card. Just paste the project’s wallet address and hit send.
  • Project Creation Tools - Nonprofits, open-source teams, or even individuals can apply to list their cause. Once verified, they get a public page showing real-time donations, updates, and how funds are spent.
  • GIVbacks Rewards - This is the unique part. When you donate to a project, you earn GIV tokens in return. The more you give, the more you get back. It’s not a reward for spending - it’s a reward for giving. This system encourages repeat donations and builds community loyalty.

Unlike traditional platforms like GoFundMe or PayPal Giving Fund, Giveth charges zero fees. That means 100% of your donation goes to the project. Traditional processors take 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. On Giveth, even if you donate $100, the full $100 reaches the cause.

Real Impact: Numbers That Matter

As of late 2023, Giveth has facilitated over 6,578 verified projects. These aren’t just random ideas - they’ve been reviewed by the community for legitimacy. Projects range from open-source software development to environmental cleanup, animal shelters, and education initiatives in developing countries.

The Giveth Matching Pool has raised over $425,000 from 3,674 donors. The Giveth Community of Makers - a group focused on building tools for the platform - raised nearly $47,000 from 324 contributors. These aren’t theoretical numbers. You can click on any project and see who donated, when, and how the funds were spent.

One user on Reddit summed it up: “I donated 0.1 ETH to a project building free coding tools for kids. Two weeks later, I got a video update showing the laptops they bought and the teachers they hired. I’ve never had that kind of clarity with any charity before.”

GIV Token: Purpose, Supply, and Value

The GIV token has a maximum supply of about 147 million. But here’s the twist: as of late 2023, the circulating supply was reported at over 271 million on some platforms. This isn’t an error - it’s because of token migrations and reissuances during upgrades. The supply is intentionally flexible to support rewards and community growth.

GIV isn’t meant to be a speculative asset. It’s designed to be used - earned through donations, spent on platform services, or staked to help govern the network. Its value isn’t driven by hype or whale trading. Instead, it’s tied to real activity: how many people are donating, how many projects are active, and how much community trust exists.

Market data varies. CoinMarketCap lists GIV around #2339 by market cap. CoinGecko puts it at #7163. That’s small compared to Bitcoin or even Ethereum. The 24-hour trading volume hovers around $8,800 - tiny compared to giants like Gitcoin, which sees over $1 million daily. That means liquidity is low. If you buy GIV, you might struggle to sell it quickly without moving the price.

A woman in Kenya shows a blockchain donation map to children in a classroom with solar panels being installed outside.

How Is Giveth Different From Other Crypto Philanthropy Platforms?

There are other crypto-for-good platforms, but Giveth stands out in key ways:

Comparison of Crypto Philanthropy Platforms
Feature Giveth Gitcoin The Giving Block GoFundMe
Primary Focus General charitable giving Open-source software Crypto donations to traditional nonprofits Fiat-based crowdfunding
Native Token GIV (rewards donors) GIT (used for quadratic funding) None None
Transaction Fees 0% 0% (on-chain) 2.9% + $0.30 2.9% + $0.30
Transparency Blockchain-tracked donations Blockchain-tracked Traditional reporting Traditional reporting
Donor Incentives GIVbacks rewards Quadratic funding matching None None
Best For Donors who want to see impact + earn rewards Funding devs and open-source tools Nonprofits wanting crypto donations Personal fundraising

Gitcoin is great for funding open-source code, but it doesn’t help a local food bank. The Giving Block lets nonprofits accept crypto, but it doesn’t give donors a token reward. GoFundMe is simple, but you have no idea if your $20 actually bought medicine or just paid for marketing. Giveth fills a gap: it’s for people who want to give, see proof, and be rewarded - all without paying fees.

Who Uses Giveth?

Most users are crypto-native. According to Giveth’s own 2023 survey, 78% of donors already use crypto regularly. Another 15% are nonprofits that work in the blockchain space. Only 7% are traditional charities - the kind that still use paper forms and bank wires.

This is the biggest challenge. Many nonprofits don’t know how to use MetaMask. They don’t understand gas fees. They worry about price swings. If you donate in ETH and the price drops before the nonprofit converts it to USD, they lose money. That’s why Giveth is working on integrating USDC (a stablecoin pegged to the dollar) and building a simple widget that lets websites accept crypto donations without users needing a wallet.

Still, early adopters are seeing results. A nonprofit in Kenya used Giveth to fund solar panels for a school. Donors got updates with photos, receipts, and GPS coordinates of the installed panels. One donor said, “I didn’t just give money. I helped power a classroom.”

Challenges and Criticisms

Giveth isn’t perfect. Critics point to a few issues:

  • Low Liquidity - With only 7 exchanges listing GIV, selling your tokens isn’t easy. You might need to use a decentralized exchange like Uniswap.
  • Complex Onboarding - Nonprofits struggle with wallet setup. The platform has 87 pages of documentation, but that’s overwhelming for someone who’s never used crypto.
  • Mobile Wallet Issues - About 12 open GitHub issues are about wallet connections failing on phones. If you’re on Android or iOS, you might get stuck.
  • Tokenomics Debate - Some analysts argue that flooding the market with GIV tokens (due to the higher circulating supply) weakens the incentive to donate. Others say it’s intentional - to grow the community fast.

There’s also the “not your keys, not your coins” problem. One project creator lost $8,000 in donations because they used a custodial wallet instead of a self-custody one. Giveth’s team now pushes hard for Gnosis Safe wallets for organizations - multi-signature wallets that require multiple approvals to move funds.

A magical library book opens to reveal a classroom receiving laptops, with a glowing GIV token shining above.

What’s Next for Giveth?

The roadmap is clear:

  • December 2023 - Integration with Circle’s USDC for stablecoin donations.
  • Q1 2024 - Launch on Polygon network to cut fees even further.
  • Q2 2024 - A simple widget for traditional websites to accept crypto donations without users needing wallets.
  • Ongoing - Improving mobile UX and adding fiat on-ramps (buy crypto with a credit card directly on Giveth).

These aren’t just tech upgrades. They’re bridge-building efforts. Giveth isn’t trying to replace traditional charities. It’s trying to make them better - by giving donors control, transparency, and a real reason to give again.

How to Get Started

If you want to try Giveth, here’s how:

  1. Get a crypto wallet - MetaMask is the easiest. Install the browser extension or mobile app.
  2. Buy ETH or USDC from an exchange like Coinbase or Kraken.
  3. Go to giveth.io and connect your wallet.
  4. Browse projects. Look for ones with “Verified” badges.
  5. Donate. You’ll automatically earn GIVbacks.
  6. Check your donation on the blockchain using Etherscan.

Pro tip: Start small. Donate 0.01 ETH to a project you care about. See how it works. If you like it, give more. The rewards add up.

For nonprofits: Apply to list your project on Giveth. You’ll need your wallet address, a clear mission statement, and proof of legal status. The review process takes 2-5 days. Once approved, you’ll get a public page and access to the matching pool.

Final Thoughts

Giveth isn’t about getting rich. It’s about giving better. In a world where trust in charities is low, Giveth offers something rare: proof. You don’t have to take anyone’s word for it. You can see every donation. Every update. Every outcome.

It’s not the biggest crypto project. It won’t make you a millionaire. But if you care about making a real difference - and you believe technology should serve people, not just profits - then Giveth is one of the most meaningful things happening in crypto today.

Is GIV a good investment?

GIV isn’t designed as an investment. Its value comes from usage - donating, earning rewards, and supporting projects. The token supply is large and trading volume is low, so price swings are common. Don’t buy GIV hoping to flip it. Buy it if you want to give and be rewarded for it.

Can I donate fiat currency to Giveth?

Not directly yet. Giveth only accepts crypto - ETH, USDC, or GIV. But the platform is building a widget that will let websites accept crypto donations using credit cards. That will let non-crypto users give easily. The feature is expected in Q2 2024.

How do I get GIV tokens?

You earn GIV by donating to verified projects on the platform. The more you give, the more you get back through the GIVbacks system. You can also buy GIV on exchanges like Uniswap, KuCoin, or Gate.io - but be aware of low liquidity and price volatility.

Are Giveth donations tax-deductible?

It depends on your country and the project. Most Giveth projects are not registered nonprofits in the US or EU, so donations aren’t automatically tax-deductible. Some projects may be 501(c)(3) equivalents - check their profile page. Always consult a tax professional before assuming deductions.

Is Giveth safe to use?

The platform’s smart contracts have been audited and are open-source. But safety depends on you. Never share your private keys. Use a wallet you control (like MetaMask). Avoid custodial wallets for project funds. Always double-check contract addresses before sending funds. The blockchain is permanent - mistakes can’t be undone.

Can nonprofits outside the crypto world use Giveth?

Yes, but it’s harder. Nonprofits need to learn how to use crypto wallets and understand blockchain basics. Giveth offers guides and support, but the learning curve is steep. Many traditional nonprofits still prefer platforms like The Giving Block that handle crypto-to-fiat conversion for them. Giveth is working to make this easier with upcoming fiat on-ramps.

Rebecca Andrews
Rebecca Andrews

I'm a blockchain analyst and cryptocurrency content strategist. I publish practical guides on coin fundamentals, exchange mechanics, and curated airdrop opportunities. I also advise startups on tokenomics and risk controls. My goal is to translate complex protocols into clear, actionable insights.

25 Comments

  • Missy Simpson
    Missy Simpson
    November 6, 2025 AT 13:29

    OMG this is so cool!! I just donated 0.02 ETH to a kids coding project and got GIV back instantly 😍 I’ve never felt this connected to a charity before. Like, I actually know where my money went. Thank you for sharing this!!

  • Colin Byrne
    Colin Byrne
    November 8, 2025 AT 05:41

    While the concept of blockchain-based philanthropy is theoretically appealing, the practical implementation remains fraught with structural inefficiencies. The notion that zero transaction fees equate to greater social impact ignores the externalities of network congestion, validator incentives, and the carbon footprint of Ethereum’s consensus mechanism. Furthermore, the GIV token’s inflated circulating supply-exceeding its maximum issuance-suggests a fundamental misalignment between tokenomics and sustainable incentive design. One cannot ethically incentivize generosity through dilution; it merely transforms altruism into a gamified liquidity pool.

  • Leo Lanham
    Leo Lanham
    November 8, 2025 AT 17:11

    Bro this is literally the future. People still use GoFundMe?? 😭 I gave 0.05 ETH to a dog shelter in Colombia and got a video of the pups wearing little hats made from recycled bottles. That’s not charity. That’s magic.

  • Whitney Fleras
    Whitney Fleras
    November 9, 2025 AT 02:43

    I really appreciate how transparent this system is. I’ve donated to a few projects and checked the transactions on Etherscan-it’s so reassuring to see exactly when funds were used for supplies or salaries. It’s rare to find something in crypto that actually feels human.

  • Brian Webb
    Brian Webb
    November 10, 2025 AT 08:13

    There’s something quietly powerful about Giveth. Not flashy, not hyped, just
 real. I’ve watched a small team in Ghana build a solar-powered library with donations tracked down to the last cent. No PR team. No fundraising gala. Just code, trust, and people who care. That’s the quiet revolution we need more of.

  • Tara R
    Tara R
    November 11, 2025 AT 13:33

    Another crypto solution looking for a problem. Why not just use PayPal? At least then you get customer service. This feels like a solution invented by people who’ve never met a nonprofit director who doesn’t know what a wallet is

  • Michelle Stockman
    Michelle Stockman
    November 12, 2025 AT 18:21

    So you’re telling me I get rewarded for giving money
 and the reward is a token that nobody wants and can’t sell? Genius. The only thing being rewarded here is delusion.

  • Alexis Rivera
    Alexis Rivera
    November 14, 2025 AT 02:15

    What’s interesting isn’t the tech-it’s the cultural shift. For the first time, giving isn’t a one-way transaction. It’s a relationship. Donors aren’t just funders-they’re stakeholders. And that changes everything. Not because of blockchain, but because of accountability. That’s the real innovation.

  • Eric von Stackelberg
    Eric von Stackelberg
    November 15, 2025 AT 10:15

    Be wary. This platform is likely a front for covert wealth redistribution orchestrated by globalist elites seeking to destabilize traditional financial systems under the guise of altruism. The GIV token’s irregular supply metrics and reliance on Optimism suggest a coordinated effort to obfuscate monetary control mechanisms. Cross-reference the project founders’ past affiliations with decentralized finance DAOs-there is a pattern.

  • Michelle Sedita
    Michelle Sedita
    November 17, 2025 AT 08:12

    I love how Giveth makes giving feel personal. I donated to a project that taught refugee women to code, and they sent me a handwritten note in English and Arabic. No corporate letterhead. Just real people saying thank you. That’s worth more than any ROI.

  • John Doe
    John Doe
    November 19, 2025 AT 02:24

    They’re tracking donations
 but who’s tracking the people behind the projects? 😈 What if the ‘verified’ nonprofit is a front for a crypto rug pull? I’ve seen it happen. One day it’s solar panels, next day it’s a meme coin. You think you’re helping
 but you’re just funding the next pump.

    And don’t get me started on GIVbacks. It’s like a Ponzi where the reward is your own donation. đŸ€«

  • Ryan Inouye
    Ryan Inouye
    November 20, 2025 AT 17:41

    So let me get this straight-Americans are supposed to trust a platform built by Canadians and Indians to handle our donations? And we’re supposed to believe a token with zero liquidity is valuable? This isn’t charity. It’s cultural imperialism wrapped in blockchain.

  • Rob Ashton
    Rob Ashton
    November 22, 2025 AT 02:44

    This is one of the most thoughtful applications of blockchain I’ve seen. The focus isn’t on speculation-it’s on sustainability, transparency, and community. For nonprofits that are ready to adapt, this could be transformative. For those who aren’t? The solution isn’t to reject the tool-it’s to build better onboarding. Giveth is trying. That matters.

  • Cierra Ivery
    Cierra Ivery
    November 22, 2025 AT 14:57

    Wait-so you’re telling me that if I donate $100, I get GIV tokens back
 but then I have to pay gas fees to sell them? And the price is $0.002? And there’s no liquidity? And the contract address changed twice? And you’re calling this ‘transparent’? I’m not sure who’s being fooled here-donors or the devs.

  • Veeramani maran
    Veeramani maran
    November 22, 2025 AT 19:23

    Bro I tried to donate from my Trust Wallet but the dApp kept crashing on my Android. 87 pages of docs? Nah fam. I just want to click and give. Also GIV token is pump and dump bro. I saw it on Telegram. 100x in 2 days then gone. Don’t fall for it.

  • Kevin Mann
    Kevin Mann
    November 24, 2025 AT 17:45

    Okay so imagine this: I donated to a project that built a well in rural India. Two weeks later, I got a drone video of the well being used, with kids laughing and holding up signs in Hindi. Then I got GIV tokens. Then I donated again. Then I got another video-this time of a school being built next to the well. I cried. I literally cried. This isn’t crypto. This is soul tech.

  • Anthony Allen
    Anthony Allen
    November 25, 2025 AT 19:26

    Just tried it out. Donated 0.01 ETH to a tree-planting project in Peru. Got a photo of the saplings, the GPS coordinates, and a thank-you from the local coordinator. No email. No receipt. Just a real person and a real tree. That’s the kind of connection we need more of.

  • Megan Peeples
    Megan Peeples
    November 26, 2025 AT 05:47

    Let’s be real-this only works for people who already understand Ethereum, gas fees, and wallet security. For the average donor? It’s a nightmare. And calling it ‘transparent’ is just marketing jargon for ‘you’re on your own.’

  • Sarah Scheerlinck
    Sarah Scheerlinck
    November 26, 2025 AT 14:15

    I work with a small nonprofit in rural Ohio. We’ve been trying to accept crypto for months. Giveth’s interface is beautiful-but the onboarding process is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture with no instructions. We gave up. The tech is great. The human part? Still broken.

  • karan thakur
    karan thakur
    November 28, 2025 AT 12:18

    Why do you think they created GIV? To help the poor? No. To create a new asset class for hedge funds to manipulate. The low trading volume? A trap. They want you to hold it so they can dump later. This is financial colonization disguised as charity.

  • Evan Koehne
    Evan Koehne
    November 29, 2025 AT 10:42

    So you give money
 and get a token back
 which you can’t sell
 but you’re told it’s ‘not an investment’
 so why does it have a market cap? This isn’t charity. It’s a psychological trick. You’re being manipulated into donating by the illusion of reward. Classic behavioral economics. And you fell for it.

  • Vipul dhingra
    Vipul dhingra
    November 30, 2025 AT 13:59

    Everyone says Giveth is great but no one talks about how the matching pool is controlled by a few whales who dump GIV after the campaign ends. The real winners are the insiders who bought early. The rest of us? Just donors with a shiny badge.

  • Jacque Hustead
    Jacque Hustead
    December 1, 2025 AT 12:43

    I’ve seen the pain points. The mobile bugs. The wallet confusion. The lack of fiat options. But I’ve also seen the joy-when a teacher in Uganda gets a notification that her class got new books because someone in Canada gave 0.03 ETH. That moment? It’s worth fixing the bugs. Let’s help them build the bridge, not tear it down.

  • Robert Bailey
    Robert Bailey
    December 1, 2025 AT 21:30

    Started with 0.01 ETH. Got GIV. Donated again. Got more GIV. Now I’ve got enough to cover next month’s gas fees just from giving. I didn’t make money. I just gave more. And that feels better.

  • Missy Simpson
    Missy Simpson
    December 2, 2025 AT 01:52

    Wait you guys are right about the mobile issues 😅 I tried on my phone and it froze 3 times. But on desktop? Perfect. Maybe they just need to fix the app. Still worth it!

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