Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency, also known as Virtual Currency or “Crypto,” is a digital asset designed to function as an alternative to sovereign fiat currency (US Dollars, for example) whereby transactions between two parties are verified through a public, distributed ledger, also known as a blockchain. Most people think of Bitcoin and/or Ethereum when they hear the word “Crypto,” and while Bitcoin is the original cryptocurrency and most widely followed, Portsmouth Abbey School now accepts over 40 cryptocurrencies.  If you do not see yours listed on the Crypto giving page, please email us at alumni@portsmouthabbey.org to see if we can accommodate your specific cryptocurrency.

As with any form of electronic payment or transaction, there are risks, however, our vendor Engiven has created certain safeguards they believe are needed to ensure that the transaction is secure. With the transfer of cryptocurrency from donor to nonprofit, Engiven believes the transaction can actually be more secure than many other forms of payment, provided certain protocols are followed: 1) By using the Engiven platform, both the nonprofit and the donor are required to undergo a simple but effective Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) screening which provides a high level of background security to ensure both parties are properly screened. 2) As with any cryptocurrency transaction, when transferring your tokens to Portmouth Abbey's wallet to make a donation, do not expose or share your wallet’s private keys at any time.

Yes. It is lawful for a nonprofit to accept a donation in the form of a cryptocurrency. On March 2014, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ruled that Bitcoin is treated as property for tax purposes (IRS Notice 2014-21).

In accordance with Portsmouth Abbey School Gift Acceptance Policy, all contributions of cryptocurrency are converted to cash immediately upon acceptance and cannot be refunded for any reason.

While we are happy to honor requests for public anonymity, Portsmouth Abbey School requests all donors who make a charitable contribution identify themselves for tax purposes.  If requested, we will not add your name to our online Donor Honor Roll nor will your name be listed in our Annual Report. 

If you would like to designate your cryptocurrency gift to a specific Portsmouth Abbey fund, please contact Interim Director of Advancement Patty Gibbons.

For U.S. tax purposes, transactions using virtual currency must be reported in U.S. dollars. Therefore, taxpayers will be required to determine the fair market value of virtual currency in U.S. dollars as of the date of donation. If a virtual currency is listed on an exchange and the exchange rate is established by market supply and demand, the fair market value of the virtual currency is determined by converting the virtual currency into U.S. dollars (or into another real currency which in turn can be converted into U.S. dollars) at the exchange rate, in a reasonable manner that is consistently applied. Donors who give cryptocurrency donations to Portsmouth Abbey School will receive an electronic donation receipt (through the Engiven donation platform) in US dollars with comprehensive details about each transaction.