Global Crypto Donations See Major Shifts as Funding for Extremists Surge

A new blockchain analytics report reveals that while global crypto donations to extremist organizations have decreased overall, Europe has seen concerning growth in such activities, particularly in white supremacist and nationalist movements.

According to the blockchain analytics firm’s 2025 Crypto Crime Report, most crypto donations to extremist groups remain relatively small, typically in the hundreds of dollars. However, this trend shows how cryptocurrency has become an alternative funding method for groups that have lost access to traditional banking services.

Regional Shifts in Crypto Donation Patterns

North America continues to lead in extremist funding via cryptocurrency, with total contributions exceeding $20 million. This dominance stems largely from prominent U.S.-based platforms and organizations that serve as hubs for both domestic and international activities.

However, Europe’s share of crypto donations to extremist groups has grown significantly since 2017. By 2024, European organizations captured nearly 50% of total inflows, driven by rising nationalist, anti-Semitic, and anti-immigration narratives. The report highlights that major European elections have triggered notable increases in donation amounts.

Understanding Donor Behavior and Financial Networks

The report uncovers sophisticated patterns in how these groups receive and manage funds. A significant finding shows that individual donors often support multiple causes, creating interconnected financial networks that strengthen these organizations’ operations.

One notable anomaly occurred in 2022 when a single $8 million donation to InfoWars, following legal defeats in the Sandy Hook defamation case, dramatically skewed the year’s average donation size.

Privacy considerations are becoming increasingly important for these groups. Some organizations have shifted to using privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero or stopped publicly sharing donation addresses altogether, preferring private communication channels for fundraising.

The report also reveals that while Oceania’s contribution of $318,615 appears modest, its impact relative to population size is significant. This finding underscores that even smaller amounts can enable substantial activities, as demonstrated by the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, which cost approximately NZ$60,000 (US$33,567) to execute.

These developments present unique challenges for regulators and law enforcement agencies worldwide. The lack of consistent legal frameworks across jurisdictions, combined with varying definitions of extremism complicates efforts to monitor and regulate these financial flows effectively.

While the overall volume of crypto donations to extremist groups remains relatively small compared to other forms of cryptocurrency transactions, the report emphasizes that any amount funding extremist activities warrants careful attention and monitoring.