Ripple donates $100K in XRP for California wildfire relief

Ripple (CRYPTO:XRP) has committed $100,000 in its native XRP token to support victims of the devastating California wildfires.

This donation, announced on January 14, 2025, will aid on-the-ground relief efforts through nonprofit organisations World Central Kitchen (WCK) and GiveDirectly.

The contribution is part of a larger fundraising initiative led by Jared Isaacman, who has pledged to match donations up to $1 million through his company Shift4, aiming for a total of $2 million with The Giving Block.

As of January 13, the initiative had already raised over $25,000 from more than 100 contributions.

Ripple's donation marks it as the first major corporate donor to this effort, following a recent partnership with MoonPay that resulted in an additional $50,000 donation to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

The wildfires have been exacerbated by extreme drought conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds, leading to significant destruction across Southern California.

Reports indicate that at least 24 lives have been lost and thousands of homes have been destroyed as the fires continue to rage across areas such as Palisades and Ventura.

Experts estimate economic losses from the wildfires could exceed $50 billion.

The crypto community has a history of mobilising for disaster relief, with Ripple previously contributing funds during other crises.

The ongoing support from Ripple highlights the growing role of cryptocurrencies in philanthropic efforts amid severe challenges faced by communities affected by natural disasters.

As the situation develops, Ripple's contributions may play a crucial role in providing immediate assistance and long-term recovery for those impacted by the wildfires.

At the time of reporting, the XRP (XRP) price was $3.06.