March Madness is here, and whether you’re a die-hard fan or just filling out a bracket for fun, you know that picking the right basketball team requires strategy, research, and a little bit of gut instinct. But did you know that choosing the right cryptocurrency for your investment—or for charitable giving—requires a similar mindset?

Just like a basketball team, not all cryptocurrencies are created equal. Some are powerhouses with years of dominance, while others are exciting underdogs with high upside but big risks. If you’re considering donating crypto to charity through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), here’s how you can pick the right digital asset just like you pick your favorite basketball team.

1. The Powerhouse Programs: Bitcoin and Ethereum

🏀 Basketball Parallel: Think of Duke, Kansas, or Kentucky—storied programs with a history of success.

💰 Crypto Equivalent: Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are the blue bloods of the cryptocurrency world. They’ve been around the longest, have the highest market caps, and are widely accepted by charities and Donor-Advised Funds.

✅ Why Donate These?

• Many nonprofits and DAFs already accept BTC and ETH, making the donation process seamless.

• They have high liquidity, meaning they’re easy to convert to cash for charitable grants.

• Donating appreciated BTC or ETH helps you avoid capital gains taxes, maximizing your giving impact.

🏆 Bottom Line: If you want a safe bet for charitable giving, go with the proven champions—Bitcoin or Ethereum.

2. The Rising Stars: Solana, Avalanche, and Polygon

🏀 Basketball Parallel: Think of Gonzaga or Houston—teams that have recently surged to national prominence.

💰 Crypto Equivalent: Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX), and Polygon (MATIC) are rising stars in the blockchain world, offering fast transactions and innovative technology.

✅ Why Donate These?

• Crypto-friendly DAFs (like the UI DAF) accept alternative cryptocurrencies like SOL and AVAX.

• These assets have high upside potential, meaning a donation now could be worth even more if held and invested by the charity.

• Diversifying your crypto donations spreads the impact across multiple blockchain ecosystems.

🏆 Bottom Line: If you like supporting up-and-coming teams, consider donating these emerging cryptos—but check if your chosen charity can accept them first.

3. The Underdogs with Potential: Meme Coins and Niche Tokens

🏀 Basketball Parallel: Think of Cinderella teams like Florida Atlantic or Loyola-Chicago—smaller schools with big dreams.

💰 Crypto Equivalent: Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), or niche DeFi tokens that have passionate communities, but higher volatility.

✅ Why Donate These?

• Some DAFs accept DOGE and SHIB, making it easier for meme coin holders to turn their gains into good.

• Donating highly volatile assets can be smart—if the value spikes, your donation impact is even bigger.

• It’s a fun way to contribute to charity while supporting the crypto communities you love.

⚠️ Risks:

• Many traditional DAFs do not accept meme coins yet, so check before donating.

• These assets can lose value quickly, so timing matters.

🏆 Bottom Line: If you love rooting for the underdog, donating meme coins could be a fun and impactful way to give—but make sure your charity is on board.

4. The Injury-Prone Teams: High-Risk, High-Reward Cryptos

🏀 Basketball Parallel: Think of teams that started the season ranked high, but struggled due to injuries or inconsistency.

💰 Crypto Equivalent: Terra (LUNA), Celsius (CEL), or other assets that had major collapses but still have communities backing them.

✅ Why (or Why Not) Donate These?

• If you’re holding a crypto asset that lost significant value, donating it might not be as beneficial since charitable deductions are based on fair market value at the time of donation.

• Some nonprofits don’t accept extremely volatile or distressed assets due to difficulty converting them into usable funds.

🏆 Bottom Line: Just like injury-prone teams, these cryptos might have had a great run but carry too much risk. Consider donating more stable assets instead.

5. Building a Championship Portfolio for Giving

🏀 Great teams don’t rely on one player—they build balanced rosters. Likewise, great crypto philanthropy involves diversifying your giving strategy.

💡 How to Build a Winning Crypto Giving Plan:

✅ Donate Blue Chips First – Bitcoin and Ethereum are widely accepted and maximize impact.
✅ Mix in Some Rising Stars – If your DAF accepts them, consider adding Solana or Avalanche to the mix.
✅ Be Selective with Underdogs – Meme coins can be fun to donate but check for acceptance first.
✅ Time Your Donations Strategically – Donate when your crypto is at a higher value to maximize deductions.

🏆 Pro Move: Use a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) to contribute crypto, receive an immediate tax deduction, and distribute funds to charities over time—just like a team develops players for long-term success.

Final Buzzer: Crypto Giving with a Game Plan

March Madness is all about strategy, excitement, and bold decisions—and so is crypto philanthropy. Whether you donate Bitcoin, Ethereum, or a high-risk meme coin, the key is to pick the right asset for the right situation—just like picking your favorite basketball team.

Are you ready to put your crypto to good use?

🏀 Make a game plan, pick the right asset, and turn your digital wealth into real-world impact.