Ripple and MoonPay team up to support California in its fight against devastating wildfires.
The two donated 50K USD in stablecoin RLUSD to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation, to support firefighters who are working to protect people’s lives and property.
Ripple Shows Cryptocurrency’s Potential in California Wildfire Relief
On January 10, Ripple announced this partnership, emphasizing its commitment to supporting LAFD efforts during a critical time. Eric Van Miltenburg, a senior leader at Ripple, expressed deep feelings about the donation, emphasizing the importance of standing alongside those who are risking their lives to protect others.
“The wildfires across California have caused much damage — our hearts are with those affected. Thankful to see Ripple & MoonPay contributing to relief efforts supporting LAFD during an unimaginably difficult time for many,” Miltenburg said.
Meanwhile, the LAFD expressed gratitude on social media, thanking Ripple for its generosity during the crisis. The nonprofit noted the company’s efforts to “support our LAFD heroes” as they faced major challenges in controlling the blaze.
Ongoing wildfires, fueled by strong winds and dry weather, have devastated areas such as Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, and Calabasas.
More than 200K residents were forced to evacuate their homes, creating an urgent need for emergency assistance. Despite resource constraints, the Los Angeles Fire Department still resolutely fights to protect lives and property.
Ripple’s donation, which is part of Ripple Impact initiativeproviding critical support for these efforts. Since its inception, the program has focused on using Ripple’s resources to create global change.
The company has donated more than $170 million to nonprofits, charities, and educational programs in more than 80 countries, demonstrating its commitment to making a difference beyond the cryptocurrency industry.
The recent donation also highlights the increased use of cryptocurrency in solving real-world challenges. Over the years, platforms like The Giving Block have enabled more than $200 million in crypto donations to charities, while industry leaders, including Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, have promote the use of digital assets for disaster relief and health research.