Binance’s 2018 Malta Cancer Donation Soars to $37M but Remains Unclaimed: Coinbase Exec

Highlights:

• Conor Grogan of Coinbase said Binance’s 2018 Malta charity donation is now worth $37 million but still unclaimed.
• Grogan noted that the funds could cover the full salaries of medical specialists if released.
• Binance emphasized that sending donations directly to patients is essential to ensure transparency and proper use.

In 2018, during Malta’s “Blockchain Island” campaign, the country passed crypto-friendly laws that attracted many blockchain startups, including Binance. That year, Binance and its supporters donated $200,000 in BNB to a Maltese charity helping terminally ill cancer patients. Today, that donation is worth around $37 million but has not been claimed. Conor Grogan, Coinbase’s Head of Product Business Operations, shared on X that the funds have been sitting unused in the charity’s wallet since the donation.

“These funds could pay the full salaries of essential medical specialists,” Grogan wrote. He urged Maltese citizens to contact the government to ensure the donation is used properly. He added that the proceeds could fully cover the salaries of the medical professionals needed.

In 2018, Binance and crypto users donated $200,000 in BNB to Malta Terminal Cancer Patients.

The funds were never withdrawn and remain untouched, now worth $39M due to the appreciation of BNB!

Any Malta citizens, please let your government know that these funds are accessible pic.twitter.com/jRqLz7vy4M

— Conor (@jconorgrogan) October 13, 2025

Binance Faces Challenges in Releasing Charity Funds with MCCF

Binance reportedly stated in 2021 that the rise in crypto prices has made these funds able to help many more people in need than before. Reports suggest that the relationship between Binance and the Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF) has faced issues.

In the same thread, Grogan said that in 2021, the charity allegedly threatened to take legal action against Binance for not filing accounts for 2018, 2019, and 2020. A few days later, the accounts were reportedly located, and the legal threat was withdrawn. An MCCF spokesperson reportedly told the Times of Malta that the documents had been submitted in September 2020 and were later found in an electronic folder. They expressed regret for any inconvenience caused.

Since 2021, Binance has reportedly been trying to get the MCCF to verify patient details, including their medical bills and crypto wallet information. According to the Times of Malta, the process has stalled because the MCCF is reportedly unwilling to share the necessary information with the exchange. Binance reportedly stated in 2021 that it was working with the MCCF to find possible solutions. The company emphasized that sending donations directly to the patients is essential to ensure full transparency and efficiency.

Binance said that when the donation plans were sent to BCF on November 24, 2020, they did not include the patients’ crypto-wallet addresses needed to transfer the funds. The company reportedly added that it believed an agreement was close and was waiting for MCCF’s response, but no updates have been provided since.

Binance Expands Global Charity Efforts Under Teng and CZ

Binance remains active in global charity efforts under CEO Richard Teng and co-founder Changpeng Zhao. In April, CZ donated 1,000 BNB, worth about $598,000, to help Myanmar and Thailand recover from a 7.7 earthquake. Binance Charity also launched a $1.5 million BNB airdrop for affected users. In August, Binance Charity announced a $1.2 million BNB relief program for flood victims in southern Taiwan, helping verified users in several regions. CZ’s Giggle Academy also raised over $11 million in BNB donations within 20 days of launching its donation feature.

$11,000,000 in hard currency (#BNB) donated to @GiggleAcademy in less than 20 days to spread free education to the world. Power to crypto for good, Power to $giggle. https://t.co/jc00i8zVIy pic.twitter.com/P38ikSnDL4

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) October 10, 2025