As of July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has begun accepting voluntary donations from citizens to reduce national debt through Venmo and PayPal. This initiative aims to modernize fundraising efforts and make them accessible to younger generations.
Donations via Modern Platforms
U.S. citizens can now make contributions towards public debt reduction directly via Venmo and PayPal. This is facilitated by the integration of new payment solutions into the 'Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt' program, which has been in existence since 1996. Over nearly 30 years, this program has raised only $67.3 million, while the current U.S. national debt has reached $36.7 trillion, marking an 87% increase since 2010.
Criticism of the Initiative
Despite the good intentions, the initiative has faced criticism from financial experts. For instance, Samson Mow, the CEO of JAN3, humorously remarked: "It's like sending bitcoin to a burn address." His comment reflects the view that such donations may be merely symbolic, failing to yield real changes in the massive national debt.
Fiscal Policy and Forecasts
In addition to the donation initiative, U.S. fiscal policy is currently embroiled in debates over a new tax bill proposed by Donald Trump. This legislation is expected to increase the debt by an additional $3.4 trillion over the next decade. Meanwhile, Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warns of a potential 'deadly debt spiral' if urgent reforms are not implemented. Dalio estimates that the probability of a financial trauma exceeds 50%.
The donation initiative via Venmo and PayPal represents a technological evolution, but it does not address the structural challenges facing the American economy. With rising debt numbers, the question is no longer if the debt is sustainable, but for how much longer it will be.
