God and Bitcoin: Why Some Christians Are Going All In on Cryptocurrency
In recent years, an intriguing subculture has emerged at the crossroads of faith and finance: Christian cryptocurrency enthusiasts. From churches allowing congregants to tithe with digital coins to blogs promoting Bitcoin as biblically sound, a growing number of believers are embracing cryptoâdespite recent market volatility.
A New Wave of Christian Crypto Advocates
Todd and Janet Gatewood, hosts of the Nashville-based radio show God, Freedom and Bitcoin, exemplify this trend. The couple launched the show in January 2026 to blend their passion for cryptocurrency with their Christian faith. Despite the dramatic drop in Bitcoinâs priceâfrom a high near $126,000 in October 2025 to around $69,000 in late Marchâthe Gatewoods view the dip as an opportunity.
Janet, a real estate agent in Tennessee, expressed optimism during a February broadcast: âThis is what we call âon sale,ââ she said. âBuy the dip. If youâve ever heard anything in the bitcoin space, this is when you want to buy.â
Diverse Motivations Within the Faith Community
The Christian crypto movement is far from monolithic. Some followers are bitcoin maximalists, while others speculate on more volatile meme coinsâassets that often revolve around humor and cultural trends. Alicia Tappin, 55, is among those doubling down during the downturn. She follows Christian entrepreneur Michelle Renee, founder of In4ormative Services, which offers premium crypto education and community engagement.
For many Christians, cryptocurrency is appealing for multiple reasons: a desire for financial sovereignty, a means to build wealth aligned with their values, or even an alternative way to support missionary work. Some cite biblical prophecies and eschatological beliefs as part of their interest in digital currencies.
However, this enthusiasm often comes amid concerns about financial scams within religious circles. A case in Colorado highlighted these risks when a pastor was accused of selling his own cryptocurrency to congregants, fraudulently keeping a large portion of the funds. William Schultz, a professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School, notes that âreligious communities are often vulnerable to fraud because they are bound together by networks of trust,â sometimes making followers more susceptible to exploitation.
Crypto in the Pulpit and Beyond
Churches like Faith Hope & Charities Ministries in Chicago have begun offering educational sessions about cryptocurrency. Meanwhile, public figures within evangelical circles, including former President Donald Trump who won a significant share of the evangelical vote in 2024, have publicly promoted cryptocurrencies. Nondenominational Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, who prayed at Trumpâs inauguration, even launched his own crypto coin, although its origins are unclear.
Sewellâs promotion of his meme coin generated backlash online, with critics questioning whether such ventures align with Christian values. Despite the coinâs quick loss in value and some investor losses, Sewell defended his efforts, stating profits were used to support vulnerable youth aging out of foster care. âThereâs a difference between creating wealth and scamming people,â he contended.
Navigating the Complexities of Faith and Finance
The intersection of faith and finance has a long, complex history. Prosperity Gospel televangelists have often faced criticism for promoting giving as a path to divine blessing, a message some see as exploitative. Yet, as Leah Payne, professor of American religious history at Portland Seminary, explains, âThereâs been an idea that God can and does work through the marketplace.â This perspective has encouraged many believers to pursue entrepreneurial ventures aligned with their spiritual convictions.
For Christian crypto advocates, digital currencies offer a chance to opt out of traditional financial systems. Jimmy Song, a bitcoin developer and author with a substantial social media following, remarks that many Christians appreciate bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and government monetary policies they view skeptically.
Risks Amid Promise
While crypto offers freedom and opportunity, its unregulated nature also invites risks. The upcoming trial of Eli Regalado, a pastor charged with running an alleged cryptocurrency scheme, serves as a stark reminder of the downside. As cryptocurrencies become more entwined with religious communities, the need for caution and education grows.
Growing Interest and Community
Evidence suggests that Christian engagement with cryptocurrency is expanding. The nonprofit Thank God for Bitcoin exists solely to educate believers and church leaders about digital assets, and its annual conference has nearly doubled in size since its inception in 2022. Meanwhile, independent voices like the Gatewoods continue to spread their message through podcasts, social media, and personal interactionsâcareful to distinguish faith-driven discussion from financial advice.
As the worlds of faith and cryptocurrency increasingly intersect, believers are navigating new terrain, balancing spiritual values with the promise and peril of digital money. Whether this subculture will flourish or falter remains to be seen, but it is clear that for some Christians, bitcoin is more than just currencyâitâs part of their spiritual journey.