BlockDAG, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano. We've all seen the headlines. Now, everyone from cryptoinfluencers to traditional finance experts are jumping on the bandwagon, forecasting these as the altcoin kings of 2025. They highlight things like scalability, smart contracts, real-world applications. And they're not wrong. These projects are undoubtedly impressive technological feats. Have we become so enamored by the allure of innovation that we’re failing to see the forest for the trees?

Tech's Shiny Toys, Who Benefits?

Let's be honest: who is really benefiting from this cutting-edge tech? The Silicon Valley types? The well-connected or already-wealthy looking for their next big thing? Billions of individuals living in developing countries might flourish with the aid of defco. Unfortunately, they are always the first to be left behind.

My name is Lindiwe, and I’ve made it my life’s work to cultivate bottom-up innovation and experience-nurturing thinkers in Africa. On the frontlines, I experience the push and pull – restricted internet reach, deprived monetary literacy, and oppressive autocratic barriers. We’re not describing a dystopian future where basic banking is an unaffordable luxury. Where second chances are hard to find, and the pursuit of happiness is often out of reach.

How many people in rural Kenya can actually use this stuff?

Grassroots Growth, Real Decentralization

The uncomfortable truth of crypto is that far from being adopted in a decentralized manner, it’s very often the opposite. We pat ourselves on the back for building these complex, intricate systems, but we forget the fundamental principle: empowering everyone, not just the tech-savvy elite.

Think about it. Yet we’re lauding projects that all need high-speed internet and their own very expensive hardware. We’re championing “intuitive” interfaces that are still confusing to the layman. It’s the equivalent of building a superhighway and then allowing only Ferraris on it. Not to mention those bicycles and those donkey carts that have to go somewhere.

This is not to take away from the technical breakthroughs of BlockDAG, ETH, Solana or Cardano. They're pushing boundaries, no doubt. True decentralization isn’t only in the code—it’s in access. It's about building bridges, not walls.

  • Simplified User Interfaces: Projects that prioritize ease of use, even for those with limited digital literacy.
  • Low-Cost Transactions: Fees that are accessible to individuals with minimal income.
  • Culturally Relevant Applications: Solutions tailored to the specific needs and challenges of developing communities.

There are already projects making big moves in this direction. New projects are applying the same blockchain technology to offer farmers remote microloans. They’re coordinating aid distribution with maximum transparency and developing secure digital identities for the unbanked population. Those are the projects we should be fighting for, investing in, and lifting up.

Beyond Hype, A Human Imperative

It’s an easy trap to fall into, getting enmeshed in the hype cycle, running after the next 100x return. We have to have faith in the transformative potential of blockchain. It is our ethical duty to make sure this new technology works for the many, not just the elite.

It’s time we made our priorities in this world of tech, from exclusive to inclusive. In response, we must call on our federal projects to ensure they are protecting and enhancing accessibility, affordability, and cultural relevance. We have to elevate the voices of the people who are usually left out of the mainstream crypto narrative.

The next time you hear an expert touting the "best" altcoins for 2025, ask yourself: Who is this actually for? And more importantly: What can I do to ensure that the benefits of blockchain reach those who need it most?

It’s long past time to create a real decentralized future—one that serves everyone and doesn’t leave anyone behind.