I’ll never forget Nandar though, an incredibly smart young woman from Yangon. Chloe survived on a diet of instant noodles for several months as she bootstrapped her first Web3 hackathon. Her enthusiasm for empowering her compatriots, other Burmese coders, with blockchain skills was infectious. The painful underlying scarcity of resources prevented their development. She, and so many like her in Southeast Asia, are building the future of Web3 with one hand tied behind their backs. It’s a story of tenacity, perseverance, and to put it bluntly, being utterly ignored by the incumbents.

Is This Real or Performative?

I see Bitget’s COO, Vugar Usi, speaking onstage here at the prestigious Harvard Blockchain Conference. He points to great initiatives such as Blockchain4Youth, with a $10 million commitment, and Blockchain4Her. My first thought? Is this finally a sign that the Web3 elite are starting to stir from their slumber to the immense potential bubbling up in these emerging markets? Is this yet another temporary PR move? It feels like a performative gesture in the name of “inclusivity,” while the actual power and capital remain safely fenced away in the traditional Silicon Valley echo chambers.

The Harvard Blockchain Conference is, as you can imagine, a pretty exclusive shindig. Who wasn't there? Probably a whole lot of Nandars. Southeast Asian creators, African developers, and Latin American entrepreneurs will be among those positioned to reap the most rewards. Yet they stand at the forefront of Web3’s democratizing potential.

West vs. The Rest of The World

For far too long, the Web3 narrative has been controlled by Western voices and agendas. Once high-speed internet is easily accessible this narrative will flourish. It depends on having a robust tech infrastructure and solid financial system. Try building a decentralized application on an iffy 3G connection. Navigating a revolving door of regulatory red tape in a country experiencing hyperinflation. The challenges are vastly different.

We need to accept the fact that “Web3” is radically different based on your geographic context. A DEX in Switzerland addresses one problem, a microloan platform based on blockchain in the Philippines another.

  • Limited Internet Access: Slow and unreliable connections hinder adoption.
  • Language Barriers: Most Web3 resources are in English.
  • Cultural Differences: Western-centric designs and marketing often fail to resonate with local communities.

Bitget’s pursuit of partnerships with household names such as LaLiga and Lionel Messi, while obviously impressive, raises further concern. If so, are these collaborations really generating adoption in emerging markets through localization? Or are they just using it to reach Western audiences which have more money to spend? Catching the interest of the mainstream is a tough juggling act. We have to maintain a focus on inclusivity and accessibility as we do so. This is where the anxiety creeps in: is this progress, or just a new form of digital colonialism?

Beyond the Buzzwords: Action Required

The true measure of Bitget’s commitment and the Web3 community’s commitment as a whole is in real, meaningful action. We have to get past the trend speech vernacular and actually put significant resources behind enabling creators and users in developing markets.

Web3 has amazing power to create opportunities and equally level the playing field. It amplifies the voices of people and communities that have been systematically marginalized. That potential will continue to go unrealized if we insist on privileging Western perspectives and interests.

  • Multilingual Resources: Translate educational materials, documentation, and user interfaces into local languages.
  • Community Support: Invest in local Web3 communities and provide mentorship programs tailored to their specific needs.
  • Micro-Grants: Offer small grants to support innovative projects and startups in emerging markets.
  • Advocacy: Advocate for policies that promote blockchain adoption and innovation in developing countries.

So, is this Harvard moment a true turning point? Are the elites finally listening? Or is this an ephemeral moment of realization? The Web3 train is already moving full steam ahead, and it’s leaving the Nandars of the world in its wake.

I choose to remain cautiously optimistic. But at the same time, optimism without follow-through is more than merely misguided. It’s dangerous. Support initiatives like Blockchain4Youth and Blockchain4Her. Visit and platform the voices of inventors and tinkerers in developing nations. We just have to ensure that this new “Harvard Moment” leads to real, sustaining change. That would be something truly worth celebrating.

I choose to remain cautiously optimistic. But optimism without action is just wishful thinking. Support initiatives like Blockchain4Youth and Blockchain4Her. Seek out and amplify the voices of creators and users in emerging markets. Let's make sure this "Harvard Moment" translates into real, lasting change. That would be something truly worth celebrating.