That $85,500 mark… …it’s not just an arbitrary number on a graph. It's a wall. That’s a very real financial barrier that stands between Bitcoin’s unlimited potential and the dreams of thousands of Filipino artists connected by a vibrant creative community. We hear a lot about how ETF inflows are a sign of institutional confidence in the US, but what’s the human cost of this barrier staying put?
ETF Inflows, Local Art Impact?
Getting back to the sweet ETF inflows, BlackRock and Fidelity have been the big beneficiaries. That's fantastic... for them. But let's connect some dots here. Where does that money really trickle down? What does a Balinese painter actually take home? Or they’re too busy worrying about how they’re going to pay the gas fees to mint their first NFT. Or a Filipino digital artist looking to make it big on the DAO life?
The uncomfortable truth? Not much. The hope was the rising tide would lift all boats. These boats aren’t just leaking, they’re antiquated and trapped in ports that Wall Street seldom sails into. Resistance level of $85.5K turns into costly gate to entry. As the price of Bitcoin increases, so do the costs. This affects everything — from minting NFTs to accessing decentralized funding platforms for artists.
Consider this: a rising Bitcoin price should mean more overall investment in the crypto space. An effect of all this could be more VC money coming into blockchain-based art platforms. Will that investment actually help artists in those new markets emerge or even just survive in the first place? Or will incumbents just sit on it. That's the billion-dollar question, isn't it?
Forgotten Voices, Real World Hurdles
We talk about revolutionizing finance, democratizing access. Yet, what happens to the artists in countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, or even Laos? Areas where access to the internet is still new, blockchain education is nonexistent, and regulatory environments are unclear, at best. For those audiences, the technical jargon by itself is a barrier.
For those few people who are still able to successfully figure out the tech? Cultural barriers abound. Of course, traditional art has not received the same level of respect in the NFT market. Artists are doubly in a bind—the pressure to produce according to Western aesthetics in order to make it. They’re on a losing battle on many fronts.
Let's be real. In Jakarta, a young artist defeated by lack of reliable power and dogged by the rat race. The siren song of Bitcoin wealth is but a cruel joke and empty fantasy, according to them. It's like dangling a carrot in front of a horse that's already pulling a heavy cart up a steep hill.
Because these artists are more than artists — they’re culture keepers, storytellers, community creators. They're the lifeblood of their societies, yet they're often the most vulnerable.
| Challenge | Impact on Artists |
|---|---|
| Limited Internet Access | Prevents participation in online NFT marketplaces and decentralized communities. |
| Lack of Education | Creates a barrier to understanding and utilizing blockchain technology. |
| Regulatory Uncertainty | Discourages investment and innovation in the crypto art space. |
| Cultural Barriers | Limits the market value and recognition of traditional art forms. |
So, what can you do? How do we bridge this gap and get these artists over that $85.5K barrier and more?
Beyond The Hype, Actionable Steps
First, support them directly. Honour and uplift Southeast Asian creatives and NFT artists. Buy their work. Share their stories. Don't just collect – connect.
Second, donate strategically. Fund the institutions that are leading the charge in connecting blockchain education and resource-building with the artist communities in these areas. Identify projects with the strongest track record of continuing to serve and empower local communities.
Third, advocate for change. Call for more transparency and accountability from crypto exchanges. Work to ensure that their regulations encourage financial inclusion and the growth of vibrant local blockchain communities.
Finally, be vocal. Specifically, use your platform to amplify the work of these artists and their messages. Disrupt the prevailing narratives crypto has con artisted the world with. These technology dollars spent meaningfully can make all the difference and lead to real positive change. We need to be intentional and do the hard work of making sure it truly benefits all, not just the privileged few.
We refuse to allow speculative greed on Bitcoin’s price appreciation to systematically erase these artists. With this responsibility, we have a responsibility to ensure that the benefits—especially as this technology connects all corners of society—are shared equitably. Together, let’s remove that wall, brick by brick. With your support, we can create a more inclusive and vibrant crypto art world for all! Like many of us, we’re ready to put our money – and our voices – where our values are.
We can't just sit back and watch Bitcoin's price surge while these artists are left behind. We have a responsibility to ensure that the benefits of this technology are shared equitably. Let's break down that wall, brick by brick, and create a more inclusive and vibrant crypto art world for everyone. It's time to put our money – and our voices – where our values are.
