$250 million sloshing around the crypto space. Great! Who actually feels that money? There’s been a lot of talk lately about infrastructure and DeFi. How are these ideas affecting the kampungs and artists’ studios throughout Southeast Asia? Are we just building larger pipes for the same tired concepts? Or are we just really growing creative, opportunity-rich pastures?

Forgotten Voices Need Amplification Now

Let's be real. We can’t let the Web3 narrative continue to be overrun by Western voices and Silicon Valley tech bros. We say we are doing decentralization work, but the power dynamics were always still… kind of colonial. This $250 million is an opportunity to bridge the gap. An opportunity to elevate the work of Southeast Asian creatives that are pushing boundaries and creating ambitious work today, sometimes with little means at their disposal.

These are not just "use cases." These are real people with real stories. They're building something. They need support. To draw them, they need infrastructure that literally and figuratively speaks their language.

  • Artists in Indonesia using NFTs to preserve and promote traditional batik art.
  • Filipino game developers building play-to-earn games that provide income opportunities in underserved communities.
  • Malaysian musicians experimenting with decentralized platforms to connect directly with their fans, bypassing traditional gatekeepers.

Infrastructure and DeFi were the biggest winners Infrastructure and DeFi projects received quite a bit of attention in this funding round. Okay. Auradine’s oversubscribed series round highlights the strong investor appetite for innovative mining solutions. Photo by KSn_studio via Shutterstock Tether’s investments in Brazilian Fizen point to growing push for easier digital payments. But infrastructure isn’t only about speedier transactions and shinier dashboards. It's about access. It's about education. It’s less about broadband and more about creating dynamic communities that are positioned to compete and thrive in this new digital economy.

Infrastructure Isn't Just Code, It's Community

We need to address these head-on. But that’s not enough. Building a new, exciting platform and hoping a bunch of people show up to make it work won’t cut it. We must give them culturally relevant educational opportunities, localized supportive environments, and fight for regulatory frameworks that are inclusive without killing creativity and innovation. Imagine curriculum-filled hackathons, workshops, mentorship programs and even Web3 “translation” services.

Here's the hard truth: this $250 million won't automatically trickle down to Southeast Asian artists. It requires intentionality. And it takes a deeper commitment to really uplift those communities that have been marginalized.

  • Internet access. Spotty in many rural areas.
  • Language. Most Web3 resources are in English.
  • Technical skills. A huge gap.
  • Regulation. Still a grey area in many countries.

This isn't just about doing good. It’s really about giving everyone a chance to help build a better Web3. A Web3 that is more decentralized, diverse, and representative of our global community. Without careful consideration, the alternative risks recreating the same social inequities that we currently observe in the brick-and-mortar world. We can't let that happen.

Are You Ready to Build With Us?

It’s time to learn the lessons from past governance experiments, and build DAOs that put local communities in control to self-govern. Host hackathons and workshops that foster collaboration. And perhaps most importantly, heed the advice of the artists and users that exist on the ground. They know what they need.

This isn't charity. It's an investment in the future. A smarter investment in a more equitable and vibrant creative economy. Looking to join us in making it happen?

  • Investors: Look beyond Silicon Valley. Seek out innovative projects in Southeast Asia.
  • Developers: Build solutions that are accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant.
  • Community members: Share your knowledge, mentor aspiring artists, and advocate for inclusivity.

Let’s make sure this $250 million isn’t another opportunity gone to waste. Let's make it a catalyst for change.

We need to build DAOs that empower local communities to govern themselves. Host hackathons and workshops that foster collaboration. And most importantly, listen to the artists and users on the ground. They know what they need.

This isn't charity. It's an investment in the future. An investment in a more equitable and vibrant creative ecosystem. Are you ready to build it with us?

Let's not let this $250 million be another missed opportunity. Let's make it a catalyst for change.