Let’s face it, the NFT space can sometimes be a bit of a digital echo chamber. All hype, no substance. Today we see the Bored Apes, the CryptoPunks and thousands of derivative projects. To be frank, a lot of it just seems all over the place. That’s when you’re totally out of touch with the actual world. You have no idea how difficult things are for artists out here in this part of the world.
For example, I distinctly recall attending a NFT Art exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year. It was beautiful digital artwork, to be sure, but the discussion seemed focused entirely on floor prices and flipping to make a quick sale. The artists, many of them supremely talented, were like the last thought on the agenda. What’s more, they were subsequently priced out of the very market their creativity had helped to establish. How on earth would they be able to compete with the competition with the whales and the hype machines? How could they eat?
Billionaire Bunker Club, Really?
When I first learned about the “Dead Bruv” project, I was intrigued. To fully appreciate this Solana-based scheme to buy a Cold War nuclear bunker in England with NFTs, you need to read my first reaction—which was pretty nasty. A "Billionaire Bunker Club"? The truth is, these are the problems we’re trying to solve with blockchain technology. Our planet faces serious challenges with climate change, poverty, and global inequality. At the same time, we’re hard at work constructing digital castles in the air for the crypto barons. The resulting irony is as palpable as it is delicious enough to spread on toast.
The plan is to sell 100,000 virtual tokens at $14 apiece, generating sufficient working capital for the organization to buy the £650,000 bunker. 10,000 tokens will be airdropped to current Meatbags NFT holders and the rest made available to the public. This Cold War relic from 1960, deactivated in 1968, stands on 1.4 acres of land.
Perhaps, just perhaps, this goofy appearing project provides a window into that other future. A world where NFTs go beyond hoarding digital collectibles, but rather democratize ownership of tangible assets. That’s a future that might just be immensely lucrative for creators in SEA.
Democratizing Access, A Real Possibility?
Imagine this: instead of a Cold War bunker in England, a DAO uses NFTs to purchase a plot of land in rural Cambodia. Or a group of Indonesian artists tokens their art to raise money for an artists’ commune in Yogyakarta. NFTs have shifted from speculative investments into democratizing spaces for creative empowerment. Today, they present marginalized communities with an opportunity to go around traditional financial systems that have historically excluded them.
This is something I discussed with Anya, a digital artist from Bangkok. "The biggest challenge for us is funding," she told me. Grants are impossibly competitive, and gallery commissions are crippling our sales. NFTs provide us with a new avenue to engage directly with our collectors and create our own communities.
Anya's point is crucial. For artists like Adhika in Southeast Asia, NFTs are not just an easy way to get rich quick. They're about survival. They’re about taking back control over their creative output and accessing a worldwide market once inaccessible to them. This "Billionaire Bunker Club" project, while ridiculous on the surface, highlights the potential of NFTs to democratize ownership and create new economic opportunities.
Equally intriguing is the DAO structure, in which token holders would collectively govern how the bunker would be used. It marks a new period of valuing community decision-making, a principle that has great cultural touchstones in many Southeast Asian cultures.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Of course, there are challenges. The digital divide is real, and access to technology and education remains a significant barrier for many communities in Southeast Asia. We need to do better to make sure these opportunities are available to all, not just the chosen few.
That requires a commitment to digital literacy education, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable internet connections, and designing platforms that are intuitive and welcoming to all users. It means tackling the environmental impacts related to certain blockchain technologies. He’s right—we can’t create a better future for everyone by doubling down on the very things that got us into this mess.
Robert, the pseudonymous founder of Dead Bruv, is deeply engaged in his work. It’s his mission to re-inject fun, creativity and innovation into the NFT space. Aside from the lavish caviar tastings and in-room plastic can of canned beans, the joy is even deeper.
| Challenge | Potential Solution |
|---|---|
| Digital Divide | Invest in digital literacy and affordable internet access |
| Environmental Impact | Explore eco-friendly blockchain alternatives |
| Accessibility | Create user-friendly platforms and inclusive communities |
It’s time to cut through the hype and look at NFTs’ true potential — one of the ways they can empower marginalized communities. Going forward, we need to supercharge the kind of projects that put inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability first. We still need to do a better job of getting artists out from underrepresented regions such as Southeast Asia on these stages.
A Call to Action: Support Inclusion!
Don't just buy the hype. Invest in the future. Support the artists. Build the communities. Let’s keep the NFT world from becoming a place for billionaires, hiding in their bunkers, to play and enjoy themselves. So let’s make sure we’re using this incredible new technology to help create a more equitable, sustainable world. It’s time to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk on planning for a transportation future. Explore NFT projects from Southeast Asian creators. Amplify their work. Together, let’s ensure our digital future represents the beautiful tapestry of talent, creation, and innovation that is our global culture and society.
Don't just buy the hype. Invest in the future. Support the artists. Build the communities. Let's make the NFT space a playground for everyone, not just the billionaires in their bunkers. Let's use this technology to build a more equitable and sustainable world. It's time to put our money where our mouth is. Check out NFT projects led by Southeast Asian artists. Amplify their work. Let's build a digital future that reflects the rich diversity of our world.
