The allure of the idyllic web-3 world, the new digital utopia where the power isn’t all held in the hands of big companies, but in yours. To do that, let’s be honest. For the average person, Web3 isn’t a paradise on earth. Instead, it’s more like a gated community with a really convoluted perimeter fence. How many of your buddies really grasp what an NFT is, what a DAO is, or even what the blockchain itself is. I’m willing to bet, not many.

Without a conscious effort for inclusion, Web3 could devolve into an echo chamber. Otherwise it risks becoming a new playground for the digital elite, leaving the overwhelming majority of Americans behind. Letting the future of the internet turn into just one more engine of division and inequality simply isn’t an option any more. This doesn’t simply relate to lost opportunities, but rather deepening and perpetuating underlying power structures under a new, shinier cover.

Enter Hela Labs and Bittime Exchange. Their recent partnership, while seemingly just another press release in the endless stream of crypto news, hints at something more significant: a genuine attempt to bridge the Web3 gap. Advancing the future of work through open-source development Hela Labs’ model open-source infrastructure and development of decentralized tools are setting a stage. Bittime Exchange, a secure, regulatory-compliant exchange with a user-friendly interface is here to make the on-ramp to Web3 a little less scary.

Can Blockchain Truly Empower The Masses?

Partnerships alone don't solve systemic problems. It’s their emphasis on education, community awareness campaigns and community building that most impresses me. Remember the early days of the internet? The promise, the energy, but the murkiness and the digital gap? We need to avoid repeating those mistakes.

Think about it like this: Web3 is like learning a new language. You could have the most perfect textbooks and state-of-the-art technology. Without a knowledgeable teacher and a committed community supporting your efforts, you can quickly get lost in translation. Only a small number of them are able to be fluent in their language. This renders the promise of a long-lasting, global conversation about nothing kind of shallow.

Bittime's emphasis on compliance is crucial here. The wild west days of crypto, which were rife with scams and rug pulls, have understandably scared off a lot of would-be users. Our key takeaway Transparency is the best route to building trust – a must if you want to reach a wider audience. This practice is imperative for first-timers who might be intimidated by the environment.

Accessibility Is More Than Just Technology

Accessibility goes beyond intuitive design and compliance-oriented structures. It’s about taking on the root causes of inequity that keep people from engaging in our increasingly digital economy. Do people have access to reliable internet? First, do they possess the financial means to invest in cryptocurrency, even if just a nominal amount? What about educational materials provided in their native languages? These are the questions we should be asking.

This feels a lot like the early days of microfinance. The idea was simple: provide small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries who lacked access to traditional banking services. It was more than their federal dollars. It was exactly the opposite – it was about empowering individuals, fostering economic growth, and creating opportunities in communities where they didn’t exist before. Web3 has the potential to do the same, but only if we prioritize inclusivity and address the barriers that prevent widespread adoption.

What’s most encouraging to me is the implication of true community-driven governance. DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) offer a glimpse of a future where we make decisions in concert with one another. They help to redistribute power more equitably across all actors involved. It’s important to remember, though, that DAOs are only as good as the communities that govern them. If participation is opened to just a small circle of tech-savvy insiders and no further, the promise of decentralization sounds like a mirage.

Community Drives The Future, Not Code

Hela Labs and Bittime need to foster a culture of inclusivity and empower marginalized communities to participate in the governance of Web3. We offer equitable access to knowledge and tools for everyone. We build intuitive platforms and processes that invite all of us in, regardless of technical ability or Zoom experience.

The only true measure of their success will be whether they succeed in building an inclusive Web3 ecosystem. This ecosystem has to unapologetically mirror the rich, beautiful multiverse that is our lived experience. Or, can they help artists from marginalized communities share their work as NFTs and break into the international market? Most importantly, can they create equitable DAOs that genuinely improve and protect the lives of marginalized communities through participatory governance models? Are they up to the task of building a more just, inclusive future where everyone has a seat at the table?

I think we need to be more deliberative and intentional about what Web3 looks like and how it’s structured. We’re going to have to demand inclusivity, transparency and accountability. These are the kind of initiatives we need to support—those that empower marginalized communities, and that work to create a more equitable digital world. The time for passive observation is over.

So, what can you do? Get involved. Explore Web3 technologies, even if you're intimidated. Support projects that prioritize inclusivity. Advocate for policies that ensure equitable access to technology. And most importantly, keep asking questions.

  • More educational resources targeted at non-technical audiences.
  • Initiatives to bridge the digital divide and provide access to reliable internet.
  • Community-driven governance models that prioritize inclusivity.
  • Real-world examples of how Web3 technologies can be used to address social and economic challenges.

The future of Web3 is not predetermined. The future is still ours to determine and we can begin to shape a future that benefits absolutely everyone. If we don’t, we risk paving the way for a very digital dystopia. In this dystopia, a small privileged elite would enjoy the fruits of technological progress, while everyone else is painfully displaced. Let’s not let that happen. Let's build a Web3 that lives up to its promise: a decentralized, equitable, and inclusive future for everyone. The question is not if we can, but how we can.

So, what can you do? Get involved. Explore Web3 technologies, even if you're intimidated. Support projects that prioritize inclusivity. Advocate for policies that ensure equitable access to technology. And most importantly, keep asking questions.

The future of Web3 is not predetermined. It's up to us to create a future that is truly for all. If we fail, we risk creating a digital dystopia where the benefits of technology are concentrated in the hands of a few, while the vast majority are left behind. Let’s not let that happen. Let's build a Web3 that lives up to its promise: a decentralized, equitable, and inclusive future for everyone. The question isn't if we can, but how we will.