May 26, 2025 • 12 mins
The Bitcoin Series - Part 6: Can Bitcoin Truly Be for Everyone?
Accessibility, education, digital literacy, and the social barriers to adoption.
Bitcoin promises freedom, transparency, and financial empowerment — but is that dream accessible to everyone, or just those already on the inside? In this episode, we explore the human cost of exclusion in the Bitcoin world: who’s being left behind, why access still depends on privilege, and what it will actually take to build a system that serves more than just the tech-savvy or early adopters.
We talk about the digital divide, tech elitism, the role of education, and whether this decentralized movement can live up to its ideals — or whether it risks replicating the same inequalities it set out to escape.
Stay curious. Stay grounded. Let’s build better.
Listen now and follow The Crypto 101 Show for more deep-dive episodes in this series.
Join the discord server - https://discord.gg/Y9CPnYm8C2
Looking for Crypto apparel? Crypto 101 swag, shirts and apparel available here. This episode is sponsered by Joe Ugly Apparel - www.joeuglyapparel.com
This week's episode was produced by The WIld 1 Media. If you or anyone you know is looking for podcast editing, podcast production, or any other podcast services please reach out to The WIld 1 Media at www.thewild1media.com. Thanks for listening.
FOLLOW US ON:
Facebook - @crypto101show or https://www.facebook.com/The-Crypto-101-Show-100158338867665
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/crypto101show/
Sign up for our newsletter - thecrypto101show@gmail.com
Produced by The Wild 1 Media - www.thewild1media.com
Check out our other podcasts-
https://darksidediaries.sounder.fm
https://anchor.fm/ttmygh
https://anchor.fm/morning-joe-rant-show
#bitcoin #BTC #crypto #cryptocurrency #defi #coins #cryptocoins #blockchain #finance #inequality #policyagnostic #inflation #centralbanks #technology
Accessibility, education, digital literacy, and the social barriers to adoption.
Bitcoin promises freedom, transparency, and financial empowerment — but is that dream accessible to everyone, or just those already on the inside? In this episode, we explore the human cost of exclusion in the Bitcoin world: who’s being left behind, why access still depends on privilege, and what it will actually take to build a system that serves more than just the tech-savvy or early adopters.
We talk about the digital divide, tech elitism, the role of education, and whether this decentralized movement can live up to its ideals — or whether it risks replicating the same inequalities it set out to escape.
- Is Bitcoin too complex for the average person?
- Who is currently left out of the Bitcoin revolution?
- Can Bitcoin Actually Bridge the Digital Divide — or Is It Becoming an Elitist Club?
Stay curious. Stay grounded. Let’s build better.
Listen now and follow The Crypto 101 Show for more deep-dive episodes in this series.
Join the discord server - https://discord.gg/Y9CPnYm8C2
Looking for Crypto apparel? Crypto 101 swag, shirts and apparel available here. This episode is sponsered by Joe Ugly Apparel - www.joeuglyapparel.com
This week's episode was produced by The WIld 1 Media. If you or anyone you know is looking for podcast editing, podcast production, or any other podcast services please reach out to The WIld 1 Media at www.thewild1media.com. Thanks for listening.
FOLLOW US ON:
Facebook - @crypto101show or https://www.facebook.com/The-Crypto-101-Show-100158338867665
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/crypto101show/
Sign up for our newsletter - thecrypto101show@gmail.com
Produced by The Wild 1 Media - www.thewild1media.com
Check out our other podcasts-
https://darksidediaries.sounder.fm
https://anchor.fm/ttmygh
https://anchor.fm/morning-joe-rant-show
#bitcoin #BTC #crypto #cryptocurrency #defi #coins #cryptocoins #blockchain #finance #inequality #policyagnostic #inflation #centralbanks #technology
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Welcome to the Crypto one on one Show, where we
dive into the world of cryptocurrencies, bitcoin, blockchain, and all
the technology with it. Whether you're experienced or a beginner
to crypto, our goal is to break down complex concepts
and make it easy for you to understand the basics,
from Bitcoin to all coins. We'll cover it all in
a way that's easy to digest and provide listeners with
(00:30):
the knowledge and understanding they need to make informed decisions
and better critical thought. Sit back, relax, and let's simplify
your understanding of cryptocurrencies on the Crypto one on one Show,
(00:53):
Part six. Can Bitcoin truly be for everyone? Accessibility, education,
digital literacy, and the social barriers to adoption. I need
to start off by saying this is not financial advice,
so if you are looking for that, the show isn't
for you. The content of this podcast episode is for
informational purposes only. The opinions expressed here are not meant
(01:15):
to be taken as financial investment or any other advice.
Welcome back to the Bitcoin Series. Part six. We've talked
about policy, We've talked about power, We've talked about decentralization, corruption, inequality,
and influence. But today we talk about something more personal, access, understanding,
(01:35):
and the right to participate, Because no matter how revolutionary
bitcoin is, there's a hard truth underneath it all. If
people can't use it, it can't liberate them. It's easy
to talk about freedom when you're tech savvy, when you
know what seed phrases are, how to manage wallets, and
how to avoid scams. But what about the people who
(01:55):
can't even afford a smartphone. What about the single parent
working three jobs. What about elders who never grew up online?
What about those who were locked out of the last
system and now face a new one with even higher walls.
This episode is about education, access and the invisible gatekeeping
built into our best intentions. Because if bitcoin really is
(02:17):
for everyone, then everyone needs a way in. Let's talk
about what that means and what it'll take. Question one?
Is Bitcoin two complex for the average person? If bitcoin
is supposed to be for everyone, why does it feel
like you need a tech degree to use it. Let's
start with the truth. Bitcoin isn't complicated because it wants
(02:38):
to be. It's complicated because it's new. It's not a
bank or a credit card or cash. It's a system
with no customer service number, no one to call if
you get your password, and no easy do over if
you screw something up, and that makes it intimidating. To
even get started. You have to learn what's a wallet,
what's a seed phrase, what happens if I lose it?
(03:00):
How do I buy it? How do I send it?
What's a fee? What's the difference between bitcoin and all
these other coins? And that's before you get to cold storage,
self custody, layer two networks, lightning, multi sig, what a
SETOCI is? It's a lot and yeah, for those of
us who live online, it might feel doable. But for
your average person, your mom, your mechanic, your neighbor who
(03:23):
barely uses email, this isn't just hard, it's inaccessible. Here's
what people get wrong. Being permissionless doesn't mean it's effortless.
Just because anyone can use bitcoin doesn't mean everyone can
figure it out without help. And when you don't understand something,
you avoid it, you fear it, or worse, you fall
for a scam that promises to make it easier. That's
(03:45):
where the danger lies, because without education, accessibility turns into exclusion.
If you don't speak the language of tech, or if
you're in a place with limited internet or a low
end device, or you've never learned digital literacy. Bitcoin isn't
a lifeline. It's just another lock door. So no, the
complexity isn't some conspiracy, but it's a barrier. And if
(04:06):
you don't talk about that, then we're building a future
that's only usable by the most connected, the most technical,
the most privileged. And that doesn't sound like financial freedom.
Sounds like a rebooted version of the same system, just
with shinier code. So the question isn't just can people
use bitcoin, it's are we doing the work to make
(04:26):
it usable? Because if we want a world where people
actually have financial freedom, we can't just build the tools.
We have to build the translation layer two. Question two?
Who is currently left out of the Bitcoin revolution? Bitcoin
is supposed to be for everyone, but let's be honest
right now, it's not reaching everyone. And I don't just
(04:48):
mean in a philosophical way. I mean literally millions of
people around the world either can't access, don't trust, or
can't understand bitcoin. Yet. Let's walk through who's left behind.
The older generation, your parents, grandparents, elders, the ones who
grew up in a world of checkbooks, cash and face
to face banking. Bitcoin feels like sci fi to them.
(05:09):
The fear of making a mistake, losing money, or getting
scammed is huge. And let's be real, most onboarding tools
were never designed for people over sixty the unconnected. There
are entire communities, rural areas, low income neighborhoods, and developing
nations that still lack reliable internet, up to date smartphones,
tech support, or safe places to store keys, so their
(05:32):
access to it it still depends on infrastructure, and in
many places that's a non starter. The under educated and overwhelmed.
Even in highly connected places, many people still struggle with
digital literacy. They don't know how to protect passwords, spot scams,
use two factor authentication, or keep track of their private keys.
(05:53):
And here's the catch. If you screw up with bitcoin,
there's no bank to call when mistake and it's gone.
That kind of pressure shuts people out before they ever
get started the unbanked. Ironically, bitcoin was supposed to be
for the unbanked, but if you don't have a way
to get money into bitcoin, you're still on the outside
looking in. No debit card, no KYCID or know your
(06:16):
Customer ID, no trusted exchange nearby, no easy way to
convert cash into crypto. Then bitcoin stays theoretical, not usable,
and then there's trust. We can't ignore this. For many
marginalized groups and communities, finance has always been a tool
of exploitation, redlining, predatory lending, wage theft. So when something
(06:39):
new comes along and says this is the future, there's skepticism,
and it's valid. People who've been burned before don't just
jump into a fire that's rebranded as freedom. So who's
left out? The underconnected, the over exploited, the under resourced,
the digitally undeserved, the people who've always been last to
be helped and first to be blamed. And that's the
(07:01):
contradiction at the heart of the bitcoin revolution. We say
everyone should have access, but we haven't built for everyone yet.
So here's the question. If we're not making bitcoin usable
for those who need it most, who are we really
building it for. If the goal is freedom, then freedom
has to be translated into local languages on the low
(07:21):
end phones, through trusted educators with respect, not just open
source links and forms. Because if bitcoin is only accessible
to the tech savvy, the early adopters, the well educated,
the well connected, then it's not a revolution, it's a rebranding.
Question three, can Bitcoin actually bridge the digital divide or
is it becoming an elitist club. Bitcoin was born out
(07:45):
of a rebellion, a response to banks, bailouts and broken trust.
It promised to level the playing field. But here's the
uncomfortable reality. The tools of freedom can still leave people out.
So let's talk about the digital divide and whether Bitcoin
is bridging it or making it worse. What is the
digital divide? It's not just about internet access, it's about
(08:06):
tech literacy, financial literacy, trust and systems, access to devices,
cultural barriers, language gaps, and fear of getting it wrong.
Bitcoin might be borderless, but that doesn't mean it's equal.
But there are people doing the work and bridging the gap.
Educators in the Global South teaching bitcoin in local languages,
Mutual aid projects using BTC to fund groceries or emergency healthcare.
(08:31):
Civic tech builders creating tools that run on thirty dollars phones.
Minority communities exploring bitcoin is protection against economic discrimination, but
there's still the exception, not the norm. But there's still
an elitism risk. Bitcoin rewards people who got in early
have disposable income, understand wallet's security, cryptography, or have plugged
(08:54):
into tech culture, which is to say not most people,
and the risk that bitcoin becomes just another club for
the few, the early, the loud, the libertarian, the well resourced.
It becomes about protecting your coins, not sharing the tools.
So how do we prevent that? Can we make access
part of the revolution. This would mean building for twenty
(09:15):
dollars phones not just two thousand dollars rigs, teaching in
plain language not white papers, creating apps that guide people,
not punish them for one wrong click, amplifying educators and
builders in under presented communities, and lowering the ego, raising
the empathy freedom. Tools shouldn't require a tech degree and
a hardware wallet to use. If bitcoin is truly for
(09:38):
the people, then the people who are struggling the most
need to be at the center, not at the margins.
Should the future of bitcoin be decided by whales, developers
or influencers. Should it be decided by whether everyday people
feel safe, seen, and supported using it. If we want
it to be for everyone, we have to build like
we mean it, and that starts with closing the digital divide,
(09:59):
not pretend it isn't there. So here we are. The
promise of bitcoin is freedom, access and fairness. But those
things don't just happen because a protocol says so that
happen when we choose to build that way. The uncomfortable
truth is technology doesn't fix inequality. People do. And while
Bitcoin might be the most inclusive monetary network ever invented,
(10:20):
it will only live up to the promise if we
include everyone and how it's shared, taught, and protected, from
unbanked families to rural educators, from single moms to elders
trying to understand how wallet's work. This isn't just about
onboarding users. It's about empowering communities. Because if bitcoin becomes
just another echo chamber, another gate kept system, another place
(10:42):
where only early and educated thrive, then we didn't start
a revolution. We just renamed the club. So maybe the
real measure of Bitcoin's success won't be the price chart.
It'll be the people who were never supposed to have
financial power finally holding it in their hands. Thanks for
listening to the Bitcoin Series Part six. Hopefully this episode
made you reflect on who's included and who's still waiting
(11:04):
at the door. Next time, in part seven, we tackle
something bigger than code or coins? What would a full
bitcoin transition actually look like? Until then, stay curious, stay grounded.
I want to be extremely upfront that I try my
best to leave all of my opinions out of this.
I know this is very condensed and simplified, but I
want you to gain your own understanding and beliefs and
(11:24):
not be persuaded by me. I hope this helped you
gain a better grasp of it. Please remember to share, follow,
and subscribe to our mailing list and your favorite podcast
app for future episodes so you can gain more with
your crypto knowledge. If this sparks something in you or
made you question what's possible, I'd love to hear about it.
And if you found this valuable, share it tag someone
(11:45):
who needs to hear it or just sit with it.
Thanks for listening. Thanks for listening to this episode The
Crypto One on one Show. If you would like to
join our email list, email us at The Crypto One
on one Show at gmail dot com for more helpful tips.
(12:08):
Subscribe in your favorite podcast app and leave a review
so that you don't miss our next episode. See you
next time,
Welcome to the Crypto one on one Show, where we
dive into the world of cryptocurrencies, bitcoin, blockchain, and all
the technology with it. Whether you're experienced or a beginner
to crypto, our goal is to break down complex concepts
and make it easy for you to understand the basics,
from Bitcoin to all coins. We'll cover it all in
a way that's easy to digest and provide listeners with
(00:30):
the knowledge and understanding they need to make informed decisions
and better critical thought. Sit back, relax, and let's simplify
your understanding of cryptocurrencies on the Crypto one on one Show,
(00:53):
Part six. Can Bitcoin truly be for everyone? Accessibility, education,
digital literacy, and the social barriers to adoption. I need
to start off by saying this is not financial advice,
so if you are looking for that, the show isn't
for you. The content of this podcast episode is for
informational purposes only. The opinions expressed here are not meant
(01:15):
to be taken as financial investment or any other advice.
Welcome back to the Bitcoin Series. Part six. We've talked
about policy, We've talked about power, We've talked about decentralization, corruption, inequality,
and influence. But today we talk about something more personal, access, understanding,
(01:35):
and the right to participate, Because no matter how revolutionary
bitcoin is, there's a hard truth underneath it all. If
people can't use it, it can't liberate them. It's easy
to talk about freedom when you're tech savvy, when you
know what seed phrases are, how to manage wallets, and
how to avoid scams. But what about the people who
(01:55):
can't even afford a smartphone. What about the single parent
working three jobs. What about elders who never grew up online?
What about those who were locked out of the last
system and now face a new one with even higher walls.
This episode is about education, access and the invisible gatekeeping
built into our best intentions. Because if bitcoin really is
(02:17):
for everyone, then everyone needs a way in. Let's talk
about what that means and what it'll take. Question one?
Is Bitcoin two complex for the average person? If bitcoin
is supposed to be for everyone, why does it feel
like you need a tech degree to use it. Let's
start with the truth. Bitcoin isn't complicated because it wants
(02:38):
to be. It's complicated because it's new. It's not a
bank or a credit card or cash. It's a system
with no customer service number, no one to call if
you get your password, and no easy do over if
you screw something up, and that makes it intimidating. To
even get started. You have to learn what's a wallet,
what's a seed phrase, what happens if I lose it?
(03:00):
How do I buy it? How do I send it?
What's a fee? What's the difference between bitcoin and all
these other coins? And that's before you get to cold storage,
self custody, layer two networks, lightning, multi sig, what a
SETOCI is? It's a lot and yeah, for those of
us who live online, it might feel doable. But for
your average person, your mom, your mechanic, your neighbor who
(03:23):
barely uses email, this isn't just hard, it's inaccessible. Here's
what people get wrong. Being permissionless doesn't mean it's effortless.
Just because anyone can use bitcoin doesn't mean everyone can
figure it out without help. And when you don't understand something,
you avoid it, you fear it, or worse, you fall
for a scam that promises to make it easier. That's
(03:45):
where the danger lies, because without education, accessibility turns into exclusion.
If you don't speak the language of tech, or if
you're in a place with limited internet or a low
end device, or you've never learned digital literacy. Bitcoin isn't
a lifeline. It's just another lock door. So no, the
complexity isn't some conspiracy, but it's a barrier. And if
(04:06):
you don't talk about that, then we're building a future
that's only usable by the most connected, the most technical,
the most privileged. And that doesn't sound like financial freedom.
Sounds like a rebooted version of the same system, just
with shinier code. So the question isn't just can people
use bitcoin, it's are we doing the work to make
(04:26):
it usable? Because if we want a world where people
actually have financial freedom, we can't just build the tools.
We have to build the translation layer two. Question two?
Who is currently left out of the Bitcoin revolution? Bitcoin
is supposed to be for everyone, but let's be honest
right now, it's not reaching everyone. And I don't just
(04:48):
mean in a philosophical way. I mean literally millions of
people around the world either can't access, don't trust, or
can't understand bitcoin. Yet. Let's walk through who's left behind.
The older generation, your parents, grandparents, elders, the ones who
grew up in a world of checkbooks, cash and face
to face banking. Bitcoin feels like sci fi to them.
(05:09):
The fear of making a mistake, losing money, or getting
scammed is huge. And let's be real, most onboarding tools
were never designed for people over sixty the unconnected. There
are entire communities, rural areas, low income neighborhoods, and developing
nations that still lack reliable internet, up to date smartphones,
tech support, or safe places to store keys, so their
(05:32):
access to it it still depends on infrastructure, and in
many places that's a non starter. The under educated and overwhelmed.
Even in highly connected places, many people still struggle with
digital literacy. They don't know how to protect passwords, spot scams,
use two factor authentication, or keep track of their private keys.
(05:53):
And here's the catch. If you screw up with bitcoin,
there's no bank to call when mistake and it's gone.
That kind of pressure shuts people out before they ever
get started the unbanked. Ironically, bitcoin was supposed to be
for the unbanked, but if you don't have a way
to get money into bitcoin, you're still on the outside
looking in. No debit card, no KYCID or know your
(06:16):
Customer ID, no trusted exchange nearby, no easy way to
convert cash into crypto. Then bitcoin stays theoretical, not usable,
and then there's trust. We can't ignore this. For many
marginalized groups and communities, finance has always been a tool
of exploitation, redlining, predatory lending, wage theft. So when something
(06:39):
new comes along and says this is the future, there's skepticism,
and it's valid. People who've been burned before don't just
jump into a fire that's rebranded as freedom. So who's
left out? The underconnected, the over exploited, the under resourced,
the digitally undeserved, the people who've always been last to
be helped and first to be blamed. And that's the
(07:01):
contradiction at the heart of the bitcoin revolution. We say
everyone should have access, but we haven't built for everyone yet.
So here's the question. If we're not making bitcoin usable
for those who need it most, who are we really
building it for. If the goal is freedom, then freedom
has to be translated into local languages on the low
(07:21):
end phones, through trusted educators with respect, not just open
source links and forms. Because if bitcoin is only accessible
to the tech savvy, the early adopters, the well educated,
the well connected, then it's not a revolution, it's a rebranding.
Question three, can Bitcoin actually bridge the digital divide or
is it becoming an elitist club. Bitcoin was born out
(07:45):
of a rebellion, a response to banks, bailouts and broken trust.
It promised to level the playing field. But here's the
uncomfortable reality. The tools of freedom can still leave people out.
So let's talk about the digital divide and whether Bitcoin
is bridging it or making it worse. What is the
digital divide? It's not just about internet access, it's about
(08:06):
tech literacy, financial literacy, trust and systems, access to devices,
cultural barriers, language gaps, and fear of getting it wrong.
Bitcoin might be borderless, but that doesn't mean it's equal.
But there are people doing the work and bridging the gap.
Educators in the Global South teaching bitcoin in local languages,
Mutual aid projects using BTC to fund groceries or emergency healthcare.
(08:31):
Civic tech builders creating tools that run on thirty dollars phones.
Minority communities exploring bitcoin is protection against economic discrimination, but
there's still the exception, not the norm. But there's still
an elitism risk. Bitcoin rewards people who got in early
have disposable income, understand wallet's security, cryptography, or have plugged
(08:54):
into tech culture, which is to say not most people,
and the risk that bitcoin becomes just another club for
the few, the early, the loud, the libertarian, the well resourced.
It becomes about protecting your coins, not sharing the tools.
So how do we prevent that? Can we make access
part of the revolution. This would mean building for twenty
(09:15):
dollars phones not just two thousand dollars rigs, teaching in
plain language not white papers, creating apps that guide people,
not punish them for one wrong click, amplifying educators and
builders in under presented communities, and lowering the ego, raising
the empathy freedom. Tools shouldn't require a tech degree and
a hardware wallet to use. If bitcoin is truly for
(09:38):
the people, then the people who are struggling the most
need to be at the center, not at the margins.
Should the future of bitcoin be decided by whales, developers
or influencers. Should it be decided by whether everyday people
feel safe, seen, and supported using it. If we want
it to be for everyone, we have to build like
we mean it, and that starts with closing the digital divide,
(09:59):
not pretend it isn't there. So here we are. The
promise of bitcoin is freedom, access and fairness. But those
things don't just happen because a protocol says so that
happen when we choose to build that way. The uncomfortable
truth is technology doesn't fix inequality. People do. And while
Bitcoin might be the most inclusive monetary network ever invented,
(10:20):
it will only live up to the promise if we
include everyone and how it's shared, taught, and protected, from
unbanked families to rural educators, from single moms to elders
trying to understand how wallet's work. This isn't just about
onboarding users. It's about empowering communities. Because if bitcoin becomes
just another echo chamber, another gate kept system, another place
(10:42):
where only early and educated thrive, then we didn't start
a revolution. We just renamed the club. So maybe the
real measure of Bitcoin's success won't be the price chart.
It'll be the people who were never supposed to have
financial power finally holding it in their hands. Thanks for
listening to the Bitcoin Series Part six. Hopefully this episode
made you reflect on who's included and who's still waiting
(11:04):
at the door. Next time, in part seven, we tackle
something bigger than code or coins? What would a full
bitcoin transition actually look like? Until then, stay curious, stay grounded.
I want to be extremely upfront that I try my
best to leave all of my opinions out of this.
I know this is very condensed and simplified, but I
want you to gain your own understanding and beliefs and
(11:24):
not be persuaded by me. I hope this helped you
gain a better grasp of it. Please remember to share, follow,
and subscribe to our mailing list and your favorite podcast
app for future episodes so you can gain more with
your crypto knowledge. If this sparks something in you or
made you question what's possible, I'd love to hear about it.
And if you found this valuable, share it tag someone
(11:45):
who needs to hear it or just sit with it.
Thanks for listening. Thanks for listening to this episode The
Crypto One on one Show. If you would like to
join our email list, email us at The Crypto One
on one Show at gmail dot com for more helpful tips.
(12:08):
Subscribe in your favorite podcast app and leave a review
so that you don't miss our next episode. See you
next time,
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