View Crypto from a Different Angle: The World Is Changing Too Fast—You Need Hedging Tools to Cope with Change
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View Crypto from a Different Angle: The World Is Changing Too Fast—You Need Hedging Tools to Cope with Change
Open currency does not pursue extreme positions, but rather offers a middle ground.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: Daniel McGlynn
Translation: TechFlow
Open money is a form of protest currency.
In other words, open money is anything that stands in opposition to the mainstream narrative—or whatever you want it to be.
But what does that actually mean?
It's genuinely fascinating to observe how cryptocurrencies are alternately demonized or celebrated by politicians and corporate leaders.
Often, you’ll hear claims like “cryptocurrency has no value” or “it’s only useful for criminals.”
On the other hand, some launch meaningless meme tokens or hoard Bitcoin obsessively—behaviors that resemble gambling more than sound financial strategy.
Yet in reality, cryptocurrency—and more precisely,open money—is not about embracing extreme ideologies. At its core, it’s about enabling people to find alternatives where existing systems fail to meet their needs.
Practical applications of open money might include easier cross-border payments, more efficient ways to earn yield or store value, and monetizing creative work without needing to become an influencer or affiliate merchant.
Open money doesn’t advocate extremism; rather, it offers a middle path.
The key advantage of alternative systems that run parallel to the current financial infrastructure is their ability to provide balance during times of chaos or upheaval.
Open money is a tool that helps individuals navigate extreme times while building personalized financial and information products—products that offer both personal control and global connectivity (sometimes both at once).
However, as cryptocurrency becomes increasingly integrated into the mainstream, could it lose some of its practical utility?
Use-Case Ambiguity: An Advantage
Not long ago, it was easier to understand cryptocurrency—or at least clearer what it wasn’t.
Early adopters and developers were typically focused on creating alternatives explicitly opposed to traditional systems.
But over the past one or two years, cryptocurrency has started resembling parts of the traditional system more than a fully independent one. For example:
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The launch of crypto ETFs and the influx of institutional capital;
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Cryptocurrency becoming part of presidential politics;
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Crypto-based prediction markets competing with traditional media during presidential elections.
Still, the core value of cryptocurrency—the developers and teams exploring the boundaries of possibility—must continue innovating at the edges.
Open Money: A Hedge Against Change
Every year-end prompts reflection on the past and anticipation of the future.
Recently, I’ve noticed headlines about the appointment of a new “crypto czar,” the growing influence of newly formed crypto lobbying groups, and questions over whether the incoming SEC chair has sufficient crypto expertise. These developments highlight just how quickly cryptocurrency has moved from the fringes to center stage—an astonishing pace of change.
Yet this shift toward “legitimacy” risks overlooking the fundamental purpose of cryptocurrency. We must remain vigilant against being seduced by superficial “legalization,” and avoid sacrificing our original intent to create yet another “too big to fail” financial system.
The world is changing rapidly.
We need alternatives, fallback mechanisms, and flexible systems that can scale from the individual to the global level to cope with these shifts.
We’ve already seen how demographic changes, advances in information technology, and evolving economic structures drive transformation. In this context, decentralized, permissionless, and non-custodial assets will become increasingly vital.
In short, we’re facing a future full of uncertainty, transition, and change.
On one hand, these changes may bring disruptive shocks; on the other, they may open up new opportunities. Amid such dynamics, we need a middle way.
Open money provides more options for navigating change through several key features:
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Permissionless systems allow users to choose the best-suited platforms for their needs—whether in finance, information, identity, or creativity.
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Non-custodial wallets and key management give users full control over their assets, which is crucial for liquidity, portability, and privacy.
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Interoperable and programmable systems support diverse use cases for digital assets, such as peer-to-peer payments, cross-border transfers, or storing value in digital assets.
These qualities enable open money to protect individual freedom while empowering users with internet-scale tools and networks.
As the world enters a period of reorganization and profound transformation, the attributes of open money will become even more critical.
We still need this “rebellious money.”
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