Cryptocurrency is a chaotic maelstrom of speculation and innovation. It looks like a wishful thinking manifesto. In the din, people are surreptitiously creating. Powdering their noses with their heads down, they’re driven by an indomitable spirit that stretches far beyond basic crypto price forecasts. I’m generally talking about founders who’ve just been living and breathing technology. Their livelihoods are closely linked to the performance of the platforms they develop. At this moment, all eyes are on Ethereum.

I want to introduce you to three Filipino founders who aren't just passively watching the market. They're actively shaping the future of Ethereum, right from the heart of Southeast Asia. They're not just hoping for $10,000 ETH by 2025. They're building for it.

Ethereum's Potential, Our Economic Growth

It's a potent combination. With its tech-savvy population and a youthful, dynamic society with an increasing appetite for digital innovation, the Philippines is a perfect soil for blockchain innovation to take root. Ethereum, specifically its smart contract capabilities and its energetic developer ecosystem, is the infrastructure. Consider it a good kind of perfect storm.

Let's get one thing straight: believing in Ethereum isn't just about chasing profits. For these founders, it’s not just a matter of unlocking new opportunities, it’s about confronting systemic issues and empowering communities. They do not view Ethereum as a get-rich-quick scheme, rather as a vehicle to make meaningful change. They're building solutions to financial inclusion, supply chain transparency, and even access to education, all powered by the Ethereum blockchain.

For instance, meet Maria, the founder of “BayanChain,” a microfinance platform based on Ethereum. On the ground, Maria experienced how traditional financial institutions fail unbanked and underbanked individuals throughout rural Philippines. High interest rates, tons of red tape, and distance prevent millions from accessing the financial system.

Founder 1: Financial Inclusion, Blockchain's Answer

Ethereum lets us do away with all these hurdles,” Maria explained to me over a (virtual) cup of Kapeng Barako. As the ADB writes, “Smart contracts automate loan disbursement and repayment lowering overhead costs and making microloans viable even for the most dispersed communities. This isn’t just about lending people money, we’re creating a bridge to financial freedom.”

BayanChain operates on stablecoins pegged to the Philippine Peso, reducing aspects of volatility to serve as a medium of exchange that people can depend on. In addition, they provide users with educational materials to teach them about blockchain technology and how to use their money wisely.

Maria thinks Ethereum is going to $10,000. This previously overlooked milestone will confirm the maturity of the whole ecosystem, bringing more institutional money to the flow while spurring more innovation. This, in turn, will further lower transaction fees and bring blockchain-based financial services even closer to the masses. Imagine: A future where farmers can access affordable credit without relying on predatory lenders, all thanks to Ethereum.

Closing us out is Jose, the entrepreneur behind “AgriTrace.” This platform uses Ethereum technology to follow agricultural products from farm to plate. As an agricultural country, it is a challenge for the Philippines to guarantee its produce authenticity and quality. Silk roadlights, counterfeiting, diversion, and shady sourcing practices. Under the surface, a lack of transparency continues to harm the industry.

Founder 2: Transparent Supply Chains, Ethical Sourcing

By utilizing Ethereum’s immutability, AgriTrace provides a transparent and auditable supply chain. Farmers can register their crops on a public blockchain. Every stage of this process, from the farm to the factory to the freight, is tracked and verified. Consumers can simply scan a QR code right on the product. This way, they can always verify the full provenance and can be sure artwork is authentic and sourced ethically.

We’re giving consumers the ability to choose wisely, Jose continued. And by creating that transparency, we’re creating a marketplace that incentivizes farmers to transition towards more sustainable practices and improve the quality of what they’re producing. Ethereum goes beyond being a technology, it’s a real positive change agent in the agricultural sector.”

In particular, Jose is excited about how decentralized finance (DeFi) can change the future of agricultural financing. He envisions a future where farmers can access loans directly from DeFi platforms, bypassing traditional banks and securing better terms. An ETH price of $10,000 would mean that DeFi has reached global majority adoption. Once accomplished, this milestone would lay the groundwork for our bolder vision to become a reality. Imagine the huge positive effect on fair trade and sustainable agriculture!

Please welcome Elena, the creator of “AralChain." On the heels of launching her own education nonprofit, she developed an online, multilingual learning platform that uses Ethereum to provide convenient and affordable education to underserved communities. Even today millions of Filipinos still don’t have access to quality education because of geographical barriers, financial constraints, and lack of resources.

Founder 3: Education, Digital Access for All

Smart contracts help protect AralChain as Ethereum’s technology is used to develop a decentralized and secure learning environment. Through the platform, students are able to view educational materials, engage in virtual classrooms, and obtain verifiable credentials—all of which are logged on the blockchain. Their platform leverages smart contracts to automate tuition-related payments and reward students for their academic success.

“We’re democratizing access to education,” Elena emphasized. And that’s why we’re using Ethereum—to cut out the gatekeepers and give the best education in the world to anyone in the world, with an internet connection. We’re on a mission to make learning accessible to everyone so they can upskill, reskill, and reach their potential.”

Elena thinks Ethereum’s vast scalability solutions like layer-2 networks are important for AralChain to become what it can be. An Ethereum price of $10,000 would drive further investment in these solutions, making the platform faster, cheaper, and more accessible. Imagine: A world where education is a fundamental right, not a privilege, thanks to the power of Ethereum.

These three founders are only a sliver of the wondrous innovation emerging from the Philippinen blockchain ecosystem. Well, they’re betting big on Ethereum and the team believes in its ability to change lives, create opportunity, and unlock economic prosperity. They're not just waiting for $10,000 ETH; they're building the future they want to see.

Building, Not Just Believing, The Future

Encourage your federally elected leaders to visit, learn about and celebrate their disruptive startups. See how Ethereum is solving real-world problems with gov’t offices in the Philippines! Because ultimately, the success of Ethereum isn't just about the price. It's about the people who are building on it, the communities they're serving, and the positive impact they're creating. Isn't that a future worth investing in?

And you can be a part of it.

Explore their startups, support their initiatives, and learn more about how Ethereum is being used to address real-world challenges in the Philippines. Because ultimately, the success of Ethereum isn't just about the price; it's about the people who are building on it, the communities they're serving, and the positive impact they're creating. Isn't that a future worth investing in?