I know that the world of crypto is super exciting right now, but are we as a field really listening? And though Bitcoin bros might still be chanting “number go up,” a hole-in-the-wall revolution is brewing on the crypto equities market. Circle, Coinbase, Robinhood – these names today are not just alive, but doing better than ever. And Southeast Asia? Yet we’re playing around with meme coins while Wall Street is creating the empire.

Altcoin Hype vs. Real Utility?

Remember the ICO craze? Just about every other week we hear about a new altcoin that’s going to change the world. It can't survive on hype and a bad whitepaper independently. Southeast Asia jumped in all too eagerly, pursuing easy and rapid fortunes. How many of those projects exist today? How many delivered on their promises? The graveyard of dead altcoins should be a clear warning that speculation isn’t innovation.

Let’s face it, most altcoins have no meaningful real-world use case. They're casinos dressed up as cutting-edge technology. Other community leaders have found innovative applications for these dollars. Instead, the most are just conduits for pump-and-dump operations, leaving countless Southeast Asian investors holding the bag on worthless tokens. Now is the moment to abandon the casino approach and get to work on crafting something substantive.

Infrastructure is the Future, Stupid!

Okay fine, stupid is an unfair term, but come on! Just look at the great-grand success of startups such as Coinbase and Robinhood. Circle leads the pack with an incredible 162% return in exactly the last month! These companies aren’t just jumping on the crypto wave, they’re constructing the surfboard. They’re building the infrastructure, the on-ramps, the tools, that take this entire crypto ecosystem and make it work.

Think of it like the gold rush. Some struck it rich while panning for gold. The real windfall was for the folks that sold shovels, picks and Levi’s jeans. For example, Coinbase, Circle, and Robinhood are the Levi’s of the crypto world. They’re one of the few sources of real revenue, job creation engines and sustainable businesses. That’s where the smart money is heading, and Southeast Asia has to join that game.

Southeast Asia's Untapped Crypto Potential

We’ve got the manpower, the motivation, and the start-up energy. So why are we behind the curve on creating profitable crypto equity businesses? Southeast Asia has remarkable potential to become a region that fosters positive crypto innovation. We need to flip our mindset if we are going to take advantage of this moment.

Now, picture this times 10 with localized crypto exchanges that further target the specific needs of Southeast Asian markets. Consider payment solutions that make it easy to use crypto in daily commerce. Explore custody services with proven secure, reliable storage for your digital assets. These are just a few examples of the tremendous untapped potential that already exists in our region.

Perhaps it’s the impact of the successful homegrown fintech companies we already have, like Grab and SeaMoney. Innovation Companies with a proven track record who truly know their local market, the future regulatory landscape, and the needs and wants of consumers. These companies have incredible brand loyalty, and they’re uniquely positioned to go further afield into crypto equities and create the next generation of crypto infrastructure.

So why don’t we see more companies from the region building these types of businesses. Have we been too preoccupied with the low-hanging fruit and the easy to measure short-term stuff. Are we too scared to make independent choices, take risks and invest in long-term growth and innovation? Or are our regulators choking innovation by enforcing draconian, outmoded rules that go too far and are needlessly restrictive?

Build, Invest, Collaborate, Now!

It's not all about profits. This is an opportunity to strengthen the financial system by creating a more inclusive and equitable ecosystem. It's about empowering Southeast Asians to participate in the global economy and create a better future for themselves and their families. This is how Southeast Asia would realize its vision of taking its place as a leader in the global tech landscape.

It’s time for Southeast Asian investors to rethink their approach. Instead of speculating on altcoins, they should focus on building and investing in actual infrastructure that supports the crypto ecosystem. Now it’s up to entrepreneurs to build the next wave of innovative crypto equity businesses that truly meet the unique needs of the region. Now is the moment for regulators to develop an ecosystem that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.

First, we have to continue to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among the Southeast Asian crypto ecosystem. So let’s keep on learning from each other, encouraging each other, supporting each other. If we all do our part, we can foster a more sustainable and prosperous crypto ecosystem.

The time to act is now. Wake up, Southeast Asia! We are still at the very early stages of that future being built, and we need to make sure we are a part of it. Let’s end the addiction to short-term fads and begin the construction of a long-term movement. Let’s make Southeast Asia the center of the crypto universe, one equity at a time. Let’s not just catch the wave, let’s be the wave.