There are people you just read about. They exist in our world, doing big things, but you never expect to meet them. Yet, somehow, their names always pop up in your feed like that one uncle who shows up at every family function, with the exciting stories of adventure. Yvonne of ICP. A true disciple of decentralization, showing people the light to the promised land of Web3. If blockchain had a Moses, she would at least be a senior most advisor.

So, Yvonne, being the blockchain evangelist she is, mentioned the Chainalysis report. She didn’t just drop the name casually like some crypto influencers throwing around “DYOR.” No, she asked the room a question, like a true educator: “Do you know the two populations with the highest crypto adoption?”

India and Nigeria.

Why? Because of the tuko wengi principle.

If you step out of your house in Kenya, close your eyes, spin around three times, and throw a stone (don’t actually do this, please), you’ll probably hit a Kenyan, a Nigerian, or an Indian. They are everywhere. You could be in Iceland, and the two people trying to sell ice to an Eskimo? One Nigerian, one Indian.

The secret to their crypto dominance? Remittances. These guys have been sending money across borders since money became a thing. If only M-Pesa had realized this sooner, they wouldn't have started with Ethiopia, but hey, bygones.

This remittance culture is what has fueled crypto adoption. It’s about real-world problems and real-world solutions. But not everyone is cheering. Try out innovating the powers that be that decentralized power is the future, it would be like you have asked them to legalize BMW verses VW flex-speed racing on the expressway. Yawa, these Kenyans and their European cars.

You see, the path to mass adoption isn’t straight. First, we must survive the Optimistic Stage. This is the early adoption phase dominated by three key groups:

1. Investors – The hopefuls who believe crypto will change the world and their wallets.

2. Speculators – The people who buy, sell, and HODL like their lives depend on it.

3. Criminals – The ones who are overly optimistic about their ability to evade the long arm of the law.

The problem is that arm is very, very long. Works even across time. Some criminals out here are enjoying life, buying luxury cars and big mansions, thinking they are safe. But give it few years, and one day, boom! Your face is on Web3 Crime and Justice with John Allan Namu narrating your downfall.

Despite all this, blockchain will survive because it is solving real problems. But let’s be honest, some battles are unwinnable. You want to out-innovate the Central Bank? First, you have to out-innovate the security forces and surely somewhere at some point, you will have to satoshi yourself out of existence,

So, as we move towards mass adoption, let’s remember crypto isn’t just about hype and making quick millions. It’s about real-world problems and the solutions we build for them. But in the meantime, let’s enjoy the ride—because if there’s one thing Kenyans know how to do, it’s finding humor in everything.

Let us remember to celebrate those personalities that are making this change possible, this article is a dedication to Yvonne Kagondu.