Having recently interviewed Amahle, an innovative, energetic woman who operates a successful small craft business on the outskirts of Johannesburg, she told me something that's been echoing in my mind ever since: "Bitcoin isn't just about rich people getting richer. For us, it's about survival."

Amahle isn't alone. Bitcoin is viewed by many as a speculative asset for technology enthusiasts. It’s changing lives in unexpected corners of the world. Its volatile price? That’s where the story gets complicated.

Freedom Or Fear, Price Makes Difference

Now, picture that same mom-and-pop enterprise in a country facing severe currency depreciation, runaway inflation, and little to no inclusion in the formal banking system. This is Amahle’s reality, and the reality for millions to come. For them, Bitcoin offers a potential lifeline. It's a chance to participate in the global economy, to receive remittances from family abroad without exorbitant fees, and to protect their savings from being eroded by inflation.

Here's the catch: the price swings. Amahle described how she interacts with a real-time Bitcoin price tracker on a daily basis. Why? Or, because a short-term price drop might eliminate her low profits, thus risking her ability to feed her family. In this context, a surge stands to provide the momentum she seeks. With that support, she’s able to invest in her business and create jobs for her community.

Think about that for a moment. Bitcoin’s price is not just an arbitrary number on a screen. It tangibly impacts Amahle’s ability to provide for her loved ones. It is about human lives here.

More Than Just Supply And Demand

We have been conditioned to think that Bitcoin’s price is controlled entirely by supply and demand. And sure, that's part of the story. But it's a painfully incomplete picture. It’s more complicated than simple supply and demand determining the price of wheat. We need to hear from the farmers fighting against drought, the political instability causing trade routes to be blocked, and the impact of the global food crisis on millions.

Bitcoin’s price is deeply tied and sensitive to events in the physical world. Positive regulatory changes such as the SEC’s recent approval of Bitcoin ETFs both indicate and enhance the asset’s legitimacy while attracting institutional investors, increasing the price. Since macroeconomic trends, like rumors of bitcoin reserves, are enough to affect a whole market, crypto is not immune. Fear, fueled either by bad press or a major data breach, can lead to a sudden and significant price decrease. This decline harms the very people who need Bitcoin the most.

This is not only a numbers game, this is a power game. It’s about more than just who gets to write the story, who benefits from all the chaos and disruption – it goes much deeper, to who gets to stay.

Empowerment Requires Informed Decisions

So, what can we do? Should Amahle just avoid Bitcoin entirely? Absolutely not. The potential good they can do means we can’t let them go without trying. Yet she, and others like her, need access to the right tools paired with knowledge.

Today, real-time Bitcoin price trackers, such as the one OKX offers (but not in the US), are invaluable. They serve as the foundation for strategic prioritization, providing the crucial, up-to-the-second data needed to make informed decisions. These tools are useless without recognizing the larger landscape. To make informed investment decisions, Amahle must stay on top of market sentiment, regulatory changes, and macroeconomic trends. All she really requires is access to education and resources that allow her to confidently and wisely chart a course through the complexities of today’s crypto market.

And we as the larger crypto community need to improve upon this. Time to cut through the hype and the “get rich quick” mentality. Let’s better understand the real-world impact Bitcoin is having over the last six months. It’s time to stop pitting access against protection and start advocating for responsible regulation that protects consumers and promotes financial inclusion. Instead, we should applaud and fund efforts to bring education and resources to the people and communities that need them the most.

Bitcoin's price isn't just a number. At its core, it’s a reflection of our values, our priorities, and our commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive world. Let’s have it be one that shows we’re creating a future where Amahle, and millions more just like her, are able to reach their full potential. As we celebrate successes, let’s not lose sight of the human faces behind the moving numbers. It's a matter of social responsibility. We need to remember the forgotten voices.