I get it. You read about Ethereum hitting $3,000 and you short circuit. More crypto headlines, more buzzword bingo, more opportunities for rug pulls. But before you scroll past this as just another tech story, meet Maria.

Maria, an IG taxpayer from Argentina, watches as inflation erodes her savings every single day. While the official exchange rate may be a fiction, the black market rate is a daily, anxiety-inducing haggling in most social settings. For Maria, DeFi isn’t a speculative investment—it’s a lifeline. You can seamlessly access USD-pegged stablecoins. This lets you earn a yield that far outpaces inflation, all while reclaiming your financial dignity from the corrupt and inefficient legacy financial system. That's what Ethereum's rise means to her.

Whales Accumulating, But Who Really Benefits?

Okay, so whales are buying. ETFs are seeing inflows. Great. Let's be real: the narrative is always dominated by institutional investors and "crypto bros" celebrating their gains. What we don’t hear about are the people across whom this technology would be most transformative and honestly, that’s a problem.

I’m disappointed that we’re failing to see Ethereum’s potential to better the lives of people in third world countries. It can deliver access to financial services for the unbanked and be a pioneer for new economic opportunities for marginalized communities. Unfortunately, that conversation has devolved into crystal ball technical analysis and sky-is-falling price predictions.

Yes, the technicals look good. News reports claim to see bull flag and cup-and-handle patterns. An immediate upside target would be around $3,900 to $4,100 if ETH holds a close above $2,800.

Does a increasing price truly mean positive shift for people who demand it the most? Of course not. It takes a deliberate approach, a purposeful vision, and a dedication to creating all-encompassing, equitable platforms.

The increase in popularity of liquid staking—there are currently 35.5 million ETH staked—indicates a strong vote of confidence from investors. Conversely, it’s bad for ETH as a whole because it’s a clear sign ETH is becoming more and more concentrated in the hands of a few. We must redress the uneven ways this growth has benefitted our communities.

The “death cross” and other key resistance levels are very important for traders, but meaningless to Maria. What’s important is not the letter itself but the opportunity it represents — that Ethereum can offer her a more stable and secure financial future.

  • Traditional Finance: Often excludes low-income individuals and small businesses.
  • Ethereum-based DeFi (Potentially): Can offer microloans, remittance services, and access to global markets.

With fears of the U.S.-China trade war easing and Ethereum Pectra upgrade coming soon, these seeming technical developments have huge effects on the ground.

Beyond the Charts: Real-World Impact

Pectra, the next major upgrade to Ethereum, aims to make the network more scalable and user-friendly. This is significant because it would reduce transaction costs. In doing so, the network would be opened up to all Americans and not just the affluent travelers.

Higher scalability translates to lower fees. Higher fees exclude money from the Ethereum network. This opens up even bigger doors for financial inclusion.

The options market is similarly bullish biased, which makes it all the more curious. Even better, are the tales of entrepreneurs in Africa harnessing the power of these Ethereum-based platforms to crowdfund their businesses. Neither is it artists in Southeast Asia selling directly to collectors through NFTs.

So let’s get serious about how we can employ this technology to help solve our world’s biggest problems. Together, we can discover bold, new solutions! What does it take to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system?

Amidst this news, which emphasize the regulatory tailwinds such as the OCC’s approval of cryptocurrencies trading by banks, that’s only part of the story. We need to consider the regulatory challenges facing DeFi in developing countries, and the need for clear and consistent regulations that protect consumers without stifling innovation.

It's infuriating that the conversation rarely includes the voices of those who are building and using Ethereum in these contexts. Where are their stories? Why aren't we amplifying their voices?

Ethereum’s position as the immutable, transparent, shared infrastructure layer for DeFi is non negotiable. Infrastructure is only as good as the systems that are built on top of it. We need to ensure that those systems are designed to be inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of their background or location.

The Forgotten Voices of Ethereum

I’d like to think that Stripe’s AI-native stablecoins will open up even more beneficial avenues for business enterprises. If ETH increase up to $3000, then let’s hope that cash can be put to work funding more stablecoins and different DeFi.

The risks are tangible. Yet they must not eclipse the opportunity Ethereum has in this moment to forge truly transformative change for the better.

Ethereum’s $3,000 rise is much deeper than technology. It’s not just about the cáñamo. It’s about the promise of creating a more equitable and inclusive financial future for all—not just the whales. It is about empowering the forgotten voices. It’s about providing Maria and millions of other Americans like her a fighting chance. Don’t allow that to get buried in the hubbub.

I hope that Stripe's AI-native stablecoins will make it more easier for business operation. If ETH rise to $3000, hopefully that money can be used to fund more stablecoins and other DeFi.

The potential risks, including a drop below $2,520 and U.S. inflation data, are real. But they shouldn't overshadow the potential for Ethereum to create positive change.

Ultimately, Ethereum's $3,000 surge is about more than just tech. It's about the potential to build a more equitable and inclusive financial future for everyone, not just the whales. It is about empowering the forgotten voices. It is about giving Maria and millions like her a fighting chance. Don't let that get lost in the noise.

I urge you to think about that.