The Taboo of Accessibility: What if Bitcoin Isn’t for Everyone?


📖 This is the first of five articles in the series “The Taboos of Bitcoin.” Each one will explore an uncomfortable truth rarely discussed. We begin today with the taboo of accessibility.

Introduction “Bitcoin is for everyone.” The mantra sounds nice. But… what if it isn’t entirely true? We say anyone can use Bitcoin, and technically that’s correct: download a wallet, receive a few sats. But behind that apparent simplicity lie economic, technical, psychological, and social barriers that exclude millions. Barriers few want to mention because they undermine the narrative of universality. Bitcoin is not a magic wand. It’s a tool of sovereignty. And like every tool, it demands minimum conditions to use it. The taboo almost no one acknowledges is this: Bitcoin is not equally accessible to everyone.

The technical barrier: not everyone speaks the language of sovereignty
Understanding a seed, securing private keys, running a node, signing transactions… sounds simple in tech-savvy circles, but for millions it’s alien territory. Digital illiteracy is still widespread: according to UNESCO, nearly 800 million adults worldwide lack basic literacy skills, let alone technological ones. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, only about 36% of the population has stable internet access. In Latin America, smartphone penetration is above 80%, yet digital security comprehension is minimal. Bitcoin may be technicallyaccessible, but it isn’t intuitive. And what isn’t understood is often rejected.

The economic barrier: freedom has an entry price
Yes, you can start with a few cents. But reality says otherwise: accumulation matters. Entering with €50 is not the same as entering with €50,000. The ability to stack regularly requires one thing: disposable income. In countries where inflation devours salaries before the month ends, that “ability” is privilege. Take Argentina, for example. Inflation is so high that families must often choose between buying food or paying bills—not between saving in pesos or buying Bitcoin. For them, economic accessibility to BTC simply doesn’t exist, even if they know it could protect their future. Economic accessibility is not binary (having or not having Bitcoin). It is gradual: holding €50 in sats is very different from holding €50,000. The relative weight of that sovereignty varies immensely. And that silent gap cannot be ignored.

The psychological barrier: not everyone can bear the weight of freedom
In fiat, forget your password and you can reset it. In Bitcoin, lose your seed and your money is gone. Self-custody demands discipline, resilience, and a type of responsibility most people are unaccustomed to. Volatility adds another layer: enduring a 50% drawdown without panic-selling is not for everyone. Sovereignty of the mind is as critical as technical ability. For some, this trial is a rite of passage; for others, it is a psychological burden. Research on investor behavior shows that over 60% of small investors abandon an asset after a 30% loss. In Bitcoin, that mental fragility means forfeiting the promise of sovereignty.

The social and political barrier: not everyone can be a Bitcoiner without consequences
In the West, using Bitcoin might be cultural rebellion. In authoritarian countries, it can be a risk to your freedom—or even your life. In Afghanistan, many women found Bitcoin as their only way to receive money, but also faced persecution for it. In Nigeria, the government tried to criminalize crypto use during the #EndSARS protests. Even in Europe, the political climate is turning hostile: mandatory KYC, cash payment limits, and digital euro projects all threaten Bitcoin’s everyday usability. Accessibility depends not only on technology but on the legal and cultural environment.

The illusion of universality: from myth to personal conquest
The narrative that “Bitcoin is open to everyone” is technically true, but materially incomplete. Having the tool is not the same as knowing how to use it. Downloading a wallet is not the same as securing a seed in a hostile environment. Owning a satoshi is not the same as owning a million. History offers parallels: the printing press promised universal access to knowledge, but for centuries only the literate minority could benefit. The internet promised democratization of information, but Big Tech ended up centralizing power. Bitcoin is no exception: it’s a revolution, yes, but not an automatic one. Accessibility in Bitcoin is not an equal starting point. It is a personal conquest that depends on education, discipline, and context.

Conclusion Bitcoin is not an automatic right. It is a path of sovereignty requiring effort and minimum conditions. Those unwilling or unable to carry that burden remain excluded, even if the door stays open. The real taboo is this: Bitcoin will not save everyone. It will only save those willing to bear its weight. That truth is uncomfortable because it shatters the universal inclusion narrative we keep repeating. So here’s the uncomfortable question: are we ready to accept that in a Bitcoin world there will also be outsiders? Or do we prefer to keep chanting “it’s for everyone” while ignoring the invisible barriers?

Stay close, and let’s keep exploring.