Idris Elba, an actor and musician, talks about his experience with crypto and its potential for financial inclusion in West Africa. He also discusses the responsibility of using influence in the industry.
Idris Elba chose not to participate in the cryptocurrency frenzy, recognizing that he was being used for monetary gain, which proved wise considering the industry's downturn and regulatory scrutiny.
Elba is partnering with the Stellar Development Foundation to leverage blockchain's real-world utility and promote financial inclusion in West Africa, emphasizing the importance of responsible influence to drive positive change.
Deep dives
Idris Elba's cautious approach to crypto
Idris Elba, the British actor and filmmaker, revealed that he turned down numerous opportunities to participate in the cryptocurrency frenzy. While many celebrities endorsed crypto services and released their own NFTs and crypto coins, Elba abstained, realizing that he was being used merely as a means to make money. This decision proved wise as the crypto industry experienced a downturn in the past 18 months, with several high-profile failures and regulatory scrutiny. Elba, however, remains interested in the technology and sees potential in using crypto's technical infrastructure to address financial inclusion issues in West Africa.
Elba's collaboration with the Stellar Development Foundation
Elba is now working with the Stellar Development Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the growth of the Stellar Blockchain network. He is attracted to the real-world utility that blockchain offers and wants to highlight its capabilities as a tool rather than promoting a specific crypto brand. Elba sees the potential for crypto-based financial services to provide an alternative means of transacting and managing money in West Africa, similar to the shift from physical mail to email. He emphasizes the importance of using his influence responsibly to promote financial inclusion.
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Idris Elba's Experience with Crypto and Focus on Financial Inclusion
During the crypto gold rush, Idris Elba says he turned down a lot of “mad opportunities.” Now he has partnered with the “crypto-for-good” Stellar Development Foundation.