Blockchain may power the future of finance, but education will determine who gets to shape it.
This was the core message of Bitget Chief Operating Officer Vugar Usi Zade’s talk, “The Next Billion Minds: Why Blockchain Education Matters More Than Blockchain Itself,” delivered at TEDx Forbes Park on September 8 at Bonifacio High Street Cinemas in Bonifacio Global City.
Speaking before an audience of innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, Vugar challenged the common perception that blockchain is only about technology and trading. Instead, he argued that the real value lies in equipping individuals with the literacy, tools, and autonomy to participate meaningfully in the Web3 economy.
Vugar Usi Zade, Bitget’s Chief Operating Officer
“At TEDx in Manila, I spoke about money, education, and why they unlock real freedom,” Vugar said. “We’re not here to build blockchain for its own sake. We’re here to build thinkers who question, design, and ship. We’re here to build the next billion minds.”
A global perspective, local stage
Curated by the Global AI Council, the 2025 TEDx Forbes Park program featured a diverse lineup of voices spanning technology, medicine, entertainment, and business. Alongside Vugar were Shekhar Natarajan, Dr. Jacqueline M. Tolentino, Ben Nadareski, Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, and actor-entrepreneur Marvin Agustin. The mix highlighted TEDx’s broad lens on culture, systems, and future-shaping ideas.
For Vugar, the Manila stage was particularly symbolic. The Philippines has emerged as one of the fastest-growing crypto adoption hubs globally, driven by a young, digital-native population and widespread interest in alternative financial tools. In this context, his call for blockchain education resonated strongly.
Bitget: Building communities beyond the stage
Vugar’s appearance at TEDx came on the heels of Builders Night, a community-driven celebration that Bitget hosted on September 7 to mark its 7th anniversary. The event gathered Builders, key opinion leaders, and Web3 enthusiasts for workshops, AMAs, competitions, and networking.
Jose Mendoza, Bitget’s Country Manager for the Philippines, underscored the importance of these grassroots efforts: “The growth of our Builder community across the Philippines since 2024 shows what happens when you give talent room to lead and tools to learn. Builder+ is proof that a strong program can turn passion into measurable reach and real-world momentum, and we’re only getting started.”
From curiosity to innovation
Vugar’s “Next Billion Minds” framework emphasized education as a journey. First comes curiosity, where learners encounter new ideas. Then comes independence, where knowledge equips them to make their own financial and creative decisions. Finally, innovation emerges, as educated participants begin to design new systems and solutions themselves.
This vision aligns closely with Bitget’s global initiatives such as Blockchain4Youth and Blockchain4Her, which aim to expand access to financial literacy and Web3 skills for underrepresented groups. By framing education as the true foundation of blockchain adoption, Bitget positions itself not just as a trading platform, but as a catalyst for a more inclusive digital economy.
Bitget’s broader mission
Since its founding in 2018, Bitget has grown into one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, now serving over 120 million users across 150+ countries. Beyond trading, the company has invested heavily in tools like Bitget Wallet and programs designed to bridge the gap between financial curiosity and practical knowledge.
Its partnerships — including global sports collaborations with LaLiga and national athletes in Turkey— have helped broaden crypto’s visibility. But as Vugar highlighted in Manila, visibility is not enough; education must come next.
The road ahead
As blockchain and digital assets continue to reshape industries, the question is not only how fast technology evolves, but who gets to participate in shaping that evolution. Vugar’s message at TEDx Forbes Park was clear: blockchain education is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for the next billion people who will enter the digital economy.
“Financial freedom starts with knowledge,” he said. “That’s the foundation we need to build before any protocol or price chart can matter.”
For the Philippines — where financial inclusion remains a pressing challenge — the emphasis on blockchain literacy could mark a pivotal step toward ensuring that the benefits of Web3 are shared widely, not just by a few.
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