When the Silicon Valley pitch meets reality: A tech founder walks into a conversation about Bitcoin with someone from a community that's thrived for centuries without financial intermediaries.

The startup guy: "Decentralized ledger technology enables trustless transactions across borders without central authority."

The response: "We've managed livestock and trade agreements without banks for generations. What's the problem you're solving?"

Here's the thing—sometimes the crypto narrative gets so caught up in technological superiority that it misses what communities already have: systems built on transparency, reputation, and direct relationships.

Not saying crypto doesn't have merit. But the framing matters. When you're pitching "financial freedom" to someone who already operates outside traditional banking, maybe listen first. The assumption that everyone needs to be onboarded to the blockchain ecosystem ignores existing solutions that work on the ground.

The real innovation isn't just the tech. It's understanding why someone might not need it.