Changemaker Modules

Back in 2008, the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto released a nine-page document outlining a vision for a peer-to-peer digital currency: Bitcoin. Then came Ethereum in 2015, a programmable blockchain that introduced smart contracts and made it possible to build more dynamic, decentralized applications. Over time, many projects followed, shaping what would come to be known as Web3.

Cryptocurrencies quickly became the most visible part of this emerging ecosystem. New platforms launched almost daily, each with its own token and community. Online conversations often revolved around trading, speculation, and what might take off next.

But under all that, something else was taking shape.

People began using the same tools to solve problems in the world around them — sending funds fast where banks couldn't, coordinating across digital communities, and making decisions without relying on central authorities.

We started Crypto Altruists in 2021 to explore these kinds of stories: humanitarian aid delivered through crypto wallets, communities using stablecoins to pilot basic income, and DAOs pooling funds for open-source projects, climate work, and mutual aid.

This section of the Changemaker Toolkit focuses on that applied layer: how Web3 is already being used to fund programs, support collective governance, measure impact, and rethink coordination. If you're working toward social or environmental change, this is the place to explore what these tools can offer.