GenZ’s Toolkit for a New Bangladesh: Blockchain

Approximately a month ago, on August 5, Bangladesh’s GenZ accomplished something extraordinary: they managed to overthrow one of the world’s most corrupt governments in just a few weeks, despite facing a mix of oppressive measures such as deadly force, internet restrictions, and curfews.

Sharmeen Shehabuddin serves as the Social Media Lead at Consensys. It’s important to note that the opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and may not align with the views of the company.

Fun fact: Bangladesh has three de facto national pastimes (the 3Cs if you will): cricket, cha (tea), and, regrettably, corruption. While the first two inspire pride, the third has turned governance into a tragic farce. What is now known as the “Monsoon Revolution,” in which hundreds of lives were lost and tens of thousands injured, was not just another episode in Bangladesh’s history. It was a collective reckoning.

After 16 years under a single party’s rule comes to an end, there is a surge of optimism that Bangladesh can break free from the grip of corruption. However, it’s crucial to consider: How can we prevent corruption from resurfacing in new shapes? The solution could be through tangible, enforceable methods like blockchain technology.

Keep in mind that no matter how sophisticated a technology may be, it cannot replace the ethical guidance provided by human morality and compassion. The effectiveness of any tool ultimately depends on the person using it.

As a crypto investor, and as one among millions of proud Bangladeshis, I stand resolutely optimistic, inching ever closer toward a truly independent Bangladesh where transparency and accountability aren’t merely ideals but the robust structure upon which we stand. The eradication of the deeply ingrained corruption that has choked our institutions for over half a century is no small feat, but with the tools at hand, we are constructing the future we owe to the young lives that were tragically lost at the hands of those sworn to protect them.

A thriving group of Bangladeshi innovators in the Web3 space are eagerly preparing to introduce decentralization and transparency into our shared resources. Just as Briar peer-to-peer messaging apps maintained communication among Monsoon Revolution leaders through Bluetooth when internet access was blocked by the government during protests, this incident highlights both the country’s determination for significant transformation and its readiness for decentralized technologies. In a nutshell, these events serve to emphasize that such repressive actions by the government only fuel the nation’s appetite for change and their acceptance of cutting-edge, distributed technology solutions.

Recently, we’ve experienced the worst flooding we’ve seen in three decades. Sadly, such natural calamities tend to inflict severe damage upon us, and their aftermath is typically characterized by hardship and poor management. In Bangladesh, it’s regrettably common for international aid intended for those most in need to mysteriously disappear before it reaches its destination.

Fortunately, there’s some promising news regarding the World Food Programme’s Building Blocks system. This innovative approach streamlines and ensures fair distribution of food aid to those in need. Already, it has significantly helped during emergencies like the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh, as well as in Jordan, Kenya, and other nations. There’s potential for even greater impact.

Our election process often leaves much to be desired, with elections sometimes being announced before people can even vote, as seen in 2014 and 2018. However, countries like Sierra Leone experimented with a Kiva Protocol-based voting system in 2018, and Thailand used the Zcoin blockchain for over 120,000 voters in their 2018 primary elections. This means every vote is permanently recorded on a ledger, eliminating opportunities for manipulation or fraud. If Bangladesh were to adopt such a system, it would be exciting to imagine the level of trust we could rebuild in our elections.

In Bangladesh, tales of land disputes are as legendary as they are tragic – from forced evictions to prolonged conflicts over land ownership, and even instances of families turning against each other. Yet, just beyond its borders, a promising solution has emerged. In 2024, the Indian state of Assam introduced a blockchain-driven pilot project for land registration, leveraging existing digital systems like ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number). Over the years, ideas for a similar blockchain-based land registry system have surfaced in Bangladesh, but regrettably, they’ve yet to come to fruition.

The clothing sector, a crucial part of Bangladesh’s economic structure, has faced persistent issues with substandard working conditions and wage postponements for quite some time. On the other hand, nations such as Vietnam and Cambodia have leveraged blockchain technology over the years to promote supply chain transparency, ensuring fair wages and safe environments for their workers. Similarly, blockchain networks in Colombia assist indigenous coffee farmers with timely, just, and equitable payment transactions. It’s high time we embraced these practices and work towards providing our laborers and agricultural communities the recognition and compensation they truly deserve.

These instances clearly show that blockchain technology isn’t just hypothetical or irrelevant to Bangladesh; it’s already a reality addressing our local issues. While services like bKash have embraced these technologies, their application in public services could potentially create a government that’s transparent, accountable, and efficient for Bangladesh. There’s a lot of buzz about the transformative impact blockchain could have in Bangladesh. What we urgently require now is a well-defined strategy and action plan to make this a reality.

In this scenario, Bangladesh stands on the brink of numerous opportunities with Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, leading our neutral interim administration. This man is an inexhaustible force, as evidenced by his tireless work ethic. Having worked alongside him as a writer in the past, I can vouch for his relentlessness; his pace was so rapid that I eventually became exhausted and established a bakery to recuperate.

At last, we have the opportunity to cater to the needs of all citizens within the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, not merely the privileged few. It’s about more than just eradicating corruption; it’s about rebuilding faith in our institutions, a trust that is owed to the courageous young students who sacrificed their lives this summer, fighting for a fair and equitable society.

In essence, I’m merely a social media content creator, churning out tweets and memes, yet today I stand before this temporary government, urging them to embrace blockchain for public services. The traditional leaders may resist, as is their wont, but Bangladesh has faced too much hardship to be held back by the past. The Web3 community worldwide should offer its assistance. After all, it’s the people who keep a system strong, not just the technology that drives it.

In a simple and natural rephrasing, we can say: Just like Rabindranath Tagore, the renowned gem of our subcontinent, who composed the national anthems for both India and Bangladesh, penned: “May my nation rise up.

Please be aware that the opinions shared within this article belong solely to the writer and may not align with the perspectives of CoinDesk Inc., its stakeholders, or associated entities.