Are We Witnessing the Rise of the Sovereign Individual?
The rise of cryptocurrencies and digital assets reflects predictions from The Sovereign Individual and the vision of economist, Milton Friedman, of an unstoppable internet money, amid weakening state control, which enables borderless economic activity, and empowers individuals to achieve greater financial autonomy. From inflation-hit nations adopting stablecoins, to regulatory acceptance of Bitcoin in developed economies, digital assets are reshaping the balance between states and citizens, fostering pluralism in governance, and accelerating a shift toward individual sovereignty. While governments attempt to integrate and regulate crypto, their very acceptance highlights the paradox of legitimising tools that allow people to operate beyond traditional financial systems, signalling a profound structural transformation in how power and trust are distributed globally.
