Here's something often overlooked in crypto discussions: traditional banking still moves the needle for Main Street America. Local banks handle roughly 60% of small business lending and cover about 90% of agricultural financing. These numbers matter because they reflect the real backbone of the economy.

When we talk about bringing cryptocurrency into the mainstream, we can't just bulldoze past what's already working. The conversation needs to be about responsible integration—how crypto innovation can complement, not replace or undermine, the financial infrastructure that's already supporting communities across the country. The foundation is important. Building something new doesn't mean forgetting what made things work in the first place.