Filmed across Indonesia in August 2026, Bigger Than Bitcoin, Episode 2: Indonesia takes viewers on a journey from Jakarta through Bandung and Surabaya to Bali, exploring the history of money, the challenges of Bitcoin adoption, and the people building a grassroots education movement across one of the world’s most geographically and culturally diverse countries.
Traveling alongside Dimas, the leader of Bitcoin Indonesia, the documentary introduces local educators, community leaders, and Bitcoiners working to make education about money and Bitcoin accessible to their communities.
From Ancient Kingdoms to Bitcoin: Understanding Indonesia’s Monetary History
The documentary takes viewers through centuries of Indonesia’s monetary history, from the economic systems of ancient kingdoms and the influence of Dutch colonialism to the development of the modern Indonesian rupiah.
It examines how historical developments have shaped the country’s monetary system and explores the economic challenges Indonesians face today.
The film also investigates Indonesia’s legal and regulatory environment surrounding Bitcoin, including the distinction between legally owning Bitcoin and using it for everyday payments. It explores how restrictions on Bitcoin payments affect local adoption and the development of circular economies.
Against this backdrop, the documentary raises a broader question: Could Bitcoin offer solutions to some of Indonesia’s economic challenges by giving people greater financial independence and control over their money?
Bitcoin and Islam: The Debate Over Halal and Haram
As the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia offers a particularly interesting perspective on the relationship between religion, money, and Bitcoin.
The documentary explores how Islamic financial principles intersect with Bitcoin, including the ongoing debate over whether Bitcoin should be considered halal (permissible) or haram (forbidden) under Islamic law.
Through conversations with local voices, the film examines different religious and economic perspectives, the questions surrounding Bitcoin’s legitimacy, and the potential role of decentralized money within Islamic financial traditions.
These discussions reveal how Bitcoin adoption is not simply a technological or economic question, but also one deeply connected to culture, religion, and personal beliefs.
More Than 40 Communities: A Decentralized Education Movement Comes Together
Beyond the historical, legal, and religious questions, the documentary focuses on the people turning education into action.
Across Indonesia, Bitcoin Indonesia has built a decentralized network of more than 40 local meetups, bringing together people interested in learning about money, Bitcoin, and financial independence.
One of the documentary’s central moments takes place at the Bitcoin Indonesia Unconference in Surabaya, organized together with My First Bitcoin.
Educators, community leaders, and participants from across the network come together to exchange ideas, share experiences, and celebrate the graduation of more than 100 students who completed the Bitcoin Diploma. The event demonstrates how open-source education can connect people across geographic and cultural boundaries while empowering local communities to take ownership of their own educational initiatives.
Rather than focusing on Bitcoin’s price or speculation, the film asks a different question:
What happens when people gain access to financial education and begin using that knowledge to shape their own futures?
Behind the Scenes in Indonesia
Bigger Than Bitcoin: A Global Documentary Series About People, Not Technology
Bigger Than Bitcoin is a global documentary series exploring the human stories and real-world impact behind decentralized Bitcoin education.
Each episode travels to different parts of the world to meet independent educators, students, and community builders who are turning knowledge into action.
The series explores what happens beyond the classroom: when students become educators, new communities emerge, local businesses begin accepting Bitcoin, and people use what they have learned to address challenges in their everyday lives.
Bitcoin is part of every story, but it isn’t the protagonist. The people are.
The first episode, Bigger Than Bitcoin, Episode 1: Kenya, follows grassroots educators and communities across Kenya, highlighting how Bitcoin education is inspiring circular economies, environmental initiatives, and new generations of independent educators. The episode is already available on the My First Bitcoin YouTube channel.
With Indonesia as its second destination, the series continues documenting a global movement that takes different forms in different cultures but shares one central idea: Knowledge spreads when people are free to make it their own.
Premiere and Availability
Bigger Than Bitcoin, Episode 2: Indonesia received its exclusive first screening on October 22, 2026, at PubKey in New York City. The documentary is publicly available from November 2, 2026, on YouTube and Nostr.
The first episode, Bigger Than Bitcoin, Episode 1: Kenya, is already available on the My First Bitcoin YouTube channel.
Through the Bitcoin Education Fund, My First Bitcoin now forwards half of its grassroots donations to education communities like The Core in Kenya and Bitcoin Indonesia.
Support Independent Bitcoin Education →
About My First Bitcoin
My First Bitcoin is a US nonprofit supporting independent, grassroots Bitcoin education around the world.
Through free and open-source educational resources such as the Bitcoin Diploma, educator training, and a global network of more than 200 independent educators across over 40 countries, the organization helps communities develop their own locally led education initiatives.
My First Bitcoin believes that every human being is born with boundless potential and that access to education can help people realize that potential.
The goal is simple: Give people access to education and let them decide what to build with it.
Bigger Than Bitcoin, a My First Bitcoin documentary series. Director: Kyle Huber. Editor: Ben Isaak.
Media contact: Patrick, Director of Communications & Events, [email protected]
