Thirty years ago, Berlin’s C-Base opened as one of the first modern coworking spaces — a hacker hub where computer engineers shared code, ideas, and techniques. Fast forward to today, and coworking spaces have transformed into global incubators for digital nomads, crypto enthusiasts, and displaced tech workers.
🌍 From Hackers to Nomads
When anthropologists first studied digital nomadism in the mid-2010s, many early adopters were hackers and coders. By the 2020s, the movement had expanded dramatically, with cities like Chiang Mai becoming hotspots for nomads seeking affordable living, fast internet, and collaborative communities.
🟡 Yellow Coworking: Chiang Mai’s Crypto Hub
Launched in 2020, Yellow Coworking became a blockchain-oriented refuge during the pandemic. By 2022, it was hosting:
- Ex-Silicon Valley employees experimenting with startups.
- Russian and Ukrainian coders displaced by war.
- Crypto enthusiasts building MVPs (minimum viable products).
With biometric sign-ins, fast broadband, and a global mix of coders, Yellow embodies the borderless ethos of digital nomadism. Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin, himself a self-described nomad, is often a topic of discussion at meet-ups.
💸 The Borderless Revolution
Crypto adoption has spread beyond nomads to locals. Bars in Chiang Mai have accepted bitcoin payments, and entrepreneurs experiment with launching new coins. Yet alongside success stories are tales of scams, losses, and failed ventures — a reminder of the volatility underpinning this lifestyle.
🇵🇹 Lisbon and Beyond
Other cities are embracing the trend:
- The Block Lisboa hosts weekly “Crypto Fridays” and held the Ethereum Block Summit in 2023.
- CV Labs is building blockchain ecosystems across Europe, including Switzerland’s “Crypto Valley.”
These spaces blend coworking with incubator-style collaboration, positioning themselves as hubs for innovation.
🛂 States Competing for Nomads
Governments are now competing to attract digital nomads:
- Malaysia targets IT and cybersecurity professionals.
- Estonia offers a digital nomad visa alongside its e-residency programme.
- Spain and Portugal provide visas with paths to residency.
As predicted decades ago, nomads are becoming a valuable asset for states, much like industrial investment.
✨ The Big Picture
Coworking spaces began as hacker enclaves. Today, they are central to the crypto nomad ecosystem, blending technology, mobility, and ideology. For cities like Chiang Mai and Lisbon, they are not just workplaces — they are part of tourism, economic development, and the global competition for talent.
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