A decentralized movement is not built on fleeting transactions; it’s forged in lasting alliances. It’s about finding other nodes in the network who are broadcasting on the same frequency and working together to amplify the signal. For over two years, our proudest "proof of work" has been our deep and evolving partnership with the teams at Bitcoin Ekasi and The Surfer Kids in South Africa.
This is the story of how a simple DM grew into a global collaboration, a testament to the power of a shared mission.
Part I: The First Signal (How It Started)
It began organically, with a simple exchange of messages. We saw the incredible on-the-ground work Thinus Mouton and his team were doing, empowering their community with Bitcoin education. We offered our open-source art arsenal, and they immediately saw the potential. The conversation quickly evolved from individual DMs to a dedicated group chat—the "Bitcoin Ekasi // Street Cyber Art" headquarters—bringing together builders like Hermann, Luth, Nwabisa, and Luthando.
The mission was clear from day one: to merge our visual language with their local culture to create something new and powerful.
Part II: The Proof of Work (What We Built Together)
This alliance was never about just sending files. It was about building, innovating, and sharing the work. The flagship project became the "surf boss" collaboration: applying our art to a series of custom mini-surfboards.
This wasn't our idea; it was their innovation. The team at Bitcoin Ekasi engineered a brilliant process, creating their own UV curing rig and perfecting a method to print our full-color graphics on tissue paper, applying them directly under the fiberglass and resin. This is their proof of work, a testament to their ingenuity.
The collaboration was a true two-way street. We shipped them stickers and books to support their educational efforts. They, in turn, worked to ship us the first batch of boards. When the shipping cost presented a hurdle, we didn’t see a problem; we saw an opportunity for a true partnership. We split the cost, and the transaction was settled instantly over the Lightning Network—a perfect example of the circular economy we advocate for.
The result is a collection of stunning, tangible art pieces—each board a symbol of a global alliance built on shared values.
Part III: The Network Effect (The Signal in the Wild)
The true success of this partnership isn't measured in the objects we've created, but in the impact they're having. Our art is now part of the fabric of their community. It’s on the walls of the Bitcoin Ekasi Center, in the local shops, and in the hands of the kids. It has become a real-world signal of hope, education, and sovereignty.
And now, the signal is going global. We are incredibly proud to announce that the new collection of Street Cyber x Bitcoin Ekasi surfboards will be presented at Lugano Plan B, distributed by the amazing team at Fair Deeds.
But the most important part of this story is about closing the loop. This collaboration was never about profit for us. It’s about empowerment. That is why Street Cyber is donating 100% of our artist royalty from the surfboard collection directly back to Bitcoin Ekasi.
This is the blueprint. This is what a decentralized, grassroots movement looks like. It’s about building lasting relationships, sharing the proof of work, and reinvesting value directly back into the communities that are building the future. Our two-year alliance is just the beginning.
