Crypto was never designed to be democratic. From the very outset, it's explicit that the system is designed such that network security and correct-operation-as

Crypto was never designed to be democratic. From the very outset, it's explicit that the system is designed such that network security and correct-operation-as-designed was based on making that behavior optimal for those with the most to lose. In other words, miners make the most money when they operate the network as designed. Potentially malicious actors get less return behaving maliciously than they do otherwise. It's simple, dumb, brutal, and effective. What's important is that the design of the system allows anyone with an internet connection to participate, and is in that sense open to all. BTW, ownership of currency literally doesn't matter in a proof-of-work currency (other than the ability to affect trading price). Only in proof-of-stake systems is that a possibility, and it may be possible, through careful design, to avoid that.