The side hustle economy just got a new name: polyworking.

Across the States, more folks are juggling multiple gigs simultaneously—not for passion projects or weekend hobbies, but out of pure necessity. Inflation keeps eating into paychecks while wages barely budge. Rent's up, groceries cost more, and that paycheck from the 9-to-5? It doesn't stretch like it used to.

So people adapt. They're driving for rideshare apps after office hours, freelancing on weekends, or picking up remote contract work between meetings. It's not exactly the dream, but it's becoming the new normal when one income stream can't cover the basics anymore.

This shift matters beyond personal finance—it signals broader economic pressure that ripples through every market, including crypto. When disposable income shrinks and financial stress rises, people look for alternatives. Some turn to DeFi for yield opportunities. Others explore ways to hedge against currency devaluation. The traditional system isn't working for everyone, and that's precisely when alternative financial systems start looking more appealing.