Funding the Commons

"Our work, if we do it right, in the next 2–5 years can shift the future of the world economy. And the crypto community is the perfect testing ground for us to do that." ?? These words from Juan Benet, Founder of Protocol Labs, at #FtCBangkok, capture the transformative potential of public goods funding and resource allocation mechanisms in shaping a more equitable digital world. We’re deeply thankful to Protocol Labs for their steadfast support and leadership, which continue to play a critical role in driving this important work. ??

How can technology enable a more adaptive and harmonious society? ???? Ken Suzuki, co-founder and Executive Chair of SmartNews, Inc., and author of The Smooth Society and Its Enemies, introduces his vision for a "Smooth Society." This concept envisions technology as a tool for reducing friction in social systems, enabling fluid collaboration, and fostering inclusivity. Recorded at our Tokyo conference, Ken reflects on the growing challenges of societal polarization and fragmentation, and how blockchain, AI, and other innovations can help build systems that prioritize adaptability and cohesion. His ideas highlight the critical role of global collaboration in shaping a future where diversity and harmony thrive. Watch the full conversation below.

A key partner in our Thailand events, Holonym Foundation brought a focus on decentralized identity and privacy as a human right. ?? With talks and workshops led by Nanak Nihal Khalsa and Shady El Damaty, we explored transformative ideas like Human Keys and their potential to reshape decentralized identity. We’re thankful to the entire Holonym team for their energy, collaboration, and the impact they brought to our Residency, Hackathon, and Bangkok Conference. ??

The Stellar Development Foundation team brought powerful insights on financial inclusion to our Residency, Hackathon, and #FtCBangkok. ?? We had fantastic sessions led by Anke Liu, Chris Anatalio, and Anna Whitson-Diaz, highlighting the real-world impact Stellar is achieving. Their focus on easy solutions for financial transactions—including offramps through platforms like MoneyGram International—resonated with our community. We’re grateful for their support and the valuable contributions they brought to our events. Thank you for being part of this journey! ??

Ethereum is building a decentralized, open-source ecosystem for the future. ?? Aya Miyaguchi, Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation, explores Ethereum as an "infinite garden"—a collaborative, decentralized space nurtured by contributors across governments, citizens, and technologists. Together, they’re shaping the Ethereum Commons to ensure the resilience of digital public goods. This conversation, recorded in July at our Tokyo conference, feels even more timely after Devcon 7, where the Ethereum community showcased the power of collaboration and innovation. ?? Aya’s insights into collective stewardship and decentralized governance resonate deeply with us as we look at Ethereum’s future.

From fireside chats with Illia Polosukhin to workshops and great mentorship by Jarrod Barnes, NEAR Foundation brought incredible energy to our Thailand events. ????? During the Residency, Hackathon, and #FtCBangkok, we loved seeing their focus on practical tools, user-owned AI, and building meaningful connections with developers. Their support made a real impact on the public goods community and the work we’re all driving forward. Huge thanks to them, as well as the entire NEAR Protocol ecosystem for being a key part of our journey.

Reflecting on an amazing week at Devcon in Bangkok! ?? From exploring privacy as a public good to showcasing real-world Web3 use cases, we had a fantastic time sharing ideas and connecting with both the local and global community. Here's a look at what Funding the Commons brought to the table... ?? ?? "Blockchain’s Unique Potential: Transforming Lives & the Humanitarian Sector" - Our Director, David Casey, shared how blockchain supported local collaboration through public goods funding in Uganda and tested crypto-fiat systems to improve aid delivery for Burmese refugees in Thailand. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/e8KsAQ8f ?? "Memecraft: Effectively Communicating Crypto Concepts" – FtC’s Beth McCarthy, joined by Joshua Dávila, explored how memes have shaped crypto narratives like "regen" and "QF" while highlighting their potential for education and risks of misinformation. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/ey4xnTiM ?? "Maintaining Ethereum’s Unique Culture" – FtC’s Kim Buisson joined Aya Miyaguchi (Ethereum Foundation), Simona Pop, and Songyi Lee (from our valued partners, Pagoda) to discuss how Ethereum’s community can balance growth with staying true to its values and ethos. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/eiidYmFn ?? "Blockchain in Vaccine Distribution" – David Casey, Arun M., and Mansi discussed blockchain’s role in improving transparency, traceability, and efficiency in vaccine supply chains across Bangladesh and Costa Rica. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/eUZjvb7C We loved being part of Devcon in Bangkok! Huge thanks to everyone who joined us. Looking forward to seeing you at future events. ??

?? What an incredible journey in Thailand! Over the course of four amazing events—Residency, Hackathon, Design Jam, and Funding the Commons Bangkok (in collaboration with Earth Commons)—we: ?? Welcomed 1,040+ participants from across the globe ??? Hosted 110+ sessions exploring public goods funding, decentralized identity, governance, decentralized science, environmental stewardship, and more ?? Onboarded countless new voices and reignited momentum for the commons ecosystem Thank you to everyone who joined us to collaborate, share ideas, and drive public goods forward. Let’s keep building!

Thank you Funding the Commons for inviting us and giving us the opportunity to share how technology can reshape global money transfers! A big thank you to Beth McCarthy for all your support! We’re thrilled to start implementing this with NGOs to distribute global donations and cash transfers across branches or directly to beneficiaries. We’re also exploring other applications, like global payroll and remittances. Reach out if you’d like to learn more!

?? Event Highlights from the Funding the Commons x Earth Commons Conference! ??On October 8-9, 2024 at RISE, global leaders and innovators gathered to explore Web3 funding models, tech-driven environmental strategies, and Southeast Asia’s civic tech and urban planning innovations. Together, we’re advancing impactful change and sustainability in the region. RISE is committed to boosting Thailand and Southeast Asia’s GDP by 1% through transformative growth! ??The event showcased innovative solutions and collaborations, with a focus on leveraging technology for public good and environmental preservation. Thank you to Funding the Commons and all attendees for making this a powerful platform for change and connection! #FundingTheCommons #EarthCommons #DigitalInnovation #Sustainability #RISE