??? Will DePINs make centralised tech giants obsolete?

In today's edition, we're putting DePINs in the spotlight, examining how far we can contribute resources to make it viable.?

We'll discuss how these decentralised networks are built and maintained. Moreover,? we’ll find out whether we need centralised forces to scale up.?

If you're new to us, join the 22,706? readers who rely on us for their updates. Subscribe here.

??? Will DePINs make centralised tech giants obsolete?

DePINs are changing how we think about infrastructure, putting the power back in the hands of regular people like you and me.

There's a chance that down the road, we'll see both our digital and physical worlds being built and looked after by a team of contributors, all backed by crypto rewards.

I'm simply saying there's no need for one big company or government to be in control. Sure, there are hurdles to overcome, but isn't that half the fun??

So, whether you're a techie, a crypto enthusiast, or just enjoy a bit of rebellion, DePINs seems like something to watch out for.

Background

• DePINs started with the belief that people worldwide can collaborate to build infrastructure without third-party control or trust.
• The concept is to reward individuals with cryptocurrency tokens when they contribute things like storage space, computer power, Wi-Fi access, or data from sensors.
• This way of working challenges the usual system where big companies and governments control everything.
• They have four main principles including building physical infrastructure, using off-chain computing, providing token incentives, and focusing on end users.

Today

• People share unused storage space on personal devices, creating a decentralised cloud network.
• Data is encrypted and spread out across lots of different places for safety.
• Projects like Filecoin started this idea, but not many retail users are using it yet.
• Projects like Aethir are using graphics cards that aren't being used much for things like AI and games.
• Some users set up wireless access points like routers and hotspots to make the network coverage better.
• Projects like Helium and eSIM+ give rewards in cryptocurrency to people who help make the network stronger.
• Project Hivemapper gives rewards to people who use dashcams to take pictures for making maps.

What's Next

• Using AI and a method called Zero-Knowledge Proofs to make sure AI computations done on the blockchain are safe and private.
• Gamifying contributions to infrastructure will make it more enjoyable and attract more people.
• We will be able to overcome challenges like scalability, regulations, and token volatility.
• Changes in the way we trust and verify things like random number generation, advertising data, asset tracking.

Can DePINs really take off without any involvement from governments or corporates?

?? Saudi's SAMA asks for public feedback on draft rules for opening electronic wallets, to increase security and stability of the sector.

?? Liminal has secured an ADGM FSP licence to expand their digital asset custody services in the Middle East.

?? Apex Group expands to MENA through a new office in Saudi Arabia, offering financial services regulated by Saudi's Capital Market Authority.

?? Finance Ministry in Libya starts to adopt electronic tax payments to streamline process for citizens.

?? Saudi's Foodics expands its market presence with the opening of a new office in New Cairo, Egypt, as part of their growth strategy.

?? Emirates NBD partners with Pine Labs to boost digital payments across UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

?? United Fintech expands globally with a new location in Dubai's DIFC, led by partner company Athena.

?? Saudi's embedded finance industry surges by 30.9%, hitting $5.76 billion mark in 2024.

?? NymCard partners with Dellsons Associates to back businesses with embedded finance solutions in the Middle East and Pakistan.

?? Olympus launches a global platform for Filipino Web3 startups, offering crowdfunding, VC investments, and networking opportunities on-chain.

?? VisitorApp, a web3 travel app, turns local adventures into NFTs, linking travellers worldwide with unique regional experiences.

?? Mastercard launches a new phase of its blockchain payments startup program, adding five startups to trial payment technologies including blockchain and Web3.

?? Tether collaborates with RAK DAO to increase the adoption of Bitcoin and stablecoins in Ras Al Khaimah.

?? Genesis returns $3 billion to customers as part of their bankruptcy wind-down, all while crypto prices are surging.?

?? Saudi logistics startup MDD wraps up Series A round, securing a 5% stake at a $26 million valuation.

?? UAE proptech Keyper receives $4M in pre-Series A funding, along with $30M in Sukuk financing, with plans to improve the rental experience.

?? UAE-based electronics marketplace Revent secures $900K in pre-Seed funding from Techstars and angel investors, with plans to expand into Saudi Arabia.

?? Abu Dhabi's Tau Capital invests in UAE cleantech startup Airwater, to scale up manufacturing and distribution for their air-to-water technology.

?? Golden Gate Ventures launches $100M MENA fund, backed by Qatari investors, targeting many startup sectors including cleantech, fintech, and healthtech.

Cross-border exchange of wholesale CBDCs using automated market-makers: How might things change if central banks start using wCBDCs in FX trading? The report digs into whether Project Mariana – an experimental project by the BIS Innovation Hub, Bank of France, Monetary Authority of Singapore, and Swiss National Bank – could simplify the complex processes involved in interbank FX and make cross-border payments smoother. The report also stresses on the need for?cybersecurity measures of blockchain and DeFi before we can fully get their potential benefits. Click here to read the full report.

This week on Couchonomics with Arjun is Karan Jain, the visionary Founder and CEO of NayaOne. Our conversation covered a number of topics, including the challenges in financial innovation, NayaOne's role, evolution of technology in banking, fintech and bank relationships, and the VC and CVC landscape. Tune in here to learn more about NayaOne and what the future holds for fintech collaborations.

Now, a quick break for your wellness. Chief Wellness Officer at FAB Diego Carrete is on a mission to help executives get fit, increase their energy, and live longer.

Today, he shares key indicators of lifespan including a simple test you can do at home.?

Hello there,?

I want to open with some shocking stats for you:

• ?A 70-year-old exercises less than half of what they did at age 40. And beyond 70, inactivity decelerates (fit people in their 70s are the exception, not the rule).

• The main cause why people at this stage stop moving is injury.

• More than 27% of Americans over the age of 45 report suffering from chronic pain, and 10-12% recognize that this pain limits their day-to-day activities.

• Back pain is the leading cause of disability in the US and drains an estimated $635 billion in medical costs and lost productivity.

Now let’s dive into this test, which again, is just an indicator and at the least, it will help you to start working on your stability.

(I'm also giving you a solution if needed below).

• A flamingo-style balance test should be introduced in routine health checks for older adults as it could be a key indicator of how long you will live, researchers say.

• The inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in mid- to later-life is linked to a near doubling in the risk of death from any cause within the next 10 years, a study has suggested. A fifth of those studied failed the test.

There are other tests which are correlated to longevity, one of them being the grip strength test:

“Grip strength is closely linked to mortality in people of all incomes and may be a better indicator of life expectancy than blood pressure.”

According to longevity physician Dr. Peter Attia, a 40-year-old man should aim to be able to perform a farmer's carry with their own body weight (total combined weight across both hands) and dead hang for at least 120 seconds. Females of the same age should aim for 75% of their body weight and a 90-second dead hang.

Modern lifestyle is like an all-out assault on our spine (lumbar, thoracic, cervical). Radiologists see so much degeneration on the cervical spine that they call it tech neck.

My favorite exercise to help this is the Cat-Cow (slow version).

The slowed cat and cow help reconnect with the spine if you aim to feel and? mobilize each vertebra.?

This isn't about how much extension or flexion you can achieve, but about how much segmental control you can attain from one extreme to the other.?

By feeling the position of each vertebra, you will be able to distribute the load across the spine.

That’s it for now. Remember, small steps can make a big difference in your long-term health.

Helpful? See you next week, where we'll talk about more health and nutrition-related topics?

Until the next time.

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