??? What's "Better Than Money"?

Today, I’m looking into a new idea called the "Better-Than-Money" (BTM) system. This concept aims to tackle some of the issues with traditional money and offer a more flexible, stable alternative.

So, what’s BTM all about? Can it really be more stable and easier to use than what we have now? And how might it change the way we invest and manage money?

Let’s take a closer look at BTM and what it could mean for the future of finance.

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??? What's "Better Than Money"??

Traditional money has always had its limitations.

It’s like a single currency meant to serve everyone. But in reality, people have different needs and goals when it comes to managing their money and assets.?

A currency that provides stability for one person might not work at all for someone else.

The idea of “Better than money” is about to change this.?

It implies that instead of just using one type of currency, you'd have this app on your phone that lets you hold a mix of different assets called "commodities money" or cMoney.?

The users - that's you and me - would be able to choose the specific mix of assets they want to hold in their personal cMoney portfolios.?

So with BTM, you could tailor your holdings to fit your needs and risk tolerance.

Want more stability? You could add more precious metals.

Looking to grow your wealth? You might include some high-performing commodities.

The way I see it, this could offer real benefits compared to traditional money. For starters, it could boost economic and social stability by spreading risks across different types of assets.

To understand more about the “Better Than Money” concept, let's take a look at its framework.

Background

• Regular money has limitations in providing ‘customised stability’ and flexibility for different users.
• A new system called "Better Than Money" (BTM) has been introduced to tackle these limitations.
• BTM aims to combine the advantages of barter (customised stability) with the flexibility of money.?

Today

• BTM system consists of an issuer, commodity providers, and users.
• The issuer creates a temporary medium of exchange called "commodities money" (cMoney).
• Commodity providers manage the participation of their individual commodities (ciMoney) in the cMoney system.
• Users can easily select and customise their personal portfolio of commodities.
• Transactions are conducted using cryptographic protocols and smartphone apps.
• Converting between regular currencies and the cMoney is straightforward, with simple on-ramps and off-ramps.
• The system is based on eCash 2.0 technology, which provides transparency and privacy.

What's Next

• BTM will allow users the freedom to choose the specific assets or mix of assets they want to hold for transactions.
• This can improve economic and social stability by spreading risks across different types of assets.
• BTM will make investing easier by breaking down barriers and providing more accessible opportunities for everyone.?
• BTM could make it easier to handle loans, payments over time, and investments by reducing friction.
• In the future, cMoney might be used as a "supracurrency" for direct person-to-person transfers.

??? Could “Better Than Money” actually replace our current financial system?

?? ADCB Egypt partners with PaySupp to offer a new supply chain financing platform. This will allow suppliers to receive early payments and improve cash flow.

?? Invest Bank partners with Network International to improve its digital payment services for corporate clients, including merchant acquiring and card acceptance.

?? Switzerland has rolled out instant payments to allow transfers happen in just 10 seconds, catching up with other European countries.

?? Alipay in China adds 16 languages to its app to improve the travel experience of international tourists.

?? Mashreq Bank’s new IBAN Validation API now works with the UAE Central Bank’s system to offer real-time account checks and boost payment efficiency.

?? Egypt’s MID Takseet partners with Tal2a Pay to introduce flexible installment payments and broaden customer payment options.

?? The open banking market is set to exceed $130.2 billion by 2032, driven by growing integration with digital currencies and a push for stronger security measures.

?? Sony Group enters web3 with Soneium, a new Ethereum Layer-2 network to boost blockchain adoption.

?? TON and Telegram aim to bring 500 million users to web3 by 2028.

?? Abu Dhabi is looking to introduce new rules for fiat-backed stablecoins and is asking for public feedback on its plan to regulate Fiat-Referenced Tokens.

?? Toncoin and Notcoin have both dropped significantly, with Toncoin falling 18% after the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov.

?? Egyptian climatetech startup NoorNation has secured an undisclosed investment from KBW Ventures, marking the firm’s first investment in Egypt's startup scene.

?? Pakistani fintech PostEx has raised $7.3 million in a pre-Series A round to expand its e-commerce payment and delivery services into the GCC.

?? Singapore’s Gate Ventures and Abu Dhabi’s Blockchain Centre have launched a $100 million fund to support web3 innovation.

?? Meteora Developers has acquired the property crowdfunding platform Maisour in a multimillion-dollar deal, expanding its reach into fractional property ownership.

?? Asas Specialised Information Technology has secured $320,000 in pre-Seed funding for Resquad AI, a platform that helps software companies share developers.

?? Saudi e-gifting platform Resal has raised $9 million in Series A funding to expand its digital solutions for managing and exchanging loyalty points and vouchers.

ASAP, Conceptual Model for Digital Asset Platforms: Will we soon be shopping with tokens on DAPs? This report looks into the ASAP model, developed with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, to better understand Digital Asset Platforms (DAPs). The model breaks DAPs into four key layers—Access, Service, Asset, and Platform. It also points out that the real value for users comes from focusing on the assets and services when designing DAPs. Click here to read the full report.

This week on Couchonomics with Arjun, I had a great conversation with Deepak Mehra, Chief Economist at Commercial Bank of Dubai. We talked about the big trends shaping our future, from AI and climate change to ageing populations. Deepak also shared some great insights on wealth management, trading strategies, and navigating today’s unpredictable markets. Tune in for this insightful episode by clicking here.

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 tips on how to make the most of fruits for better health.

Hello there,?

If you use it right, fruit is the best food for your health. But it can also do a horrible job on your liver.

The average person consumes half of their daily calories at breakfast, making everything they eat afterward a direct path to weight gain. . But it’s not only the amount of calories; it’s the source of those calories– Fructose.?

Fructose is the trigger of a silent epidemic: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Drinking fruit juice, especially the packaged kinds, can overload your gut with sugar and lead to insulin resistance.

Eating fruit is generally good for you because of its vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.?

Just remember to enjoy them in moderation and choose whole fruits over processed ones.

Whole fruits have fibre, which slows down sugar absorption and helps you feel full, potentially cutting down on calories.

How and when you eat fruit matters too. Consuming it with a balanced meal that includes protein and healthy fats can help prevent rapid sugar absorption.

If you're worried about fructose and liver health, opt for lower-sugar fruits like berries, apples, and citrus. Also, include liver-friendly foods like leafy greens, nuts, and fatty fish rich in omega-3s to balance things out.

?

That’s it for now. Found this helpful? Share this with someone who needs it. See you next week, where we'll talk about other health and fitness topics.

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