Tag: power dynamics

GDePIN: Will AI Pulse Finally Decentralize Power From Big Tech?

GDePIN: Will AI Pulse Finally Decentralize Power From Big Tech?

• Commentary

We’ve all seen it. The hype-filled articles proclaiming AI’s world-changing capabilities, the glitzy demonstrations of generative models suddenly creating art and computer code. But beneath the surface, a more troubling reality simmers: the centralization of AI compute power in the hands of a select few mega-corporations. Thus, they control the...

FIFA's Blockchain: A Win for Artists or Just Another Power Grab?

FIFA's Blockchain: A Win for Artists or Just Another Power Grab?

• Commentary

FIFA’s diving headfirst into the blockchain world, with plans to ditch Algorand for an Ethereum-compatible chain. On the surface, it sounds like progress. Scalability, adaptability, connect with the next generation – it’s got all the jargon buzzwords covered. So let’s get honest. Is this step truly in the service of...

MEXC's $30M Web3 Gamble: Savior or Subtle Power Grab?

MEXC's $30M Web3 Gamble: Savior or Subtle Power Grab?

• Commentary

$30 million. That's the headline figure attached to MEXC Ventures' new IgniteX initiative, a supposed CSR play aimed at "fostering Web3 talent and innovation." On the face of it, that seems to be a worthwhile goal. I mean, who doesn’t want to unlock the potential of the next generation of...

Japan's Bitcoin Revolution: A Boon for Artists and Web3 Creators?

Is Japan on the verge of accidentally unleashing a tsunami of creative destruction and financial liberation onto the rest of the emerging markets? I know this seems like a tall order, but hear me out. Japan’s regulatory change to officially recognize Bitcoin as a financial product. This step is a...

5 Ways This Crypto Bill Empowers Southeast Asian Artists, Not Wall Street

Let’s be honest, when you hear about crypto regulation, your first thought probably isn't Southeast Asian artists finding new avenues for creative expression. Surely visions of Wall Street honchos and inscrutable derivatives dance in your head. Well, what if I told you that the Senate’s Banking Committee just released their...

Crypto's 'Light-Touch' Regulation Gamble Will It Protect You?

The Senate Committee’s proposed “light-touch” regulatory framework for crypto is a long high-stakes poker game. Are we all truly holding a winning hand, or are we collectively bluffing our way into a future financial crisis? It’s a question every investor, every innovator, and frankly, every citizen should want to know....

Trump Jr. at KBW2025: Web3's Punk Rock Moment or Sellout?

Or I think about Nandar, a wonderful Burmese artist that I met in Yangon, sharing with me her latest NFT collection. Each work exploded with vivid imagery, bravely fighting back against the junta’s repressive hold. She began selling them directly to supporters around the world, allowing her to cleverly sidestep...

KBW2025: Is Trump Jr. Web3's Trojan Horse or its Savior?

Donald Trump Jr. at Korea Blockchain Week? It's a head-scratcher, isn't it? About as easy as locating a MAGA hat at a Burning Man soirée. Before we put this down as just another short-lived publicity stunt, let’s take a closer look at what this could IoTally Web3 means. Cynical ploy...

Schiff's Crypto Ban: Is He Protecting Us or Silencing Innovation?

Senator Adam Schiff's proposed crypto ban, the COIN Act, aimed at preventing the President (read: Donald Trump) from dabbling in digital assets, raises a critical question: Is this genuine protection against corruption, or a veiled attempt to stifle innovation, especially for emerging markets? Let's be real, the optics are terrible....

Immutable's Gamble: Will Gas-Free Trading Save Web3 Gaming?

Yet the hype around Web3 gaming is real, offering gamers true digital ownership and player-driven economies. Let’s get real: that promise usually meets a very different fate. High gas fees and a clunky user experience can quickly derail those intentions. Immutable is taking a big bet with its zkEVM and...