
Just wrapped up three crypto events that painted a pretty clear picture of where we're at right now. Here's what I saw on the ground.

## **Web3 Builders' Summit: Speed is Everything**

The pace is absolutely wild. Teams are going from idea to beta in two weeks flat. Not two months, not six weeks – *two weeks*.

This isn't just startup hustle anymore; it's survival mode in the most competitive product landscape crypto has ever seen.

Key observations:

- Everyone's racing to ship, but also racing to find actual product-market fit
- Funding pressure is real – next wave could dry up fast
- The days of raising on whitepapers are long gone
- Now it's all about traction, users, and real metrics

## **SuperVietnam in Danang: The Quiet Revolution**

Danang caught me off guard. While everyone's been watching Thailand and Singapore, Vietnam has been quietly building serious blockchain infrastructure.

The numbers don't lie:

- Da Nang jumped 130 places in the 2025 Global Start-up Ecosystem Index
- That's not gradual progress – that's rocket ship trajectory
- Tran Huyen Dinh (Chairman, Fintech Application Committee, Vietnam Blockchain Association) highlighted this as proof of strong digital economy strategies

The infrastructure play is smart:

- Da Nang Hi-Tech Park offers extended tax breaks
- Equipment import exemptions for high-tech investment
- Nguyen Thi Anh Thi (Vice Chairwoman, Da Nang People's Committee) outlined their strategy: tax exemptions, infrastructure support, controlled trials for new technologies
- They're basically building regulatory sandboxes before calling them that

What struck me most was the pragmatic approach. Vietnamese institutions aren't trying to reinvent the wheel; they're looking at what worked in other markets and adapting it locally.

The conversations I overheard between government officials and builders felt refreshingly productive, not adversarial.

This feels like the early Singapore playbook all over again.

## **Solana Summit APAC: Pivots and Realizations**

The Solana event revealed something interesting about market maturity. Teams that started building DeFi protocols are quietly pivoting to enterprise solutions.

The numbers back this up: Coinbase reports that 60% of Fortune 500 companies are working on blockchain projects. That's not crypto Twitter hype – that's boardroom reality.

![](assets/event3-1.webp)

Major shifts I noticed:

- Uniswap's move into custom enterprise tools isn't an outlier – it's a trend
- VCs are burnt out on usual narratives: RWA, DePIN, AI crypto, gaming, memes
- Everyone's heard these pitches a thousand times
- But the enterprise pivot makes sense when you see the Fortune 500 adoption numbers

But here's the thing: the actual projects in these spaces are still getting built and funded.

Teams still pushing forward despite narrative fatigue:

- Inferix GPU
- Botanika
- Datagram Network

The consumer app experiments on new chains like Berachain and Sonic are where the real energy is. These aren't trying to be the next billion-dollar protocol; they're just trying to be useful.

## **The OG Comeback Tour**

The OG projects are raising again:

- Rise Chain
- Orochi Network
- Names that felt dormant are suddenly back in fundraising mode

This isn't coincidence. There's institutional memory and battle-tested teams behind these projects that new VCs are starting to appreciate again.

Experience matters more than it has in years.

## **Key Takeaways**

- **Execution over everything**: The idea phase is dead. Ship fast, iterate faster, or get left behind. Two-week cycles from concept to beta aren't ambitious anymore – they're table stakes
- **Geography matters again**: Vietnam is positioning itself as the next major crypto hub while everyone's distracted elsewhere. The regulatory sandbox approach in Da Nang could become the blueprint everyone copies
- **Narrative fatigue is real but selective**: VCs may be tired of hearing about DePIN and RWA, but they're still funding the best teams in these spaces. Finding the right story at the right moment matters as much as the product itself
- **Enterprise is the new DeFi**: B2B solutions are quietly becoming the most sustainable business models in crypto. Fortune 500 adoption numbers don't lie – this is where the real money is moving
- **OG teams are back**: Experience and proven execution are premium assets in this market. Battle-tested founders who survived previous cycles are getting premium valuations again
- **Connections beat content**: The main stage talks are impressive, but the real deals happen in hallway conversations. Everyone's hunting for that next connection or partnership that keeps their project alive
- **Speed isn't just about building**: It's about reading market signals, pivoting when narratives shift, and staying ahead of trend cycles. The teams that survive are the ones that can adapt faster than the market moves

## **What's Next**

**Globally:**

- More enterprise pivots across the board
- Geographical diversification of crypto hubs
- Continued focus on real utility over token mechanics
- Markets with practical crypto regulation will capture next wave of institutional adoption

**In Vietnam:**

- Watch for major exchange launches
- More government partnerships incoming
- Vietnam potentially becoming the Southeast Asian crypto gateway that everyone expected Thailand to be
- Da Nang's regulatory sandbox approach could become the regional model

The hype cycle is dead. The build cycle is just getting started.

Talks and Takeaways from the Scene Part 3

3rd Talks and Takeaways

Talks and takeaways from the scene part 3: Three Crypto Events, One Reality Check


**Industry**

Human Resources Technology (HR Tech)

**Location**

United States

**Business context**

A startup needed a fast, fair, and scalable AI recruitment tool to streamline hiring processes for HR teams.

**Solution**

Designed and delivered a MVP for an AI-powered hiring platform in two weeks, enabling rapid market validation.

**Outcome**

Successfully launched an intuitive, voice-enabled hiring tool, slashing screening times and positioning Screenz.ai for growth in HR tech.

**Our services**

Product Design, UI/UX, Prototyping, Backend Development, User Research

## Technical highlights

- **Backend**: Node.js (Next.js) for a serverless backend to process interviews and orchestrate AI evaluations
- **Voice processing**: ElevenLabs API for real-time speech input and automated feedback
- **Data storage**: TimescaleDB for scalable, high-performance management of session data and analytics
- **Frontend**: Next.js for a seamless, responsive HR interface
- **Analytics**: Retool dashboards for real-time insights into candidate performance
- **Testing**: Rapid user testing cycles with HR teams for iterative refinements

## What we did with Screenz.ai

Screenz.ai is an HR tech startup improving recruitment with AI. Their mission is to build an automated hiring platform that accelerates hiring, reduces bias, and delivers top talent. In late 2024, they partnered with us to build a MVP to test their vision and validate market demand

We assembled a focused team of one designer and two engineers to work closely with Screenz.ai’s leadership. Our goal was to deliver a functional prototype in just two weeks, creating an AI-powered tool enabling HR teams to screen candidates via automated voice interviews. We managed end-to-end development from user research to backend integration, ensuring an intuitive and market-ready platform.

The MVP we delivered allowed Screenz.ai to launch on time, collect critical user feedback, and establish a foundation for a scalable hiring solution.

## The challenges Screenz.ai faced

Screenz.ai tackled a widespread HR issue. Manual recruitment is slow, repetitive, and susceptible to bias. HR teams are overwhelmed by CVs, spending days or weeks reviewing applications, while candidates face inconsistent evaluations. Screenz.ai envisioned an AI-driven platform to streamline this process, but building it presented several challenges:

- **Speed vs. quality**: Deliver a robust MVP in two weeks without sacrificing too much usability or performance.
- **Dual user needs**: Create a tool that is efficient for HR managers and transparent for candidates.
- **Real-time processing**: Enable instant voice-based evaluations with minimal latency.
- **Scalability**: Designed for internal team to easily scale after handover.
- **Market validation**: Build a prototype for rapid testing to confirm demand in the competitive HR tech market.

## **How we built it**

We approached Screenz.ai’s MVP with 2 main goals: evaluating voice processing technology and scaffolding the architecture, all essential for a startup aiming to make an impact in HR tech. Our process combined user research, lean design, and rapid iteration to deliver a high-impact prototype.

Given the ambitious goal of delivering a functional MVP for Screenz.ai in just two weeks, our approach prioritized rapid validation and foundational scalability. We had two primary objectives:

1. **Evaluate core voice processing technology:** We needed to confirm the viability and quality of using AI voice processing for real-time, automated interviews.
2. **Scaffold a scalable architecture:** The MVP needed a solid technical foundation that Screenz.ai's internal team could confidently build upon and scale post-launch.

These objectives, combined with the aggressive timeline, drove several key technical decisions:

1. **Selecting the Right AI Voice Platform (ElevenLabs):** The success of the MVP hinged on the voice interaction. We chose the **ElevenLabs API** after evaluating options for its remarkably human-like voice quality and low-latency processing. This was crucial for creating a seamless and positive candidate experience, directly addressing our first objective of validating the core voice technology in a real-world application.
2. **Accelerating development with Next.js and serverless:** To maximize speed and focus resources on the user-facing elements critical for market validation, we opted for **Node.js within the Next.js framework for a serverless backend**. This approach significantly reduced initial setup time and offloaded complex DevOps management, allowing our lean team (one designer, two engineers) to concentrate on implementing the core interview logic and user interfaces. While robust backend functionality would be needed later, the serverless model provided the speed and basic orchestration required for the MVP.
3. **Enabling rapid monitoring with Retool:** Understanding MVP performance quickly was vital. Instead of investing development time in building custom dashboards from scratch, we utilized **Retool**. This allowed us to rapidly create essential internal dashboards for monitoring interview processing, system health, and key user interactions, providing immediate feedback loops for iteration and validation.
4. **Designing for data growth with TimescaleDB:** Anticipating that successful automated interviews could generate substantial data (session details, transcripts, scores), we chose **TimescaleDB** for data storage. Its strength in handling large volumes of time-series data made it ideal. Crucially, our focus wasn't just on implementing the database but on **designing a thoughtful and scalable schema**. This upfront effort ensured that the data captured during the MVP phase would be structured effectively for future, more complex analytical tasks and reporting as Screenz.ai scaled, directly supporting our second objective of building a scalable foundation.

By making these strategic technology choices, we balanced the need for speed, the requirement to test the core AI functionality, and the long-term goal of providing Screenz.ai with a robust and scalable platform architecture. This lean, focused approach enabled us to deliver a high-impact MVP within the two-week timeframe, paving the way for Screenz.ai's internal team to take over and expand the platform.

### Technical approach

- **User-centric design**: We profiled two key personas. HR managers demand fast, accurate tools to prioritize top talent. Job seekers seek a fair, clear hiring process. These insights shaped a platform balancing efficiency and fairness.
- **Voice processing core**: The MVP’s flagship feature is real-time voice interviews powered by ElevenLabs API. This service processes speech input instantly for seamless candidate interactions, delivers automated feedback and scoring to reduce delays, and ensures consistent evaluations to minimize bias.
- **Serverless backend**: We built a Node.js (Next.js) backend to orchestrate AI evaluations. The interview service manages voice processing and candidate scoring. The session service tracks user interactions and interview progress. The analytics service feeds data to Retool dashboards for HR insights. This serverless approach optimizes costs and scales with demand.

![](assets/screenzai-4.webp)

- **Data management**: TimescaleDB powers the platform’s data layer. It stores session data and analytics with high performance, supports time-series queries for real-time insights, and scales efficiently as user volumes grow.
- **Frontend and analytics**: The HR interface runs on Next.js for a smooth experience with responsive design for desktop and mobile access and clean navigation for screening and reviewing candidates. Retool dashboards provide real-time analytics on candidate performance and customizable views for HR teams to track hiring metrics.
- **Lean development process**: To hit the two-week deadline, we streamlined workflows. Prototyping built a clickable prototype to simulate HR and candidate flows. The backend stack leveraged Node.js (Next.js) for serverless efficiency. Testing conducted usability tests with HR groups to refine functionality. \*\*\*\*

![](assets/screenzai-5.webp)

Our process incorporated best practices for rapid delivery. Daily syncs featured short standups to align on progress and resolve blockers. Iterative refinement included continuous feedback loops with Screenz.ai’s lead, Tom. User testing provided early validation with HR users to confirm usability. Version control uses Git to manage code and design assets.

### How we collaborated

Our team integrated seamlessly with Screenz.ai’s vision. We brought together engineers skilled in crafting intuitive tools, experienced in Node.js and serverless architectures, and a product researcher to align features with user needs.

Since we had just two weeks for the project, we cut back on meetings and focused on building stuff. We followed a simple plan: Week 1 was for the interview webpage, and Week 2 was for the report webpage plus final tweaks. We sent quick daily texts about what we’d done and what was next, shared early versions with demo links every day to get feedback fast, and wrapped up each week with a demo and chat to stay on track.

This approach enabled smooth collaboration, bridging remote workflows and tight deadlines to deliver a polished MVP.

## What we achieved

In partnership with Screenz.ai, we delivered a transformative AI hiring platform MVP. The voice-enabled tool for automated interviews and real-time scoring was powered by ElevenLabs API. A Next. js - based HR dashboard enabled seamless candidate management. Real-time analytics via Retool dashboards provided actionable insights. A scalable backend with TimescaleDB and Node.js was ready for future growth. A fully tested prototype was validated by HR users in just two weeks.

![](assets/screenzai-1.webp)
![](assets/screenzai-2.webp)

Our collaboration provided Screenz.ai with key advantages. Rapid market entry launched a functional MVP on schedule for real-world testing. User-driven design confirmed value with feedback showing screening times significantly reduced. A scalable foundation supported features like video interviews or role-specific scoring. Strategic focus allowed Screenz.ai to prioritize product vision while we handled design and development.

![](assets/screenzai-3.webp)

By delivering a lean, high-quality MVP, we helped Screenz.ai validate their concept and engage early adopters. The platform is poised for growth with plans to add video capabilities and advanced analytics, built on the robust foundation we established.


Screenz.ai

AI for fast and fair talent search


I recently went to two Web3 events in Vietnam: Berachain and Babylon. Both were full of energy, with people excited to talk about the future of cryptocurrency. Here’s what I learned, with some cool ideas from Berachain’s community approach mixed in.

### Berachain: growing in Asia with a fun community

At the Berachain event, everyone was focused on growing in Asia, places like Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Asia has tons of people online, so it’s a great spot for crypto projects to expand. With over 2.93 billion internet users in Asia as of 2024, it’s no wonder projects are flocking here.

But there were some challenges. People said it’s really hard to find local experts who know how to market Web3 projects. And it’s not just talk, there are only 23,000 Web3 developers globally compared to 26 million in Web2, making talent scarce, especially in Southeast Asia, according to AngelHack. But that’s more like an industry problem:

![](assets/event2-1.webp)

This has become the consensus and most of the comment section agreed with this take. Some argued that it happened in most industries, while some stated it was simply because talents coudn’t keep up with this space’s rapid change. Another problem is token prices. When prices go up, everyone’s happy, lots of people join and groups get active. But when prices drop, it gets quiet. It’s hard to keep things going strong all the time.

Berachain is doing something different. They’re building a fun community with memes and ideas people connect with, like bears, tho they prefer to be referred as “beras”. They’ve got accounts that post funny stuff, making the project feel friendly and exciting. This could attract talented people who get both tech and local culture.

![](assets/event2-2.webp)

They also have programs that rewards people for helping out, teaching others, spreading the word, and staying active. They give out things like airdrops and NFT whitelisted spots tied to their bera themes. This keeps their community strong, even when the market isn’t doing well. In Asia, where regular marketing can feel useless, this could work really well.

However, Ethereum built its whole vibe on sharing free code with everyone and keeping things super decentralized, no bosses, no central control, just pure tech freedom. But the ETH community sentiment is at all-time lows right now. There’s absolutely no sustainable playbook for growth here.

### Babylon: a new way to use Bitcoin

At the Babylon event, they talked about a new idea: a way to earn extra money (yields) from altcoins while keeping your Bitcoin safe in your wallet. You don’t have to move it anywhere, and they’re even building their own blockchain. People were pumped but also careful, asking things like, “Is my Bitcoin safe?” and “Where do the rewards come from?” With Bitcoin’s market cap exceeding $1.6 trillion now, it’s understandable why people are cautious about new staking ideas.

![](assets/event2-3.webp)

This could be huge cause most of Bitcoin holders don’t do anything with them, they just HOLD them? I do see a use case gap for the maxis, but there are worries. This protocol give out rewards/yields as alt-coins. The altcoins you earn might lose value fast. Plus, the tech is new, and people want proof it’s secure before they trust it with their Bitcoin. Still, it’s an exciting idea. They’ve just had the airdrop snapshot for the community, which could help it grow. Anyways, event’s rated as 5/10, too much technical jargon was mentioned. The room was full when I came in, nearly half left during the presentation. Guess the majority still don’t care about the technical stuff, they probably just want their portfolio to go up. That’s some tips for the presenters, mention the audience’s bags.

![](assets/event2-4.webp)

Okay, so I hit up these events. It’s definitely got some potentials, but it’s got some real headaches too like where do you find enough brainy folks to make it all work, and how do you deal with the market going wild one day and crashing the next? Berachain’s got this chill vibe going, trying to build a fun, tight-knit crew, and that could totally patch up some of these problems. They’re not just obsessing over token prices like everyone else, they’re betting on people sticking around for the long haul, which might actually make something that doesn’t die out fast. Then there’s Babylon, going in with this idea that could flip the script, even if it’s got some sketchy risks.

Asia’s got the people and the hype to pull off Web3, no doubt, but it needs some clever moves to really take off. Berachain’s whole “let’s make a community people love” thing could be the secret sauce showing it’s not just about getting huge, it’s about creating a spot where folks wanna hang. Honestly, I’m kinda over the quick cash grabs; we should be building vibes and cultures that stick around.


Talks and Takeaways from the Scene Part 2

2nd Talks and Takeaways

Talks and takeaways from the scene: part 2


Hey everyone. I went to 2 cool events in Vietnam recently and I’ve got some fun thoughts to share. Tired of boring tech talk? I’ll tell you what I saw and what got me excited or curious. No big words, just my real take. Let me know what you think.

## First stop: XDC Network to the world, building Asia's Web3 ecosystem roadshow

I showed up at this Web3 event hoping for something big. It was pretty quiet though. A few years back Web3 felt wild and free, startups had crazy fun ideas. This time it was more people in suits playing it safe. I thought Web3 was about breaking rules so I wondered: is it changing? Maybe it’s just this event. My friend Terrance said some builders don’t come to these things, they’re out there making stuff on their own. That’s cool to think about. The talks got lively when investors got excited about trading apps the Vietnam government likes.

I talked to one VC from Southeast Asia who said they’d love to put money into government-backed CEXes. They think it’s the future, big groups jumping into crypto. It sounds like an easy win. Some people said governments might push out platforms that don’t follow rules but others think it’s a chance to grow. In November 2024, a [Chainalysis report](https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/central-southern-asia-crypto-adoption-2024/) said Vietnam got $100 billion in cryptocurrency inflows. Most of this came through **centralized exchanges** CEXes. Big investors, and retails like using them. Plus, the [VnExpress article from January 2025](https://vnexpress.net/de-xuat-thu-nghiem-san-giao-dich-tien-so-tai-trung-tam-tai-chinh-4837314.html) shows the Ministry of Planning and Investment pushing to test-run crypto trading platforms in places like Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang by 2025

Here’s why Vietnam’s government wants to help these exchanges grow:

- Rules That Work: They can stop the crypto mess from going wild, keeping it safe and legal, and no shady scams allowed.
- More Jobs, More Money: More exchanges mean more gigs and cash for Vietnam. It’s a win for workers and the economy.
- New Tech Vibes: It gets people cooking up fresh tech ideas, making Vietnam look smart and cutting-edge.
- Tax Cash: They can grab some tax money from all those crypto trades. With billions flowing, taxing profits means more bucks for stuff like roads and schools.
- Big League Status: It puts Vietnam on the global crypto map, pulling in big investors and making the country look legit.

## Next up: what’s up HCM, startup demo night

A few days later I hit a startup night in Ho Chi Minh City. Wow what a difference. AI startups showed off some amazing stuff. VCs couldn’t take their eyes off one AI that fixes order mistakes, it’s a big deal for businesses. I think it’s super smart even if it might mean fewer jobs. It’s a win for companies and I can see why they’re excited.

![](assets/event-takeaways-1st-1.webp)

I met Justin from [Costella.](https://www.costella.co/) He said the tech world’s changing, less hiring of newbies and more focus on skilled pros because the market’s shaky. He’s built a cool tool that figures out your emotions from how you talk. He’d love your help testing it, try it out and tell him how it could help you or your business. Then I talked to Eduardo from [Asserto.](https://asserto.ai/) He’s been a developer for over 20 years, through dot-com days, web apps, and mobile apps, and says this AI wave is the wildest yet. He’s making a platform to test prompts and needs testers, plus a sales person and a frontend dev. Give him a hand if you can.

I also met Jeremy from [Nex AI](https://www.nexai.app/), and he’s super cool. His team made a tool that helps businesses by doing data entry for them. It saves money and time, so companies don’t have to deal with boring paperwork. The error rate is super low, and it can scan PDFs and pictures too. Johnathan said they’re testing it in Vietnam with some startups who love how fast it works. Really neat for big or small businesses. They’re in Singapore and looking for more people to try it out here. It’s simple, smart, and cuts the junk work. Worth a look if you want to save cash.

These innovations reflect a broader AI boom in Vietnam and South East Asia. According to [OpenGov Asia](https://opengovasia.com/2025/02/08/vietnams-ai-future-innovation-policy-and-growth/), 80% of Vietnamese businesses embraced AI last year, topping the regional average of 69%. At QVIC 2024, 70% of solutions featured AI to tackle business challenges. Fueling this surge, NVIDIA’s new AI-focused R&D center in Vietnam is set to drive further innovation and open doors for tech talent.

Not everything was great. Some AI chat tools were for small silly stuff, kind of weak. One guy called his idea “big news” but it felt fake so I tuned out. Still the good ones solve real problems and the crowd was pumped. New people are coming to Vietnam to start things, it’s a vibe I could feel even if I didn’t count them.

That was my week, and I’m feeling good about it. The Web3 event showed me things are shifting, maybe getting ready for something bigger. The AI night was bursting with fresh ideas, and even with some worries, the energy there was electric. Vietnam’s alive with people chasing dreams and building cool stuff. I think we’re onto something real here, not just noise, and it’s only going to grow. What do you think? Can’t wait to see what’s next. Catch you soon.


Talks and Takeaways from the Scene Part 1

1st Talks and Takeaways

Talks and takeaways from the scene: part 1


Hey everyone, I’ve got some interesting updates from the tech world to share today. I’ve grouped them into three sections: Top Products, Blockchain, and AI. Let’s get into it.

---

## Top products

**GetBasalt.ai**

This site is all about giving businesses some handy tools to grow smarter and faster. It’s like having a little assistant that automates boring tasks and helps you focus on the big stuff. They keep it simple so anyone can use it, whether you’re a small startup or a bigger company looking for an edge.
[Source](https://www.getbasalt.ai/)

**Captiwate.com**

Captiwate is focused on making online content that hooks people in. Think fun videos, eye-catching designs, or anything that keeps folks scrolling and watching. It’s a great pick for marketers or creators who want to stand out in a crowded digital space without too much hassle.
[Source](https://www.captiwate.com/)

**Nbulatest.ai**

This one’s a neat spot for keeping up with what’s happening in AI. They break down the latest news and tools in a way that’s easy to get, even if you’re not a tech wizard. If you’re curious about artificial intelligence and want to stay in the loop, it’s worth a look.
[Source](https://www.nbulatest.ai/)

**OpenArt.ai/Characters**

OpenArt is this cool platform where you can whip up unique characters using AI. You could design faces or full figures for stuff like games, stories, or just fun art projects. It’s super user-friendly and lets your creativity run wild with minimal effort.
[Source](https://openart.ai/characters)

**Kaneo.app**

Kaneo is a free, open-source tool for managing projects. It’s all about keeping things simple and easy for teams. You get stuff like Kanban boards to see your tasks, real-time updates, and a spot to chat with your team. You can host it yourself, tweak it however you want, and it’s under an MIT license, so it’s yours to play with. It’s got a community of people building it together, making project management less of a hassle.
[Source](https://www.kaneo.app/)

---

## Blockchain

\***\*Bybit Hack News\*\***

So, Bybit, this crypto exchange, had a rough day when they got hacked and lost $1.5 billion. Their CEO came out and said they’ve got enough cash to cover it though, so users don’t need to panic. Still, it’s a heads-up that even the big players can get hit by online trouble now and then.
[Source](https://www.tradingview.com/news/coindesk:cda1c390e094b:0-bybit-loses-1-5b-in-hack-but-can-cover-loss-ceo-confirms/)

\***\*SEC Drops Uniswap Case\*\***

The SEC, those U.S. rule-makers, decided to drop their case against Uniswap, a well-known crypto platform. This could shake up how crypto rules work, maybe giving blockchain projects a bit more room to breathe. People on X are calling it a solid win for the industry, and it’s easy to see why.
[Source](https://coinpaprika.com/news/sec-drops-uniswap-case-as-crypto-rules-face-major-shift/)

**Moca Network and SK Planet**

Moca Network joined forces with SK Planet to roll out something called Oki Club. It’s a pretty big deal for getting Web3, that blockchain tech, into regular businesses. The idea is to make it simpler for everyday people to dip their toes into crypto without feeling lost.
[Source](https://decrypt.co/308002/moca-network-and-sk-planet-launch-oki-club-marking-first-large-scale-enterprise-use-of-air-kit-for-web3-onboarding)

**Binance Announcement**

It’s called "Super Earn," and it lets people lock up their crypto, like ETH or BNB, for a set time to earn some extra rewards. It’s a way to make your crypto work for you while you just chill. They started this on February 27, 2025 (yep, today!), and it’s got higher rewards than regular staking, but you gotta commit to keeping your funds in there for a bit. Pretty straightforward, lock it up, earn more, wait it out.

[Source](https://www.binance.com/en/support/announcement/detail/ea4d4b4fa9f943fabd891c4d5836d230)

**Kredivo and Gajigesa Deal**

Kredivo, a finance crew, teamed up with Gajigesa in a $12 million deal. They’re blending blockchain with lending to make borrowing easier for folks in Southeast Asia. It’s a smart move that could change how people handle money over there, and it’s cool to see tech mixing into real life like that.
[Source](https://www.techinasia.com/kredivo-takes-gajigesa-12m-deal-source)

---

## AI

**DeepSeek-AI on GitHub**

DeepSeek is this AI team putting their work up on GitHub for anyone to check out. They’re cooking up smart tools that you can mess with or build on yourself. It’s all open-source, so coders or curious learners can dive in and play around with what they’ve got going.
[Source](https://github.com/deepseek-ai/profile-data)

**Hacker News Chat**

The Hacker News thread features a variety of innovative projects. Mech is a programming language designed for robotics, while a flight simulator for engineers aims to be a skills platform for DevOps, AI, and ML. Infinite Code Canvas provides an interactive way to visualize codebases, and Font of Web tracks web font usage. Airweave makes applications searchable for AI agents, and Can I Run This LLM? helps users check GPU compatibility for local LLMs. Habitat is a self-hosted social platform, and OpenAppNote.dev aggregates open-source hardware designs. Colanode serves as a local-first alternative to Slack and Notion, and Firefly is a small, typed full-stack programming language. These projects highlight the diversity and creativity of the HN community.
[Source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43154065)

\***\*Claude 3.7 Sonnet\*\***

Anthropic just launched Claude 3.7 Sonnet, their new AI that’s built for chatting and tackling tricky tasks. They’re saying it’s quick, safe, and ready to take on heavyweights like ChatGPT. Sounds like a solid option if you’re after something fresh in the AI world.
[Source](https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-3-7-sonnet)

\***\*Grok 3 in the AI Race\*\***

The Verge did a piece on Grok 3, which is the latest version from xAI. They’re tying it to Elon Musk’s push to stay ahead in the AI game. It’s got some neat voice tricks and can help out with all kinds of stuff, which is pretty cool to see written up.
[Source](https://www.theverge.com/command-line-newsletter/617780/grok-3-elon-musk-ai-race-chatgpt)

**Apple Vision Pro AI**

Apple’s planning to add some AI smarts to their Vision Pro headset come April 2025. It’ll boost what the device can do, like making virtual reality feel more helpful and interactive. If you’re into Apple gear, this could be something to watch for.
[Source](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/02/apple-intelligence-comes-to-apple-vision-pro-in-april/)

\***\*Nvidia’s Big Earnings\*\***

Nvidia’s making bank, with their revenue up 80% because everyone wants AI chips. They’re the ones building the tech that keeps AI like me running, and it’s clearly paying off big time. It’s wild how much AI demand is shaping things these days.
[Source](https://cointelegraph.com/news/nvidia-revenue-jumps-80-percent-earnings-beat-ai-chip-demand)

---

## Final thoughts

Man, there’s a lot going on, huh? From neat tools to blockchain moves and AI getting smarter, tech’s always on the roll. What do you think about all this? Drop me a line sometime.


Bybit Loses $1.5B in Hack, Claude 3.7 Sonnet Drops, and OpenArt Designs Characters

#9: Bybit Loses $1.5B in Hack, Claude 3.7 Sonnet Drops, and OpenArt Designs Characters

Weekly consulting snapshot #9: Bybit loses $1.5B in hack, Claude 3.7 Sonnet drops, and OpenArt designs characters


Technology is moving fast, and AI and blockchain are at the center of it all. In this blog, we’ll look at some recent news and tools that show how these fields are growing and what that means for the future.

## AI: The next leap in intelligent systems

### Open-sourcing R1: A new era in AI

[Perplexity Blog - Open Sourcing R1 1776](https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/open-sourcing-r1-1776)

Perplexity has released R1 1776, an open-source version of the DeepSeek-R1 model. This model has been further trained to ensure it provides unbiased, accurate, and factual information.

DeepSeek-R1, developed by a Chinese startup, is known for its strong math and reasoning skills but also includes strict censorship, especially on topics sensitive in China. Perplexity has worked to remove these biases, making R1 1776 a more neutral and reliable model for users.

By open-sourcing R1 1776, Perplexity allows developers and researchers to access and build upon this improved model, promoting transparency and collaboration in AI development.

### LLM code generation: A developer’s take

[Harper’s Blog - LLM Codegen Workflow](https://harper.blog/2025/02/16/my-llm-codegen-workflow-atm/)

This article talks about using Large Language Models (LLMs) to help write code. The author shares how they use AI in their coding process, including what works well and what doesn’t. While AI can save time, people still need to check the code for mistakes and make sure it stays organized.

### Perplexity deep research: New AI for deeper insights

[Perplexity Blog - Deep Research](https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/introducing-perplexity-deep-research)

Perplexity has a new tool called Deep Research AI, which focuses on finding and summarizing information more deeply than normal search. It can link ideas from different topics, making it helpful for people who do detailed research and want to see connections in large amounts of data.

### The limitations of LLMs

[Sean Goedecke - What LLMs Can’t Do](https://www.seangoedecke.com/what-llms-cant-do/)

Sean Goedecke points out where LLMs still fall short, such as in true reasoning, creativity, and planning for the long term. AI models rely on spotting patterns, not actual understanding. Therefore, humans remain important for decisions that need real insight or creativity.

### xAI’s Grok-3: Human-Like Reasoning?

[Engadget - Grok-3](https://www.engadget.com/ai/xai-launches-grok-3-ai-claiming-it-is-capable-of-human-reasoning)

Elon Musk’s xAI announced Grok-3, which they say can show “human reasoning.” Many people in the AI field are waiting to see if this is real reasoning or just clever pattern matching. If Grok-3 can do what it claims, it might change how AI is used in everyday life.

---

## Blockchain: Security, innovation, and adoption

### NFT finance with HyperFND

[HyperFND Twitter](https://x.com/HyperFND/status/1891730068151599464)

HyperFND is bringing new ways to own and trade NFTs. By splitting ownership and using DeFi methods, it lets more people invest in NFTs. This could make NFTs easier to trade.

### Cardex exploit: Security warning for DeFi

[The Block - Cardex Exploit](https://www.theblock.co/post/341694/cardex-exploit-compromised-400000-worth-of-ether-across-9000-wallets-abstract)

Cardex was hacked, losing over $400,000 in Ether from 9,000 wallets. This is a big reminder that DeFi platforms need strong security measures to protect users.

### Hong Kong’s crypto plans

[Tech in Asia - Hong Kong’s Crypto Strategy](https://www.techinasia.com/news/hong-kong-explores-crypto-products-lead-digital-assets)

Hong Kong wants to be a global leader in cryptocurrency by exploring new digital asset products. This is part of a larger plan to become a major hub for blockchain, especially as other places set stricter rules.

### Israeli blockchain security firm raises $50M

[Tech in Asia - Israeli Blockchain Security Firm](https://www.techinasia.com/news/israeli-blockchain-security-firm-raises-50m-series)

An Israeli startup that focuses on securing blockchain platforms has raised $50 million. As more people use DeFi and Web3, the need for better protection grows. Investors see a big opportunity here.

---

## Top products shaping the future

### Graphiti: Easy AI workflow charts

[GitHub - Graphiti](https://github.com/getzep/graphiti)

Graphiti is a free Python library that helps you create knowledge graphs that change over time. It automatically builds graphs that update as relationships change and keeps a history of past data. This is very useful for AI systems like personal assistants or autonomous agents that need long-term memory. It works with both messy and organized data, allowing advanced searches that mix time, meaning, and graph ideas.

### RoadwayAI: Smarter traffic management

[RoadwayAI](https://www.roadwayai.com/)

Roadway is a tool for marketing teams, especially in SaaS companies. It tracks where website traffic comes from and shows how different channels and campaigns help grow a business. Acting like a smart coworker, Roadway gives AI-powered insights and practical advice to improve marketing, automate reports, and boost revenue.

### 21st.dev: Boosting developer productivity

[21st.dev](https://21st.dev/)

21st.dev is a community platform and marketplace for design engineers to find, share, and sell ready-made React components. Inspired by shadcn/ui, it offers many simple and modern UI parts made with Tailwind CSS and Radix UI. You can choose from a wide range of components, from buttons and forms to sliders and calendars, to build user interfaces quickly.

### Wegic.ai: AI-driven image editing

[Wegic.ai](https://wegic.ai/)

Wegic is an AI-powered service that works like a complete website team, covering design, development, and management. With a chat-like interface, you describe your website ideas and Wegic turns them into a working, customizable site. This makes it easy for anyone, even without technical skills, to create and manage a professional website.

### Builder.io: Turn Figma designs into code

[Figma Plugin - Builder.io](https://www.figma.com/community/plugin/747985167520967365/builder-io-ai-powered-figma-to-code-react-vue-tailwind-more)

Visual Copilot is a Figma plugin by Builder.io that uses AI to convert designs into clean, responsive code for frameworks like React, Vue, Svelte, Angular, and more. It works with tools like Tailwind CSS and CSS Modules. This plugin makes it simple to move from design to code by generating ready-to-use code, which speeds up development and keeps designs and code consistent.

---

## Conclusion

AI and blockchain are growing quickly, with open-source models and secure DeFi solutions leading the way. Meanwhile, new tools keep popping up to help developers, designers, and businesses work better. Keeping track of these trends can help us use these technologies in smart, safe, and creative ways.


R1 1776 Goes Open-Source, Cardex Gets Hacked, and Grok-3 Debuts

#8: R1 1776 Goes Open-Source, Cardex Gets Hacked, and Grok-3 Debuts

Weekly consulting snapshot #8: R1 1776 goes open-source, Cardex gets hacked, and Grok-3 debuts


Welcome to our roundup of the most exciting developments in AI and blockchain. From cutting-edge low-code platforms to the latest Ethereum upgrades, here’s what you need to know.

---

## Top AI tools to watch

### 1. ToolJet

**Website:** [tooljet.ai](https://www.tooljet.ai/)

**Why It Matters:**

- **Open-source & low-code:** Quickly build internal enterprise tools.
- **Streamlined integration:** Connect multiple data sources with ease.
- **Rapid deployment:** Scale your applications without heavy overhead.

### 2. Figr identity

**Figma Plugin:** [Figr Identity on Figma](https://www.figma.com/community/plugin/1350743748296105581/figr-identity-generate-design-systems-with-ai)

**Why It Matters:**

- **AI-generated design systems:** Automate UI components and maintain brand consistency.
- **Speed & consistency:** Eliminate manual processes and keep teams aligned.

### 3. ElevenReader

**Website:** [elevenreader.io](https://elevenreader.io/)

**Why It Matters:**

- **Intelligent summaries:** Save time by getting concise overviews of long articles.
- **Contextual insights:** Deepen your understanding with AI-driven analysis.
- **For avid readers & researchers:** Ideal for anyone dealing with large volumes of text.

### 4. TestSprite

**Website:** [testsprite.com](https://www.testsprite.com/)

**Why It Matters:**

- **AI-driven testing automation:** Reduce manual testing overhead and catch bugs early.
- **Faster QA cycles:** Accelerate product releases without compromising quality.
- **Robust software:** Enhance reliability and user satisfaction.

---

## Latest developments in AI

### 1. AI cost reduction by 10X

**Article:** [Read More](https://ecoinimist.com/2025/02/10/artificial-intelligence-costs-down-10x/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=artificial-intelligence-costs-down-10x)

AI infrastructure and compute expenses are plummeting, making advanced models more accessible to a broader range of industries. This shift could significantly democratize machine learning and AI research.

### 2. Lyft & Mobileye to deploy robotaxis by 2026

**Article:** [Read More](https://www.theverge.com/news/609371/lyft-robotaxi-mobileye-marubeni-dallas-2026)

Ride-hailing giant Lyft, in collaboration with Mobileye and Marubeni, plans to introduce fully autonomous robotaxi services in Dallas. This bold move underscores how quickly self-driving technology is becoming a reality.

### 3. Advancements in music AI models

**Article:** [Read More](https://www.maximepeabody.com/blog/music-ai-models)

From generating intricate melodies to crafting lyrics, music composition AIs are reshaping creative workflows in the music industry. These tools offer endless possibilities for artists and producers alike.

### 4. AI-powered text-to-speech (TTS) with Py3-TTS

**Article:** [Read More](https://pypi.org/project/py3-tts-wrapper/)

Py3-TTS simplifies text-to-speech integration for developers. Whether you’re building an accessible app or a digital assistant, high-quality voice synthesis can greatly enhance the user experience.

### 5. “Fully Autonomous AI Agents Should Not Be Developed”

**Link:** [Hugging Face Paper](https://huggingface.co/papers/2502.02649)

A recent paper warns about **fully autonomous AI agents -** highlighting potential safety, privacy, and ethical risks. The authors argue that greater autonomy reduces human oversight, which can lead to unintended consequences.

**Key Points:**

- **Greater autonomy, greater risks:** Automated errors and misinformation are harder to control.
- **Human oversight is essential:** Continuous monitoring can prevent harmful outcomes.
- **Regulatory gaps:** Current frameworks may be insufficient to handle fully autonomous agents.

**Criticism:**

- The paper relies on **theoretical risks** without extensive real-world data.
- It doesn’t fully address **potential benefits**, such as disaster response.
- Critics suggest **regulation** over prohibition for a balanced approach.

**Bottom Line:** While the concerns are valid, **maintaining human oversight** and developing nuanced regulations may offer a middle path - supporting innovation while mitigating risk.

---

## Blockchain innovations and news

### 1. Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade enters testnet phase

**Article:** [Read More](https://www.bankless.com/read/ethereums-pectra-upgrade-set-for-testnet-trials)

Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade promises improved scalability and security. As it enters testnet trials, the wider ecosystem is watching closely for performance gains.

### 2. Lido v3 revolutionizes Ethereum staking

**Article:** [Read More](https://www.altcoinbuzz.io/cryptocurrency-news/lido-v3-redefines-ethereum-staking-with-stvaults/)

With **stVaults**, Lido’s new version offers enhanced flexibility and security for Ethereum staking. This advancement may attract both seasoned and new stakers looking for streamlined solutions.

### 3. Proton launches Bitcoin wallet for 100M users

**Article:** [Read More](https://www.altcoinbuzz.io/cryptocurrency-news/proton-launches-bitcoin-wallet-for-100m-users/)

Proton’s newly released Bitcoin wallet aims to bring crypto accessibility to over 100 million users, underscoring the growing mainstream interest in digital assets.

### 4. SEC reviewing more Solana ETF applications

**Article:** [Read More](https://coinpaprika.com/news/sec-reviews-more-solana-etf-applications-approval-chances-rise/)

**Why It Matters**

- **Institutional adoption:** A Solana ETF would introduce SOL to a broader investment audience.
- **Potential price impact:** Like Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, a Solana ETF could drive significant price action.
- **Strong ecosystem:** Solana’s performance and network growth bolster its case for approval.

As the SEC’s stance evolves, **institutional and retail investors** are keeping a close eye on Solana’s ETF prospects.

---

## Closing thoughts

From AI tools that supercharge productivity to major blockchain innovations, the tech landscape is evolving at lightning speed. Whether you’re automating workflows, exploring next-gen music composition, or diving into staking protocols, **staying informed is key**. Keep these developments on your radar to remain at the forefront of both AI and blockchain advancements.


10x AI Cost Reduction, Lyft’s 2026 Robotaxi Milestone, and Solana ETF Buzz

#7: 10x AI Cost Reduction, Lyft’s 2026 Robotaxi Milestone, and Solana ETF Buzz

Weekly consulting snapshot #7: 10x AI cost reduction, Lyft’s 2026 robotaxi milestone, and Solana ETF buzz


This recap after Lunar New Year highlights some of the most promising products and companies making an impact, along with key trends in AI and cryptocurrency. DeepSeek’s rise in the AI sector, Ethereum’s record-breaking milestones, all-time-high predictions, and institutional interest in Bitcoin are just a few of the major shifts influencing the landscape.

## Trending products

**UXUY**

- **Product description:** Provides a mobile crypto wallet and decentralized exchange platform, enabling users to trade across multiple blockchains with features like one-click fast trading and innovative gas solutions.
- **Total funding:** $10.2M
- **Employees:** 2
- **Founded:** 2023
- **Location:** Singapore
- **Industries:** Cryptocurrency, Wallet, Decentralized Exchange, Blockchain, Web3
- **Website:** https://uxuy.com/

**Octant**

- **Total funding:** $1.5M
- **Employees:** 2
- **Founded:** 2023
- **Website:** https://octant.build/en-EN/
- **Product description:** Aims to establish a self-sustaining global public goods funding ecosystem, allowing users to earn ETH rewards by locking GLM tokens and supporting community-chosen public good projects.

**Ctrl Wallet**

- **Product description:** Offers a secure and user-friendly crypto wallet supporting over 2,300 blockchains, enabling users to manage various cryptocurrencies and NFTs in one place.
- **Total funding:** $6.0M
- **Employees:** 5
- **Location:** United Kingdom
- **Industries:** Cryptocurrency Wallet, Blockchain Technology, Web3, Digital Assets, Finance
- **Website:** https://ctrl.xyz/

**Lanai**

- **Product description:** Provides an AI empowerment platform that helps enterprises transform AI experiments into success by offering visibility, protection, and acceleration of AI interactions across teams.
- **Total funding:** $10.0M
- **Founded:** 2023
- **Location:** United States
- **Industries:** Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Software, Data Security, Business Transformation, Technology Services
- **Website:** https://www.withlanai.com/

**Cuckoo**

- **Product description:** Delivers an AI interpreter designed for global teams, facilitating multilingual conversations in sales, marketing, and support by integrating seamlessly with platforms like Zoom and Slack.
- **Total funding:** $500.0K
- **Employees:** 31
- **Founded:** 2024
- **Location:** United States
- **Industries:** AI Interpreter, Multilingual Communication, Remote Collaboration Tools, Language Technology, Team Collaboration
- **Website:** https://www.cuckoo.so/

---

## **Artificial Intelligence (AI):**

**DeepSeek: The Chinese AI Upstart Making Waves**

[DeepSeek](https://www.businessinsider.com/deepseek-hot-topic-earnings-calls-exec-analyst-questions-2025-1), a Chinese AI company, has become a focal point during recent earnings calls of major tech companies, reflecting its significant impact on the industry. Executives from firms like AMD, Google, and Microsoft have addressed questions about DeepSeek's innovations and potential market implications.

**Nvidia's $465bn Rout Amid DeepSeek's Rise**

[A significant sell-off](https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2025/jan/27/gsk-deal-oxford-university-cancer-vaccines-dollar-rises-after-trump-u-turn-colombia-tariffs-business-live) in technology shares led to a $1 trillion loss in US stock markets, primarily due to a 13% plunge in Nvidia shares. This was triggered by the popularity of a new AI app from Chinese start-up DeepSeek, raising concerns about the future dominance of US technology companies.

**January 2025: Top Five AI Stories of the Month**

- [Chainalysis acquires Alterya](https://www.fintechfutures.com/2025/01/january-2025-top-five-ai-stories-of-the-month/): Chainalysis expanded its capabilities by acquiring Alterya, an AI-driven fraud detection solution. This integration aims to enhance real-time fraud prevention for financial institutions, fintechs, and crypto service providers.
- **Gate City Bank partners with Lama AI**: North Dakota's Gate City Bank collaborated with Lama AI to implement a generative AI-powered loan origination platform. This technology is designed to streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and expedite decision-making in business lending operations.
- **DeepSeek releases DeepSeek-R1**: On January 20, DeepSeek unveiled DeepSeek-R1, an open-source large language model based on DeepSeek-V3. Utilizing a chain-of-thought approach, it achieves performance comparable to OpenAI-o1 across math, code, and reasoning tasks.
- **Launch of the Stargate project**: Announced on January 21, the Stargate Project is a joint venture between OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX, with a substantial investment of up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure.
- **Introduction of 'Humanity's last exam' benchmark**: Published on January 23, this benchmark for large language models comprises 3,000 challenging questions across over a hundred subjects, aiming to evaluate and advance AI capabilities.

**US Fintech Start-Up Jump Secures $20M Series A**

[Jump](https://www.fintechfutures.com/2025/02/us-fintech-start-up-jump-bags-20m-series-a-led-by-battery-ventures/), a US-based start-up specializing in AI-powered software for financial advisors, has secured a $20 million Series A funding round led by Battery Ventures, bringing its total funding to date to nearly $25 million.

---

## **Blockchain and Cryptocurrency:**

**Humanity Protocol Valued at $1.1 Billion After Latest Fundraise**

[Humanity Protocol](https://www.reuters.com/technology/humanity-protocol-valued-11-bln-after-latest-fundraise-2025-01-27/), specializing in blockchain-based identity verification, has reached a $1.1 billion valuation following a $20 million funding round, focusing on using palm scans for secure online account authentication.

**Trump’s World Liberty Financial Acquires ETH**

[World Liberty Financial](https://thedefiant.io/news/defi/trump-s-world-liberty-financial-acquires-2971-4-eth-9-97-million-total-holdings-e5109546), associated with Donald Trump, has purchased 2,971.4 ETH worth 9.97 million. This move highlights growing institutional interest in Ethereum and cryptocurrencies. The acquisition reflects a broader trend of traditional financial entities diversifying into digital assets.

**David Sacks Pushes Bitcoin-Backed Stablecoin Bill**

[David Sacks](https://coinpaprika.com/news/david-sacks-pushes-bitcoin-reserve-stablecoin-bill-in-crypto-plan/) is advocating for a crypto plan that includes using Bitcoin as a reserve asset and creating a Bitcoin-backed stablecoin. The proposal aims to strengthen the U.S. dollar and promote wider adoption of cryptocurrencies. Sacks believes this approach could position the U.S. as a leader in the global crypto economy.

**Ethereum Hits New Massive Record**

[Ethereum has achieved a new all-time high](https://u.today/ethereum-hits-new-massive-record), driven by increasing adoption, DeFi growth, and institutional interest. The milestone underscores Ethereum’s dominance as a leading blockchain platform for decentralized applications. Analysts attribute the surge to ongoing network upgrades and rising demand for smart contract functionality.

**More Parents Choose Bitcoin Over 529 College Savings Plans**

[A growing number of parents](https://coinpaprika.com/news/more-parents-choose-bitcoin-over-529-college-savings-plans/) are opting to invest in Bitcoin instead of traditional 529 college savings plans. They view Bitcoin as a potentially higher-return investment for their children’s future education costs. This shift reflects increasing confidence in cryptocurrencies as long-term financial assets.

**Ethereum’s New All-Time High in March Highly Likely, Says Analyst**

[Analysts predict Ethereum is poised to reach a new all-time high in March](https://finbold.com/ethereums-new-all-time-high-in-march-is-highly-likely-says-analyst/), driven by strong market fundamentals and increasing institutional interest. Key factors include the ongoing Ethereum 2.0 upgrade and rising DeFi activity. The bullish outlook suggests continued growth for the second-largest cryptocurrency.

**Czech Central Bank Considers Billions in Bitcoin Reserves**

[The Czech National Bank](https://coinpaprika.com/news/czech-central-bank-considers-billions-in-bitcoin-reserves/) is exploring the possibility of adding Bitcoin to its reserves, potentially investing billions. This move would mark a significant shift in central bank strategies toward digital assets. The consideration reflects growing recognition of Bitcoin as a legitimate store of value.

**SEC Eases Rules for Banks to Safely Hold Bitcoin and Crypto**

[The SEC has relaxed regulations](https://coinpaprika.com/news/sec-eases-rules-for-banks-to-safely-hold-bitcoin-and-crypto/), making it easier for banks to hold Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies securely. The updated rules aim to encourage institutional participation in the crypto market while ensuring compliance. This regulatory clarity is expected to boost confidence among traditional financial institutions in adopting digital assets.

**MegaETH Announces ICO via Soulbound NFT Mint**

[MegaETH](https://thedefiant.io/news/blockchains/megaeth-announces-ico-via-soulbound-nft-mint) has announced its Initial Coin Offering (ICO) through a unique Soulbound NFT minting process. Soulbound NFTs are non-transferable tokens tied to a user’s identity, ensuring long-term engagement and authenticity. This innovative approach aims to create a more secure and community-focused fundraising model. The ICO is expected to attract attention for its blend of blockchain technology and identity-based tokenomics.

**What is DeFai?**

[DeFai](https://www.bankless.com/read/what-is-defai-2), or Decentralized Finance Artificial Intelligence, represents the integration of AI technologies into DeFi ecosystems to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and user experience. AI can optimize trading strategies, risk management, and yield farming by analyzing vast amounts of data in real-time. This fusion aims to create smarter, more adaptive financial systems while maintaining the decentralized ethos of DeFi. The concept highlights the potential for AI to revolutionize how decentralized finance operates.


Trending Products, DeepSeek Wave, and Ethereum Predictions

#6 Trending Products, DeepSeek Wave, and Ethereum Predictions

Weekly consulting snapshot #6: Trending products, DeepSeek wave, and Ethereum predictions


## We are hiring full-stack engineers

This role offers flexibility, remote work, and the chance to build meaningful solutions alongside a talented team.

> **🤘 <a href="mailto:spawn@d.foundation">Apply now</a>** (We respond within three days)

## Dwarves is a research-focused technology firm

Since 2015, we have helped companies build & ship top-notch software, operate tech teams and invest in ambitious people who are after world's next big things.

Technology is our north star metrics, engineering is our culture. We are a profitable company since day 1 and have been growing steadily.

By October, we have already achieved our goals set for 2021. Moving to the next goals, we're looking for talented engineers to join our team.

- [Life at Dwarves](https://memo.d.foundation/careers/additional-info/life-at-dwarves/)
- [The manifesto](https://memo.d.foundation/careers/additional-info/the-manifesto/)
- [Culture handbook](https://memo.d.foundation/careers/additional-info/culture-handbook/)

## Products we recently take part in

### [Ascenda](https://www.ascenda.com/)

Ascenda enables financial services companies to grow revenue with world-class rewards.

### [Fornax AI](https://fornax.ai/)

Fornax AI helps early-stage startup founders to effectively communicate their ideas to investors.

### [SP Group](https://www.spgroup.com.sg/)

Government owned utility distribution enterprise in Singapore, with footprint in most Asian countries and in Australia.

## Our advances into web 3.0

### [Attrace](https://attrace.com/)

Netherland's referral protocol for crypto assets where anyone can sign up to promote.

### [Hedge Foundation](https://www.hedge.foundation/)

Hedge Foundation - powerful dashboard to support users in managing crypto account positions, balance, PNL.

### [Tokenomy](https://tokenomy.com/)

Tokenomy - decentralized Community VC backed by the largest crypto exchange in Indonesia, Indodax.

> 🤝 **As an engineer at Dwarves, you will be working closely with a team of talented, kind people and working directly with our clients. There is a lot of freedom to contribute to the quality of the project and improve, or prove yourself.**

### What you'll get to do

- Define and shape the fundamentals of engineering at Dwarves Foundation
- Design and write maintainable code at scale
- Continuously discuss, debate with other team members to propose optimal solutions for different problems
- Maintain and monitor the systems to make sure there is no disruption in our services

### What it takes to succeed

- A Linux or Mac user
- Familiar with Agile development process, esp. Scrum framework
- 3 years experience with Node JS
- Proficiency in **Node.js** and **Firebase**
- Strong understanding of **React**, **Vite**, **TypeScript**, and **Tailwind CSS**
- Strong interest in **AI/LLM** and **fintech**
- Experience in shipping web applications to production, **CI/CD with docker centric workflow**
- Ability to leverage **AI tools** to enhance development and productivity
- Familiar with running large scale web services
- Understanding of system performance and scaling
- Possess excellent communication, sharp analytical abilities with proven design skills, able to think critically of the current system regarding growth and stability
- Experience in writing good unit tests
- Good written and verbal English communication, team player with a collaborative work ethics

### What you can look forward to

- You will be working closely with a team of talented, kind people. Your team will have your back. We love helping and uplifting our co-workers.
- You will be directly with our clients. There is a lot of freedom to contribute to the quality of the project and improve, or prove yourself.
- You will be working on projects that are impactful and meaningful. We're picky with what we choose to take part in.
- You will get to be a member of a community where we learn and discuss everything technology.

> 🤘 **<a href="mailto:spawn@d.foundation">Apply now</a>** (We respond within three days)

**Your dream job not listed? Not a big deal. We hardly ever say no to talented people.**\
<a href="mailto:spawn@d.foundation">Shoot us an email</a> with your LinkedIn / CV\
[Join our Discord](https://discord.gg/dfoundation) of +300 other engineers and designers


We are looking for a Full-stack engineer who is passionate about building scalable, secure, and efficient web applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of both frontend and backend technologies, and the ability to work across the entire stack.

Full-stack engineer


## Follow the money

### 1. The US: golden ticket

- **Why it matters**: The US alone raised $190.7B in VC funding in 2024, more than the rest of the world combined. With a 30% year-over-year increase, it’s clear that American startups are ready to invest in rapid scaling and cutting-edge technologies.

![](assets/top-countries-by-vc.webp)

### 2. High-growth markets to watch

- **India** (+19%) and **Canada** (+26%) are surging in VC investments, signaling a growing appetite for tech solutions.
- The **Netherlands** leads in growth (+48%), making it a promising market for cost-effective, high-quality services.

### 3. Cost-sensitive regions: a strategic advantage

- **Insight**: Regions like **China (-29%)** and **South Korea (-58%)** face significant funding declines. Startups here will likely prioritize cost-efficient solutions to maximize limited budgets.

### Sector-specific opportunities: where to focus

![](assets/us-leading-segments.webp)

### AI is still the kingmaker

- **Key figures**: AI-related fields dominate US investments, with $30.1B in GenAI model makers, $11.5B in AI data preparation, and $8.6B in GenAI applications.

### Immersive tech and autonomous systems: rising stars

- **Opportunity**: Immersive technologies raised $10.1B, and autonomous mobility secured $8.4B in VC funding.
- AR is gaining traction in sectors like e-commerce (virtual try-ons), healthcare (surgical simulations), and education (interactive learning).
- VR applications are expanding into gaming, virtual meetings, and therapy solutions.

## Blockchain

**Dubai's DAMAC Partners with MANTRA for $1 Billion Asset Tokenization**

[Dubai-based developer DAMAC Group](https://www.reuters.com/technology/dubai-developer-damac-signs-1-bln-deal-with-blockchain-platform-mantra-2025-01-09/) has entered into a partnership with blockchain platform MANTRA to tokenize $1 billion worth of Middle Eastern assets. This initiative aims to convert ownership rights into digital tokens, facilitating online trading and enhancing product offerings. The tokenized assets are expected to be available on the MANTRA chain early this year.

**Brickken Secures $2.4 Million to Advance Asset Tokenization**

[Barcelona-based startup Brickken](https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2025-01-15/la-startup-brickken-cierra-una-ronda-de-24-millones-para-impulsar-su-negocio-de-tokenizacion-de-activos.html), specializing in the tokenization of real-world assets, has closed a $2.5 million seed funding round, valuing the company at approximately $22.5 million. The funds will support Brickken's expansion in Europe, North America, and Asia, as well as enhance its technological platform with advanced enterprise solutions and AI integration.

**Coinbase Introduces Bitcoin-Backed Loans**

[Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase](https://www.investopedia.com/coinbase-is-offering-loans-against-your-bitcoin-8775589) has launched a service allowing users to secure loans up to $100,000 against their Bitcoin holdings. The loans are provided in USD Coin (USDC) without requiring a credit score, with the loan amount based on the Bitcoin offered as collateral. This service enables users to access funds without selling their Bitcoin, potentially avoiding capital gains taxes.

**MiCA Regulation Guides Digital Asset Expansion in Europe**

[The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation](https://cincodias.elpais.com/criptoactivos/2025-01-16/reglamento-mica-la-brujula-que-guiara-la-expansion-de-los-activos-digitales-en-europa.html) was introduced in Europe in January 2025 to regulate digital assets, addressing challenges like volatility and cybersecurity risks. This framework aims to provide security, transparency, and trust in the crypto market, requiring providers to register and obtain authorization to operate in the EU, thereby reducing systemic risks and promoting market stability.

**UK's 'Debanking' of Crypto Firms Raises Concerns**

[A survey of UK fintech and crypto firms](https://www.forbes.com/sites/lawrencewintermeyer/2025/01/16/no-country-for-young-fintechs-the-uks-debanking-of-crypto-blockchain-and-web3/) revealed that 50% have been rejected when attempting to open bank accounts. This 'debanking' trend poses significant challenges for the growth and operation of crypto and blockchain startups in the region, prompting calls for regulatory intervention to address the issue.

## Artificial intelligence (AI)

**Taiwan Advances AI Chip Production with New Plant**

[Taiwan has strengthened its role in AI chip production](https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-artificial-intelligence-chip-factory-spil-1e087e92592b0b9ab7fb20442a5b8dc7) with the inauguration of a new factory by Siliconware Precision Industries Co. (SPIL) in Taichung. The facility aims to innovate AI chip packaging technology and integrate silicon photonics for enhanced system capabilities, reinforcing Taiwan's critical position in the AI supply chain.

**Google Integrates AI-Generated Answers into Search Engine**

[Google is implementing a significant update](https://www.thesun.ie/tech/12966220/google-search-major-change-ai-openai-chatgpt-gemini/) to its search engine by incorporating AI-generated answers, marking the most substantial change in 25 years. The AI Overviews feature provides direct responses to queries at the top of search results, moving beyond the traditional list of links. Following successful trials, this feature is being rolled out in the US, with plans to expand to other countries.

**OpenAI CEO Predicts Emergence of Autonomous AI Agents**

[OpenAI CEO Sam Altman](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/01/sam-altman-says-we-are-now-confident-we-know-how-to-build-agi/) expressed confidence in the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI), stating that the company is now confident in its ability to build AGI as traditionally understood. He also predicted that by 2025, AI agents capable of performing complex tasks may enter the workforce, significantly impacting company operations.


Showcasing VC Trends, Blockchain Breakthroughs, and AI Innovations

#5 VC Trends, Blockchain Breakthroughs, and AI Innovations

Weekly consulting snapshot #5: VC trends, blockchain breakthroughs, and AI innovations


## AI sector

[**Nvidia's Personal AI Supercomputer**](https://www.wired.com/story/nvidia-personal-supercomputer-ces/): Nvidia has unveiled Digits, a $3,000 desktop AI supercomputer designed for researchers and enthusiasts. This compact device boasts an Nvidia GB10 Grace Blackwell "superchip," 128GB of unified memory, and up to 4TB of storage, capable of running large AI models with up to 200 billion parameters.

[**Microsoft's Mini AI PCs**](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/2/24334251/microsoft-copilot-plus-mini-pcs-ces-2025-notepad): Microsoft is set to introduce mini PCs equipped with Copilot Plus features, enhancing functionalities like Recall and AI-powered image editing in Windows 11. Asus and Geekom are among the manufacturers launching devices with dedicated Copilot buttons, signaling a move towards more AI-integrated personal computing.

[**Omi: The AI Companion Wearable**:](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/8/24338750/omi-ai-wearable-friend-companion) Omi is a new $89 AI wearable designed to act as an always-listening digital assistant, capable of summarizing meetings and offering personal mentorship. Developed by Nik Shevchenko, Omi aims to understand and respond to user needs in real-time, with future aspirations towards integrating brain-computer interfaces.

[**AI Hardware's Critical Phase**:](https://www.wired.com/story/ces-2025-ai-hardware-is-in-its-put-up-or-shut-up-era) At CES 2025, the focus is on integrating AI into existing devices rather than creating new AI-specific hardware. The previous year's dedicated AI gadgets underwhelmed users, leading companies to embed AI as one of multiple features in products like smart glasses, enhancing overall user experience.

## Blockchain

[**Worldcoin's New Orb and Expansion**](https://www.wired.com/story/worldcoin-sam-altman-orb/): Sam Altman's company, Tools for Humanity, has rebranded its Worldcoin project to the World Network, introducing a new Orb for biometric iris scanning. The device will be available through various channels, including home delivery in Latin America, aiming to verify human identity in an AI-driven world.

[**Convergence of Immersive Tech, Blockchain, and AI**:](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/06/the-technology-trio-of-immersive-technology-blockchain-and-ai-are-converging-and-reshaping-our-world/) The integration of spatial computing (AR/VR), blockchain, and AI is reshaping digital interactions. This convergence enhances user experiences across industries like retail and financial services, enabling more secure, transparent, and personalized digital engagements.

## Others

[**Sony's Xyn VR Headset Prototype**](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/6/24337597/sony-xyn-vr-headset-prototype-3d-games-movies): Sony has unveiled Xyn, a prototype "extended reality" headset aimed at creators of 3D content for films, animation, and games. Featuring 4K OLED displays and video passthrough, Xyn is designed to integrate with third-party design and modeling software, enhancing creative workflows.

[**Google's AI-Powered Smart Glasses**:](https://www.wired.com/story/google-android-xr-demo-smart-glasses-mixed-reality-headset-project-moohan/) Google is set to release AI-powered smart glasses and the Android XR platform, marking significant advancements in AR and VR. These glasses offer real-time translations, object recognition, and contextual awareness, utilizing Google's Gemini voice assistant, aiming to provide a comprehensive mixed-reality experience.

[**Snap's AR Spectacles 2024 Edition**](https://www.wired.com/story/snap-spectacles-2024-hands-on/): Snap has launched the 2024 edition of its augmented reality Spectacles, enhancing user interaction through creative AR capabilities. While primarily targeted at developers, these glasses feature a 46-degree AR display and standalone functionality, aiming to foster social connectivity through shared AR experiences.

[**CES 2025 Tech Innovations**](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/4/24335163/ces-2025-what-to-expect-tvs-smart-home-auto): CES 2025 showcased a range of tech advancements across various sectors. Highlights include giant OLED and Mini LED TVs with AI-powered features, smart home products leveraging the Matter standard, and next-gen GPUs from Nvidia and AMD, indicating a year poised for significant technological growth.

## South east Asia Q4 2024 venture capital highlights

### Industry highlights

**Challenger Banks:**

- **Definition:** Digital-first financial institutions that operate without physical branches, focusing on streamlined banking experiences.
- **Why it's leading:** Massive growth in demand for online banking services, driven by financial inclusion initiatives and increasing mobile adoption across SEA.

**Insurtech Distribution and Brokerage:**

- **Definition:** Technology-driven platforms facilitating insurance sales and customer management.
- **Why it's growing:** The need for simplified insurance distribution channels and digitization of customer acquisition has fueled investments here.

**Embedded Insurance:**

- **Definition:** Insurance services integrated directly into non-insurance platforms, such as e-commerce or fintech apps.
- **Why it's expanding:** Companies seek to offer additional value by bundling insurance products with primary services, enhancing customer retention.

**DeFi (Decentralized Finance):**

- **Definition:** Blockchain-based financial services eliminating traditional intermediaries, like banks, in transactions.
- **Why it's booming:** SEA has a high unbanked population and DeFi platforms offer accessible financial tools directly on the blockchain.

**BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later):**

- **Definition:** A short-term financing model allowing consumers to make purchases and pay in installments.
- **Why it's rising:** Increased e-commerce activity and consumer preference for flexible payment options have driven growth in BNPL platforms.

![](assets/top-sea-invested-sectors.webp)

### Top regions for investment

![](assets/top-regions-invested.webp)

- **Singapore:** Led the region in total VC investment, attributed to its stable regulatory environment and strong startup ecosystem.
- **The Philippines:** The fastest-growing market in 2024, fueled by digital infrastructure investments and a surge in e-commerce activity.
- **Manila:** Emerged as the fastest-growing city hub, reflecting a surge in tech adoption and new business formations.

Source: [dealroom.co](https://dealroom.co/)


Showcasing AI breakthroughs, expanding Worldcoin, and driving SEA investments

#4 AI Supercomputers, Mini AI PCs, SEA VC

Weekly consulting snapshot #4: AI supercomputers, mini AI PCs, Worldcoin expansion, and SEA VC


## AI sector

[CES 2025 in Las Vegas](https://www.investors.com/news/technology/ces-2025-ai-robots-wearables-smart-glasses-rings/) was all about artificial intelligence, with Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang delivering the keynote and showcasing their latest AI chips for personal computers. But AI wasn’t just in PCs , smart glasses with advanced features, health-tracking smart rings, and AI-powered home gadgets were everywhere. This year’s event made it clear that AI is no longer just a futuristic concept but something becoming part of everyday life.

The AI boom didn’t stop at tech expos; it’s also driving [Wall Street’s latest bull run](https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/ai-boom-fed-rate-cuts-lift-us-stocks-new-highs-2024-2024-12-31/). As 2024 wrapped up, the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq hit near-record highs, with tech stocks , especially AI leaders , leading the charge. Nvidia saw its market value soar past $3 trillion with a staggering 170% gain, while Tesla also returned to a $1 trillion valuation. While economic recovery and lower interest rates helped, the unstoppable momentum behind AI seems to be the real driving force behind the market’s performance.

[Networking companies](https://www.barrons.com/articles/ai-networking-nvidia-cisco-broadcom-arista-bce88c76) are also benefiting massively from AI’s rapid growth. Firms like Broadcom, Cisco, Arista Networks, and Marvell Technology have seen their stocks climb as the demand for advanced networking technology skyrockets. With AI models requiring vast amounts of data and computing power, these companies are now essential players in keeping the digital infrastructure running smoothly for AI operations.

Meanwhile, [investment banks](https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/investment-banks-look-to-2025-ai-push-to-remove-junior-drudge-work-8dfc606c) are turning to AI to boost efficiency and reduce workloads, particularly for junior bankers. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and UBS have all started using generative AI tools to automate tasks like creating pitch decks and regulatory documentation , work often handed to entry-level analysts. This shift could be a game-changer, helping banks focus on strategic decision-making while easing the workload on overburdened teams.

The [35% decline in AI job postings in Australia](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fbusiness%2Ftechnology%2Fai-jobs-ads-are-shrinking-in-australia-new-data-reveals%2Fnews-story%2Fc58c961af4fa5461555a90ae38782ec3&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPB-Segment-1-NOSCORE&V21spcbehaviour=append) since the launch of ChatGPT reflects changing market dynamics. Key reasons include:

1. **Unmet ROI:** 44% of companies report minimal returns from AI investments, leading to hiring slowdowns.
2. **Talent saturation:** An influx of AI candidates has reduced job availability.
3. **Third-party solutions:** Companies increasingly prefer external AI services over in-house teams.
4. **Tech sector slowdown:** Broader IT hiring declines have impacted AI roles.
5. **Evolving skills:** Rapid tech shifts demand more specialized, harder-to-find skills.

## Blockchain

The [fusion of AI and blockchain](https://www.cryptotimes.io/2024/12/30/ai-and-crypto-exploring-emerging-projects-in-2025/) continues to spark some of the most experimental projects of 2025. New initiatives like ai16z, and even the meme-inspired _Fartcoin_ are combining decentralized technologies with AI-driven decision-making tools. Some projects focus on using AI to enhance capital allocation, while others explore AI-generated meme content tied to digital assets. The creative potential of this crossover is just beginning to unfold.

[Forbes Forecasts for Crypto in 2025](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2024/12/30/four-predictions-for-web3-in-2025-and-beyond/)

- AI Agents on Blockchain: AI-driven autonomous entities will expand on blockchain for transparency and trust, especially in gaming and content creation.
- SocialFi Growth: Cryptocurrencies with social utility, like in-game assets, will gain popularity as community-driven value creation surges.
- Web3 Gaming Revival: Web3 will help the struggling gaming industry by reducing user acquisition costs through decentralized ownership and engagement.
- Traditional Industry Adoption: Web3 will reshape business models rather than just upgrading infrastructure, leading to wider industry adoption.


Explore the impact of AI at CES 2025, Wall Street's AI-driven surge, and the fusion of blockchain and AI in emerging projects.

#3 AI at CES, Wall Street Boom, Blockchain Trends

Weekly consulting snapshot #3: AI’s ubiquity at CES, Wall Street’s AI boom, and blockchain innovations


Hey there, another week brings a fresh mix of tech stories worth talking about. Let’s break it down, keep things chill, and see what’s been happening.

### [AI Talent War](https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/20/24326135/ai-talent-wars-databricks-interview)

The race for top AI talent is getting intense. Databricks recently raised $10 billion, not for some wild project but to ensure their team is well-compensated and motivated. Naveen Rao, their VP of AI, likened hiring elite AI researchers to finding a “LeBron James” rare and transformative. It’s a reminder that while AI dominates the headlines, the real breakthroughs depend on the talent building these systems. For now, the focus is on refining infrastructure rather than chasing AGI.

### [A Work Hack You Didn’t Know You Needed](https://code.dblock.org/2020/09/01/keep-a-changelog-at-work.html)

Here’s a simple productivity tip shared by Daniel Doubrovkine: keeping a personal CHANGELOG at work. It’s essentially a daily log of what you’re working on, written in plain, human-readable language. Turns out, it’s a low-effort way to boost one-on-one meetings, help onboard new team members, and give yourself a snapshot of everything you’ve accomplished. It might not be flashy, but it’s one of those habits that can quietly make a big difference.

### [OpenAI’s Models Get Smarter](https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/20/24326036/openai-o1-o2-o3-reasoning-model-testing)

OpenAI rolled out two new models, o1-preview and o1-mini, designed to improve reasoning. These models are outperforming their predecessors in competitive programming, math, and scientific tasks. What sets them apart is how they take a bit more time to “think” before answering, which leads to sharper problem-solving. It’s another step toward more practical, reliable AI tools that can handle complex reasoning tasks.

### [Ubisoft’s NFT Game Makes a Quiet Entrance](https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/ubisoft-quietly-squeezes-out-another-nft-game-featuring-rayman-blood-dragon-192102438.html?src=rss)

Ubisoft has quietly dropped another NFT-based game featuring Rayman and Blood Dragon elements. Players can own and trade in-game items as NFTs. Compared to their earlier attempts at blockchain gaming, this release seems to have a more subdued rollout. It’s interesting to see how they’re still experimenting in this space, despite mixed reactions to NFTs in gaming.

### [Outdated Cancer Guidelines Are a Problem](https://seangeiger.substack.com/p/why-are-cancer-guidelines-stuck-in)

Cancer treatment guidelines are lagging behind modern research, and it’s a problem. Outdated recommendations can slow down access to better care, which is frustrating when new discoveries are being made all the time. The reasons range from bureaucratic inertia to a lack of streamlined systems for updating standards. It raises a bigger question about whether tech like AI or better data processing can help bridge this gap and bring treatments up to speed faster.

[**AI vs. Humans: A Tough Question**](https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/23/ai_job_replacement_comment/)

Here’s a thought-provoking question from The Register: are you a better value than AI? As AI becomes more efficient at certain tasks, companies are reevaluating the balance between human employees and automated systems. While humans bring creativity and adaptability to the table, it’s clear that the bar for what we offer compared to machines is shifting. It’s worth considering where we stand as AI continues to evolve.

[**ChatGPT Took a Break**](https://www.notion.so/169657c9646d8016a308c8ad928b4ef1?pvs=21)

If you noticed ChatGPT acting up this week, you weren’t alone. OpenAI’s chatbot had an outage, with users reporting server errors. The issue was tied to an upstream provider and was resolved fairly quickly. Just a little hiccup to remind us that even our favorite tools have their off days.

### [Product Highlight: Hyperliquid](https://hyperfoundation.org/)

This week’s standout is Hyperliquid, a decentralized perpetual exchange (DEX) designed to combine the efficiency of centralized exchanges with the transparency of decentralized finance. Built on its proprietary Layer 1 blockchain, Hyperliquid offers high-speed, gas-free transactions and a fully on-chain order book, enabling precise trades and reduced slippage.

Here’s where Hyperliquid stands in numbers:

- Total Value Locked (TVL): $2.168 billion
- Market Cap: $9.002 billion
- Token Price: $26.83
- Fully Diluted Valuation: $26.957 billion
- 24h Token Volume: $320.92 million
- Volume (24h): $312.49 million
- Perpetuals Volume (24h): $3.85 billion
- Fees (annualized): $62.9 million
- Revenue (annualized): $62.9 million

Hyperliquid just flipped Solana in 24-hour fees generated. Its market strength, coupled with community-focused features like one-click trading and fair airdrop distribution of its $HYPE token, makes it a noteworthy platform for traders seeking efficiency without sacrificing transparency.

That’s it for this week. Hopefully, something here sparked your interest or gave you something new to think about. If any of these topics caught your eye, let’s discuss them. Until next time.


Key trends in AI, blockchain, and productivity hacks shaping the consulting space this week.

#2 AI Talent Wars, OpenAI’s New Models, Hyperliquid

Weekly consulting snapshot #2: AI talent wars, OpenAI’s new models, Hyperliquid’s rise


It’s been a busy week in the world of tech, with some huge announcements shaping the future of AI, quantum computing, and beyond. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new and exciting.

**In short:** This week gave us a peek at a future where AI doesn’t just answer questions it does things on our behalf. From Google’s advanced AI research and OpenAI’s text-to-video magic to quantum leaps in computing and new startup challenges from YC, the tech world is racing ahead. Keep an eye on these developments; the next big shift could be just around the corner.

### Google’s Gemini 2.0: “Deep research” for smarter AI

Google has just launched **Gemini 2.0**, a powerful upgrade to its AI model. The big focus this time is “Deep Research,” allowing the system to handle advanced web-based fact-finding and create detailed reports. This means AI getting better at reading and understanding the web, helping you get more accurate and thorough answers.

**Google DeepMind** also introduced two new AI projects:

- **Project Astra**: A next-gen AI assistant that can interact with text, images, video, and audio in real-time. It could soon help you with a range of tasks like editing images or summarizing videos just by asking.
- **Project Mariner**: An AI “browser buddy” designed to automate online tasks, from shopping to travel planning. Think of it as your personal digital concierge, handling tedious tasks while you focus on the fun stuff.

These projects are part of what Google calls the “agentic era,” aiming to create AI that’s more independent and can anticipate user needs. Though still in testing, they hint at a future where AI works smoothly in the background, making our digital lives easier.

### OpenAI’s Sora: Turning text into video

OpenAI introduced [**Sora**](https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/9/24317092/openai-sora-text-to-video-ai-launch), a text-to-video AI tool that can generate short video clips (up to 20 seconds, 1080p) from written prompts. Whether you want to animate a still image, remix a video, or create something totally new, Sora’s got you covered. It’s currently available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers.

To keep things responsible, OpenAI is including watermarks and metadata to show that the content is AI-generated. They’ve also set restrictions on making super-realistic humans, aiming to prevent misuse. Right now, Sora is available in the U.S. and a few other countries, with plans to expand to Europe and the U.K. soon.

### Google’s Willow: A quantum leap forward

Google unveiled [**Willow**](https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/9/24317382/google-willow-quantum-computing-chip-breakthrough), a quantum computing chip that’s jaw-droppingly fast. It can do certain computations in under five minutes, a task that would take today’s top supercomputers a mind-boggling 10 septillion years. That’s a huge leap forward.

**Key Features:**

- **More qubits**: Willow uses 105 qubits, far more than its earlier chip, Sycamore (which had 53).
- **Better error correction**: Quantum computers are sensitive and error-prone, but Willow’s design reduces errors in real time, making it more reliable.

This could change industries like drug discovery, energy solutions, and materials science basically any field that needs massive computing power. Investors are excited, too: Alphabet’s stock got a nice bump after the announcement.

### a16z’s big ideas for 2025

Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) released its big ideas for the tech world in 2025. Here’s a quick taste:

- **American dynamism**: AI-driven nuclear energy, next-gen hardware-software jobs, and more reusable spacecraft.
- **Bio + health**: Biotech tackling big diseases, wearable AI health tech, and AI helping address healthcare staff shortages.
- **Consumer**: Specialized AI-generated videos, AI memory banks for personal insights, and more personalized AI assistants.
- **Crypto**: AI-managed crypto wallets, decentralized chatbots, and better ID verification for AI.
- **Enterprise + fintech**: AI helping with regulatory compliance, scaling service industries, and redefining user interfaces.
- **Games**: AI-based storytelling, virtual companions, and private content creation.
- **Growth-stage tech**: Disrupting search engines and using AI for sales automation.
- **Infrastructure**: Building powerful AI compute facilities and developing advanced AI reasoning models.

### YC’s requests for startups – winter 2025

Startup accelerator Y Combinator (YC) is looking for new founders to tackle big challenges:

- **Government + public safety**: Tools that simplify government processes, use computer vision to reduce crime, or help emergency teams coordinate better.
- **Manufacturing**: AI-powered robotics to lower costs, automate factories, and inspect industrial equipment more efficiently.
- **Chips + engineering**: AI tools to speed up chip design, cut costs, and make engineering simpler and more accessible.
- **Stablecoins**: Platforms for stablecoin payments, developer tools, and infrastructure for cross-border transactions.
- **New jobs**: Tools that help local service providers run their businesses, find new customers, and work more efficiently.

### [Griffain](https://griffain.com/home) - Solana’s AI Agent Platform

Solana’s new AI agent tech lets AI interact directly with the blockchain. These agents can trade tokens, create memecoins, or even respond to tweets. The idea? Let AI handle on-chain actions easily and automatically. Some fun possibilities:

- Making a new memecoin each time a well-known figure tweets.
- Automatically buying new tokens trending on social media.
- Checking out tweets and deciding whether it’s a good idea to invest.


An exploration of key advancements in AI, quantum computing, and emerging technologies reshaping consulting opportunities.

#1 Gemini 2.0, OpenAI’s Sora,  a16z’s Predictions

Weekly consulting snapshot #1: Gemini 2.0, OpenAI’s Sora, a16z’s predictions


## Current state of the Vietnam tech market

- **Investment total:** $529 million, a 17% drop from 2022.
- **Resilience:** Vietnam's VC funding fell 17%, compared to a global 35% drop.
- **Regional standing:** Third in Southeast Asia for deal count and value, behind Singapore and Indonesia.
- **Sector growth:** Healthcare and Education investments surged by 391% and 107%.
- **Active investors:** Nearly 100, with Singapore leading, followed by Vietnam.
- **Exit landscape:** Growth in the public market, improved stock market governance, and increased M&A activities driven by local conglomerates.

### Vietnam digital economy landscape

- Vietnam's digital economy is the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia, driven by high internet penetration, favorable government initiatives, and a thriving startup ecosystem.
- The digital economy is expected to grow 20% annually, reaching $43B by 2025

![](assets/vn_eco_companies.webp)

## Tech investment landscape 2023

- Despite global economic challenges, Vietnam maintained its third position in Southeast Asia for deal count and value.
- Investment sectors with notable growth include Healthcare and Education.
- Active investors primarily from Singapore and Vietnam, with a focus on early-stage deals

![](assets/capital_invested.webp)

## Top active investors in 2023

![](assets/top-active-investors.webp)

## Notable trends in the startup ecosystem

![](assets/deals-done.webp)

## Key Invested Industries in First Half of 2024 (in millions of USD)

![](assets/invested-half-2024.webp)

## Exit landscape

- Significant growth in public markets and M&A activities, with local conglomerates playing an increasing role.
- Proactive government initiatives and favorable economic conditions are driving IPO and M&A activities

## Latest legal developments

- Policies to foster innovation include tax exemptions for innovative enterprises, support for tech parks, and mechanisms to encourage scientific research.
- NIC Hoa Lac's inauguration and the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the US are expected to boost the semiconductor industry and innovation ecosystem

## Key players in AI/Fintech in Vietnam

- **500 Startups Vietnam**: Co-founded by Binh Tran and Eddie Thai, this fund has invested in over 70 startups, including Sky Mavis and Infina.
- **VSV Capital**: Based in Hanoi, VSV Capital supports early-stage tech companies, with a notable accelerator program backing over 130 startups.
- **VinaCapital Ventures**: A $100 million VC platform investing in tech companies in Vietnam, with a focus on fintech and Web3.
- **Zone Startups Vietnam**: Provides strategic guidance and seed capital to startups, part of a global network, with investments in fintech like Fundiin.
- **Do Ventures**: Early-stage VC in Ho Chi Minh City, investing in sectors like fintech and AI, targeting the Vietnamese middle class.
- **ThinkZone Ventures**: A $60 million fund based in Hanoi, investing in early-stage tech startups across various sectors.
- **Son-Tech Investment**: A $50 million Vietnam-focused VC, supporting tech companies in fintech and other sectors.
- **Openspace Ventures**: Southeast Asian VC with investments in Vietnamese tech companies, focusing on responsible B2B and B2C businesses.
- **Golden Gate Ventures**: Southeast Asian VC firm investing in tech startups across the region, with significant involvement in Vietnam.

## Key players in blockchain/crypto in APAC

### Animoca Brands / Animoca Ventures

- **Summary**: Animoca Brands, founded by Yat Siu in 2014 and headquartered in Hong Kong, is a prominent Web3 gaming software company and venture capital firm. With over 400 investments, it focuses primarily on gaming and NFTs. In 2022, Animoca Brands launched Animoca Ventures with a reduced fundraising target of $800 million. Together, they made 37 investments in the past year, including Mythical Games, OP3N, and Xterio.
- **Website**: [Animoca Brands](https://www.animocabrands.com/)

### Foresight Ventures

- **Summary**: Singapore-based Foresight Ventures focuses on blockchain and cryptocurrency, managing over $400 million in assets. Backed by Bitget, it launched a $200 million secondary fund in 2022. Foresight Ventures has a portfolio of 56 investments, with 25 in the last year, including Sei Network and Story Protocol.
- **Website**: [Foresight Ventures](https://www.foresightventures.com/)

### HashKey Capital

- **Summary**: HashKey Capital, part of HashKey Group, has been a significant player since 2015, managing over $1 billion in assets. With 224 investments, it raised $500 million for its Phase III fund. Recent investments include Aethir, dappOS, and PolyHedra.
- **Website**: [HashKey Capital](https://www.hashkey.com/)

### Hashed

- **Summary**: Founded in 2016 in Korea, Hashed has grown significantly, with early investments in Terra and The Sandbox. Despite a slowdown after the Terra crash, it remains active with investments in Radius, Notifi, and Aura Network. Hashed Emergent focuses on Web3 investments in emerging markets like India.
- **Website**: [Hashed](https://www.hashed.com/)

### Infinity Ventures Crypto

- **Summary**: Headquartered in Taipei, IVC focuses on GameFi, DeFi, and Web3, with a $70 million fund. With 119 investments, it made 21 investments in the last year, including Tribe3 and MetaZone.
- **Website**: [Infinity Ventures Crypto](https://www.ivcrypto.io/)

### IOSG Ventures

- **Summary**: Founded in 2017, IOSG Ventures is an early-stage venture firm with a research-driven approach, focusing on Web3 and decentralized finance. With 141 investments, it recently invested in EigenLayer and Scroll.
- **Website**: [IOSG Ventures](https://www.iosg.vc/)

### NGC Ventures

- **Summary**: Based in Singapore, NGC Ventures has invested in over 50 projects, managing around $400 million. It recently launched a $100 million Web3 eco-fund. Notable investments include LayerZero and Connext.
- **Website**: [NGC Ventures](https://www.ngc.fund/)

### OKX Ventures

- **Summary**: The investment arm of OKX focuses on blockchain infrastructure, DeFi, and NFTs, with 130 investments. Recent investments include LayerZero and Prisma Finance.
- **Website**: OKX Ventures

### Spartan Group

- **Summary**: Spartan Group, based in Singapore and Hong Kong, focuses on long-term blockchain investments. With 177 investments, it has recently invested in Aspecta, Kaito, and Anoma Network.
- **Website**: [Spartan Group](https://spartangroup.io/)

### SevenX Ventures

- **Summary**: Founded in 2020, SevenX Ventures emphasizes "immersive investing" and has 115 investments. Recent projects include Manta Network and EthStorage.
- **Website**: [SevenX Ventures](https://sevenxventures.com/)

## References

1. Vietnam Innovation and Tech Investment Report 2024
2. Dealroom


The 2024 Vietnam Tech Market Report highlights Vietnam's resilient tech scene, ranking third in Southeast Asia despite a 17% drop in investments. With a booming digital economy expected to reach $43 billion by 2025, the report covers key trends, major players, and new legal updates driving innovation.

Vietnam tech ecosystem 2024 report


### Choosing the right directory for the right topic

The first thing is to determine the field that you’re writing in. Whether you're interested in writing about blockchain, communication, design, engineering, market, security, or writing there's a directory for you in `playground`.

![](assets/memo-publication-workflow-choose-topic.webp)

If you’re unsure where your content fits, just message our supporters on Discord for guidance.

### Writing your content

To learn how to write, submit, and publish your memo, see [this guide](publish-on-memo.md). Before you start, ensure each article includes these **mandatory fields**: title, description, author, date, and tags.

![](assets/memo-publication-workflow-metadata.webp)

- Name your files using kebab case, e.g: `how-to-write-a-memo.md`
- Verify all links in your article by running the repository locally.
- Upload any images to the `assets` folder and reference them accordingly.
- For image and screenshot guidelines in your article, refer to [this guide](../guides/take-better-screenshots-on-mac.md).

![](assets/memo-publication-workflow-images-format.webp)

![](assets/memo-publication-workflow-format.webp)

### Review process

After writing your article, let a reviewer know if it's a draft or the final version.

- For content: Our experts will review and improve your work. For example, @tom handles engineering, and @nikki focuses on communications.
- For format and design: @anna oversees the visual and structural aspects. Once you're done, take a screenshot, upload it to our server, and ping @anna for her feedback.

### Feedback

Gather all of the feedback, and work on them. For detailed instructions, read the article [Life cycle of a publication](publication-life-cycle.md).


This guide will help you step-by-step create content and publish on memo.

Memo publication workflow


This year’s Echelon X in Singapore was a bustling hub of innovation, bringing together around 10,000 participants, including 154 speakers, 50 TOP100 startups, investors, corporates, and government agencies from over 35 countries.

Singapore once again proved its status as the leading tech and investment hub in Southeast Asia. Along with visiting SPGroup, our team also attended Echelon X to have a better understanding of how the tech and startup ecosystem is heading.

## Building the future through resilience and collaboration

- The 2024 Echelon mission is to strengthen the tech ecosystem by encouraging collaboration, sharing knowledge, and driving collective innovation.
- Echelon X united a dynamic community of forward-thinkers, industry leaders, and passionate individuals, all eager to share ideas and create new paths in their fields.

### Notable trends

- Resilience and working together: almost the main purpose, if we may. Every activity at Echelon focused on building connections to give startups better support, access to funding, and more networking opportunities.
- Sustainability was a core theme, with a focus on integrating eco-friendly practices into business and tech development. This theme aligns with aligning with global trends and government efforts to meet long-term sustainability goals.
- Key topics included artificial intelligence, the Singapore government’s support for the tech sector, and future-proofing business strategies.

## Market insights and investment landscape

### SEA regional highlights

- Thailand and Indonesia are emerging as tech hubs.
- The Philippines saw a 50% increase in startup funding, reaching $2 billion in 2024.
- Indonesia leads with $5 billion in total funding, up 30% from last year.

### Funding landscape

- The SEA/SEAN region has a limited paid market since many users prefer free products. This makes it hard for startups to generate revenue, pushing them to expand into the US, UK, and EU. However, this approach is time-consuming, costly, and highly competitive, leading to investors are still very cautious about where they put the money.
- Startups are optimistic about funding, aiming for sustainable growth and profitability. Even so, investors focus on the quality and expertise of founding teams, making people the key decision-making factor.
- Sensible valuations and disciplined investment approach.
- Funding in 2024 is projected to reach $14 billion, a 40% increase from 2023, promising a recovery in the startup ecosystem.
- The number of deals increased by 25%, showing renewed investor confidence.

![](assets/echelon-x-singapore-2024-where-innovations-meet-inspiration_echelon-x-summit-recap_echelon-recap-funding-deal.webp)

### Total deal value in USD for top verticals under SNDE theme in Singapore in 9M23

![](assets/echelon-x-singapore-2024-where-innovations-meet-inspiration_echelon-x-summit-recap_echelon-recap-top-snde-sectors.webp)

![](assets/echelon-x-singapore-2024-where-innovations-meet-inspiration_echelon-x-summit-recap_echelon-recap-top-20.webp)

## Detailed observations

- COVID-19 impacted housing prices and caused ongoing layoffs, which continue in Q1 2024 at rates between 5-20%.
- Vietnamese developers consider moving to countries like Australia or the US if they can't secure permanent residency and local opportunities don't improve.
- AI took the stage. Quite a lot of AI startups came to present themselves. The government also addressed problems with AI and how they planned to overcome them.
- Raising children is expensive, especially for non-permanent residents who pay higher rates. The competitive education system adds to these challenges.
- Platforms like [Binance.com](http://binance.com/) are now accessible, and AWS organized meetups and hackathons with ThoughtWorks. However, there's no sign of LLMs being developed or used in their companies.
- Meeting Nam Nguyen, founder of OplaCRM, was a highlight; he is very open to sharing his knowledge.

![](assets/echelon-x-singapore-2024-where-innovations-meet-inspiration_echelon-x-summit-recap_echelon-recap-2.webp)

## AI landscape

### Growth and applications

- AI is still largely a big tech company's game, with startups mainly developing AI-powered or AI-wrapped products based on these technologies.
- The AI market in SEA is set to grow rapidly, with key uses in software development, data sorting, fraud detection, and management systems. It's expected to grow at 35% annually, reaching $6 billion by 2028.
- Only 15% of large enterprises have fully integrated AI, mainly driven by digital transformation.

### Challenges

- Data security and privacy are major concerns.
- Creating localized AI models and managing high costs are big challenges.
- Companies are investing more in AI ethics and governance to prevent misuse.

## In general

The tech market in Southeast Asia is tough. Big tech companies are laying off employees, and in Singapore, many experienced tech workers are considering moving due to high living costs and job cuts. AI's growing capabilities are also raising job security concerns.

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: new tech will shape innovation. Time will tell.

After Echelon X 2024, we left with a sense of achievement, new insights, and valuable connections. The event provided a clear view of current trends and future developments in the SEA tech market.

![](assets/echelon-x-singapore-2024-where-innovations-meet-inspiration_echelon-x-summit-recap_echelon-recap.webp)


This year’s Echelon X in Singapore was a bustling hub of innovation, bringing together around 10,000 participants. Along with visiting SPGroup, our team also attended Echelon X to have a better understanding of how the tech and startup ecosystem is heading.

Echelon X Singapore 2024: Where innovations meet inspiration


\$DFG is a token that represents the shares of Dwarves Foundation for Dwarves and active contributors of our communitiy. Dwarves team introduced a [program](stake-dfg-and-earn.md) to help \$DFG holders earn \$USDC from staking \$DFG on Base. However, the orgin \$DFG is on Ethereum Network, which means to stake \$DFG and earn reward, \$DFG holders need to move \$DFG from Ethereum to Base using a bridge.

Before going to the bridging part, please make sure that you have completed these steps:

- Use Coinbase [wallet](setup-crypto-wallet.md) to store your tokens.
- Get ETH to transfer \$DFG from Ethereum to Base with [Binance P2P](https://www.binance.com/en/blog/p2p/binance-p2p-newbie-guide-7428324997079645557).
- [Withdraw](https://www.binance.com/en/support/faq/how-to-withdraw-crypto-from-binance-115003670492) ETH from Binance to your Coinbase wallet.

## How to transfer

Once you've got Coinbase Wallet set up and some ETH in the tank for gas fees, it's time to bridge your \$DFG over to Base for staking.

Here is how it goes:

1. Head on over to [DFG Bridge](https://bridge.d.foundation/), lovingly crafted by Jack, one of our awesome community members. Connect your wallet to the site.

![](assets/how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_bridgedfoundation.webp)

2. Once your wallet is connected, your address will show up in the blue box, fill out these:

- In the "From" tab, select "DFG" for Token and "Ethereum" for Network.
- In the "To" tab, choose "DFG" for Token and "Base" for Network.
- Enter the amount you want to send.
- The address on the Base network should be your connected wallet by default.

![](assets/how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_bride_amount.webp)

3. Once you've filled in those blanks, hit Approve, and confirm a couple of transactions on Coinbase Wallet.

- **Spending cap**: The spending cap limits how much cryptocurrency you can spend at once or over time.
- **Approval**: Each transaction must be approved to ensure awareness and consent, enhancing security and preventing unauthorized or accidental transactions.

![](assets/how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_approve_bride.webp)

4. Then just sit back and wait for your DFG to roll into your Base wallet.
   ![](assets/how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_approve_bride_3.webp)


This guide will show you how to move $DFG from Ethereum to Base using a bridge.

Bridge \$DFG from Ethereum to Base


This guide will show you how to use \$DFG staking to earn \$USDC, cool merch, and more. You'll need a computer with a browser. But first, let's understand why you're doing this:

- \$DFG is a token from Dwarves Foundation.
- In the future, Dwarves will give out \$DFG tokens.
- You can get \$DFG on Ethereum.
- Dwarves made a staking pool on Base.
- Stake your \$DFG on Base to get rewards.
- Rewards will be calculated by this formular

Before going to the staking part, please make sure that you have completed these steps:

- Use Coinbase Wallet to store your tokens (Check [this guide](setup-crypto-wallet.md)).
- Get ETH to transfer \$DFG from Ethereum to Base with Binance P2P (Follow [this guide](https://www.binance.com/en/blog/p2p/binance-p2p-newbie-guide-7428324997079645557)).
- Withdraw ETH from Binance to your Coinbase Wallet (See [this guide](https://www.binance.com/en/support/faq/how-to-withdraw-crypto-from-binance-115003670492)).
- Move \$DFG from Ethereum to Base network (See [this guide](icy-bridge.md))

## Staking DFG on Base

Now it’s time to stake your DFG on Base to earn rewards like USDC or merch with Dwarves Foundation Earning.

1. Head over to [Dwarves Foundation Earning](https://tono.gg/dwarves), and log in by your Coinbase wallet.

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_tono_stake.webp)

2. Once you’re logged in, if you have your DFG already bridged from Ethereum, you should see your balance just like this

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_tono_balance.webp)

3. Now hit “Stake”, and choose the amount that you want to stake like this:

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_tono_stake_amount.webp)

4. Hit “Stake” again, and confirm your 2 transactions on your Coinbase Wallet

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_tono_stake_preview.webp)

5. And that’s it! You’ve successfully staked your DFG and now you can sit back and enjoy passive rewards from this.

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_tono_stake_successful.webp)

6. You can keep track of your earnings with “My Earn” dashboard

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_how-to-transfer-dfg-from-eth-to-base-for-staking_tono_stake_successful_2.webp)

The reward will be calculated with the APY is 9.99%/year.

## Withdraw \$DFG and claim reward from the staking pool

Now, after a long time locking your DFG and having a decent claimable reward amount, it’s time to withdraw your \$DFG and reward from the staking to the staking pool.

1. Go to [Dwarves Foundation Earning](https://tono.gg/dwarves), and log in. Once you’re logged in, if you have staked \$DFG, you will see the staked amount in the Total Staked section.
2. Now hit “Unstake” button and choose amount you want to withdraw and hit “Unstake” again.

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_clean-shot-2024-05-13-at-16-34-02-2x.webp)

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_clean-shot-2024-05-13-at-16-35-22-2x_1715619303.webp)

3. Confirm 2 transactions on your Coinbase wallet.

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_clean-shot-2024-05-13-at-16-37-11-2x_1715619304.webp)

4. And that’s it! You’ve successfully withdraw \$DFG and all of the recent reward to your wallet.

![](assets/how-to-earn-reward-from-staking-dfg_clean-shot-2024-05-13-at-16-39-16-2x_1715619306.webp)


This guide will show you how to use $DFG staking to earn $USDC, cool merch, and more.