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El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has hinted at a “rent your own volcano” program as a way of harnessing geothermal energy to power Bitcoin mining. The revelation came after an X user shared that El Salvador has thus far mined 474 Bitcoin, worth about $46 million (at the time of writing), with the assistance of volcanic geothermal power. Bukele responded to the post, saying: “And with 170 volcanoes … A ‘rent your own volcano to mine Bitcoin’ program might actually make sense.” Data published by Spotonchain shows that the Salvadoran government currently holds over 5,900 Bitcoin, which is worth about $581.399 million at the time of writing. On November 1, this figure was about $410 million. In 2021, El Salvador became the first country to accept Bitcoin as legal tender. Bitcoin ATMs emerged across the country, and the government announced plans to construct a “Bitcoin City.” The city was to be built at the base of the Conchagua volcano in the south-eastern region of La Unión, which Bukele said would include “Residential areas, commercial areas, services, museums, entertainment, bars, restaurants, airport, port, rail – everything devoted to Bitcoin.” However, the project has faced several delays. Bitcoin has also faced limited popularity in the country, where 26.6% of the population was living below the national poverty line in 2022. In 2023, a survey by El Salvador’s Central American University revealed that 71.1% of Salvadorans felt that Bitcoin had done “nothing” to improve families’ financial situations, while a survey published in October 2024 by the San Salvador-based Francisco Gavidia University found that 92% of Salvadorans do not make transactions with Bitcoin. While some view geothermal energy as a sustainable option for Bitcoin mining, others are more skeptical. Álvaro Trigueros, director of the Department of Economic Studies of the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUSADES), told Deutsche Welle in 2021: “According to the installed energy capacity in El Salvador, national electricity production is in deficit. 19.9 percent of the energy consumed has to be imported.” He added: “Since the country is not self-sufficient, if Bitcoin were mined in El Salvador, it would cause an excessive increase in electricity demand and the country would be forced to import more.” That same year, Ricardo Navarro, the head of environmental NGO Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology (CESTA) told POLITICO: “I am under the impression that Bukele doesn’t really understand what is going on in the energy situation,” explaining that it was unlikely that Bitcoin miners would be able to fulfill their electricity requirements by depending on volcanoes alone. He added that geothermal Bitcoin mining would “certainly” complicate demand. However, Erick Chacon, the president of the Salvadoran Financial Technology Association (ASAFINTECH) told Latin America Reports that the prospect of a “rent your own volcano” scheme “demonstrates a creative and disruptive vision that has characterized El Salvador as a global leader in the adoption of emerging technologies.” Chacon explained that, while such ideas “may initially seem unusual,” they “generate conversation, attract international attention, and position the country as an attractive space for technological investment.” Chacon added that, before this idea can be realized, “technical, economic, and environmental feasibility studies must be conducted” in order to ensure that the country’s resources are used “efficiently, sustainably, and in line with national and international regulations.” ASAFINTECH, according to Chacon, is “convinced that debate and constructive analysis are essential for El Salvador to continue leading the region in financial technology and Bitcoin adoption.” Alastair Caithness, a Bitcoin Mining Consultant and host of the Boom! It’s on the Blockchain podcast, explained to Latin America Reports that El Salvador’s use of geothermal energy to mine Bitcoin offers “both advantages and disadvantages.” Caithness stated that “geothermal energy is considered sustainable, reliable, and environmentally friendly, producing minimal greenhouse gas emissions,” adding: “Unlike wind or solar, geothermal energy is available around the clock, unaffected by weather and climatic changes.” However, Caithness noted: “The use of geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining is geographically limited to regions with accessible geothermal heat, such as volcanic areas or tectonic plate boundaries,” which “restricts its widespread use.” Additionally, he said that the transportation of geothermal energy to remote mining sites can be costly, “limiting large-scale adoption in areas without geothermal resources.” In spite of these challenges, Caithness believes “the growing demand for energy in crypto mining, data centers, and AI presents a significant opportunity for El Salvador’s geothermal energy,” positioning the country “as a key player in the future of Bitcoin mining and the broader crypto energy landscape.” Farbod Esmaeilion, a senior researcher at the K. N. Toosi University of Technology in Iran and co-author of a feasibility study on the production of Bitcoin with geothermal energy, told Latin America Reports that geothermal energy is the “most sustainable” way of mining Bitcoin. However, he noted that there must be “environmental considerations” before such schemes are undertaken. Among these considerations, according to Esmaeilion, is the possibility of water pollution, which can occur during the construction of geothermal wells. He said that there is a risk that “materials and detrite” enter nearby water sources, including drinking water, which governments must manage before commencing large-scale geothermal Bitcoin mining projects. Another challenge posed by geothermal Bitcoin mining is that of identifying sites where geothermal plants can be constructed. Esmaeilion explained that governments must find the “best and most optimal locations” for these undertakings, making sure that any potential sites are at the necessary temperature for Bitcoin mining. He added: “Half of this story is beneath the ground.” Esmaeilion also said that governments must make “economic considerations,” given that a “high amount of investments” are needed before projects such as Bukele’s “rent your own volcano” scheme can become viable, particularly given that geothermal energy is “much more expensive” than wind or solar alternatives. Although Bukele has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to cryptocurrencies, it remains to be seen exactly how much more money his government is willing and able to invest in geothermal Bitcoin mining. However, this could change if the value of the country’s crypto investments continues to rise as it has done over recent months. Elizabeth Bratton, Reporter, Latin America Reports El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has hinted at a “rent your own volcano” program as a way of harnessing geothermal energy to power Bitcoin mining. The revelation came after an X user shared that El Salvador has thus far mined 474 Bitcoin , worth about $46 million (at the time of writing), with the assistance of volcanic geothermal power. Bukele responded to the post, saying : “And with 170 volcanoes … A ‘rent your own volcano to mine Bitcoin’ program might actually make sense.” X shared Bitcoin saying Data published by Spotonchain shows that the Salvadoran government currently holds over 5,900 Bitcoin, which is worth about $581.399 million at the time of writing. On November 1, this figure was about $410 million. Spotonchain In 2021, El Salvador became the first country to accept Bitcoin as legal tender. Bitcoin ATMs emerged across the country, and the government announced plans to construct a “Bitcoin City.” The city was to be built at the base of the Conchagua volcano in the south-eastern region of La Unión, which Bukele said would include “Residential areas, commercial areas, services, museums, entertainment, bars, restaurants, airport, port, rail – everything devoted to Bitcoin.” However, the project has faced several delays. said project Bitcoin has also faced limited popularity in the country, where 26.6% of the population was living below the national poverty line in 2022. In 2023, a survey by El Salvador’s Central American University revealed that 71.1% of Salvadorans felt that Bitcoin had done “nothing” to improve families’ financial situations, while a survey published in October 2024 by the San Salvador-based Francisco Gavidia University found that 92% of Salvadorans do not make transactions with Bitcoin. 26.6% 71.1% 92% While some view geothermal energy as a sustainable option for Bitcoin mining, others are more skeptical. some view Álvaro Trigueros, director of the Department of Economic Studies of the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUSADES), told Deutsche Welle in 2021: “According to the installed energy capacity in El Salvador, national electricity production is in deficit. 19.9 percent of the energy consumed has to be imported.” He added: “Since the country is not self-sufficient, if Bitcoin were mined in El Salvador, it would cause an excessive increase in electricity demand and the country would be forced to import more.” Deutsche Welle Deutsche Welle That same year, Ricardo Navarro, the head of environmental NGO Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology (CESTA) told POLITICO : “I am under the impression that Bukele doesn’t really understand what is going on in the energy situation,” explaining that it was unlikely that Bitcoin miners would be able to fulfill their electricity requirements by depending on volcanoes alone. He added that geothermal Bitcoin mining would “certainly” complicate demand. POLITICO POLITICO However, Erick Chacon , the president of the Salvadoran Financial Technology Association ( ASAFINTECH ) told Latin America Reports that the prospect of a “rent your own volcano” scheme “demonstrates a creative and disruptive vision that has characterized El Salvador as a global leader in the adoption of emerging technologies.” Chacon explained that, while such ideas “may initially seem unusual,” they “generate conversation, attract international attention, and position the country as an attractive space for technological investment.” Erick Chacon ASAFINTECH Latin America Reports Chacon added that, before this idea can be realized, “technical, economic, and environmental feasibility studies must be conducted” in order to ensure that the country’s resources are used “efficiently, sustainably, and in line with national and international regulations.” ASAFINTECH, according to Chacon, is “convinced that debate and constructive analysis are essential for El Salvador to continue leading the region in financial technology and Bitcoin adoption.” Alastair Caithness , a Bitcoin Mining Consultant and host of the Boom! It’s on the Blockchain podcast, explained to Latin America Reports that El Salvador’s use of geothermal energy to mine Bitcoin offers “both advantages and disadvantages.” Caithness stated that “geothermal energy is considered sustainable, reliable, and environmentally friendly, producing minimal greenhouse gas emissions,” adding: “Unlike wind or solar, geothermal energy is available around the clock, unaffected by weather and climatic changes.” Alastair Caithness Boom! It’s on the Blockchain Latin America Reports However, Caithness noted: “The use of geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining is geographically limited to regions with accessible geothermal heat, such as volcanic areas or tectonic plate boundaries,” which “restricts its widespread use.” Additionally, he said that the transportation of geothermal energy to remote mining sites can be costly, “limiting large-scale adoption in areas without geothermal resources.” In spite of these challenges, Caithness believes “the growing demand for energy in crypto mining, data centers, and AI presents a significant opportunity for El Salvador’s geothermal energy,” positioning the country “as a key player in the future of Bitcoin mining and the broader crypto energy landscape.” Farbod Esmaeilion , a senior researcher at the K. N. Toosi University of Technology in Iran and co-author of a feasibility study on the production of Bitcoin with geothermal energy, told Latin America Reports that geothermal energy is the “most sustainable” way of mining Bitcoin. Farbod Esmaeilion feasibility study Latin America Reports However, he noted that there must be “environmental considerations” before such schemes are undertaken. Among these considerations, according to Esmaeilion, is the possibility of water pollution, which can occur during the construction of geothermal wells. He said that there is a risk that “materials and detrite” enter nearby water sources, including drinking water, which governments must manage before commencing large-scale geothermal Bitcoin mining projects. Another challenge posed by geothermal Bitcoin mining is that of identifying sites where geothermal plants can be constructed. Esmaeilion explained that governments must find the “best and most optimal locations” for these undertakings, making sure that any potential sites are at the necessary temperature for Bitcoin mining. He added: “Half of this story is beneath the ground.” Esmaeilion also said that governments must make “economic considerations,” given that a “high amount of investments” are needed before projects such as Bukele’s “rent your own volcano” scheme can become viable, particularly given that geothermal energy is “much more expensive” than wind or solar alternatives. Although Bukele has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to cryptocurrencies, it remains to be seen exactly how much more money his government is willing and able to invest in geothermal Bitcoin mining. However, this could change if the value of the country’s crypto investments continues to rise as it has done over recent months. Elizabeth Bratton, Reporter, Latin America Reports Elizabeth Bratton , Reporter, Latin America Reports Elizabeth Bratton

El Salvador's President Teases “Rent Your Own Volcano” Bitcoin Mining Plan

Прэзідэнт Сальвадора дражніць план здабычы біткойнаў «Арэнда ўласнага вулкана».

Ο Πρόεδρος του Ελ Σαλβαδόρ πειράζει το σχέδιο εξόρυξης Bitcoin "Rent Your Own Volcano".

El presidente de El Salvador se burla del plan de minería de bitcoins “Alquile su propio volcán”

Predsjednik El Salvadora zadirkuje plan rudarenja Bitcoina “Iznajmite vlastiti vulkan”.

エルサルバドル大統領が「火山を借りる」ビットコイン採掘計画をほのめかす

Salvadoro prezidentas erzina „Nuomokite savo ugnikalnį“ Bitcoin kasybos planą

Președintele El Salvador tachinează „Închiriați-vă propriul vulcan” planul de minerit Bitcoin

එල් සැල්වදෝරයේ ජනාධිපති "ඔබේම ගිනි කන්දක් කුලියට ගන්න" Bitcoin පතල් සැලැස්ම විහිළු කරයි

Mutungamiri weEl Salvador Anoseka "Rent Your Own Volcano" Bitcoin Mining Plan

Presidente wa El Salvador U hlekula Pulani ya Mugodi wa Bitcoin leyi nge “Rhirela Vholkheno ya Wena”.

ایل سلواڈور کے صدر نے بٹ کوائن مائننگ پلان کو "اپنا خود کا آتش فشاں کرایہ پر لے لیا"

Umongameli wase-El Salvador uhlekisa “Ngerente eyakho iVolcano” isiCwangciso seMigodi yeBitcoin

This paper is available on arxiv under CC 4.0 license. Authors: (1) Samie Mostafavi, ssmos, KTH Royal Institute of Technology; (2) Vishnu Narayanan Moothedath, vnmo, KTH Royal Institute of Technology; (3) Stefan Ronngren, steron, KTH Royal Institute of Technology; (4) Neelabhro Roy, §nroy, KTH Royal Institute of Technology; (5) Gourav Prateek Sharma, gpsharma, KTH Royal Institute of Technology; (6) Sangwon Seo, sangwona, KTH Royal Institute of Technology; (7) Manuel Olgu´ın Munoz, manual@olguinmunoz.xyz, KTH Royal Institute of Technology; (8) James Gross, jamesgr, KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Table of Links Abstract & Introduction Testbed Design and Architecture Experimental Testbed Validation Supported Experimentation Acknowledgements & References II. TESTBED DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE The ExPECA testbed is designed to address two primary challenges pervasive in edge computing research: 1) endto-end experimentation, 2) ensuring repeatability and reproducibility. To enable end-to-end edge computing experiments that encompass both communication and computation aspects, ExPECA is engineered with the following primary goals: Provision communication components by utilizing a diverse array of wireless and wired links. 2) Executing and overseeing computational elements within containerized environments running on the testbed infrastructure. These objectives are realized through an architectural framework depicted in Figure 1. Central to this architecture is a versatile network fabric that ensures IP connectivity among different experimental components, which may include servers located in the cloud or at the edge, as well as wireless terminals. Distinctive design choices have been made to realize these objectives, distinguishing ExPECA from contemporary solutions. We here describe these choices and their impacts. A. Location and Physical Environment The testbed is located in KTH R1 hall, an experimental facility 25 meters below ground. This isolated location offers a controlled environment with minimal radio interference, making it ideal for running reproducible wireless experiments. With dimensions of 12 meters in width, 24 meters in length, and 12 meters in height, the facility is spacious enough to accommodate a variety of remotely controlled devices, such as drones and cars, providing researchers with considerable freedom in designing their experiments. B. Control and Management Software We adopted CHI-in-a-Box as a baseline testbed implementation with extensions and contributions from our team. CHI-in-a-Box is a packaging of the CHameleon Infrastructure (CHI) software framework which is built primarily on top of the mainstream open-source OpenStack platform. CHI has mature support for edge-to-cloud provisioning of compute, storage, and network fabrics, and provides end-to-end experiment control and user services. Specifically, we leverage the CHI@Edge flavor of the framework, a novel version that supports running containerized workloads on compute resources. In the following, we describe the essential elements of CHI. Users have the flexibility to allocate resources either on-the-fly or through advance reservations, facilitated by customized versions of OpenStack’s Blazar and Doni services. These services have been tailored by the ExPECA team to include unique features such as radio and Kubernetes node reservations. The scope of allocatable resources encompasses worker nodes, radios, networks, and IP addresses. Once resources are secured, the integrated Kubernetes orchestration system enables the deployment of containerized workloads via OpenStack Zun. Users have the option to utilize preconfigured Docker images supplied by the ExPECA team (as in the case of SDR RAN) or to upload their own container images. Notably, the ExPECA team has extensively modified Zun to support functionalities like network interface and block storage attachments to K8S containers, features not originally supported in CHI@Edge. Configuration of complex experiment topologies such as distributed networking experiments is supported through CHI’s programmable interface and our adopted flavor of the python-chi Python library. In addition to these, OpenStack Neutron plays a pivotal role in managing the network architecture. Neutron provides a robust set of networking capabilities, including virtual networking, that allows for the creation of isolated networks, subnets, and routers. We connect all testbed components, including radios, to managed Layer 2 switches controlled by Neutron. C. Radio Nodes One of the standout features of ExPECA is the inclusion of wireless terminals as reservable resources. These radios are mounted at diverse locations in R1, at three different levels, as shown in Figure 3. They are categorized into two types: SDR Nodes: These can serve as the air interface for any wireless protocol implemented for USRP E320 SDRs, including OpenAirInterface (OAI) 5G, OAI LTE, SRS LTE, Mangocomm IEEE802.11b/g, or any GNU radiobased wireless protocol. 2) COTS Radios: Includes an Ericsson private 5G system with radio dots and Advantech routers serving as 4G/5G COTS UE nodes. We chose all radios, specifically SDRs, to be equipped with IP-networked interfaces. This allowed us to enroll them as network segments in Openstack Blazar and Doni with minimal extension efforts. The users can easily integrate them into any workload container or SDR host container, through the testbed software. For example, researchers can seamlessly transition from a high-quality 5G link between locations sdr-01 and sdr-06 to a poor-quality channel between sdr-09 and sdr-07, enabling them to empirically assess the impact on application performance. Alternatively, they can switch to a WiFi link between sdr-01 and sdr-06 for further experimentation. D. Compute Nodes ExPECA offers compute resources by allowing users run containerized applications with the most recent version of Openstack Zun that uses K8S (Kubernetes) as the orchestration layer. K8S is designed to handle a large number of containers across a variety of environments, making it well-suited for complex, large-scale deployments. Also, it offers a rich set of APIs and a pluggable architecture, allowing for greater customization and extensibility. This was particularly useful for our team when developing new desired features in Zun. These new features include 1) network attachment, 2) block storage attachment, 3) resource management i.e. specifying the number of cores and memory size for the container. Users are able to run their containerized applications on ExPECA’s Intel x86 servers, enrolled in the K8S cluster, which we refer to as ’workers’, not only to deploy and orchestrate application workloads, but also to deploy SDR communication stacks or apply radio node configurations. With the advent of Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) and SDRs, all components of the wireless network stack can run on general-purpose processors. They can thus be containerized and distributed across multiple hosts as long as the containers are connected to the SDRs. We provide reference container images for SDR 5G, SDR LTE, and WiFi provisioning. Lastly, it is important to note that all worker nodes achieve sub-µs synchronization by exchanging PTP messages with a Grandmaster (GM) clock that itself uses GPS as a reference. Tight time synchronization is essential for users who require the same timing reference to timestamp packets across various locations within the testbed.

ExPECA: An Experimental Platform: Testbed Design and Architecture

How can you track the water quality of a river that descends from a remote mountain? Or monitor illegal fishing in ocean reserves hundreds of miles off the coast? How can a company transporting vaccines across continents monitor and track its cargo? The answer to these, and other vital questions, is satellite internet of things (IoT). By 2030 there will be more intelligent devices connected than people on this planet. Experts estimate that IoT devices will the 75 billion mark. That’s more than nine devices for every person alive today. surpass While in smart homes, IoT devices show off their potential for slick consumers, in reality, the industrial sectors are the main players of the new technology. Industries operate hundreds of thousands of connected devices, from smart robotic manufacturing to international logistics. The core foundation of this entire multibillion-dollar market relies on one thing: Connectivity. But IoT devices don’t need just any kind of connectivity; they require low latency (no delay), low power (to drive autonomy and extend battery life), and high-data performance. And while more than 90% of the global population in urban environments have online services, the shocking truth is that networks only cover 15% of the surface of our planet. Connectivity for the remaining 85% Some of the most critical operations for society, life, and business on Earth—including global supply chains, transportation, oceanography, agriculture, climate management, and disaster prevention—are operating in remote areas outside network coverage. How can these industries and sectors transform? To find out, we spoke to , CEO of , a company working to provide 100% of global coverage for IoT with an innovative constellation of nano-satellites. Astrocast is a Swiss company backed by venture capital firm Adit Ventures, Airbus SE’s venture arm, and the European Space Agency (ESA). They have been providing cost-efficient, low-energy, and bidirectional satellite IoT services since early 2022. Fabien Jordan Astrocast On November 26, 2022, the PSLV-C54 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocketed into space from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Center. The PSLV-C54 rocket carried four Astrocast nano-satellite spacecraft among its payload. Once the satellites joined the other 10 in operation in low-earth orbit, the company’s constellation expanded to a total of 14 satellites. “Our next launch is scheduled for early January on a Falcon9 from SpaceX,” Jordan told 150Sec. “We are launching a batch of four additional satellites. At this point, our 18-satellite constellation distributed on four different polar orbits will already have the capacity and capabilities to efficiently serve the needs of our key markets such as shipping container tracking, agritech, and utilities.” Astrocast is progressively expanding to serve new industries and meet the demands for connectivity that can close the gaps of the digital divide. Shipping, agritech and water access: Leverage satellite IoT Astrocast believes that satellite technologies can drive progress and digitally transform industries that are roadblocked by a lack of connectivity. The company focuses on a cost-effective, economically viable business model. This approach has attracted the attention of several global companies. ArrowSpot— a leading system integrator in the container tracking industry, recently signed a multi-million dollar deal with Astrocast. “They realized the importance of having a hybrid, multi-connectivity tracker that uses the most appropriate technology depending on the location of the shipping container,” Jordan said. Embedding a cost-effective satellite IoT link, ArrowSpot greatly improved the visibility of the asset along its journey. It can now offer its customers full visibility at an affordable price. “Oceans are the least connected places, and maritime assets constantly travel in and out of terrestrial networks,” Jordan said. “Very similar constraints also apply to the land transport and rail industries, crossing vast and unconnected remote areas.” Another company that found value in satellite connectivity is —a pioneer in agritech driving agriculture 4.0 technology. Avirtech, with important operations in Southeast Asia, especially in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable, is helping transform the global agriculture sensor market while impacting local populations by providing them access to cutting-edge farming technology. Avirtech Using smart IoT devices connected via satellite through Astrocast, the new Avirtech system can provide crop intelligence. This includes plantation control systems that monitor site and conditions to reduce operational costs and increase yields. “We believe this partnership puts Astrocast in a very good position to support the acceleration of smart farming deployment in these regions,” Jordan added. “The most affected sectors by lack of connectivity are agriculture and livestock, maritime, oil and gas, and environmental and utilities,” Jordan explained. “These are usually industries that have assets in rural areas, but the use case does not necessarily justify the enormous investment to legacy satellite connectivity.” On December 19, Swiss integrator Oratek working with , a Swiss foundation dedicated to improving access to drinking water, health, education, and jobs, partnered up with Astrocast to add satellite connectivity to water systems in Senegal. Access to Water Astrocast explained that the classifies Senegal as a water-poor country. Approximately 20% of the country’s population does not have access to clean water. The latest generation of Access to Water’s purification filters can treat dirty, polluted, or brackish raw water. Now, thanks to new satellite IoT technology—in addition to producing clean water—these filters are collecting important information such as water quality, usage, and equipment status. The information benefits rural populations and the foundation, helping them better manage resources, maintain the systems and filters, and make key decisions. United Nations “Because these locations are extremely remote, they are not accessible by any standard communication network. The only way to collect and share this information is through a satellite connection, an approach that until recently was deemed too expensive for this type of use case,” Aurelien Essig, Founder of Oratek explained. Oratek opted to implement Astrocast’s nanosatellite solution, which provides a highly cost-effective approach to achieving satellite connectivity. But how does the technology work? The Earth-Space network technology approach To establish communication via the Astrocast Network, the system integrator or device manufacturer must integrate the Astronode S modem together with a small L-band antenna into the device and configure the application. The device will then be able to send its IoT data to Astrocast’s satellites using a store and forward approach. “Data is then downloaded from the satellites to a network of ground stations and then to our servers, available through an online portal or our APIs,” Jordan explained. Low-power consumption is absolutely critical for direct-to-satellite IoT. “We are often talking about battery-powered devices to track moving assets, such as containers, animals, and machinery,” Jordan added. “You need your assets to be as autonomous as possible, running for several years without human intervention.” Thanks to the introduction of new technologies that allow the miniaturization of satellites, and thanks to easier commercial access to space, a constellation like Astrocast allows services to be very cost-effective, more than three times less expensive than legacy operators. The fourth industrial revolution, automation, AI, and the Internet of Things, is inevitably changing the way the world works every day. As this new movement evolves and smart devices proliferate, global connectivity becomes essential and a top priority. Satellites and new space technology are poised to contribute greatly to the development of the IoT industry. Furthermore, use cases are already proving that the tech can serve societies, humanity, and our environment, addressing the most pressing challenges our planet faces. Ray Fernandez, Contributor, 150Sec. This story was originally published by Ray Fernandez on . 150Sec

This Swiss Company is Building a Constellation of Nano-Satellites

এই সুইস কোম্পানি ন্যানো-স্যাটেলাইটের একটি নক্ষত্রমণ্ডল তৈরি করছে

Dieses Schweizer Unternehmen baut eine Konstellation von Nanosatelliten auf

Esta empresa suiza está construyendo una constelación de nanosatélites

Cette entreprise suisse construit une constellation de nano-satellites

यह स्विस कंपनी बना रही है नैनो-उपग्रहों का समूह

このスイスの会社は、ナノ衛星のコンステレーションを構築しています

이 스위스 회사는 나노 위성의 별자리를 구축하고 있습니다.

Esta empresa suíça está construindo uma constelação de nano-satélites

Bu İsviçre Şirketi Nano Uydulardan Oluşan Bir Takımyıldız İnşa Ediyor

Công ty Thụy Sĩ này đang xây dựng một chòm sao vệ tinh nano

这家瑞士公司正在建造一个纳米卫星星座

200 Black Women in Tech to Follow on Twitter in 2022

200 mujeres negras en tecnología para seguir en Twitter en 2022

200 femmes noires en technologie à suivre sur Twitter en 2022

टेक में 200 अश्वेत महिलाएं 2022 में ट्विटर पर फॉलो करेंगी

2022 年に Twitter でフォローするテクノロジー業界の黒人女性 200 人

200 mulheres negras em tecnologia para seguir no Twitter em 2022

200 phụ nữ da đen trong công nghệ để theo dõi trên Twitter vào năm 2022

2022 年将在 Twitter 上关注 200 名科技黑人女性

200 Black Women In Tech To Follow on Twitter {2021 List}

The Internet of Things is a fast-growing area of technology that will one day have virtually the entire world connected. For now, it's still in the relatively early stages, so there may be opportunities to invest early in companies that will benefit from the IoT. Which part of the Internet of Things do you want to invest in? So where can you put your money if you want to take a stake in the Internet of Things? It all depends on how you want to invest, which part of the IoT you want to invest in, and where the valuation of each company currently stands relative to the benefits it will receive from growth in the IoT. First it's important to realize that the Internet of Things has many parts, which means you can play the IoT in the stock market through several avenues. Some investors prefer to invest in companies that make components for devices, while others prefer to invest in software that connects devices to the internet. Still others invest in manufacturers and consumer-driven companies, while some prefer to play the industrial angle of the IoT. Another option is to invest in the platforms that make the Internet of Things possible. One other thing to think about when it comes to investing in the IoT is whether you want to stick to publicly traded companies or if you want to look for startups by investing in a venture capital fund. The downside of venture capital is that you must be an accredited investor to invest in startups, so that may not be an option that's open to you. Accredited investors are those with a net worth of at least $1 million, excluding their primary residence, or annual income of at least $200,000 for individuals or $300,000 for couples for the last two years. The definition of an accredited investor is also being expanded to those holding certain professional licenses in the financial industry. This expansion of the definition has been in the works for years, but it only recently was enacted. Component makers Perhaps the most basic place to start with investing in the Internet of Things is with the companies that make the components which make the IoT possible. This category includes some big names like Intel, although there are plenty of lesser known names as well. Two of these lesser known companies are Skyworks Solutions and Sierra Wireless. Skyworks makes semiconductors that are used in mobile communications systems and radio frequency. It should be noted that Skyworks stock has increased in value significantly this year. Sierra Wireless manufactures components that connect machines to each other over cellular networks. Marvell Technology Group is another semiconductor company with exposure to the Internet of Things, although it also makes the Andromeda platform and offers other angles for investing in the IoT. Arm Holdings and Impinj also make components. Arm makes semiconductors, while Impinj makes radio frequency identification devices (RFID) and software. Software and services Some examples of software and services companies that support the Internet of Things are JFrog and CalAmp. this year, so it is still humming along momentum from that. The company provides DevOpps solutions that serve as the backbone for IoT apps and services. JFrog just held its initial public offering CalAmp is an interesting play because the software it provides offers multiple exposures to the Internet of Things. The company provides cloud services, data intelligence and telematics products. It also offers exposure to connected vehicles and the industrial Internet of Things. Bsquare is another option if you're looking for software exposure to the IoT, and it also offers multiple exposures. The company states that it designs, builds and operates "intelligent devices and systems at scale" for its customers. Bsquare supports manufacturers and enterprises by offering professional development services. Its main product is B2IQ, which is a collection of edge-to-cloud solutions and system recovery tools that target the industrial internet of things. IoT platforms Alarm.com and PTC both offer platforms for the Internet of Things, although the nature of their platforms is entirely different. PTC is a global technology company that serves as an industrial play as well as a platform play. Its ThingWorx platform serves as a design and runtime engine for IoT applications. ThingWorx provides a library of more than 150 different device drivers and internet protocols to connect industrial machines to the platform. Alarm.com differs from PTC because it provides an IoT platform for consumers rather than industry. The company's platform does more than just serve as an alarm system. It also supports home automation while providing monitoring of systems. Alarm.com's Smart Signal product won the IoT Evolution Product of the Year Award in 2019. Smart Signal is a mobile app that reduces false alarms and expedites emergency response to homes. The company's home automation platform enables users to control appliances while on the go, which can come in handy if you think you've forgotten to turn off the stove or another major appliance before leaving home. Amazon If you're looking for a more well-known platform play, you might consider Amazon, although give the run-up in its stock, it may be overvalued at current levels. Amazon Web Services offers its IoT Core platform, a managed cloud service that enables connected devices to interact with cloud applications and other devices. One good thing about Amazon is that it is more than a platform play when it comes to the Internet of Things. It also sells consumer devices like its Echo smart speaks, which are equipped with its Alexa digital assistant. Alexa also provides exposure to the software side of the IoT, although it rather straddles the line between platform and software because it serves as a consumer interface for the platform. Although Amazon is perhaps better known for its devices and ecommerce of course, it actually receives most of its profits from its cloud computing business. Amazon Web Services also has industrial applications because it provides connectivity to some companies' manufacturing infrastructures. For example, Volkswagen selected Amazon Web Services to connect more than 100 of its factories to the cloud to "increase plant efficiency and uptime, improve production flexibility and increase vehicle quality." Industrial options for the Internet of Things For exposure to the industrial Internet of Things, we dive into a mix of companies that are household names and some that aren't. The interesting thing about these industrial names is that some of them may not seem like IoT plays at first glance. For example, Honeywell has been building a name for itself in the Internet of Things industry. The company describes the Industrial Internet of Things as a "network of networks that uses the internet to connect people, processes and assets enabling a new way to optimize business results." By connecting industrial infrastructure, the company's platform also provides analytics, data management and onsite control. Another household name that you might not think would be connected to the IoT is General Electric, which is both a platform and industrial play with software exposure as well. The company's Predix Platform is a distributed application platform designed to capture and analyze the volume, velocity and variety of machine data in an "industrial-strength cloud environment." GE Digital describes its software as connecting "streams of machine data to powerful analytics and people, providing industrial companies with valuable insights to manage assets and operations more efficiently." Connected vehicles One part of the Internet of Things that gets more attention on its own than it does as part of the IoT is connected vehicles. There is a wide array of companies that fall into this category, ranging from well-known companies like and other automakers to lesser known names like Mobileye, which is now part of Intel. Mobileye makes advanced driver-assistance systems and sensors to support autonomous vehicles. Tesla Another connected car company is TeleNav, which provides maps, navigation and other connected car solutions. The company offers many services and apps designed for navigation and similar activities, but its TeleNav Asset Tracker and TeleNav Vehicle Tracker are designed to help companies track their assets and vehicles, respectively. The company also offers infotainment systems that are integrated with the cloud to provide services inside vehicles. Other connected vehicle technologies include predictive maintenance systems like those offered by Progress Software. Consumer devices The consumer device side of the IoT is filled with some very big names, including Alphabet and Apple. Alphabet has several devices that connect to the internet, starting with its Google Home smart speakers. Alphabet also sells the thermometer, which may be one of the best examples of smart phone technology. The Nest thermometer allows users to control their thermostat while they're away from home using an app on their smartphone. Nest Apple is not a pure Internet of Things play because of the iPhone and the many other products it sells, but it is important to mention, nonetheless. The company's HomeKit provides a platform for smart home devices to connect to, and its HomePod smart speakers are a competitor for Amazon's Echo devices and the Google Home smart speakers. An easy option for investing in the Internet of Things If your head is spinning with the many stocks that provide exposure to the Internet of Things, you might want to consider simplifying things a bit by purchasing an exchange-traded fund. The Global X Internet of Things ETF is arguably the most popular ETF for those who want exposure to the IoT. The focuses on semiconductor companies, sensor makers, integrated products and solutions, and apps that serve smart grides, smart homes, connected cars, and the industrial internet of things. Among the top 10 holdings in the ETF are Skyworks Solutions, STMicroelectronics, Garmin, Dexcom, Silicon Laboratories, Advantech, ADT and Xiaomi. Global X Internet of Things ETF In all, the ETF holds 47 different stocks. More than half of its assets are held in the information technology sector, while nearly 30% are held in industrials. The U.S. makes up the largest chunk of the ETF's holdings. Related ETFs Beyond the Global X ETF, there are some other ETFs that are related to the Internet of Things, although they do not provide as much of a pure play option for the IoT. For example, the VanEck Semiconductor ETF invests in chip makers, many of which do offer products aimed at the IoT market. The ETF is limited to the semiconductor market though, so it does not provide a diversified holding of IoT-exposed companies. You will also be missing out on vast chunks of the Internet of Things if you're wanting to invest in it more broadly. Two other options are the First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund, which invests in tech stocks, and the PowerShares Cleantech Portfolio ETF. The First Trust ETF provides exposure to a broad range of tech stocks, which means it includes many companies that don't have any exposure to the Internet of Things. In fact, of the ETF's top 10 holdings, there are very few major IoT names. Its top 10 holdings as of October 12 include Twilio, Cloudflare, Datadog, Globant, HubSpot, Fastly, Micron Technologies (which has also ), Apple, DocuSign and Xerox Holdings. attracted big-name investors like Mohnish Pabrai The PowerShares Cleantech ETF is even less of an IoT play than the other two, but it does deserve a mention, especially for those who are interested in investing in sustainable energy and other forms of clean technology. The ETF's top holdings are Gamesa, ABB, Schneider Electric, Ansys, Vestas, Autodesk, Intertek, Novozymes, Trimble Navigation and Kingspan. Some final thoughts No matter which route you take to invest in the Internet of Things, you should always take a diversified approach. It wouldn't be a bad idea to work with a financial advisor who specializes in selecting tech investments for portfolios. They can help you make sure that your portfolio is wholly diversified. You should also include some non-IoT stocks as well so that your portfolio isn't loaded entirely into technology. If you are investing in the Internet of Things, you should also consider diversifying within the IoT universe. There are plenty of stocks to choose from, and not all of them will be a good fit for every investor. That's why options like the Global X ETF can make it easier to invest in the IoT while ensuring that you take a broad picture of the landscape for your portfolio.

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