Digital Fuel Capital is an investment firm focused on leaders in eCommerce. We provide both capital and in-house strategic and operational resources to help our companies succeed.

Digital Fuel Capital

Digital Fuel Capital is an investment firm focused on digital marketing. They invest in leaders in internet retail and digital marketing technology and services . They provide both capital and in-house strategic and operational resources to help our companies succeed.

Digital Fuel Capital - Crunchbase Investor Profile & Investments

Founded in 2013, Digital Fuel Capital is a private equity firm based in Newton, Massachusetts. The firm seeks to invest in middle-market companies operating in the e-commerce, retail, and TMT sectors.

Digital Fuel Capital Investor Profile: Portfolio & Exits | PitchBook

Digital Fuel Capital is an investment ... marketing technologies, and digital marketing services firms. Digital Fuel Capital provides both capital and in-house strategic and operational resources to help companies succeed....

Digital Fuel Capital Portfolio Investments, Digital Fuel Capital ...

It&#x27;s not easy to be an entrepreneurial e-commerce company: to master all aspects of engaging, converting and retaining consumers while search algorithms are changing, advertising tactics are evolving and the pace of competition is increasing. Great talent is hard to find and there are hundreds of tools and vendors that are inundating you with promises but little proof of ROI. Our mission at Digital Fuel Capital ...

Digital Fuel Capital | LinkedIn

Digital Fuel Capital is a private investment firm focused on investing in and acquiring companies involved in digital marketing. This includes e-commerce, digital marketing service companies, and advertising/marketing technology companies. Digital Fuel was established in 2015 and is headquartered ...

Digital Fuel Capital Mergers and Acquisitions Summary | Mergr

Founded in 2013 and based in Massachusetts, US, Digital Fuel Capital is a private equity firm that acquires or invests in profitable middle-market eCommerce ...

Digital Fuel Capital Fund Manager Profile | Preqin

See what employees say it&#x27;s like to work at Digital Fuel Capital. Salaries, reviews, and more - all posted by employees working at Digital Fuel Capital.

Working at Digital Fuel Capital | Glassdoor

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not necessarily reviewed the information in this filing and has not determined if it is accurate and complete. The reader should not assume that the information is accurate and complete · 1. Issuer&#x27;s Identity

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Digital Fuel Capital LLC, 339 Auburn St, Auburndale, MA ...

Digital Fuel Capital investor portfolio, rounds & team

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is a VC investor with 2 investments and 2 portfolio startups.

Digital Fuel Capital — Deals, 2 Portfolio startups, Statistics ...

Carson is the founder and President of Digital Fuel Capital. He is also a co-founder and a Managing Partner of The Mustang Group, an affiliate of Digital Fuel Capital that invests in innovative companies within the consumer products, technology and business services sectors.

Carson Biederman | Digital Fuel Capital | Mergr

Houlihan Lokey Advises Renovation Brands

Digital Fuel has raised over $30m in funding from investors including Apax Partners, Benchmark Capital, Israel Seed Partners, and Sigma Partners. In June 2011, VMware purchased Digital Fuel for $85 million.

Digital Fuel - Wikipedia

Digital Fuel Capital is one of the most-active private equity investors in e-commerce businesses. Digital Fuel&#x27;s investment strategy is to acquire leaders in defensible e-commerce segments and to support its portfolio companies in optimizing their businesses through a combination of internal ...

Digital Fuel Capital Acquires First Impression Ironworks

View Digital Fuel Capital (www.digitalfuelcapital.com) location in Massachusetts, United States , revenue, industry and description. Find related and similar companies as well as employees by title and much more.

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On January 1, 2013, private equity firm Digital Fuel Capital acquired e-commerce company Buy Auto Parts

Digital Fuel Capital Acquires Buy Auto Parts | Mergr M&A Deal Summary

Leading Private Equity Investor in eCommerce, Supporting Brands with Capital, Expertise, and Benefits

Ivan Starinin and Alexander Salnikov are two alumni of Moscow’s elite Higher School of Economics that went on to forge a prolific entrepreneurial partnership in the blockchain space. The now seasoned blockchain entrepreneur duo got started by building cryptocurrency trading software and went on to helm a number of projects, including MarginCall, the fastest and most advanced open-source crypto exchange as well as CoinOffering, the first company to offer its shares in the form of blockchain assets. Together, Ivan and Alexander raised the total of over BTC 5,000 for various blockchain companies as a result of successfully performed ICO campaigns. Currently, Starinin and Salnikov are exploring the potential of the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. With almost a decade of entrepreneurial experience in the blockchain space, you’ve sent waves in two distinct areas of the industry: the cryptocurrency market and virtual infrastructure development. Which of these spheres do you prefer working in? Well, while it might seem like these kinds of projects are distinct from each other on the surface, if you look a bit deeper, they are interconnected and feed off of each other. The growth of the cryptocurrency market contributes greatly to the evolution of the blockchain industry. It’s unfortunate that there are still people who associate virtual currencies with reckless speculation, but that is gradually giving way to recognition of the opportunities inherent in the space. IS: Even though working with cryptocurrencies has served many as a means to enter the blockchain space and get a taste of the benefits of digital money short-term, there are also a select few who stay devoted to the cause and create technological breakthrough solutions. Yes, each emerging coin or token, so long as it brings something of worth to the table, has the potential to make the market function more effectively. Some digital assets fuel blockchain networks while also serving as a store of value in their own right. AS: For instance, a lot of blockchain projects have designed their own native cryptocurrencies in order to lower fees for cross-border payments or to give access to financial services for developing economies. That’s why we are convinced that crypto goes hand-in-hand with blockchain development and both are essential for future technological development. In this context let’s talk about the overall growth of decentralized finance. Taking into consideration all the possible vulnerabilities in DeFi, what is your opinion on the short and long-term prospects of this sector? What comes to mind when hearing talk of DeFi, and specifically concerning possible security issues, is the old Bitcoin mantra of “be your own bank.” While the freedom that comes with that is great, it comes at a price. Ultimately you are responsible for your experience with digital money and security is an issue that has to be reckoned with by everyone involved in this space individually. As for the short-term, the DeFi economy is organized in such a way that higher risks can lead to higher capital gains. IS: However, all of the above are more growth related challenges than inherent flaws. This is reflected by the current investment environment surrounding DeFI. The space is still free and full of potential in terms of technical innovation. There is certainly risk and, perhaps DeFi isn’t for the faint of heart, but, then again, what sector of finance is? AS: Meanwhile, there are safety nets out there, like decentralized insurance, which can help people protect their capital. The beauty of DeFi lies in its transparent nature. As an open system, anyone can audit DeFi, so, the more investors and developers that get involved, the more positive growth and system refinement we are going to see. What other problems exist in the DeFi market and how can these problems be resolved? There is lack of regulation, making the market rather uncertain for those seeking to invest big money. As it happened to blockchain in general and crypto in particular, initial legislation was only created post factum with regulators playing catch up, and the process seems to be repeating itself with DeFi. What is important here is to understand that the lack of regulation at this stage provides opportunities for higher revenue and ROI - when there is no regulation, there is often a substantial  growth potential. IS: I’d also say that there is a vulnerable link between decentralized services and the real world. Let’s go back to decentralized insurance as an example of what I’m talking about. Here, transactions are executed through the participation of a third party which in many cases is a trustee, chosen by vote and in charge of transmitting information to the blockchain. Unfortunately, third party intermediaries are not always honest. A perfect solution for this problem might be creating an independent and self-contained system that runs in accordance with game theory concepts with minimal influence from third parties. There is actually, I believe, quite a lot that could be improved in DeFi via the application of game theory principles. In addition to that, there is a general perception out there that the UX design of DeFi products tends to be far from high-quality. What we need here is detailed “user manual” style instructions - similar to those provided to first telephone users right after it was introduced to the general public in 1876. If you’re well versed in decentralized finance, structure your product so that it is straightforward, user friendly and serves as a practical representation of the technology. AS: Again, this is more indicative of the industry being in its early stages of development than it is of structural problems. What areas of DeFi development do you find the most promising? Before we move on to that, let me just briefly comment on the ongoing debates about whether it’s necessary to upgrade the protocols and interfaces of DeFi projects. My personal stance is that market participants should focus more on the business end of things. Currently, the DeFi community has plenty of technical enthusiasts but very few skilled entrepreneurs capable of introducing solid business models and bringing theoretical fundamentals to reality in the form of innovative products. IS: Once serious revenue flows are established, they will naturally improve both protocols and the interface as well as attract more ambitious developers. So, the most remarkable examples of DeFi businesses deal with lending and deposits, insurance and various investment products and instruments. From this list, those that deal with lending and deposits seem the most promising to us because their success represents a further advancement of the original principles behind Bitcoin and can lead to the construction of an alternative global banking system open to everyone. AS: Not all projects in the industry are intent on establishing a new financial system. What is your take on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)? To make it more clear, we’d better start with explaining the essence of CBDCs which are a type of a stablecoin. Stablecoins are virtual assets that are pegged to fiat currencies and designed to mimic their value so as to avoid extreme market volatility. There are centralized stablecoins like Tether whose backing by the US dollar is guaranteed by a private company. Now, compare that to what are essentially similar initiatives, but from the likes of the Federal Reserve or the People’s Bank of China. IS: It’s about reputation, and CBDCs supported by big governmental institutions will add credibility to stablecoins, which are still a bit undervalued. We are going to see the effect these projects have on the market in the nearest future, as the accelerated issuance of the digital yuan will force other leading countries to follow suit if they don’t want to be left behind. As for the link with centralization, I wouldn’t put it quite like that. Actually, the recent flourishing of the stablecoin market was the main impetus behind DeFi’s progress, as this class of digital assets serves as the fuel for decentralized finance. Moreover, we don’t know much about the nature of CBDCs and how they will function exactly, but if similar state-backed stablecoins, such as the digital dollar or the digital euro, are launched on public blockchains, there will be an opportunity to make them decentralized, which will significantly increase the level of DeFi market penetration. AS: This could work in a similar fashion to cash, in the sense that the issuance of banknotes is obviously centralized, but their circulation is not. This could also happen with CBDCs, whose supply could be controlled by central banks without compromising their further movements. What are your own plans in decentralized finance? Now the DeFi sector is experiencing an influx of users who are curious about how things will play out here, so we’re preparing to contribute to the mass adoption of the technology by creating a consumer UX-friendly application that simplifies access to DeFi and connects it with real life. AS: We haven’t announced this project yet and aren’t really ready to reveal any details about it, but I can assure you that, with DeFi technology under its hood, our company will be able to compete with the world’s major existing banking services. IS: We’ve touched on regulations in the blockchain space. What countries do you find the most blockchain-friendly now and where do you think entrepreneurs are privy to the best development conditions? We’ve decided to incorporate our company in the US, which may seem surprising with all the blockchain entrepreneurs that have been moving to areas with more amiable legislation, like Malta, or to countries where blockchain regulations aren’t as clearly defined, giving them a lot of room to manoeuvre. But as far as the latter option is concerned, one has to be aware that chances are that your business will hit the top of its growth potential way too quickly. IS: Another country determining the vector of blockchain evolution is China, the US’s main political and economic rival. Between the two we’ve chosen America because we find this option more suitable in view of long-term development. Moreover, the ongoing crisis impacting the US economy has opened up opportunities for growing demand for DeFi businesses. Additionally, this will assist in dealing with the crisis-caused unemployment issue in the United States. AS: What advice do you have for blockchain entrepreneurs and investors as far as dealing with the constantly growing level of competition in this industry? For entrepreneurs, I’d go back to the point about concentrating on the business end of things I made earlier. It’s not that important right now to create a super technically advanced code or an awesome user interface. What is more important is crafting an effective business model and producing a sustainable product that will bring money to your investor. IS: And for investors, now’s the time to get on board with DeFi. The industry is open now in a way that it is unlikely to be for long. Now’s the time to start gathering teams of highly conscious professionals and determining points of entry. If you don’t act quickly, you may miss out on a golden opportunity. AS:

An Interview With Ivan Starinin And Alexander Salnikov On DeFi Tech

Welcome to another insightful edition of "Behind the Startup." Today, we delve into the fascinating world of Web3 marketing with our special guest, Tomer Sharoni, CEO of Addressable. Following their remarkable $13.5M raise led by BITKRAFT, Addressable stands at the forefront of Web3 growth marketing. We'll explore the intricacies of their journey, the innovative strategies behind their success, and their vision for the future of Web3 marketing. Addressable's Founders Reveal the Secrets Behind Their $13.5M Success in Exclusive Interview Ishan Pandey: Hi, Tomer Sharoni, great to have you here for our "Behind the Startup" series. To start with, congratulations on Addressable's successful funding round. Can you walk us through the journey that led to this achievement and how this capital will fuel your future endeavors in Web3 growth marketing? Addressable was founded two years ago by 3 friends, Asaf Nadler, Tomer Shlomo, and myself. Our goal was to address the specific needs of Web3 businesses leveraging our expertise in and . We engaged with over 100 companies through extensive market research, uncovering a common challenge - user acquisition and retention within the Web3 space. In Web3, user interactions are decentralized and anonymous, challenging communication. Traditional communication channels like social media and email remained prevalent across web3 communities, and businesses tried to communicate with new audiences organically in their social channels. Tomer Sharoni: big data AI Once they wanted to acquire new users outside the community or retain users who were drifting away from their community, they faced major communication challenges. Recognizing this wide need in the market, we devised a solution to bridge the gap between Web3 audiences and social media through data integration. Our platform now allows businesses to build and measure advertising campaigns based on users' Web3 activity. This innovation enables the creation of precise and measurable marketing strategies, a much-needed tool for Web3 businesses. The recent funding round has propelled us forward. We're expanding to new social networks and ad networks, broadening our blockchain integrations, and enhancing our analytics capabilities to include mobile and social network data. This investment will accelerate our growth and help us become a vital part of the Web3 ecosystem. Ishan Pandey: Reflecting on Addressable's fundraising journey, what were the key challenges you faced as a founder in convincing investors about the potential of Web3 marketing? How did you address these challenges? Convincing investors posed several challenges during our fundraising journey. Firstly, some investors questioned whether Web3 marketing was a distinct category, as it appeared to be an extension of Web2 marketing. They argued that we were still advertising on traditional platforms like social networks and . Additionally, the issue of measurement came up. Investors wondered if we were merely a subcategory of marketing, with the same metrics applied. Tomer Sharoni: Google However, what we emphasized, and what eventually resonated with many investors, was that Web3 marketing is unique. It bridges the gap between Web3, where all the commercial activity happens, and Web2 social networks, where all the communication happens. In Web2 marketing, there was no integration of public data from Web3 – about where people spend, what they do, their preferences, and more. This wealth of Web3 data remained unconnected to traditional marketing practices. This disconnect was a missed opportunity for companies looking to target and understand Web3 audiences better. Web3 data is extensive and highly accurate, offering insights into audiences' spending habits, preferences, and interests, which can significantly benefit businesses when utilized correctly. A second challenge we faced was the preference of many Web3 investors for native Web3 solutions. Addressable, however, takes a unique approach. We work with Web3 companies that want to target Web3 users but do so through Web2 platforms like social media. Some Web3 investors initially viewed this as contradictory to the Web3 ethos. They questioned why we were operating in Web2 channels when our focus was on Web3 users. Our response was that this approach aligns with how businesses currently operate. To grow their user base and their community, they seek out potential users on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit, among others, where most potential users hang out. What we provide is a way to go outside the boundaries of the community, and have a precise and sustainable way for businesses to grow, by leveraging Web3 data for targeting. We explained that by helping these companies navigate Web2 channels effectively, we contribute to the growth of the entire Web3 industry. Ishan Pandey: Addressable's capability to attribute crypto wallet owners across numerous websites is groundbreaking. How does this technology work, and what sets it apart in the crowded field of digital marketing? Addressable's technology targets a specific group of internet users - crypto wallet owners, which number in the tens of millions among billions of internet users. Our unique approach involves matching audiences in Web3 and audiences on social networks such as Twitter and Reddit, as well as audiences on programmatic ad networks in the open web and mobile apps. We achieve this by analyzing behavioral patterns, and matching on-chain activities of web3 audience segments to online activities of social networks’ audience segments. Tomer Sharoni: This allows us to connect small, particular segments of Web3 audiences with their counterparts on social media. For example, if you want to target users who trade on a particular decentralized exchange, our technology can help you reach them accurately as a group, while strictly preserving the privacy of individuals. What sets us apart is our ability to bridge Web3 and Web2 data effectively, enabling advertisers to reach their desired audience with precision. This approach is unique in the crowded digital marketing landscape, as it empowers businesses to tap into the valuable world of Web3 users while leveraging familiar marketing channels. Ishan Pandey: Addressable's expansion into new ad networks and blockchains suggests a complex technical infrastructure. Can you elaborate on the challenges and solutions in scaling your technology stack to accommodate this growth? Expanding into new ad networks and blockchains means handling vast amounts of data and complex audience-building queries. To address these challenges, we've built a cutting-edge infrastructure, leveraging AWS and databases designed for large-scale analytics. We've also implemented efficient data lakes and indexing mechanisms. Tomer Sharoni: Our approach includes edge engineering and AI analytics for new contracts and activities on-chain. This enables us to scale seamlessly as we incorporate more blockchains, new contracts, and social networks. We use AI to identify patterns and automatically label new types of contracts and activities, making our entire stack highly scalable. Ishan Pandey: The integration of AI and machine learning is pivotal in modern marketing technologies. Can you discuss how Addressable incorporates these technologies to enhance campaign effectiveness and user targeting accuracy? Addressable leverages AI and machine learning in two crucial ways. First, we use behavioral matching AI to identify patterns in audience activity across social networks and blockchains. This helps us understand how Addressable's target audiences relate to blockchain activity, enhancing user targeting accuracy. Tomer Sharoni: Second, we utilize several Gen AI models to automatically identify and label every contract, activity, and business on-chain. This automation streamlines our scale and supports adding new businesses and blockchains almost automatically. Lastly, we employ AI algorithms for ongoing campaign optimization. By analyzing audience response and conversions, we continuously adjust the campaign, removing underperforming segments and adding lookalike segments that resemble high-performing ones. This ensures that our campaigns are consistently effective and efficient. Ishan Pandey: In the rapidly evolving landscape of Web3, how does Addressable ensure compliance with emerging regulations and privacy concerns, especially when dealing with sensitive user data like crypto wallet information? Addressable places a high priority on user privacy, aligning with the privacy-conscious culture of Web3 in 2024. We ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR and SOC2, by never identifying individuals. Tomer Sharoni: Instead, we create and match segments of audiences on-chain and on social media, avoiding the collection of any personally identifiable data. This approach not only meets GDPR requirements but also adheres to strict social network privacy rules, safeguarding user privacy while leveraging the data of Web3. Ishan Pandey: Addressable has managed a significant number of campaigns. From a technical standpoint, what have been the most challenging aspects of executing these campaigns at scale, and how have you resolved them? Tomer Sharoni: Managing hundreds of campaigns simultaneously presents several technical challenges. Firstly, integrating with multiple ad networks and standardizing data across various platforms and APIs can be complex. We've tackled this by ensuring seamless data ingestion and standardization while maintaining low latency. Another challenge is meeting the demand of companies looking to expand beyond the networks we initially supported. To address this, we had to scale our team and operations faster than originally planned, as the demand for growing businesses in Web3 and deploying marketing budgets across more channels continues to rise. Ishan Pandey: Lastly, looking towards the future, what emerging technologies or trends in the Web3 space are you most excited about, and how is Addressable preparing to leverage these for further growth and innovation? We're excited about emerging technologies in wallet-to-wallet communication, the rise of Web3 social media, and the development of native Web3 ad units. These advancements open up new avenues for advertising and attribution, as well as helping smaller networks, websites and creators to benefit from ads in a scalable way. We're also keen on the potential of social logins on Web3 websites, which can enhance our services and eventually lead us towards a Web3-centric advertising ecosystem that's more user-friendly and appealing to our customers. Addressable is poised to adapt and innovate in these evolving Web3 landscapes. Tomer Sharoni: This author is an independent contributor publishing via our brand-as-author program. Be it through direct compensation, media partnerships, or networking, the author has a vested interest in the company/ies mentioned in this story. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR Vested Interest Disclosure:

Inside the Web3 Marketing Revolution: Addressable's $13.5M Milestone with Tomer Sharoni

Web3 মার্কেটিং বিপ্লবের ভিতরে: Tomer Sharoni এর সাথে Addressable এর $13.5M মাইলফলক

Einblicke in die Web3-Marketing-Revolution: Der 13,5-Millionen-Dollar-Meilenstein von Addressable mit Tomer Sharoni

Dentro de la revolución del marketing Web3: el hito de 13,5 millones de dólares de Addressable con Tomer Sharoni

À l'intérieur de la révolution marketing Web3 : le jalon de 13,5 millions de dollars d'Addressable avec Tomer Sharoni

वेब3 मार्केटिंग क्रांति के अंदर: तोमर शारोनी के साथ एड्रेसेबल का $13.5M मील का पत्थर

Web3 マーケティング革命の内部: Tomer Sharoni による Addressable の 1,350 万ドルのマイルストーン

Web3 마케팅 혁명 속으로: Tomer Sharoni와 함께하는 Addressable의 1,350만 달러 이정표

Por dentro da revolução do marketing da Web3: marco de US$ 13,5 milhões da Addressable com Tomer Sharoni

Внутри маркетинговой революции Web3: веха Addressable в 13,5 миллионов долларов с Томером Шарони

Web3 Pazarlama Devriminin İçinde: Tomer Sharoni ile Adreslenebilir'in 13,5 Milyon Dolarlık Dönüm Noktası

Bên trong cuộc cách mạng tiếp thị Web3: Cột mốc 13,5 triệu đô la của addressable với Tomer Sharoni

Web3 营销革命的内部：Addressable 与 Tomer Sharoni 一起实现 1350 万美元的里程碑

Battles in The Age of Engagement

Cooperatives The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) defines a cooperative as “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise” [1]. The cooperative model is an ownership model that can work with various business models. The seven cooperative principles are: Voluntary and Open Membership, Democratic Member Control, Member Economic Participation, Autonomy and Independence, Education, Training, and Information, Cooperation among Cooperatives, and Concern for Community [1]. A cooperative is distinguished from other organizations based on democratic governance, member-ownership, and operating for the benefit of members. Platform Cooperatives Platform cooperatives are businesses that use a website, mobile app, or protocol to sell goods or services. They rely on democratic decision-making and shared ownership of the platform by workers and users [3]. There are four types of platform cooperatives: Data, Worker, Producer, and Multi-stakeholder [2]. Bottlenecks in Platform Cooperative Development Developing platform cooperatives and growing the ecosystem unfortunately faces some obstacles. Generally, where relationships are fleeting or transactional or the financial capital requirements are high, the answer has been less likely to be a co-operative. This would explain the lack of co-operatives in industries such as the pharmaceutical or automotive industry. Today platform co-ops face similar difficulties in trying to move into sectors already dominated by Big Tech companies [4]. According to Simon Borkin in the four pressing challenges faced by platform cooperatives are: Platform co-operatives — solving the capital conundrum, “Governance: Platform co-operatives usually lack a geographically-rooted community, and can have divergent stakeholder interests, which create organizational problems.” “Technology: Platform co-operatives may not want to adopt some of the technologies that have become synonymous with Big Tech and surveillance capitalism such as data analytics and artificial intelligence. Their lack of capital also hampers their ability to build platforms and supporting infrastructure to the same standard as commercial platforms — making it difficult to meet consumer expectations in terms of user experience.” “Growth: Platform co-operatives are unlikely to be able to follow the established growth strategies of incumbents and so will find it difficult to build the natural network effects that fuel market penetration and consolidation.” “Capital: The lack of a pure profit-driven business model means platform co-operatives struggle to access capital to grow, as financing in the start-up sector is predicated largely on venture capital, which generally requires investor control and the potential for large future returns” [4]. The biggest problem platform cooperatives face is raising capital because the “[current] venture capital model … is characterized by several features which co-operatives are either uncomfortable with or simply cannot accommodate” [4]. Crucially, co-ops don’t have comparable mechanisms for risk taking/sharing or for converting anticipated future profit flows into present value. As a result there is a distinct lack of co-operatives trading at significant scale in capital-intensive industries, like the latest high-growth, tech platform models, because of the difficulty in finding large-scale investment [4]. Some possible solutions to solve the capital problem include: no-code, Web3 infrastructure, community/complementary currencies, accelerators and start-up funds, and new funding models such as revenue-based financing. In this article, I will briefly discuss how no-code can help tackle the technology and capital challenges faced by platform cooperative developers. No-code No-code refers to software development tools designed for non-developers to develop apps primarily through visual tools to interact with a library of components, rather than through coding [5, 6]. “No-code has four characteristics, which include: Simple filters can be used to instantly customize certain elements. Drag and drop elements that can be visually structured to create websites or other web and mobile applications. Easy functionality for non-technical users. Easy-to-use APIs to integrate data from other applications” [5]. There are three types of no-code platforms: UI generation software: “Users can quickly create user interfaces that interact with data stored in tables on the platform”, integration software: “ Users create connections between software applications and triggers to move data through those connections”, and transformation software: “main purpose is to add value to data as it moves between applications.” [7]. No-code’s benefits include: No-code is designed for non-developers to develop apps primarily through visual tools rather than programming languages, potential cost-savings from not needing to hire a developer permanently or temporarily, increase in efficiency as the timeline for developing apps is shortened, and supports collaboration between creators and between end-users and creators [5, 6] No-code’s risks include: lack of customization to meet a business’s specific needs, the new product not meeting expectations, costly services that may be more expensive than outsourcing, and the team also needs to spend time learning how to use the no-code tool [5]. As long as the app or website idea is not too complicated and can be developed quickly (because no-code services can be expensive in the long run), platform cooperative developers can use no-code tools to test the waters with their idea to see whether to invest more time, money and energy into the idea to get more support (collaboration, followers, funding, joining an accelerator, etc.). For example, a platform cooperative developer can learn how to use no-code tools on a site like Makerpad and use no-code tools like Glide or Webflow to make their entry-level app [8, 9, 10]. Lastly, this is also an opportunity or area for platform cooperative developers to work on as providing no-code tools to other developers can help grow the movement. References [1] https://www.ica.coop/en/cooperatives/cooperative-identity [2] Calzada, I. Platform and Data Co-Operatives amidst European Pandemic Citizenship. 2020, , 8309. Sustainability 12 https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208309 [3] https://platform.coop/ [4] https://media.nesta.org.uk/documents/Nesta_Platform_Report_FINAL-WEB_b1qZGj7.pdf [5] https://www.thedailymba.com/2020/01/24/how-the-no-code-movement-can-help-startups-and-developers/ [6] https://www.infoq.com/news/2021/01/no-code-digital-transformation/ [7] https://www.infoq.com/articles/low-code-community-developer/?itm_campaign=rightbar_v2&itm_source=infoq&itm_medium=articles_link&itm_content=link_text [8] https://www.makerpad.co/tool/glide [9] https://www.makerpad.co/tool/webflow [10] https://www.makerpad.co/tutorials Originally published here: https://medium.com/p/no-code-for-platform-cooperative-developers-6b969f195900

Can No-code Help Platform Cooperative Developers?

Fears of a looming recession continue to fuel uncertainty in the global equity markets—no wonder the vast majority of indexes and securities are down double-digit percentages so far in 2022. Things are even worse in the cryptocurrency industry: pair is down 58%, whereas is down 63%. Overall, the digital asset's market capitalization stands way below its $2 trillion record. BTC/USD ETH/USD Such a weak performance compared to its peers could be explained by a significant Risk-Off environment in the global markets, triggered by a restrictive monetary policy by Central Banks. Long story short, Investors tend to be reactive and risk-averse when bigger issues are considered. The fact that Jerome Powell said that further interest rate hikes are necessary to fight inflation makes for a perfect storm. According to Bridgewater Associates' founder , a rise in rates from where they are to about 4.5 percent will produce about a 20 percent negative impact on equity prices. Goldman analysts' worst-case scenario would be a 26% fall of the S&P 500 from the current levels. Last but not least, a former top TD Ameritrade technical analyst the market could fall another 22%. estimates warned Talking about projections, U.S. GDP growth in 2023 is expected to be 1.2%, instead of the 1.7% previously forecast. The unemployment rate has also been revised downward from 3.9% to 4.4%. The average interest rate next year is expected to stand at 4.6%. Thus, traders should be getting ready for a bumpy road ahead unless Fed concerns over inflation simmer down. The growing correlation between crypto and equity markets suggests that digital assets also suffer. Adding more fuel to the fire, crypto regulation is gaining momentum worldwide. Before the European Union finalized the full text of its landmark Markets in Crypto Assets legislation, the White House the “First-Ever Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Development of Digital Assets.” released Theoretically, its final goal is to: Protect the rights of consumers and investors; Ensure financial stability; Fight illicit financial flows; Maintain U.S. global financial leadership and economic competitiveness; Make financial services accessible; Fostering "responsible innovation." Among other things, the document defines the range of government agencies that will oversee the cryptocurrency market and defines their main functions. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will investigate fraud, theft of cryptocurrency assets, etc. To combat money laundering and counterterrorism, the White House plans to initiate amendments to the Bank Secrecy Act and other regulations that would extend financial market regulation to digital assets and players in that market, particularly cryptocurrency exchanges and NFT platforms. In summarizing, get ready for a “big Reboot.” What does all this mean? First, that crypto is already integrated into the financial system. Second, that you can forget about anonymity (if it ever existed). Third, with a push to develop CBDCs, stablecoins could face battles with regulators. As a result, one or the other could go belly up. It is worth mentioning that as part of the legal proceedings related to a market manipulation case that dates back to 2019, Katherine Polk Failla, a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, has ordered Tether’s parent company to provide financial records for its USDT stablecoin. Good thing it remains kinda stable. Forget about traditional risk management. The main issue with this strategy is that when BTC goes down, practically the entire digital asset market suffers. Therefore, I would raise holdings in alternative assets or even think about cashing out. As for Ethereum, SEC chief Gary Gensler said the cryptocurrency could be considered security after moving to Proof of Stake. Under the current Securities Act, cryptocurrency companies that provide crypto asset staking services are required to pass the Howey test. Under that test, an investment contract exists if there is an "investment of money in a common enterprise with a reasonable expectation of profits to be derived from the efforts of others." In short, the cryptocurrency market begins a new chapter, and it does not seem to be for the benefit of the users. May the Force be with you…

Why Are Digital Assets Under Pressure?

The concept and existence of the blockchain have shown us that its ever-evolving landscape is a playground for innovation. Here, diverse elements converge to perform the magic of innovation and redefine possibilities. From the big boys in venture capital firms to utility tokens, , and even fashion brands, the ecosystem is experiencing an intriguing convergence of ideas and applications. blockchains This convergence doesn't end at the doors of coexistence only. It is a dynamic fusion of ideas that is facilitating the evolution of blockchain technology. An industry that keeps showing clear signs of improvement. According to , in 2022, the global blockchain technology market size was valued at USD 11.14 billion and is projected to grow from USD 17.57 billion in 2023 to USD 469.49 billion by 2030, showing a CAGR of 59.9% during the forecast period. Fortune Business Insights In this article, we will embark on a journey through this convergence and explore how these seemingly unrelated elements are shaping and reshaping the blockchain ecosystem. The Venture Capital's Vital Role in Blockchain Innovation Since the blockchain took off, Venture Capital (VC) firms have been the fuel powering the engines of the industry. These companies recognize the blockchain's transformative potential and tap into it by investing in the best minds in the space. Great VCs are pivotal in identifying visionary ideas and nurturing emerging talents. In the first half of 2022, . Q4 saw $3.7 billion in funding. A 61% drop from . This can be attributed to the general market condition. Still, beyond providing financial support, these firms offer invaluable mentorship, insights, and avenues to collaborate that bridge the gap between innovation and actualization. Web3 startups raised nearly $16 billion $9.6 billion in Q4 of 2021 Some of the ways by which VC firms play a key role in shaping and advancing the blockchain industry include: VCs provide initial capital for innovative projects to take shape. Seed Funding: They offer networks and mentorship from industry experts. Access to Expertise: VCs help speed up project development and market entry. Accelerating Development: Venture Capitals focus on groundbreaking ideas that push boundaries. Driving Innovation: VCs facilitate partnerships and collaborations among projects. Ecosystem Building: They attract other investors and validate project potential. Market Validation: Supports expansion and user acquisition for long-term success. Scaling Impact: An example of venture capital in the blockchain space is Gains VC. prides itself on its patience and long-term vision. The firm performs extensive research on any project by studying materials and gathering information from a network of well-connected people in the industry. At the heart of what they do is collaboration. They are always looking to connect individuals and companies, discuss ideas, challenge opinions, and share knowledge that ensures the industry's growth. Gains VC Venture capitalists like Gains VC play a crucial role in funding the initiatives and supporting disruptive technologies that bridge the gap between traditional and blockchain-powered solutions. A notable project with these VCs' backing is Manilla Finance, a forward-thinking Centralized Decentralized Finance (CeDeFi) company. is taking on the challenge of seamlessly integrating utility tokens into everyday life by enabling utility bill settlements in native cryptocurrency tokens. An innovative approach that not only showcases the utility of blockchain technology but also paves the way for a transition from Web2 to Web3 in fintech. Manilla Finance Utility Tokens: Bridging the Gap Between Real-World Assets and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Utility tokens are at the forefront of a financial revolution. These tokens represent a remarkable fusion of traditional assets with the limitless possibilities of the cryptocurrency space. Token's primary function is to provide genuine DeFi experiences by introducing real-world, tangible assets into the blockchain realm. According to the Bank of America, real-world asset tokenization is a “ .” In their report, the tokenized gold market has captured over $1 billion in investment, with a growing demand for tokenized U.S. Treasury bonds. According to data compiled by CoinDesk, this has a combined market capitalization of tokenized money market funds of almost . key driver of digital-asset adoption $500 million Tradable multi-faceted utility tokens are an example of tokens backed by assets like art, real estate, or even commodities. The genius of utility tokens lies in the way they digitize, tokenize, and democratize access to these tangible assets. These tokens serve as dynamic conduits for facilitating the integration of traditional assets into the blockchain scene. MNICorp and its utility token, is a prime example of this integration. A multi-faceted utility token, MnI brings genuine DeFi experiences to its community by integrating real-world commercial enterprises with asset-backed holdings into the cryptocurrency realm. Mnl Transformation of the Fashion Industry in the Web3 Era The fashion industry is traditionally rooted in its physicality, but blockchain technology is disrupting this. The technology is ushering in transparency, innovation, and traceability into the fashion space. For example, with the provision of immutable records, the journey of a garment from the creation to the consumer is well-documented and transparent. This reduces the prevalence of counterfeit products (said to have caused an to the global economy in 2018), thereby enhancing authenticity. The counterfeit industry is one where the world is losing nearly and is predicted to grow to . estimated $323 billion in damage , $90 billion annually $2.8 trillion and cost 5.4 million jobs by 2022 Blockchain technology also optimizes supply chains by establishing secure, transparent ledgers used for tracking materials and production. This leads to more efficient and error-free processes while boosting sustainability through eco-friendly practices. A company that is using the capabilities of blockchain technology in the fashion industry is . They are spearheading the transformation from traditional technologies to Web3 in the textile sector. By utilizing blockchain for provenance and supply chain management, MetaWear is redefining how consumers interact with fashion. MetaWear Institutional Blockchains: The Scalable Future of Finance Institutional blockchains are another element of the ecosystem revolutionizing the financial industry. Blockchain solutions are ushering in a new era characterized by accessibility, scalability, and innovation. They bridge the gap between retail and institutional finance by democratizing access to a wide range of financial products and services. And this is leveling the financial sector's playing field. It is estimated that by 2025, could be stored on the blockchain. An event that could be a major tipping point for more financial institutions to incorporate blockchain into their operations 10% of the world's GDP Furthermore, with the ability to process transactions swiftly and securely on a global scale, blockchains are paving the way for innovations with the potential to redefine how we save, invest, and transact in the financial terrain of the future. is a shining example of a blockchain. Avem is a Cross-chain Layer-1 protocol with interoperable features. The platform is an all-in-one asset place for all of its products, including leveraging DeFi on the metaverse, utility tokens and security, CBDCs, etc. Avem Finance Conclusion The blockchain industry is witnessing an interesting convergence of innovation, where venture capital firms are fuelling brilliant minds and ideas, utility tokens are bridging real-world assets and DeFi, fashion brands are embracing Web3, and institutional finance is reshaping the finance sector. These seemingly disparate elements are coalescing nicely to create a dynamic and transformative industry. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, it is important to recognize the interplay of these elements and the impact they have on our future. This convergence is not just a trend; it is a testament to the potential of blockchain technology, and it proves every day that when different sectors collaborate, innovation knows no bounds.

Exploring the Convergence of Innovation in the Blockchain Ecosystem

The United States Securities Exchange Commission’s (SEC) eleven approvals, which took over a decade of efforts by fund managers to accomplish, have institutionalized Bitcoin, allowing digital assets to seep into investors’ portfolios in the US forever. Bitcoin ETF With the two largest digital asset exchanges— and — still battling in court with the SEC, digital asset investors should beware that to protect investors, federal agencies SEC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) during 2023 ramped up legal enforcement efforts against world’s largest digital asset exchanges reaching a wide range of misconduct, that occurred in both US and foreign jurisdictions. Coinbase Binance After all, the United States in traffic to digital asset exchanges, followed by India, Indonesia, and Turkey, to the latest Coincub’s report. leads according Erhan Kahraman, editor at Cointelegraph, explained the reasons for Turkish investors’ increased activity on digital asset exchanges—which are not yet within the country— to me: “The Coincub’s ‘Crypto exchanges traffic report 2023’ aligns with the overall narrative of cryptocurrencies as a hedge against inflation. In Turkey, crypto exchanges such as Binance, Btc Turk, and Paribu are adding fuel to the flames, ranked number one, two, and three, respectively, genuinely having a presence. Their advertisements are on billboards on highways. They have TV commercials. They have brand partnerships with major sports teams. That aggressive marketing feeds the Turkish population’s never-ending quest for get-rich-quick schemes due to the lack of a reliable economic structure.” As Erhan continues: regulated “Turkey has endured skyrocketing inflation rates, especially since the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inflation numbers went from 20%, which is already high, to the north of 60% in 2023. Bitcoin was around 400,000 Turkish liras at the start of 2023, and it closed the year at around 1.2 million Turkish liras.” Binance is the number one digital asset exchange in Turkey and the world, with over 1 billion visits. Coinbase ranks second in the world but number one in the US, with 549 million visits, attracting over 50% of the US traffic share, according to the . report Nevertheless, both the US and the world’s largest digital asset exchanges—Coinbase and Binance—are embroiled in lawsuits with the SEC for not abiding by a multitude of federal securities laws. The federal securities laws have two primary : (1) to require that investors receive financial and other significant information concerning securities being offered for public sale and (2) to prohibit deceit, misrepresentations, and other fraud in the sale of securities. As the SEC Chair Gary Gensler about the litigation with Coinbase, which serves as a custodian for most of the BTC ETFs: objectives explained “To the extent that crypto assets are offered and sold in the form of an investment contract, and to the extent that entities intermediate transactions in crypto asset securities, the federal securities laws apply.” In the US, digital assets—particularly after the 2022 bear market—have been the focus of much attention by both federal and state governments. At the federal level, most of the focus has been at the administrative and agency level, including the SEC, the CFTC, and the Department of the Treasury through the IRS, FinCEN, and OFAC. While there has been significant enforcement by these agencies to protect investors, little formal rulemaking has . occurred A look at 2023 federal enforcement actions against digital asset exchanges The 2023 federal enforcement action reports issued by the SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, IRS, and OFAC indicate that very few digital asset exchanges are actually abiding by applicable laws despite handling the world’s highest digital asset activity. The  SEC cryptocurrency report 46 enforcement actions against various digital-asset market participants—26 (57%) alleged fraud, 28 (61%) alleged an unregistered securities offering violation, and 17 (37%) alleged both. The Securities Exchange Commission: details The highest-profile digital asset exchange cases were the following: the SEC’s action against the former FTX CEO (who was charged with defrauding equity investors in FTX), Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. The CFTC digital assert report a record-setting number of 47 actions involving conduct related to digital asset commodities cases and precedent-setting court decisions in complex litigations, its reputation as a premier enforcement agency in the digital asset space. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission: details cementing The highest-profile digital asset exchange case was the CFTC’s action against Binance. Sergiu Hamza, CEO of Coincub, explained Binance’s global regulatory problems to me: “In 2019, Binance they would block US customers and launched a separate US exchange, called Binance.US. Binance still faces a lawsuit from the SEC for 13 federal securities law violations. However, it was the biggest exchange in the US last year, still driving almost 34.5 million visitors from the US, and Binance.US  was the seventh biggest, with only 17.8 million visits.” As Sergiu continues: said second “Four years and four billion US dollars in fines later, Binance is still looking for trouble, not only in North America. Binance does not list any of its MSB in the US and Canada, and the exchange announced it would leave Canada, but it didn’t and got 14 million visits.  Of the top 10 crypto countries during 2023, Binance got banned in India and the Philippines but still had 75M and 2.5M visits, respectively. licenses “According to a 500-page report in Brazil, Binance and its leaders are , offering or trading securities without prior authorization, and operating a financial institution without consent. Yet, last year, 18 million Brazilians visited the exchange. Binance announced it would exit Russia in September, yet Russia is their fifth biggest market by traffic.  Binance was denied a license from the Netherlands but got 11.2 million visits in traffic. accused of fraudulent management “In the rest of the world, Binance established its headquarters in Malta and is suspected of evading taxes and faking accounts in Malta and Ireland by EU regulators. Yet, the company got 365,000 and 3.5 million visits in each country, respectively. Binance did monthly transactions worth $90 billion in the banned Chinese market, where the company got 4.4 million visits last year. Binance side the Belgium ban in June by redirecting users to Poland with 6 million visits. In September, Taiwan banned unregistered foreign crypto exchanges, including Binance, yet got 8.7 million visits from 2.2 million unique visitors last year.  SEC Nigeria banned the global crypto exchange Binance in July, yet it got 9.2 million visits last year. In 2021, Malaysia and South Africa’s financial regulators warned against Binance, saying the exchange is not authorized to operate in the respective countries, and took enforcement against Binance; the exchange still got 9.5 million visitors last year from Malaysia and 4 million visits from South Africa.” actions The FinCEN on Bitzlato Limited, a digital asset exchange, for facilitating illicit transactions linked to Russian money laundering. FinCEN also a $3.4 billion penalty on Binance, which represented FinCEN’s most significant penalty to date. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network: placed restrictions imposed The IRS criminal investigation unit (IRS-CI) witnessed a notable increase in cases related to digital tax evasion, according to Jim Lee, Chief, IRS-CI, with approximately half of the active digital-asset investigations involving tax matters ranging from failure to report income from capital gains or mining activities to deliberate non-disclosure of cryptocurrency holdings. The IRS-CI’s top 10 high-profile cases for 2023 four involving digital assets. The Internal Revenue Service: included During the cyber challenge of the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (known as the J5), committed to combatting transnational tax-related crime, well over 50 leads on potential tax crimes and money laundering involving cryptocurrency were created using data mining and AI.  “These ‘Challenges’ have been incredibly fruitful for the J5 over the years, giving us sophisticated cases with large dollar amounts that affect multiple jurisdictions,” Jim Lee, Chief, IRS-CI. He continued: said “But the results should not be a surprise to anyone. When you put really smart people together from different backgrounds, give them the data and tools they need, and create an environment where partnerships are the priority, amazing results happen every time.” The OFAC issued 17 enforcement actions, with three involving digital asset exchanges totaling over $1.5 billion in civil penalties, nearly four times the level of OFAC’s civil penalties in 2022. OFAC’s $970 million with Binance marked the most significant penalty in its history. The Office of Foreign Assets Control: settlement Digital asset exchange enforcement by US regulators during 2023 SEC CFTC FinCEN IRS OFAC FTX Yes Yes Yes Yes Binance Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Coinbase Yes Bittrex Yes Beaxy Digital Yes Kraken Yes Yes Gemini & Genesis Yes Ooki DAO Yes Digitex Yes Deridex, Opyn & ZeroEx Yes 14 Crypto Exchanges Yes Safemoon LLC Yes Yes Poloniex & Circle Yes Yes CoinList Markets LLC Yes Bitzlato Yes Conclusion Coincub’s “Crypto exchanges traffic report 2023” that as we move into 2024, the digital asset exchange industry will navigate uncharted waters. Once dominated by giants like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, this sector will experience a paradigm shift. The landscape will develop rapidly with increased worldwide regulatory scrutiny, technological innovation, market competition, and evolving consumer trends.  Accordingly, investors should keep abreast of their regulatory compliance practices of digital asset exchanges. concludes For example, Circle, which is the issuer of the second largest stablecoin USDC and is backed by Coinbase as it prepares for a confidential IPO, and Kraken a letter to clients notifying them that after losing a lengthy court case, they will need to turn over sensitive client tax data to the IRS. Kraen submits Forms 1099-MISC to the IRS for US clients who earned over $600 in digital asset rewards or staking during a given year but does not report crypto capital gains or losses. The IRS investors facing an April 15, 2024, tax deadline to continue reporting their digital asset income on tax forms 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, 1041, 1065, 1120, and 1120-S. And recognize that the IRS has taken several to centralize its approach to addressing the significant impact digital assets have and will continue to have on tax administration. sent reminds actions Also published . here

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