The investment will be used to “enhance collaborations” with the TON Foundation and accelerate the growth of Telegram-based projects.

Gate.io Backs Web3’s ‘Ideal Platform’ TON With $10 Million Investment - Decrypt

Ideal

ideal

If you're starting a project, you'll probably have a few questions, like how to get your product out there and how to start selling. We'll save sales for another time and just focus on how to bring your business to market. 1. CustDev/JTBD + Soft Launch when a small group pays for your solution: you interview clients to understand how you can make their lives easier and why they subscribe to your product. At this stage you're not trying to actively promote your product, you're turning a hypothesis/solution into a productYou need to determine the fit of the product before you can aggressively go to market. As such, a soft launch is important to achieve this goal. Don't invest a lot of resources before you've determined who the target client will be and how to convince them that your product is worth their moneyPennylane is a startup building a competitor to Xero and Quickbooks. In building their product, they surveyed 150 founders and agency owners - their primary ТА When they launched their product, almost all of the companies they interviewed became their paying clients.(often, it's the target situation rather than the TA that carries weight) 2. Maximise the impact of GtM with key messages Unless you're working on a revolutionary product (or disruptive innovation, according to Christensen) that creates a whole new kind of demand, you probably have competitors + substitutes and they already have clients. Who'll benefit most from the unique value you create? Remember, the key is to focus onclient value, not wishful thinking. You shouldn't try to create a product that you think is great but doesn't meet the needs of the market. Once you understand who will benefit most from the product, the GtM will focus entirely on that audience. They are the ones who will see your value the quickest and will be the easiest to convert into clientsSo you've done your research, you've got a few clients after a soft launch, and you're great at articulating what's unique about your product. Now it's time to start selling! 3. When does GtM end and what happens next? One thing's for sure: you can set targets, but you need more than one metric to say with certainty that you should move from GtM to growth. My definition of the end of GtM and the beginning of growth is when a MtM growth rate >10% for several months in a row and ROMI >2xMost GtM companies follow a J-curve. They succeed first (soft launch), then struggle to get to the next stage (GtM), before finding a stable cost structure and starting the growth stage. You should try 3-4 channels during your GtM, but the most successful startups focus almost exclusively on 1-2 that they absolutely own. Your goal is to determine which one delivers the best ROMI for the volume you needThis is how you hit the bull's eye in your growth, as G. Weinberg, founder ofDuckDuckGo, explains in his book Traction. The main outcome of the GtM phase will be the confirmation of an effective scaling strategy, with ad revenues and returns growing.It can then be said that this phase is complete and the company is ready for the growth phaseOnce you've gone through all this, it's worth moving on to retention issues. If you're starting a project, you'll probably have a few questions, like how to get your product out there and how to start selling. We'll save sales for another time and just focus on how to bring your business to market. 1. CustDev/JTBD + Soft Launch 1. CustDev/JTBD + Soft Launch when a small group pays for your solution: you interview clients to understand how you can make their lives easier and why they subscribe to your product. At this stage you're not trying to actively promote your product, you're turning a hypothesis/solution into a product You need to determine the fit of the product before you can aggressively go to market. As such, a soft launch is important to achieve this goal. Don't invest a lot of resources before you've determined who the target client will be and how to convince them that your product is worth their money Pennylane is a startup building a competitor to Xero and Quickbooks. In building their product, they surveyed 150 founders and agency owners - their primary ТА When they launched their product, almost all of the companies they interviewed became their paying clients. (often, it's the target situation rather than the TA that carries weight) 2. Maximise the impact of GtM with key messages Unless you're working on a revolutionary product (or disruptive innovation, according to Christensen) that creates a whole new kind of demand, you probably have competitors + substitutes and they already have clients. Who'll benefit most from the unique value you create? Remember, the key is to focus on client value , not wishful thinking. client value You shouldn't try to create a product that you think is great but doesn't meet the needs of the market. Once you understand who will benefit most from the product, the GtM will focus entirely on that audience. They are the ones who will see your value the quickest and will be the easiest to convert into clients So you've done your research, you've got a few clients after a soft launch, and you're great at articulating what's unique about your product. Now it's time to start selling! 3. When does GtM end and what happens next? One thing's for sure: you can set targets, but you need more than one metric to say with certainty that you should move from GtM to growth. My definition of the end of GtM and the beginning of growth is when a MtM growth rate >10% for several months in a row and ROMI >2x Most GtM companies follow a J-curve. They succeed first (soft launch), then struggle to get to the next stage (GtM), before finding a stable cost structure and starting the growth stage. You should try 3-4 channels during your GtM, but the most successful startups focus almost exclusively on 1-2 that they absolutely own. Your goal is to determine which one delivers the best ROMI for the volume you need This is how you hit the bull's eye in your growth, as G. Weinberg, founder of DuckDuckGo , explains in his book Traction. The main outcome of the GtM phase will be the confirmation of an effective scaling strategy, with ad revenues and returns growing. It can then be said that this phase is complete and the company is ready for the growth phase Once you've gone through all this, it's worth moving on to retention issues. DuckDuckGo

My Take on the Ideal Go-to-Market Strategy

The #bitcoin writing contest, sponsored by Rootstock, has entered its final stage after a five-month run that began in May. With less than a month remaining until the contest closes on November 30, 2024, now is the time to submit your entry for a chance to win a share of $17,500 in prizes. Describe your ideal dev stack for building on Bitcoin, using a personal project as a case study, and you could secure the contest’s top prize. Below is an outline to help you work on your entry. The Ultimate Dev Stack for Building on Bitcoin 1. Introduction Briefly introduce your project. What is its main goal? What problem does it solve, or what unique feature does it offer? 2. Development Stack Programming Language(s): Share the programming language you used (e.g., C++, Python, Rust, etc.) and your reasons for choosing it.


SDKs: Highlight the SDKs you integrated. Describe how these tools helped you interact with Bitcoin, and why you chose them over other options.


APIs: Specify any APIs utilized by your project. Explain how they were integrated and why.


Libraries and Frameworks: List any additional libraries or frameworks you used, such as Bitcoin Script compilers, security libraries, or networking tools. Explain their role in simplifying development. 3. Project Walkthrough Demo Link: Share a link to a live demo, GitHub repository, or a video showcasing your project in action.


Feature Highlights: Walk readers through the key features of your project. 4. Challenges and Solutions Challenges: Discuss technical issues you faced during development.


Solutions: Explain how your chosen development stack helped you overcome these challenges. 5. Conclusion Summarize your main takeaways from building this project.


Offer practical tips to other developers considering building on Bitcoin. That’s all! Start a new draft or use this template to get started today! Submissions close on November 30th, 2024. If you’d like to participate in the #bitcoin writing contest but feel this template isn’t right for you, feel free to explore any of the other two options:

Deploying Smart Contracts on Rootstock
Building a Decentralized Application on Rootstock The #bitcoin writing contest, sponsored by Rootstock, has entered its final stage after a five-month run that began in May. With less than a month remaining until the contest closes on November 30, 2024, now is the time to submit your entry for a chance to win a share of $17,500 in prizes. Describe your ideal dev stack for building on Bitcoin, using a personal project as a case study, and you could secure the contest’s top prize. The #bitcoin writing contest , sponsored by Rootstock, has entered its final stage after a five-month run that began in May. With less than a month remaining until the contest closes on November 30, 2024 , now is the time to submit your entry for a chance to win a share of $17,500 in prizes . Describe your ideal dev stack for building on Bitcoin, using a personal project as a case study, and you could secure the contest’s top prize. #bitcoin writing contest #bitcoin writing contest November 30, 2024 $17,500 in prizes Below is an outline to help you work on your entry. Below is an outline to help you work on your entry. The Ultimate Dev Stack for Building on Bitcoin 1. Introduction Briefly introduce your project. What is its main goal? What problem does it solve, or what unique feature does it offer? Briefly introduce your project. What is its main goal? What problem does it solve, or what unique feature does it offer? Briefly introduce your project. What is its main goal? What problem does it solve, or what unique feature does it offer? 2. Development Stack Programming Language(s): Share the programming language you used (e.g., C++, Python, Rust, etc.) and your reasons for choosing it.


SDKs: Highlight the SDKs you integrated. Describe how these tools helped you interact with Bitcoin, and why you chose them over other options.


APIs: Specify any APIs utilized by your project. Explain how they were integrated and why.


Libraries and Frameworks: List any additional libraries or frameworks you used, such as Bitcoin Script compilers, security libraries, or networking tools. Explain their role in simplifying development. Programming Language(s): Share the programming language you used (e.g., C++, Python, Rust, etc.) and your reasons for choosing it. SDKs: Highlight the SDKs you integrated. Describe how these tools helped you interact with Bitcoin, and why you chose them over other options. APIs: Specify any APIs utilized by your project. Explain how they were integrated and why. Libraries and Frameworks: List any additional libraries or frameworks you used, such as Bitcoin Script compilers, security libraries, or networking tools. Explain their role in simplifying development. Programming Language(s): Share the programming language you used (e.g., C++, Python, Rust, etc.) and your reasons for choosing it. Programming Language(s): Share the programming language you used (e.g., C++, Python, Rust, etc.) and your reasons for choosing it. Programming Language(s): SDKs: Highlight the SDKs you integrated. Describe how these tools helped you interact with Bitcoin, and why you chose them over other options. SDKs: Highlight the SDKs you integrated. Describe how these tools helped you interact with Bitcoin, and why you chose them over other options. SDKs: APIs: Specify any APIs utilized by your project. Explain how they were integrated and why. APIs: Specify any APIs utilized by your project. Explain how they were integrated and why. APIs: Libraries and Frameworks: List any additional libraries or frameworks you used, such as Bitcoin Script compilers, security libraries, or networking tools. Explain their role in simplifying development. Libraries and Frameworks: List any additional libraries or frameworks you used, such as Bitcoin Script compilers, security libraries, or networking tools. Explain their role in simplifying development. Libraries and Frameworks: 3. Project Walkthrough Project Walkthrough Demo Link: Share a link to a live demo, GitHub repository, or a video showcasing your project in action.


Feature Highlights: Walk readers through the key features of your project. Demo Link: Share a link to a live demo, GitHub repository, or a video showcasing your project in action. Feature Highlights: Walk readers through the key features of your project. Demo Link: Share a link to a live demo, GitHub repository, or a video showcasing your project in action. Demo Link: Share a link to a live demo, GitHub repository, or a video showcasing your project in action. Demo Link: Feature Highlights: Walk readers through the key features of your project. Feature Highlights: Walk readers through the key features of your project. Feature Highlights: 4. Challenges and Solutions Challenges and Solutions Challenges: Discuss technical issues you faced during development.


Solutions: Explain how your chosen development stack helped you overcome these challenges. Challenges: Discuss technical issues you faced during development. Solutions: Explain how your chosen development stack helped you overcome these challenges. Challenges: Discuss technical issues you faced during development. Challenges: Discuss technical issues you faced during development. Challenges: Solutions: Explain how your chosen development stack helped you overcome these challenges. Solutions: Explain how your chosen development stack helped you overcome these challenges. Solutions: 5. Conclusion Conclusion Summarize your main takeaways from building this project.


Offer practical tips to other developers considering building on Bitcoin. Summarize your main takeaways from building this project. Offer practical tips to other developers considering building on Bitcoin. Summarize your main takeaways from building this project. Summarize your main takeaways from building this project. Offer practical tips to other developers considering building on Bitcoin. Offer practical tips to other developers considering building on Bitcoin. That’s all! Start a new draft or use this template to get started today! Submissions close on November 30th, 2024. Start a new draft or use this template to get started today! Submissions close on November 30th, 2024. Start a new draft or use this template to get started today! Submissions close on November 30th, 2024. new draft template If you’d like to participate in the #bitcoin writing contest but feel this template isn’t right for you, feel free to explore any of the other two options: Deploying Smart Contracts on Rootstock
Building a Decentralized Application on Rootstock If you’d like to participate in the #bitcoin writing contest but feel this template isn’t right for you, feel free to explore any of the other two options: Deploying Smart Contracts on Rootstock Building a Decentralized Application on Rootstock Deploying Smart Contracts on Rootstock Deploying Smart Contracts on Rootstock Building a Decentralized Application on Rootstock Building a Decentralized Application on Rootstock

Win a Share of $17,500 by Showcasing Your Ideal Dev Stack for Building on Bitcoin

Real World Assets(RWA) including physical assets like buildings and tangible properties, is an emerging frontier in the cryptocurrency market. According to McKinsey & Company, RWA tokenization is poised to reach a $2 trillion valuation by 2030. Through tokenization, physical assets are transformed into blockchain-based tokens to increase liquidity, accessibility, and transparency and provide better control over what are considered traditionally illiquid assets--thus creating new opportunities for investments. Tokenization and Real Estate Investment Real estate has been one of the most sustainable sources of income for humans over the centuries. In addition to its lucrative potential for appreciation, it is perhaps one of the most illiquid assets; therefore, acquiring or disposing of properties is a capital-intensive affair and takes a lot of time. Real estate tokenization, as a new financial instrument, responds well to the real estate market dynamics by digitizing property through tokenization which is ultimately a cost-effective technology powered by blockchain. The process of tokenizing real-world assets is fairly simple. It typically involves dividing ownership of a physical asset or property into smaller tokens, each representing one's portion or share of that asset. These tokens (or liquidity) representing individuals’ portions in the fractionalized assets, can be traded on blockchain platforms with a great level of convenience and flexibility. Moreover, the key point about real-world asset tokenization is that it is designed to significantly cut down barriers to investing in traditional real estate and create investment opportunities for millions of people across the world, thus disrupting the existing status quo and making real estate investing more accessible. With this emerging model, one doesn't have to invest huge sums into buying an entire property; rather, investors can purchase partial shares, diversifying their portfolio with limited capital. Liquidity and Accessibility One of the key benefits of tokenizing real estate is, of course, increased liquidity. In the case of traditional real estate-related transactions, closing usually takes weeks or even months, whereas, in tokenization, it can be transferred right away on a blockchain platform. Such augmented liquidity allows investors to buy or sell their tokens in decentralized exchanges quickly to create flexible investment strategies. Another outstanding benefit of tokenization in real estate is accessibility. Many high-value properties are beyond the reach of individual investors due to their price. However, tokenization allows the possibility of fractional ownership, which means smaller investors can now participate in real estate markets. This democratization of access serves those wanting real estate exposure but without the capital to invest in properties. The tokenization of real estate finally opens up properties that have so far been reserved for institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals to a wide range of investors. This opens wider variances in investment possibilities, with even better access to and participation in the market. Transparency and Security Blockchain provides an indelible ledger that is clear, unhackable, and constantly updated with details of transactions, ownership, and asset history records. This aspect of transparency is even more essential in real estate, keeping in mind the cumbersome nature of ownership provenance and transaction details. In tokenizing real estate on the blockchain lie implications for real-time tracking in asset ownership that minimizes fraud and ensures records are accurate and verifiable. The decentralized nature of blockchain further diminishes the need for third-party brokers, lawyers, or escrow agents to shepherd the entire transaction through. Smart contracts establish self-executing agreements whose terms of sale are directly written into lines of code, thus automating the transfer of ownership upon payment. This further reduces transaction costs and further simplifies buying or selling real estate. Besides, due to the nature of blockchain, every relevant piece of information regarding the property is shared publicly: a sales history of the previous deals, changes in ownership, and any litigation taken to the very court. This level of transparency helps buyers make better decisions and assures trust in the transaction process. Composability and the Future of Real Estate in DeFi Tokenizing real estate also paves the way to increased composability with the rest of the DeFi ecosystem. Tokenized real estate will be used in conjunction with the abilities of DeFi; investors who hold tokens will be able to use their tokenized assets as collateral to gain a loan or participate in decentralized money markets. This would increase flexibility for investors since they can now turn their real estate into a tool that we can use to acquire more financial assets. Additionally, it also means that the possibility of turning real-world assets, such as real estate, into collateral for DeFi applications increases the overall level of liquidity within the greater financial ecosystem. For instance, investors can unlock value from their properties without necessarily selling them and create an entirely new method of accessing capital. In this way, investment strategies become even more dynamic, with the further opening of the possibility of real estate playing a much bigger role in decentralized financial products. Going forward, tokenization has the potential to unleash a new generation of synthetic real estate assets and indexes, a set of financial instruments that enable investors to take positions in real estate markets without necessarily holding the title to physical property, further extending the frontier in real estate investment. Propto As a Case Study For RWA Tokenization Propto is at the forefront of the RWA tokenization movement, offering a state-of-the-art platform that simplifies real estate and alternative asset investment. Leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise, it enables asset managers, fund managers, and real estate professionals to tokenize and manage RWAs seamlessly. It has a comprehensive solution that provides a Web 2 e-commerce experience, including, primary market, secondary market (order book),investor app with custody options and asset issuance and management CRM for institutional use. Besides,it is backed by an experienced team, including former executives from leading institutions like Airbus, Goldman Sachs, Citi, Sherry FitzGerald, CBRE and American First Bank. The platform's technology integrates Ethereum's EVM and Ripple's XRPL, providing efficient smart contract functionality and fast international settlement. By partnering with Licensed firms for Custody, MiFID tied agency, and VASP, its regulatory framework ensures users can confidently invest in tokenized assets. Reclosure Ltd, the company behind Propto, is Ireland's first entrant to the EU Blockchain Sandbox, their roadmap focused on sustainable real estate, shares and bonds. Under the RippleX SCALE programme, Propto was recently awarded a Ripple Partnership. Conclusion The advantages of tokenization of real estate to investors include amplified liquidity, increased access, improved transparency, and the prospect of greater integration with DeFi platforms. In theory, tokenization democratizes access to real estate markets by separating property and representing ownership on the blockchain, opening up an entire asset class to the small investor that was previously unattainable. With the blockchain ecosystem still in development, the future of traditional finance will likely be interwoven with real-world assets like real estate. Real World Assets(RWA) including physical assets like buildings and tangible properties, is an emerging frontier in the cryptocurrency market. According to McKinsey & Company, RWA tokenization is poised to reach a $2 trillion valuation by 2030. Real World Assets(RWA) reach a $2 trillion Through tokenization, physical assets are transformed into blockchain-based tokens to increase liquidity, accessibility, and transparency and provide better control over what are considered traditionally illiquid assets--thus creating new opportunities for investments. Tokenization and Real Estate Investment Real estate has been one of the most sustainable sources of income for humans over the centuries. In addition to its lucrative potential for appreciation, it is perhaps one of the most illiquid assets; therefore, acquiring or disposing of properties is a capital-intensive affair and takes a lot of time. Real estate tokenization, as a new financial instrument, responds well to the real estate market dynamics by digitizing property through tokenization which is ultimately a cost-effective technology powered by blockchain. The process of tokenizing real-world assets is fairly simple. It typically involves dividing ownership of a physical asset or property into smaller tokens, each representing one's portion or share of that asset. These tokens (or liquidity) representing individuals’ portions in the fractionalized assets, can be traded on blockchain platforms with a great level of convenience and flexibility. Moreover, the key point about real-world asset tokenization is that it is designed to significantly cut down barriers to investing in traditional real estate and create investment opportunities for millions of people across the world, thus disrupting the existing status quo and making real estate investing more accessible. With this emerging model, one doesn't have to invest huge sums into buying an entire property; rather, investors can purchase partial shares, diversifying their portfolio with limited capital. Liquidity and Accessibility One of the key benefits of tokenizing real estate is, of course, increased liquidity. In the case of traditional real estate-related transactions, closing usually takes weeks or even months, whereas, in tokenization, it can be transferred right away on a blockchain platform. Such augmented liquidity allows investors to buy or sell their tokens in decentralized exchanges quickly to create flexible investment strategies. Another outstanding benefit of tokenization in real estate is accessibility. Many high-value properties are beyond the reach of individual investors due to their price. However, tokenization allows the possibility of fractional ownership, which means smaller investors can now participate in real estate markets. This democratization of access serves those wanting real estate exposure but without the capital to invest in properties. The tokenization of real estate finally opens up properties that have so far been reserved for institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals to a wide range of investors. This opens wider variances in investment possibilities, with even better access to and participation in the market. Transparency and Security Blockchain provides an indelible ledger that is clear, unhackable, and constantly updated with details of transactions, ownership, and asset history records. This aspect of transparency is even more essential in real estate, keeping in mind the cumbersome nature of ownership provenance and transaction details. In tokenizing real estate on the blockchain lie implications for real-time tracking in asset ownership that minimizes fraud and ensures records are accurate and verifiable. The decentralized nature of blockchain further diminishes the need for third-party brokers, lawyers, or escrow agents to shepherd the entire transaction through. Smart contracts establish self-executing agreements whose terms of sale are directly written into lines of code, thus automating the transfer of ownership upon payment. This further reduces transaction costs and further simplifies buying or selling real estate. Besides, due to the nature of blockchain, every relevant piece of information regarding the property is shared publicly: a sales history of the previous deals, changes in ownership, and any litigation taken to the very court. This level of transparency helps buyers make better decisions and assures trust in the transaction process. Composability and the Future of Real Estate in DeFi Tokenizing real estate also paves the way to increased composability with the rest of the DeFi ecosystem. Tokenized real estate will be used in conjunction with the abilities of DeFi; investors who hold tokens will be able to use their tokenized assets as collateral to gain a loan or participate in decentralized money markets. This would increase flexibility for investors since they can now turn their real estate into a tool that we can use to acquire more financial assets. Additionally, it also means that the possibility of turning real-world assets, such as real estate, into collateral for DeFi applications increases the overall level of liquidity within the greater financial ecosystem. For instance, investors can unlock value from their properties without necessarily selling them and create an entirely new method of accessing capital. In this way, investment strategies become even more dynamic, with the further opening of the possibility of real estate playing a much bigger role in decentralized financial products. Going forward, tokenization has the potential to unleash a new generation of synthetic real estate assets and indexes, a set of financial instruments that enable investors to take positions in real estate markets without necessarily holding the title to physical property, further extending the frontier in real estate investment. Propto As a Case Study For RWA Tokenization Propto is at the forefront of the RWA tokenization movement, offering a state-of-the-art platform that simplifies real estate and alternative asset investment. Leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise, it enables asset managers, fund managers, and real estate professionals to tokenize and manage RWAs seamlessly. It has a comprehensive solution that provides a Web 2 e-commerce experience, including, primary market, secondary market (order book),investor app with custody options and asset issuance and management CRM for institutional use. Besides,it is backed by an experienced team, including former executives from leading institutions like Airbus, Goldman Sachs, Citi, Sherry FitzGerald, CBRE and American First Bank. The platform's technology integrates Ethereum's EVM and Ripple's XRPL, providing efficient smart contract functionality and fast international settlement. By partnering with Licensed firms for Custody, MiFID tied agency, and VASP, its regulatory framework ensures users can confidently invest in tokenized assets. Reclosure Ltd, the company behind Propto, is Ireland's first entrant to the EU Blockchain Sandbox, their roadmap focused on sustainable real estate, shares and bonds. Under the RippleX SCALE programme, Propto was recently awarded a Ripple Partnership. Conclusion The advantages of tokenization of real estate to investors include amplified liquidity, increased access, improved transparency, and the prospect of greater integration with DeFi platforms. In theory, tokenization democratizes access to real estate markets by separating property and representing ownership on the blockchain, opening up an entire asset class to the small investor that was previously unattainable. With the blockchain ecosystem still in development, the future of traditional finance will likely be interwoven with real-world assets like real estate.

Why Real World Asset Tokenization Is Ideal For Real Estate Investment

In my previous piece, I discussed how Bitcoin and its underlying proof-of-work mechanism represent far more than just a digital currency - they embody a radical re-imagining of power distribution and human organization. Today, we witness a powerful real-world example of these principles in action through Julian Assange's long-awaited return to freedom. On June 26, 2024, Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, finally embraced his family members in Canberra, Australia, after 14 years of legal battles and confinement. This moment of reunion was made possible, in part, by the very technology Assange had advocated during its early days: Bitcoin. As reported by Bitcoin Magazine, an anonymous donor contributed over 8 BTC - worth nearly $500,000 - to cover the entire cost of Assange's private charter flight home. This generous act, executed swiftly and without intermediaries, exemplifies the core strengths of Bitcoin that we've long discussed: Censorship Resistance: Despite the controversial nature of Assange's case, the donor was able to support a cause they believed in without fear of reprisal or interference from traditional financial institutions.


Borderless Transactions: The donation crossed international boundaries effortlessly, facilitating a complex logistical operation involving multiple countries.


Financial Sovereignty: The donor exercised complete control over their funds, choosing to allocate a significant sum to a cause they deemed worthy without seeking anyone's permission.


Pseudonymity: While the transaction is visible on the blockchain, the donor's identity remains protected, allowing them to support a politically sensitive cause without personal risk. This event serves as a powerful reminder of why Satoshi Nakamoto's creation continues to resonate so deeply with those who value individual liberty and freedom of information. Assange and WikiLeaks were early adopters of Bitcoin, accepting donations in the cryptocurrency as far back as 2010 when it was still a niche concept. The symmetry is striking - a technology that Assange helped popularize as a tool for financial freedom has now played a crucial role in securing his physical freedom. It's a testament to the long-term vision of those early cryptographers and cypherpunks who saw in Bitcoin the potential for a more open and just world. As we reflect on this moment, let's consider how it connects to our broader discussion of proof-of-work as an emancipation engine: Practical Impact: While we often discuss proof-of-work in theoretical terms, this event shows its tangible power to effect change in the real world.


Community Power: The Bitcoin community's long-standing support for Assange culminated in this significant act of solidarity, demonstrating how shared values can translate into collective action.


Redefining Influence: Traditional power structures were bypassed entirely in this process, with a single individual wielding enough influence to alter the course of a high-profile international case.


Global Implications: This event will likely resonate far beyond Assange's personal story, potentially inspiring others to leverage Bitcoin for causes they believe in. As we move forward, it's crucial to recognize that the true power of Bitcoin lies not just in its technology, but in how we choose to use it. The anonymous donor's act of generosity serves as an inspiring example of how individuals can harness this technology to make a meaningful difference in the world. In conclusion, as Bitcoin continues to evolve from a philosophical ideal to a tool for practical liberation, we must remain mindful of its potential to reshape power dynamics and empower individuals. Assange's journey home, facilitated by an anonymous Bitcoin donation, is not just a personal victory - it's a powerful affirmation of the principles we've been discussing all along. In my previous piece , I discussed how Bitcoin and its underlying proof-of-work mechanism represent far more than just a digital currency - they embody a radical re-imagining of power distribution and human organization. Today, we witness a powerful real-world example of these principles in action through Julian Assange's long-awaited return to freedom. piece piece On June 26, 2024, Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, finally embraced his family members in Canberra, Australia, after 14 years of legal battles and confinement. This moment of reunion was made possible, in part, by the very technology Assange had advocated during its early days: Bitcoin. As reported by Bitcoin Magazine, an anonymous donor contributed over 8 BTC - worth nearly $500,000 - to cover the entire cost of Assange's private charter flight home. This generous act, executed swiftly and without intermediaries, exemplifies the core strengths of Bitcoin that we've long discussed: Censorship Resistance: Despite the controversial nature of Assange's case, the donor was able to support a cause they believed in without fear of reprisal or interference from traditional financial institutions. Borderless Transactions: The donation crossed international boundaries effortlessly, facilitating a complex logistical operation involving multiple countries. Financial Sovereignty: The donor exercised complete control over their funds, choosing to allocate a significant sum to a cause they deemed worthy without seeking anyone's permission. Pseudonymity: While the transaction is visible on the blockchain, the donor's identity remains protected, allowing them to support a politically sensitive cause without personal risk. Censorship Resistance: Despite the controversial nature of Assange's case, the donor was able to support a cause they believed in without fear of reprisal or interference from traditional financial institutions. Censorship Resistance: Despite the controversial nature of Assange's case, the donor was able to support a cause they believed in without fear of reprisal or interference from traditional financial institutions. Borderless Transactions: The donation crossed international boundaries effortlessly, facilitating a complex logistical operation involving multiple countries. Borderless Transactions: The donation crossed international boundaries effortlessly, facilitating a complex logistical operation involving multiple countries. Financial Sovereignty: The donor exercised complete control over their funds, choosing to allocate a significant sum to a cause they deemed worthy without seeking anyone's permission. Financial Sovereignty: The donor exercised complete control over their funds, choosing to allocate a significant sum to a cause they deemed worthy without seeking anyone's permission. Pseudonymity: While the transaction is visible on the blockchain, the donor's identity remains protected, allowing them to support a politically sensitive cause without personal risk. Pseudonymity: While the transaction is visible on the blockchain, the donor's identity remains protected, allowing them to support a politically sensitive cause without personal risk. This event serves as a powerful reminder of why Satoshi Nakamoto's creation continues to resonate so deeply with those who value individual liberty and freedom of information. Assange and WikiLeaks were early adopters of Bitcoin, accepting donations in the cryptocurrency as far back as 2010 when it was still a niche concept. The symmetry is striking - a technology that Assange helped popularize as a tool for financial freedom has now played a crucial role in securing his physical freedom. It's a testament to the long-term vision of those early cryptographers and cypherpunks who saw in Bitcoin the potential for a more open and just world. As we reflect on this moment, let's consider how it connects to our broader discussion of proof-of-work as an emancipation engine: Practical Impact: While we often discuss proof-of-work in theoretical terms, this event shows its tangible power to effect change in the real world. Community Power: The Bitcoin community's long-standing support for Assange culminated in this significant act of solidarity, demonstrating how shared values can translate into collective action. Redefining Influence: Traditional power structures were bypassed entirely in this process, with a single individual wielding enough influence to alter the course of a high-profile international case. Global Implications: This event will likely resonate far beyond Assange's personal story, potentially inspiring others to leverage Bitcoin for causes they believe in. Practical Impact: While we often discuss proof-of-work in theoretical terms, this event shows its tangible power to effect change in the real world. Practical Impact: While we often discuss proof-of-work in theoretical terms, this event shows its tangible power to effect change in the real world. Community Power: The Bitcoin community's long-standing support for Assange culminated in this significant act of solidarity, demonstrating how shared values can translate into collective action. Community Power: The Bitcoin community's long-standing support for Assange culminated in this significant act of solidarity, demonstrating how shared values can translate into collective action. Redefining Influence: Traditional power structures were bypassed entirely in this process, with a single individual wielding enough influence to alter the course of a high-profile international case. Redefining Influence: Traditional power structures were bypassed entirely in this process, with a single individual wielding enough influence to alter the course of a high-profile international case. Global Implications: This event will likely resonate far beyond Assange's personal story, potentially inspiring others to leverage Bitcoin for causes they believe in. Global Implications: This event will likely resonate far beyond Assange's personal story, potentially inspiring others to leverage Bitcoin for causes they believe in. As we move forward, it's crucial to recognize that the true power of Bitcoin lies not just in its technology, but in how we choose to use it. The anonymous donor's act of generosity serves as an inspiring example of how individuals can harness this technology to make a meaningful difference in the world. In conclusion, as Bitcoin continues to evolve from a philosophical ideal to a tool for practical liberation, we must remain mindful of its potential to reshape power dynamics and empower individuals. Assange's journey home, facilitated by an anonymous Bitcoin donation, is not just a personal victory - it's a powerful affirmation of the principles we've been discussing all along.

Bitcoin: From Philosophical Ideal to Practical Liberation

বিটকয়েন: দার্শনিক আদর্শ থেকে ব্যবহারিক মুক্তি পর্যন্ত

Bitcoin: Vom philosophischen Ideal zur praktischen Befreiung

Bitcoin: del ideal filosófico a la liberación práctica

Bitcoin : de l’idéal philosophique à la libération pratique

बिटकॉइन: दार्शनिक आदर्श से व्यावहारिक मुक्ति तक

ビットコイン：哲学的理想から実践的解放へ

비트코인: 철학적 이상에서 실용적인 해방까지

Bitcoin: do ideal filosófico à libertação prática

Биткойн: от философского идеала к практическому освобождению

Bitcoin: Felsefi İdealden Pratik Özgürlüğe

Bitcoin: Từ lý tưởng triết học đến giải phóng thực tế

比特币：从哲学理想到实践解放

The Curse of Pygmalion - What Would An Ideal AR/VR Device Look Like?

পিগম্যালিয়নের অভিশাপ - একটি আদর্শ এআর/ভিআর ডিভাইস দেখতে কেমন হবে?

Der Fluch von Pygmalion – Wie würde ein ideales AR/VR-Gerät aussehen?

La maldición de Pigmalión: ¿cómo sería un dispositivo AR/VR ideal?

La malédiction de Pygmalion – À quoi ressemblerait un appareil AR/VR idéal ?

पिग्मेलियन का अभिशाप - एक आदर्श AR/VR डिवाइस कैसा दिखेगा?

ピグマリオンの呪い - 理想的な AR/VR デバイスとはどのようなものでしょうか?

피그말리온의 저주 - 이상적인 AR/VR 장치는 어떤 모습일까요?

A Maldição de Pigmalião – Como seria um dispositivo AR/VR ideal?

Проклятие Пигмалиона: как должно выглядеть идеальное AR/VR-устройство?

Pygmalion'un Laneti - İdeal Bir AR/VR Cihazı Nasıl Görünür?

Lời nguyền của Pygmalion - Thiết bị AR/VR lý tưởng sẽ trông như thế nào?

皮格马利翁的诅咒——理想的 AR/VR 设备是什么样的？

Generative AI (GenAI) is quickly becoming our everyday teammate, helping out behind the scenes in ways we might not even realize. In 2023, a McKinsey survey revealed that one-third of organizations actively use it in at least one business area, such as sales or accounting. But the most significant potential for business lies in software development. Costs of product development Imagine you have a great idea. To create a product out of it, you need to analyze the market, find a product-market fit, and hire strong specialists, including developers, designers, etc. The more complex the project, the more time you need. On average, planning and architecture, along with development and design, can take up to 6-7 months, while testing requires another 2-4 weeks. This process is not only time-consuming but also pricey. The exact cost depends heavily on the type of product and its niche. On average, a simple product, such as a basic web or mobile application with minimal features, can cost a business between $20,000 and $60,000. More advanced applications, integrated with third-party APIs, backend services, and databases, require from $60,000 to $90,000. A complex product, which includes feature-rich applications with advanced functionality, high-security demands, and potentially AI/ML components, calls for more than $100,000. Not every team can afford this level of spending. Given the current venture climate, it may be wise to explore as many cost-reducing strategies as possible. In this context, AI, especially Generative AI (GenAI), can be one of the most helpful tools. It is designed to generate new original content, from text to images, and even code, based on the patterns it learns from the data it is fed. Below, I'll delve into how GenAI can assist you at different stages of product development. Data analysis Generative AI can gather and analyze first-party customer data collected through their ecosystem, as well as reviews and insights on market trends from focus groups, social listening campaigns, and more. With this information, AI can identify customer pain points and product requests, which is crucial for testing your idea and finding a market fit for a future product. Among the AI models capable of this, Viable stands out due to its ability to aggregate and analyze feedback from various platforms, such as emails, chat logs, product reviews, and social media. Another example is Crayon, which leverages machine learning algorithms to analyze market trends and customer feedback, helping to identify customer needs. Soft development When it comes to product development, GenAI facilitates a range of tasks, from code generation to testing and even assisting in software design. Tools like GitHub Copilot, powered by OpenAI's Codex, assist developers by suggesting complete lines of code or entire functions based on the comments or partial code they write. For instance, in 2023, Shopify significantly boosted its productivity, efficiency, and code quality by integrating GitHub Copilot into their engineering processes. The tool helped generate complex Liquid code snippets (Shopify’s templating language), automate routine tasks, and offer best practices for code structure. It proved especially useful in accelerating the development of new themes and features, as well as in debugging existing code. There are also tools like DeepCode and Amazon CodeGuru that review existing code and suggest improvements or identify vulnerabilities. They can spot complex patterns and offer fixes to improve both performance and security. In addition to debugging code, generative AI can pretest upcoming software updates, reducing potential errors. Companies like Diffblue are integrating AI into automatic test generation, which can analyze existing code bases to create unit tests automatically, ensuring that new updates do not break existing functionalities. Design Product development is not only about code; creating an appealing interface is crucial as well. Tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney can generate visuals based on instructions from human designers. Many businesses leverage these tools to boost their productivity. For example, Airbnb utilizes AI to transform sketches into product code, drastically reducing the time from design to prototype. In the fashion and retail industry, Under Armour employs Adobe Sensei to enhance product images and quickly create engaging marketing content. Another major retailer, Home Depot, uses the Sensei AI model on their e-commerce platform to streamline search functions and adjust recommendations. Sales and marketing Once you have your product, generative AI can refine marketing strategies by performing A/B testing on elements like page layouts, SEO strategies, etc. It utilizes predictive analytics and data-driven insights to maximize investment returns. GenAI also excels at personalizing the customer experience and optimizing sales. According to McKinsey, generative AI significantly improves upon traditional AI methods in the early stages of sales, such as lead identification and targeting. Instead of basic web scraping and prioritization, it uses algorithms to detect patterns in customer and market data. This allows for better segmentation and targeting of audiences, efficiently identifying high-quality leads and enhancing the effectiveness of lead activation campaigns. In some cases, this can lead to a significant increase in sales, according to Visual Capitalist. Basic rules Thanks to its broad capabilities, GenAI is sometimes seen as a universal solution to solve all issues, either to ride the wave of hype or to impress investors. However, just as microscopes are not designed to hammer nails, GenAI is not a one-size-fits-all tool. You have to test different products until you find those that fit your goals. To maximize the benefits of this technology, it is also crucial to inspire people to use AI and dive deeper into its applications, or even hire someone with experience to lead a team and set an example. Given that this tool is still new, it might be beneficial to regularly meet to track progress, discuss blind spots, address issues, and find ways to improve collective work. Only by following these basic rules product development with AI may lead to success. Generative AI ( GenAI ) is quickly becoming our everyday teammate, helping out behind the scenes in ways we might not even realize. In 2023, a McKinsey survey revealed that one-third of organizations actively use it in at least one business area, such as sales or accounting. But the most significant potential for business lies in software development. GenAI Costs of product development Costs of product development Imagine you have a great idea. To create a product out of it, you need to analyze the market, find a product-market fit, and hire strong specialists, including developers, designers, etc. The more complex the project, the more time you need. On average, planning and architecture, along with development and design, can take up to 6-7 months, while testing requires another 2-4 weeks. This process is not only time-consuming but also pricey. The exact cost depends heavily on the type of product and its niche. On average , a simple product, such as a basic web or mobile application with minimal features, can cost a business between $20,000 and $60,000. More advanced applications, integrated with third-party APIs, backend services, and databases, require from $60,000 to $90,000. A complex product, which includes feature-rich applications with advanced functionality, high-security demands, and potentially AI/ML components, calls for more than $100,000. On average On average Not every team can afford this level of spending. Given the current venture climate, it may be wise to explore as many cost-reducing strategies as possible. In this context, AI, especially Generative AI (GenAI), can be one of the most helpful tools. It is designed to generate new original content, from text to images, and even code, based on the patterns it learns from the data it is fed. Below, I'll delve into how GenAI can assist you at different stages of product development. Data analysis Data analysis Generative AI can gather and analyze first-party customer data collected through their ecosystem, as well as reviews and insights on market trends from focus groups, social listening campaigns, and more. With this information, AI can identify customer pain points and product requests, which is crucial for testing your idea and finding a market fit for a future product. Among the AI models capable of this, Viable stands out due to its ability to aggregate and analyze feedback from various platforms, such as emails, chat logs, product reviews, and social media. Another example is Crayon, which leverages machine learning algorithms to analyze market trends and customer feedback, helping to identify customer needs. Soft development Soft development When it comes to product development, GenAI facilitates a range of tasks, from code generation to testing and even assisting in software design. Tools like GitHub Copilot, powered by OpenAI's Codex, assist developers by suggesting complete lines of code or entire functions based on the comments or partial code they write. For instance, in 2023, Shopify significantly boosted its productivity, efficiency, and code quality by integrating GitHub Copilot into their engineering processes. The tool helped generate complex Liquid code snippets (Shopify’s templating language), automate routine tasks, and offer best practices for code structure. It proved especially useful in accelerating the development of new themes and features, as well as in debugging existing code. boosted boosted There are also tools like DeepCode and Amazon CodeGuru that review existing code and suggest improvements or identify vulnerabilities. They can spot complex patterns and offer fixes to improve both performance and security. In addition to debugging code, generative AI can pretest upcoming software updates, reducing potential errors. Companies like Diffblue are integrating AI into automatic test generation, which can analyze existing code bases to create unit tests automatically, ensuring that new updates do not break existing functionalities. Design Product development is not only about code; creating an appealing interface is crucial as well. Tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney can generate visuals based on instructions from human designers. Many businesses leverage these tools to boost their productivity. For example, Airbnb utilizes AI to transform sketches into product code, drastically reducing the time from design to prototype. In the fashion and retail industry, Under Armour employs Adobe Sensei to enhance product images and quickly create engaging marketing content. Another major retailer, Home Depot, uses the Sensei AI model on their e-commerce platform to streamline search functions and adjust recommendations. Sales and marketing Sales and marketing Once you have your product, generative AI can refine marketing strategies by performing A/B testing on elements like page layouts, SEO strategies, etc. It utilizes predictive analytics and data-driven insights to maximize investment returns. GenAI also excels at personalizing the customer experience and optimizing sales. According to McKinsey , generative AI significantly improves upon traditional AI methods in the early stages of sales, such as lead identification and targeting. Instead of basic web scraping and prioritization, it uses algorithms to detect patterns in customer and market data. This allows for better segmentation and targeting of audiences, efficiently identifying high-quality leads and enhancing the effectiveness of lead activation campaigns. In some cases, this can lead to a significant increase in sales, according to Visual Capitalist. According to McKinsey According to McKinsey according according Basic rules Basic rules Thanks to its broad capabilities, GenAI is sometimes seen as a universal solution to solve all issues, either to ride the wave of hype or to impress investors. However, just as microscopes are not designed to hammer nails, GenAI is not a one-size-fits-all tool. You have to test different products until you find those that fit your goals. To maximize the benefits of this technology, it is also crucial to inspire people to use AI and dive deeper into its applications, or even hire someone with experience to lead a team and set an example. Given that this tool is still new, it might be beneficial to regularly meet to track progress, discuss blind spots, address issues, and find ways to improve collective work. Only by following these basic rules product development with AI may lead to success.

Your Ideal Coworker: How To Develop an Innovative Product With a Help of Generative AI

Digital transformations (DT) have become an indispensable component of modern business strategies allowing companies to stay ahead of the curve, improve customer experience, and ensure business continuity despite constantly changing global context. Just have a look at statistics: experts state that in 2027 worldwide expenses on DT will reach , while World Economic Forum forecasts that DT significance for society can be estimated at by 2025! $3.9 trillion $100 trillion DT is always associated with sophisticated processes, such as an extensive cultural shift or the adoption of advanced technologies (e.g., AI/ML, AR/VR, blockchain, Internet of Everything, cloud). So, how to embrace such alterations with minimal disruption and maximum confidence? I suggest that organizations pay attention to the introduction of QA and software testing practices. They can ensure that technology is smoothly integrated into the entire enterprise, novel digital products are functioning correctly and fully meet end-user expectations related to both functional and non-functional aspects, and even contribute to saving costs by allowing organization to fix issues early when they haven’t escalated into full-fledged, costly problems. Therefore, in this article, I’ll focus on the QA value for DT and highlight probable priority verifications to support tough journeys. Unlocking digital transformation value for business DT is characterized by infusing diverse technologies into a company's business processes to meet desired objectives, for instance: Sales departments choose to implement AI-driven tools to increase sales efficacy and boost profit eCommerce companies experiment with introducing AR/VT to enhance shopping experiences Software development giants that choose to invest money into cloud computing to improve business operations. All these complex actions have common goals - prioritize customer needs and expectations, deliver impeccable and secure customer service, digitalize analog work, and optimize companies’ process, thus increase business profitability and effectiveness. Despite DT intricacy, all the efforts definitely pay off. When done correctly, DT can provide the following crucial benefits: When using cloud for storage, the chances of data loss are minimized due to improved infrastructure. Risk management. When undergoing DT, company-wide security strategies are introduced to protect digital assets and sensitive data. Focus on security. When companies understand that more aspects will be digital, they are ready for new market trends, new ways of doing business and can adapt easier if changes happen. Change readiness. Experts state that cutting-edge technologies, such as generative AI, can automate of work tasks by 2060. Better efficiency. half It’s also possible to increase staff efficiency on processes such as document sharing and signing. Process optimization. Due to process automation, optimization and replacing manual work with algorithms, companies can redirect it in other priority directions. It’s also cheaper to outsource computing than have in-house hardware that must be maintained and upgraded regularly. Decreased expenses. With advanced approaches, such as cloud, businesses can quickly scale, modernize their IT environments and legacy systems, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Improved agility. Current employees will have to acquire new skills required to work in a new environment with advanced tech, otherwise they will be replaced with more tech-savvy candidates. More qualified staff. Understanding QA’s place within digital transformation Nowadays, the cost of an error in the worst scenarios can reach millions of dollars and even lead to business closure. Just remember the case of a financial services company that lost because of a glitch in novel software that led to the quick acquiring and selling of shares. Or another example: the space agency that lost its spacecraft because of an error in metric measurements. $440 million $125 million And while undergoing DT, the risk of errors rises as it often presupposes This is where QA and software testing should step in. the introduction and integration of new systems and complex migrations. A holistic approach to quality control serves as a shield that in the integration or migration process, thus minimizing their appearance after the go-live stage and mitigating probability of any expensive rework or missed deadlines. detects issues early By integrating QA during the planning stages of SDLC, QA specialists think ahead and define potential risks and their severity during the requirements stage, which reduces the risk of time and financial waste in case something goes wrong. QA strategy to support digital transformation To safeguard software in the best possible way, avoid costly post-release rework, and ensure successful DT, it's important to analyze business needs and priorities in advance and build the testing scope accordingly. However, from my experience, I can recommend paying attention to the most basic and significant verifications that can contribute to project success. Cybersecurity testing Unfortunately, cyber attacks continue to hit diverse companies, and often their consequences are severe. For instance, several years ago, a DNS provider suffered a that caused an Internet service outage across Europe and the USA, which affected top companies such as Amazon and Netflix. Apart from DDoS attacks, hackers can use malware, phishing, zero-day, man-in-the-middle attacks - all aimed at stealing or damaging data, disrupting software operation, and causing financial and reputational damage. In addition, the transformation of old cloud-based systems or introduction of new ones can cause novel security loopholes for the organizations that have already tested their software. DDoS attack To prevent disruptions of any type, organizations can include cybersecurity testing into their QA strategy. and other verifications performed in line with the OWASP methodology help spot vulnerabilities at the earliest SDLC stages. In addition, adherence to a prioritizes ongoing security monitoring, which helps minimize the risk of any security loopholes and prevent cyber frauds. Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, social engineering, static code analysis, DevSecOps culture Performance testing Regardless of the platform, software performance is crucial as it directly influences the speed of operation and, as a result, user satisfaction. The more time it takes for a website page to download, the higher chances are that users will turn to competitors. And statistics proves this fact - according to experts, of mobile users will leave the page if they have to wait for more than 3 seconds. In addition, software must withstand a high influx of end users, otherwise outages are inevitable. Also, migrating extensive data amounts into new systems or in cloud can have potential negative influence on performance. 53% To prevent them, organizations can run server-side tests to make sure the software can cope with overload, define its maximum limits, and identify current bottlenecks. Also, client-side verifications help detect problems that negatively affect page loading speed. With this complex approach, companies can prevent bottlenecks that spoil the experience of end users. Functional testing DT is related to the implementation of new software or introduction of new features into current IT products. Therefore, QA engineers apply functional testing to validate every new software feature and confirm that IT products operate without any issues and can seamlessly integrate with other software in place. Depending on the business need, QA specialists can conduct diverse functional testing types. For instance, when new changes have been introduced to the code, the team performs regression testing to ensure no problems have occurred afterwards. Or, for example, before deploying software to production, it's important to run acceptance tests that serve as the ultimate barrier to prevent issues of diverse severity. Integration testing Within a DT, often it’s critical that multiple systems work together as a single, coherent solution. It’s a difficult objective without integration testing. When done early in the SDLC, it helps QA engineers to track and rectify to prevent data losses during systems interaction and make sure the system can fulfill its tasks when integrated with other systems. compatibility glitches and issues with data and data exchange User acceptance testing (UAT) Within DT, UAT plays a special role as it helps ensure that user requirements and business goals are fully met. This is the last and a very important step in the SDLC before releasing software to the market. Based on real-life user scenarios, QA engineers check the entire software workflow to confirm that the IT product performs its functions exactly as expected. Migration testing During DT, often companies need to migrate digital systems to the cloud or to new systems, which presupposes transfer of extensive data amounts. To prevent data losses and ensure a smooth transition, organizations can supplement their QA strategy with migration testing. During this process, QA engineers identify data structure of the source and target systems, compare information in them to ensure that all the data has been transferred correctly and there are no losses or duplicates, verify integration of the target system with other solutions, and make sure system performance has remained on the same high level. Test automation When it comes to DT, velocity is a crucial factor that provides a competitive edge and allows businesses to reach goals in a more simplified manner. To streamline QA processes, companies may consider automated testing. Scripts executing verifications without human involvement help minimize risks of any failures related to a human factor, boost accuracy, and accelerate speed. In a nutshell DT helps businesses improve overall performance, speed up diverse functions, transform and be ready for novel challenges, develop new IT products, and grow a customer base. However, such change is challenging and requires additional support. QA activities, such as cybersecurity, performance, functional, integration, migration testing, UAT, test automation, and some others can ensure failsafe software operation, decrease testing time, and contribute to reaching set goals within time and budget.

Quality Assurance as an Ideal Assistant for Successful Digital Transformations

In last week’s post, as I was , I asked a question I feel is key to a successful job search: talking about job descriptions “Do you like the company because of it’s culture, creation, community, calling, or some other aspect? Are you intrigued enough to want to find out more? “ Too often when we’re looking for a new job, our search turns into a veritable “race to the bottom” – looking for (and accepting) whatever  job opportunity answers first with a salary or other set of conditions we consider tolerable. I understand and sympathize with folks who, especially in these days of mass layoff announcements every week (or more). Sometimes the job you  want is whatever job you can get. But… Even when you are panic-applying to every single job that fits the bill, I’d still like to suggest you take a moment and reflect on the  type of company you’d LIKE to work at. What kind of place would allow you to thrive and grow? That question, in and of itself, is often not enough to help lead you to an answer. This takes me back to the idea from last week’s post. Think about the type of company you would enjoy. One example I mention often is Patagonia. Yes, they make and sell clothing. But what people often comment on is the company’s commitment to teamwork,  balance, and health among its employees. culture How about the around the company? One example is the NFL. Another is Taylor Swift. (it’s ironic that, as I write this, those two  entities have never been more closely linked than they are because of  Tay’s relationship with Travis Kelce). In both cases you, yourself, may  not be all that interested in football (or Taylor Swift songs. But  honestly, what’s wrong with you?!?) But the chance to enable those fans (and superfans) to be part of such a powerful community might be exciting for you. community There’s also the company’s “ ” – it’s mission – that’s worth considering. The example I use (and I’ve ) is Crayola. My personal version of their is: That’s a mission I would love to be part of. calling written about this before mission statement “We provide the tools for humans of all ages to realize their most creative selves. If that means creating markers that work on windows, we’ll make them. If it requires foaming bathtub soap, we’re here for it. Oh, and we also make little sticks of colored wax.” And of course, there’s the (i.e. product) itself. When I bring up this point, everyone immediately mentions . And they’re not wrong. Those products are beloved by millions. But I also think of  Pixar. I’d be willing to sweep floors if it meant I could be that close  to the people creating those stories, and lots of folks I talk to agree. creation Apple To be clear, I’m not suggesting everyone apply to Patagonia, the NFL, etc. I’m saying you should take a moment and think  about those companies, products, brands, and communities that engage and  excite you. The ones that you have a natural affinity for if not a  loyalty to. literally I also want to state that often, this is a case of “never meet your heroes.” I know more than one person who has pursued a job at their  so-called “dream company”, only to get into the interview process and  discover an ugly underbelly to the entire organization. While that’s certainly disappointing, it’s also OK. Not every company is perfect, not every job is for every person, and sometimes you  realize you’re OK with being a consumer of a brand and not a producer.  And there are just as many cases where folks pursue a job at the company and find out it’s every bit as wonderful as they’d heard (and hoped). Which is a huge benefit if interest leads to an interview. Because in an interview, that level of interest, involvement, and passion is something that cannot be faked and also can’t be taught. You might not have all the skills on the checklist, but most hiring managers will notice (and choose) someone who expresses interest in the actual company and what they do. If you are looking for your next job, do yourself a favor and take a moment to think about your fandoms, favorites, and things that tickle your fancy. Then google their careers page, and take a chance. You never know where it might lead. Also published here.

Finding Your Ideal Workplace: Beyond Salary, What Truly Matters in a Job?

For a business to be successful and sustainable in the long run, it needs to adequately identify its customer base. While the prospect of appealing to everyone seems attractive, the reality for most companies is different, and having the wrong customers can even present challenges to the operational viability of the organization. By leveraging machine learning (ML), businesses can gain tools to make informed decisions about which customers to pursue, and then, focus on nurturing this customer base by creating alignment with the company’s long-term goals. Here are five steps to help you do that. #1: Define the problem and objectives For an ML algorithm to be effective, you need to clearly articulate the problem it needs to solve, and the specific objectives that the model should achieve. Here’s a practical application. An ML algorithm can analyze customer purchasing and spending patterns, and determine whether the cost of acquiring and servicing a particular customer segment outweighs the financial benefits that this customer segment generates. In simple words, sometimes, a company can lose money by servicing some customers, and not be aware of it. ML can help decision-makers identify those scenarios. There are various reasons why this can happen. For instance, if there is a specific group of customers that constantly engages in complaints, or that requires extensive support, this might overstretch the resources of the organization, and negatively impact the overall customer experience that the company is able to deliver. By integrating ML, you can identify patterns in customer interactions, pinpoint those who may be overly demanding or frequently unhappy, and decide to sever ties with them. The same goes for identifying potential high-risk customers that could cause harmful financial losses in the future. #2: Identify relevant data sources The goals you establish for your ML integration will also determine what ML algorithm—classification, regression, clustering, or a different one—you will use. Based on this, identify the type of data you need. Data collection sources can range from internal databases and CRM systems to APIs that can help you pull data from public databases. Also, you can extract valuable patterns and insights by analyzing logs and transaction records. However, don’t limit yourself to structured data. Other places where you can find valuable unstructured data include reviews and audio recordings—for example, from monitoring customer service calls. Keep in mind that, as your ML model evolves, you might require new insights, and this will prompt you to collect additional data to ensure your model meets your goals. #3: Categorize data for optimal segmentation Once you have the necessary data, you need to categorize it adequately to ensure that the segmentation process meets its intended outcomes. There are various categories that you can use for this, depending on your type of company and the service you offer. Here are some options. Spending Patterns: Do your customers pay on time? Do they pay up-front, or tend to defer payments over time? If they pay by credit card, how many cards do they use? All of this is valuable information that gives you feedback about your customers' financial habits. Purchasing Behavior: Are they the type of customers that opt-in for extra services? What kind of plan have they chosen? If they have the option to leave a tip—like in the case of delivery drivers—do they use it? Compliance Patterns: This category can give us information about customers who lose or damage products due to negligence or poor oversight. Whenever they submit a claim, we can categorize them based on whether they filed a police report and followed up with it, or in the case repairs were needed, if they attended their maintenance appointments as planned. Loyalty: There’s a reason why many companies divide customers into loyalty brackets. This is not only to reward them for their ongoing allegiance, but also, to understand their behavior and identify patterns. By looking at your top loyalty tier, you can uncover insights that show you why your customers are staying for so long. Complaints: This is very useful, as it helps you identify if there are any recurrent themes behind ongoing complaints and whether these are justified or not. If they are, it gives you suggestions for improvement. If they are not, it can pinpoint you to those customers that you might be better off without. #4: Assess the model’s performance on the test set, and finetune when required To maximize effectiveness, testing is key. Once you run the model using your test set, which is the dataset that you gathered specifically for this purpose, see whether the model is giving you the results you desire. Basically, you are comparing whether the model’s predictions are accurate, and if they are not, you need to determine how far off they are from reality to see how you need to finetune your model. Here, you would be looking at metrics like accuracy, precision, and recall, however, these will vary depending on the ML algorithm that you used. Based on these results, you can make the necessary adjustments. Sometimes, the changes might involve changing the algorithm altogether, while other times, you might need to incorporate additional data or alter some of the model’s parameters. All in all, finding the right model is a similar process to determining the right business model for your company. You test what you built, and if it works, you keep going, and if it doesn’t, you need to iterate until you find the right fit. With ML, it is pretty much the same. Don’t be afraid to go a few steps back and restructure how your ML model works. This is much better than staying put with a model that has been proven not to work, and that will only cause you to waste money. #5: Implement monitoring mechanisms to track the model’s performance over time If you’ve made it to this step, it means you’ve found a model that works. However, the fact that it works now doesn’t mean that it will always be the case. To ensure that your ML model remains relevant and effective, you need to incorporate monitoring mechanisms that can track how the model is faring, and whether any adjustments are needed. Why is this important? First, because patterns change over time, and when the change surpasses a level of significance, your data can quickly become outdated. Second, external factors can cause your priorities to shift, and your model will need to evolve in order to give you the right solutions. Which industries could benefit the most from ML-driven segmentation? While effective customer segmentation can benefit almost every business, some industries can particularly benefit from implementing this approach. This is because there are sectors where competition is fierce, providing customer service requires a lot of resources, and staunch customer loyalty is required to succeed. From my personal experience, one example is subscription services, which can benefit by focusing on those clients that have a high retention potential—which reduces both CAC and churn. Foodtech, in which customer satisfaction is paramount and positive engagements can bolster word-of-mouth, a main engine for referrals, can also benefit substantially from adequate ML-driven segmentation. Last, but not least, companies in the financial services arena, especially those firms that focus on high-net-worth individuals and building long-term relationships, can leverage this process to center their efforts on those customers that matter the most.

Finding the Right Fit: 5 Steps to Use ML to Identify Your Ideal Customer

Trusting strangers online is always an issue when making purchases or establishing any kind of monetary transaction with others. Maybe there are some enticing offers around or some really inexpensive providers in distant countries. However, how do you know they can be trusted? And how do they know can be trusted? you Well, that’s possible and easy now by using the and cryptocurrencies. ArbStore Operating on the decentralized , ArbStore ensures safe transactions through smart contracts (without coding for users) and cryptocurrencies, offering a decentralized escrow that safeguards funds until conditions fulfillment. This is a new decentralized escrow payment solution, specifically designed for international trade. Obyte crypto platform With the added layer of protection from independent arbiters in case of disputes, parties involved are assured a fair resolution process. ArbStore's appeal lies in its global and unstoppable nature, providing a secure, privacy-centric environment through end-to-end encrypted communication. Offering a low and transparent fee structure, it eliminates the risks of fraud, making it an ideal solution for individuals and businesses seeking efficient, secure, and truly global payment methods in cross-border trade. Let’s check some businesses and online platforms that could greatly improve their services and trust by using this smart contract tool. E-Commerce Marketplaces In case you didn’t know, global e-commerce sales to increase to over $58 trillion by 2028. This is, undoubtedly, a good field to do business from now on. are expected On the other hand, the use of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) tools like the Arbstore is anticipated to result in an increased value for businesses, $176 billion by 2025. exceeding You can take advantage of those benefits too. By eliminating concerns related to fraud, ArbStore facilitates smoother transactions, reducing the likelihood of chargebacks and payment disputes. This enhanced security not only improves the overall user experience but also encourages repeat business and customer loyalty. Moreover, the platform's global and anti-censorship transaction capabilities break down geographical barriers, expanding the marketplace's reach and catering to an international customer base. In addition to the financial benefits, Indeed, according to a , 81% of consumers are now worried about the use of their private data in online platforms. the privacy-centric approach of ArbStore, with end-to-end encryption, ensures secure contract negotiations, further instilling confidence in users. study by IBM ArbStore can offer fully private and protected transactions since no one (not even Arbstore itself) can see or manipulate the contracts —only the involved parties and, if needed, the arbiter. An Example of Marketplace Use The usability would be simple. Let’s say that Alice is a furniture manufacturer from A country, while Bob is looking for a wholesale provider to resell that kind of product in B country himself, and he’s looking for the most convenient deal online. They can find each other through the C Marketplace, where the is integrated. ArbStore Then, they discuss the terms of their contract privately, select a professional arbiter from the ArbStore, and make a in the Obyte wallet, locking the funds until conditions are met. If everything goes as planned and the product is received, Bob (the buyer) will release the funds to Alice. If there’s a dispute for any reason, either party can invoke the arbiter and present their evidence to obtain a fair decision. contract with the arbitration In the latter case, the arbiter wallet address must release the funds to the buyer or the seller, depending on their decision. And that’s it! No one but the parties involved can see or manipulate the deal. Classified Advertisement Platforms Classified ad platforms are like the Wild West of the Internet for users. Anyone can find superb offers there, but also a criminal or a scam. You can’t exactly trust a random guy offering a low-price iPhone or a good-looking gig on one of these sites. Not even if you meet them in person —which is kind of dangerous too. **But wait: everyone can do it now with the . Even if they’re in different regions or countries.
\ By implementing this decentralized escrow system, these platforms could alleviate concerns related to fraud and physical assaults, ensuring secure transactions. The heightened security could foster trust among users and contribute to a streamlined user experience. ArbStore Besides, the integration mitigates the risk of payment disputes and also attracts a larger user base seeking the safety and reliability afforded by ArbStore's infrastructure and the global and of cryptocurrencies. decentralized nature In this case, Bob could actually sell a cheap iPhone to Alice from one state to the other, or from one neighborhood to the other, without meeting in person or even leaving his home. If Alice receives her package without issues, she’ll release the funds to the seller. If there’s a disagreement, they can ask for the help of the previously selected arbiter. The whole process is tamper-proof. Gaming Communities These days, many kinds of games include in-game transactions and exclusive digital products like premium skins or items, and a wide variety of Non-Fungible Tokens ( ). Gamers worldwide need secure internal transfers, so they can trade unique digital property without fraud. NFTs Meanwhile, this market is growing quickly. Recent have shown that the gaming sector is poised to reach an estimated $626 billion by 2028. industry stats Offering enhanced security and transparency, they can ensure fair gameplay, eliminating concerns about cheating or fraud. Smart contracts are playing a pivotal role in transforming this market, particularly in managing in-game assets and transactions. with its integration into the gaming landscape, could significantly enhance the gamer experience and the business of gaming. By seamlessly incorporating user wallets and decentralized storage solutions, ArbStore would empower players to securely manage and transact their in-game assets. ArbStore, This integration aligns with the principles of new game development, offering a secure and user-friendly environment for gamers worldwide. P2P Trade Platforms There are all kinds of P2P platforms lately, but the more expensive the assets involved, the more complex it could become to trade them. For instance, a real estate property, a vehicle, or an original artwork. Most people could risk that a nice lamp or a T-shirt never arrives, but they’d never bet on a high-value asset or . So, there are often some quite expensive middlemen in the process. wholesale purchases For instance, consider a business wanting to buy a fleet of vehicles internationally. By utilizing this decentralized escrow platform, the buyer locks funds in a smart contract, ensuring the seller receives payment only upon successful asset delivery. Of course, ArbStore can help in these circumstances as well, taking a drastically lower fee. This mitigates the risks associated with cross-border transactions, fostering trust between parties. The decentralized nature of ensures privacy and eliminates the need for intermediaries, streamlining the process. ArbStore This approach makes ArbStore an ideal solution for businesses engaged in large-scale, high-value transactions, offering a secure and transparent platform for seamless global trade. Global Freelance Sites and Job Platforms With over 1.5 billion freelancers to the gig economy worldwide, the need for secure and efficient payment methods is paramount. Traditional payment methods often pose issues like delays, high transaction fees, and currency conversions, hindering the freelancer-client relationship. contributing And that is a very positive relationship for businesses: ** up to 30% by hiring freelancers worldwide.
\ So, they should be more interested in offering secure and quick payment processes to expand their reach and long-term revenue. ArbStore could be a powerful tool to do this. For example, Alice, in country U, could hire Bob, in country Y, to make a whole website for her company. they can save After both parties download the Obyte wallet, they agree on contract terms and select an arbiter for dispute resolution (in case they have a dispute in the future). Alice then locks the project funds in a contract with arbitration, establishing a . decentralized escrow As Bob completes the task, Alice releases the corresponding funds. The transparency of the smart contract ensures trust, and in case of any dispute, the chosen arbiter steps in for a fair resolution. Throughout the process, the privacy-centric nature of ArbStore allows confidential contract details to remain solely between Alice and Bob, offering a secure and efficient way to facilitate their website development project and all involved payments. -- After all these considerations, we can say that , operating with crypto, stands out as a secure decentralized payment solution. These features make it an optimal choice for businesses, along with its mature infrastructure, scalability, and low fees. ArbStore Utilizing smart contracts on the Obyte platform ensures decentralization, security, and . sustainability If you’re looking forward to a partnership or integration, please contact us at . partners@arbstore.org Featured Vector Image by pikisuperstar/ Freepik

Boost Revenue and Trust With ArbStore: Ideal for Businesses and Online Platforms

ArbStore-এর মাধ্যমে রাজস্ব এবং আস্থা বাড়ান: ব্যবসা এবং অনলাইন প্ল্যাটফর্মের জন্য আদর্শ

Steigern Sie Umsatz und Vertrauen mit ArbStore: Ideal für Unternehmen und Online-Plattformen

Aumente los ingresos y la confianza con ArbStore: ideal para empresas y plataformas en línea

Augmentez vos revenus et votre confiance avec ArbStore : idéal pour les entreprises et les plateformes en ligne

ArbStore के साथ राजस्व और विश्वास बढ़ाएँ: व्यवसायों और ऑनलाइन प्लेटफ़ॉर्म के लिए आदर्श

ArbStore で収益と信頼を向上: ビジネスとオンライン プラットフォームに最適

ArbStore를 통해 수익과 신뢰를 강화하세요: 비즈니스 및 온라인 플랫폼에 적합

Aumente a receita e a confiança com ArbStore: ideal para empresas e plataformas online

Увеличьте доход и доверие с помощью ArbStore: идеально подходит для бизнеса и онлайн-платформ

ArbStore ile Geliri ve Güveni Artırın: İşletmeler ve Çevrimiçi Platformlar için İdeal

Tăng doanh thu và sự tin cậy với ArbStore: Lý tưởng cho doanh nghiệp và nền tảng trực tuyến

通过 ArbStore 提高收入和信任：企业和在线平台的理想选择

Stories, News & Mentions about IDEAL

Ideal’s Stories on HackerNoon

Ideal's News & Mentions