Ondo Finance and Aptos Foundation partnered on the integration of real-world assets with blockchain technology.

Ondo and Aptos Partner to Integrate Real-World Assets, Blockchain Technology

Betty Akeredolu, wife of Late Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has paid tributes to her husband. In a copy of the tribute document seen by SaharaReporters on Friday, the former First Lady of Ondo State lamented dealing with a lot of mockeries from close allies and enemies of her late husband.

Former Ondo First Lady, Betty Lambasts 'So-Called Friends' Of Akeredolu In Her Tribute To Late Governor | Sahara Reporters

The wife of the late Akeredolu, Betty, in her tribute, hit hard on the critics of her relationship with her late husband.

Akeredolu's widow slams critics as ex-governor is buried in Ondo

Aptos is the latest chain to offer users access to Ondo’s USDY.

Ondo Finance Integrates Tokenized U.S. Treasuries Onto Layer 1 Aptos

Ondo

ondo

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, March 1st, 2024/Chainwire/-- Ondo launches native access to tokenized real-world assets on Sui. Sui, the Layer 1 blockchain that offers industry-leading performance and infinite scaling, has announced that Ondo Finance’s yield-bearing stablecoin alternative is now live on the network and available for immediate use by builders, developers, and their end users. Ondo’s US treasury-backed and interest-bearing token, USDY, is the Sui Network’s first native dollar-denominated token. Ondo’s expansion to Sui offers key functionalities enabling builders and developers within the ultra-composable Sui ecosystem to create decentralized applications with significantly more features. Sui’s fast-rising DeFi TVL and volume, along with its adoption by leading projects, including some from other platforms, indicates a network that is experiencing growing demand for its next-generation financial applications. Ondo Finance is the third-largest platform bringing tokenized forms of real-world assets onto public blockchains with $185M in TVL. Ondo’s flagship Treasury-backed tokens and other tokenized real-world assets will create countless new opportunities for teams building on Sui. At inception, DeFi protocols with immediate integrations of USDY include Aftermath Finance, Cetus, NAVI Protocol, Typus Finance, Bucket Protocol, Turbos, and KriyaDEX. “I am extremely excited to bring the unique benefits of Ondo’s treasury-backed, yield-bearing USDY token to the builders and developers on Sui,” said Ondo’s founder and CEO, Nathan Allman. “The combination of our technologies offers this group, which is already creating apps at the forefront of DeFi, a unique opportunity to leverage Sui to advance the industry even further.” The tokenized treasury-backed offerings that now live on the Sui Network represent tradable tokens backed by real-world assets, marking a significant step toward growing DeFi in the ecosystem and across the industry. “Sui’s rapid growth in decentralized finance, exemplified by the significant assets and projects coming to the ecosystem, is a clear illustration that the network is ready to incorporate the latest in tokenized real-world assets,” said Greg Siourounis, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation. “Having a version of Ondo’s USDY that is native to Sui will unlock exciting new opportunities for Sui’s builders and developers and new features for the users of their applications.” Contact Sui Foundation media@sui.io This story was distributed as a release by Financewire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here.

Ondo Launches Native Access To Tokenized Real-World Assets On Sui

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, February 7th, 2024/Chainwire/--Ondo’s Sui upcoming integration will bring native access to new tokenized assets such as treasuries, securities, and stablecoins on-chain. , the Layer 1 blockchain which has experienced explosive growth since its inception eight months ago, today announced that Ondo Finance is expanding into the Sui ecosystem. Sui The expansion will bring Sui Network’s first native dollar-denominated token (including stablecoins and interest-bearing stablecoin substitutes) in the form of Ondo USD Yield or “USDY” — a US treasury-backed and interest-bearing token issued by Ondo. Ondo’s expansion to Sui adds to Sui’s blistering DeFi momentum, demonstrating the growth and demand for financial applications and native functionality on chain. Sui’s DeFi volume is up more than 1200% since October and Sui recently broke into the top 10 DeFi ecosystems as measured by TVL. Ondo Finance is the third-largest platform bringing tokenized derivatives of real-world assets onto public blockchains with $185M in TVL and over $1B worth of its newly-launched governance token trading in its first week in late January. In addition to stablecoins, Ondo’s flagship Treasury-backed tokens, tokenized securities, and real-world assets will create countless new opportunities for teams building on Sui. Ondo’s expansion into the Sui ecosystem also continues a trend of top projects affirmatively choosing to integrate into Sui. For example, in December 2023, leading Solana lending protocol Solend announced it would launch a lending protocol native to Sui and decentralized derivatives exchange Bluefin likewise shuttered its V1 Arbitrum implementation to focus entirely on Sui. What The People Spearheading This Had to Say “The people who interact with our platform want fast and efficient transactions, which should be essential for any blockchain project,” said Ondo’s founder and chief executive officer, Nathan Allman. “Sui’s growth and network performance offer clear confirmation that its network is the perfect fit for Ondo’s ecosystem.” Tokenized treasury offerings represent tradable tokens backed by real-world assets, and their presence on Sui is a significant step toward growing DeFi in the ecosystem and across the industry. “Ondo is an amazing addition to the Sui ecosystem, providing a native yield-bearing stablecoin-like asset that will unlock new opportunities for Sui’s builders and developers and essential new functionality for the users of their applications,” said Greg Siourounis, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation. “Sui’s DeFi volume is already growing at a remarkable rate and Ondo’s participation will make that trajectory even stronger. I am excited to see how Sui’s community leverages the real-world assets and innovative financial products Ondo offers.” Contact Sui Foundation media@sui.io This story was distributed as a release by Chainwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program . here

Real-World Assets And Yield-Bearing Stablecoin-Alternative Coming to Sui: Ondo Finance's Expansion

How I Built the Nigerian News Reporter to Deliver Real-Time, Verified News in Local Languages

Picture this: you go to a protest these days, and you find a lot of people wearing white, bearded masks. Maybe the hacktivist group Anonymous comes to your mind. Maybe V for Vendetta. Maybe even the historical root, Guy Fawkes —a man who died over 400 years ago in old England. But do you know why are they all connected as a symbol of rebellion or even anarchism? Should you wear your own mask too? Well. Let’s explore this story in chronological order, shall we? If you must know it now, it includes a murder attempt plot, explosives, a dystopian world, and somehow ends up with modern online anarchism and protests worldwide. Cryptos have been in the mix too since they appeared in 2009. Old Historical Facts “Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot.” This is an English folk rhyme that dates back to the 17th century and has firmly stayed in popular imagery ever since. You see, that century wasn’t catholic-friendly at all in England. In case you didn’t know, there was a thing called European Wars of Religion that went on for centuries. That was a complex historical event in which numerous realms and parties participated, so we’ll sum it up by saying that the English high powers preferred The Church of England (Anglicanism), a form of Christian Protestantism that was against the Church of Rome and the figure of the Pope. Instead, the English monarch became the Supreme Governor of the church instead of the Pope, and, eventually, they sought to erase Catholicism from England. As a consequence, harsh religious persecution was put in place. Catholics faced heavy restrictions on practicing their faith, prohibitions against holding public office, fines for not attending Anglican services, and occasional imprisonment or execution for those deemed traitors due to their loyalty to the Pope over the English monarch. In other words, that was the perfect recipe for a group of Catholic revolutionaries to design a plot to kill and replace the Protestant king and his court. The 5th of November A group of conspirators, led by Robert Catesby, sought to assassinate King James I and his government officials in a dramatic explosion by November 5, 1605. They rented a cellar beneath the parliament building and stocked it with 36 barrels of gunpowder, enough to cause massive destruction. The plan unraveled, however, when an anonymous letter, sent days before the event, warned a Catholic member of parliament to stay away from the building.This prompted a search, and just hours before the planned explosion, authorities found Guy Fawkes, one of Catesby’s associates, guarding the gunpowder and ready to light the wicks. Fawkes was arrested, tortured, and eventually executed, while most of the other conspirators were also caught and met similar fates. The event is known now as the Gunpowder Plot. Today, November 5th is celebrated as Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night in the UK. People light bonfires, set off fireworks, and sometimes burn effigies of Guy Fawkes or other hated characters to commemorate the failure of the plot and the survival of King James I —who most English people actually liked back then, despite his anti-Catholic posture. Fictional Facts So, a little bit disappointing up until now? Let’s fast forward to the 19th century when fiction starts to meddle with the facts. The writer William Harrison Ainsworth published a three-volume romance novel called ‘Guy Fawkes’. This story, published between 1840 and 1841, described a made-up romance between Fawkes and Viviana Radcliffe, a new character, and narrated the journey of the Gunpowder Plot from the summer of 1605 to its tragic end. All while picturing Fawkes as a sort of anti-hero. It wouldn’t be the last time. That novel was popular in its time, but what would really hit our century would be the comic ‘V for Vendetta’ by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, first published in 1980. Lloyd, indeed, is the author of the Guy Fawkes mask design as we know it. You may also be familiar with the homonymous movie from 2006. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSA7mAHolAw&embedable=true They tell us a dystopian story set in a future Britain under a totalitarian regime. The story follows V, a mysterious vigilante who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and uses his skills to fight against the oppressive government. V’s ultimate goal is to awaken the people to the regime’s injustices and inspire them to reclaim their freedom, using acts of rebellion and symbolism to make his point. He ends up fulfilling the original Fawkes’ goal and blows up the parliament. The Guy Fawkes mask is central to V’s identity (always hidden otherwise) and symbolizes resistance against tyranny. Just as Fawkes once tried to overthrow a powerful government, V becomes a modern symbol of defiance, using the mask to rally people against oppression while protecting their identities. This symbolism has since been embraced worldwide by activists and movements advocating for freedom and justice. New Historical Facts The Guy Fawkes mask became a symbol of protest and defiance in the early 2000s, thanks largely to the online activist group Anonymous. Starting around 2008, members of Anonymous wore the mask during a series of global protests against the Church of Scientology, which they opposed due to its practices and aggressive control of information. The mask allowed activists to protect their identities while presenting a united front against what they saw as corruption and censorship. https://youtu.be/_ZgJ2bkyiTw?embedable=true In 2011, the mask gained even more visibility with the Occupy Wall Street movement, which protested economic inequality and corporate influence. The Occupy movement spread globally, with protesters in places like New York, London, and Tokyo donning the mask as a statement against social injustice. Julian Assange, a renowned cypherpunk and founder of WikiLeaks, also wore the mask publicly, aligning with the movement and its ideals of transparency and accountability. Since then, the Guy Fawkes mask has appeared in a range of protests worldwide, from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy demonstrations to anti-austerity marches across Europe. In addition, we must say that a wide lot of these protesters have learned to use cryptocurrencies to protect their funds and data. Today, the mask remains a powerful, recognizable symbol for those fighting for freedom and against government or corporate control, transcending borders and causes. A Mask Isn’t Enough Since the early days of protests by Anonymous and movements like Occupy Wall Street, the Guy Fawkes mask has allowed people to show solidarity while protecting their identities. However, in the current era of advanced surveillance and censorship, simply wearing a mask is no longer enough. According to Freedom House, “Global Internet freedom declined for the 14th consecutive year,” and “Free expression online was imperiled by severe prison terms and escalating violence.” Financial censorship is also a growing concern. In some countries, governments and institutions limit or freeze funds to silence dissent or restrict people’s access to their money. Cryptocurrencies and decentralized networks offer a way to push back. Due to their peer-to-peer nature, cryptocurrencies allow people to control their own funds and data without relying on central authorities. This means they can be used as tools for those fighting against inequality or authoritarianism, helping people keep their assets secure and enabling transactions even in restricted environments. Not all decentralized networks, however, are equally resistant to censorship. Blockchains can be censored and manipulated. Most of them still rely on “validators” or miners, leaving room for censorship and centralization. Obyte stands out as a powerful alternative: its Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure is truly decentralized, free from miners, “validators”, or any other middlemen, making it especially resistant to censorship and a good option for people seeking true autonomy. Featured Image by Ahmed Zayan / Unsplash Picture this: you go to a protest these days, and you find a lot of people wearing white, bearded masks. Maybe the hacktivist group Anonymous comes to your mind. Maybe V for Vendetta. Maybe even the historical root, Guy Fawkes —a man who died over 400 years ago in old England. But do you know why are they all connected as a symbol of rebellion or even anarchism? Should you wear your own mask too? Well. Let’s explore this story in chronological order, shall we? If you must know it now, it includes a murder attempt plot, explosives, a dystopian world, and somehow ends up with modern online anarchism and protests worldwide. Cryptos have been in the mix too since they appeared in 2009. Old Historical Facts “Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot.” This is an English folk rhyme that dates back to the 17th century and has firmly stayed in popular imagery ever since. You see, that century wasn’t catholic-friendly at all in England. In case you didn’t know, there was a thing called European Wars of Religion that went on for centuries. “Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot.” folk rhyme folk rhyme That was a complex historical event in which numerous realms and parties participated, so we’ll sum it up by saying that the English high powers preferred The Church of England (Anglicanism), a form of Christian Protestantism that was against the Church of Rome and the figure of the Pope. Instead, the English monarch became the Supreme Governor of the church instead of the Pope, and, eventually, they sought to erase Catholicism from England. As a consequence, harsh religious persecution was put in place. Catholics faced heavy restrictions on practicing their faith, prohibitions against holding public office, fines for not attending Anglican services, and occasional imprisonment or execution for those deemed traitors due to their loyalty to the Pope over the English monarch. As a consequence, harsh religious persecution was put in place. In other words, that was the perfect recipe for a group of Catholic revolutionaries to design a plot to kill and replace the Protestant king and his court. The 5th of November A group of conspirators, led by Robert Catesby, sought to assassinate King James I and his government officials in a dramatic explosion by November 5, 1605. They rented a cellar beneath the parliament building and stocked it with 36 barrels of gunpowder, enough to cause massive destruction. The plan unraveled, however, when an anonymous letter, sent days before the event, warned a Catholic member of parliament to stay away from the building. This prompted a search, and just hours before the planned explosion, authorities found Guy Fawkes, one of Catesby’s associates, guarding the gunpowder and ready to light the wicks. Fawkes was arrested, tortured, and eventually executed, while most of the other conspirators were also caught and met similar fates. The event is known now as the Gunpowder Plot. Today, November 5th is celebrated as Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night in the UK. People light bonfires, set off fireworks, and sometimes burn effigies of Guy Fawkes or other hated characters to commemorate the failure of the plot and the survival of King James I —who most English people actually liked back then, despite his anti-Catholic posture. Today, November 5th is celebrated as Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night in the UK. Fictional Facts So, a little bit disappointing up until now? Let’s fast forward to the 19th century when fiction starts to meddle with the facts. The writer William Harrison Ainsworth published a three-volume romance novel called ‘Guy Fawkes’. This story, published between 1840 and 1841, described a made-up romance between Fawkes and Viviana Radcliffe, a new character, and narrated the journey of the Gunpowder Plot from the summer of 1605 to its tragic end. All while picturing Fawkes as a sort of anti-hero. published published It wouldn’t be the last time. That novel was popular in its time, but what would really hit our century would be the comic ‘V for Vendetta’ by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, first published in 1980 . Lloyd, indeed, is the author of the Guy Fawkes mask design as we know it. You may also be familiar with the homonymous movie from 2006. but what would really hit our century would be the comic ‘ V for Vendetta ’ by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, first published in 1980 ‘ V for Vendetta V for Vendetta ’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSA7mAHolAw&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSA7mAHolAw&embedable=true They tell us a dystopian story set in a future Britain under a totalitarian regime. The story follows V, a mysterious vigilante who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and uses his skills to fight against the oppressive government. V’s ultimate goal is to awaken the people to the regime’s injustices and inspire them to reclaim their freedom, using acts of rebellion and symbolism to make his point. He ends up fulfilling the original Fawkes’ goal and blows up the parliament. The Guy Fawkes mask is central to V’s identity (always hidden otherwise) and symbolizes resistance against tyranny. Just as Fawkes once tried to overthrow a powerful government, V becomes a modern symbol of defiance, using the mask to rally people against oppression while protecting their identities. This symbolism has since been embraced worldwide by activists and movements advocating for freedom and justice. The Guy Fawkes mask is central to V’s identity (always hidden otherwise) and symbolizes resistance against tyranny. New Historical Facts The Guy Fawkes mask became a symbol of protest and defiance in the early 2000s, thanks largely to the online activist group Anonymous. Starting around 2008, members of Anonymous wore the mask during a series of global protests against the Church of Scientology, which they opposed due to its practices and aggressive control of information. The mask allowed activists to protect their identities while presenting a united front against what they saw as corruption and censorship. https://youtu.be/_ZgJ2bkyiTw?embedable=true https://youtu.be/_ZgJ2bkyiTw?embedable=true In 2011, the mask gained even more visibility with the Occupy Wall Street movement, which protested economic inequality and corporate influence. The Occupy movement spread globally, with protesters in places like New York, London, and Tokyo donning the mask as a statement against social injustice. Julian Assange , a renowned cypherpunk and founder of WikiLeaks, also wore the mask publicly, aligning with the movement and its ideals of transparency and accountability. In 2011, the mask gained even more visibility with the Occupy Wall Street movement, which protested economic inequality and corporate influence. Julian Assange Julian Assange wore the mask wore the mask Since then, the Guy Fawkes mask has appeared in a range of protests worldwide, from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy demonstrations to anti-austerity marches across Europe. In addition, we must say that a wide lot of these protesters have learned to use cryptocurrencies to protect their funds and data. Today, the mask remains a powerful, recognizable symbol for those fighting for freedom and against government or corporate control, transcending borders and causes. A Mask Isn’t Enough Since the early days of protests by Anonymous and movements like Occupy Wall Street, the Guy Fawkes mask has allowed people to show solidarity while protecting their identities. However, in the current era of advanced surveillance and censorship, simply wearing a mask is no longer enough. According to Freedom House , “Global Internet freedom declined for the 14th consecutive year,” and “Free expression online was imperiled by severe prison terms and escalating violence.” Freedom House Freedom House “Global Internet freedom declined for the 14th consecutive year,” and “Free expression online was imperiled by severe prison terms and escalating violence.” Financial censorship is also a growing concern. In some countries, governments and institutions limit or freeze funds to silence dissent or restrict people’s access to their money. Cryptocurrencies and decentralized networks offer a way to push back. Due to their peer-to-peer nature, cryptocurrencies allow people to control their own funds and data without relying on central authorities. Financial censorship Financial censorship This means they can be used as tools for those fighting against inequality or authoritarianism, helping people keep their assets secure and enabling transactions even in restricted environments. Not all decentralized networks, however, are equally resistant to censorship. Blockchains can be censored and manipulated . Most of them still rely on “validators” or miners, leaving room for censorship and centralization. Obyte stands out as a powerful alternative: its Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure is truly decentralized, free from miners, “validators”, or any other middlemen, making it especially resistant to censorship and a good option for people seeking true autonomy. Blockchains can be censored and manipulated Blockchains can be censored and manipulated Obyte Obyte Featured Image by Ahmed Zayan / Unsplash Featured Image by Ahmed Zayan / Unsplash Unsplash Unsplash

From Guy Fawkes to Resistance and Cryptos: A Fight for Freedom

Van Guy Fawkes tot Weerstand en Cryptos: A Fight for Freedom

De Guy Fawkes a la Resistencia y las Criptomonedas: Una Lucha por la Libertad

מגאי פוקס ועד התנגדות וקריפטוס: מאבק לחופש

ガイ・フォークスからレジスタンス、そして暗号通貨まで：自由のための戦い

ពី Guy Fawkes ទៅ Resistance និង Cryptos: ការប្រយុទ្ធដើម្បីសេរីភាព

Гай Фоукстон Каршылык көрсөтүүгө жана Криптолорго: Эркиндик үчүн күрөш

Avy amin'i Guy Fawkes mankany amin'ny fanoherana sy ny Cryptos: Ady ho an'ny fahafahana

Гай Фоуксаас Эсэргүүцэл ба Крипт: Эрх чөлөөний төлөөх тэмцэл

Od Guya Fawkesa do ruchu oporu i kryptowalut: walka o wolność

De Guy Fawkes à Resistência e Criptomoedas: Uma Luta pela Liberdade

Od Guya Fawkesa k Resistance a kryptomenám: Boj za slobodu

Од Гаја Фокса до отпора и криптоса: борба за слободу

We startup people are metrics junkies—watching conversion rates like stock tickers, hoping some magic number will unlock unicorn status. But none of that matters until people believe you’re big. The best hack? Look like a giant, even if you’re eating ramen in a garage. Perception beats reality. Offline ads are your chance to mess with the narrative—not just to get attention, but to convince people you’re inevitable. Done right, they’re the equivalent of Kanye West interrupting the VMAs—loud, brash, and borderline obnoxious, but with no room to question who’s commanding the room. And in a culture where immediacy is currency, the real trick is making people think you’ve already won before they even notice you’re playing. Offline ads aren’t about feeding the metrics monster, but about altering perception, warping the space between reality and belief. It’s the art of the bluff, psychological warfare that would get Sun-Tzu’s seal of approval. You plaster your name where no one expects it, and suddenly you’re not the scrappy startup—you’re the giant they missed in the newsfeed. Perception is your most powerful weapon, and offline ads are the smoke and mirrors that make your size, your influence, and your legitimacy seem... inevitable. Do offline ads right, and you’ll be playing the system—and reality itself. The best startups don’t wait for numbers to validate them; they manufacture their own grandeur—and by the time people realize it was all part of the act, these companies are already on top. Reddit’s Super Bowl Ad: When a Whisper Makes the Loudest Noise It’s 2021, and Reddit decides to buy a Super Bowl slot that feels more like a transition between ads rather than an actual ad. While giants of advertising threw tens of millions at glitzy, overproduced, celebrity-packed nonsense that pleased more C-suites than the crowd, Reddit spent their $1 million on five seconds of pure audacity. A text-heavy ad that made viewers scramble for their remotes to pause and actually read it. It was the “Leonardo DiCaprio sipping champagne” meme of ads: cool, detached, and oddly genius. Here’s how to make offline ads mess with minds, not metrics. And no, you don’t need a Super Bowl budget. Turn Their Routine Into Your Real Estate Think a giant billboard in Times Square is impressive? That’s tourist bait. It might get likes on LinkedIn (at best), but it won’t close deals. Real power comes from putting your name in front of the exact people who matter, in places they can’t avoid. Example: You’re a fintech startup targeting investment bankers. Ditch the giant downtown billboard. Plant an ad on the commuter train route that brings every CFO into work—smack in front of Penn Station. Every morning, before their first sip of artisanal coffee, they see your brand. They can’t unsee it. By week three, your startup isn’t just a company—it’s the underdog that’s living in their head rent-free. Repetition rewires the brain. Seeing the same ad every day in a place they can't escape isn’t just a coincidence—it’s psychological infiltration. Exposure therapy, but with your brand. Give it some time and you’ll become the mental equivalent of an earworm, and like it or not, they’ve started to believe you’re bigger than you are. This isn’t mass marketing—it’s the "Rick-rolling" of advertising. Trolling 101: Outshine Competitors on Their Own Turf This is where things get deliciously petty. It’s not enough to be seen—you need to be seen in a way that makes your competitors sweat. Try sticking an ad right outside their headquarters. Every time their employees walk by, they’ll see your logo and wonder why you’re suddenly everywhere. You’re not just advertising—you’re asserting dominance. You’re reminding them, every single day, that their territory isn’t just theirs anymore. Example: You’re building a SaaS product that’s going to wipe the floor with your competition. So, what do you do? Place a massive billboard across the street from their office that says, “Ready for software that actually works?” followed by your logo. It’s not subtle, and that’s the point. Every meeting they walk into, your name is hovering in the back of their minds. It’s the "Michael Scott declaring bankruptcy" of ads: loud, embarrassing for them, but effective. Territorial dominance is primal. This is the psychological equivalent of keying their car—not enough to get you arrested, but just enough to make them question their own sense of security. It’s the same reason a stray cat marking its territory drives your pet insane. Be that annoying neighbor who blasts music just low enough to avoid a noise complaint but loud enough to ensure everyone knows who’s boss. Understate To Overwhelm Nothing makes an ad die faster than the stench of effort. Trying too hard is the neon sign of insecurity. Too much text, too many details—it’s like a bad Tinder bio that screams, “Please swipe right.” Nobody remembers the guy who tries too hard; they remember the one who said just enough to unsettle them. You’re not here to educate anyone—you’re here to haunt their subconscious. Example: Forget everything they tell you about a call to action. Picture a black billboard with nothing but the words: “You’re already too late.” No logo, no website, no instructions. Just that tiny seed of dread that makes people second-guess themselves. Don’t sell a product—peddle a moment of self-doubt. Ambiguity is a trap. The mind is allergic to incompleteness, so when you don’t give people the answer, they’ll force themselves to do the heavy lifting, piecing together a story that you didn’t even tell. Don’t spend time baking up a triple layer double chocolate ganache cake—a trail of breadcrumbs will do. The Stranger It Is, The Stronger It Sticks QR codes are the potted plants of advertising. But when a QR code shows up in a place that makes no sense at all, it hijacks your brain’s WTF radar. We have a psychological craving for the weird, because out of place feels important—like a glitch in the Matrix you’re compelled to check. If you’re going to slap a QR code on something, make sure it’s the equivalent of that crackpot uncle at the wedding: everyone’s pretending not to look, but they’re absolutely dying to see what he’ll do next. Example: Imagine a QR code plastered on an empty wall in the middle of a posh office lobby, no context, no logo, just a line underneath that reads: “Scan it… or always wonder what you missed.” That’s a mental grenade, daring people to pull the pin. It’s as unsettling as finding a lonely sock on the street—you don’t want to care, but now you’re spooked by it. Turn banal into bizarre. Pop a QR code somewhere so ludicrous that not scanning it feels like you’re missing out on a cosmic joke. Final Thoughts: Unicorns Aren’t Born, They’re Made Numbers follow stories.
Growth hacking isn’t just about scaling the business—it’s about scaling the legend. Let your competitors obsess over analytics while you build yourself as modern folklore, because everyone remembers the myth before they remember the metrics. Think of it as startup cosplay: you put on the costume of the unicorn before you even have the horn. And if you do it right, people won’t be able to tell the difference between the facade and the reality. Don’t chase growth—write it into existence. We startup people are metrics junkies—watching conversion rates like stock tickers, hoping some magic number will unlock unicorn status. But none of that matters until people believe you’re big . But none of that matters until people believe you’re big until people believe you’re big The best hack? Look like a giant, even if you’re eating ramen in a garage. The best hack? Look like a giant, even if you’re eating ramen in a garage. Look like a giant, even if you’re eating ramen in a garage. Perception beats reality. Offline ads are your chance to mess with the narrative—not just to get attention, but to convince people you’re inevitable. Done right, they’re the equivalent of Kanye West interrupting the VMAs—loud, brash, and borderline obnoxious, but with no room to question who’s commanding the room. And in a culture where immediacy is currency, the real trick is making people think you’ve already won before they even notice you’re playing. Perception beats reality. Offline ads Offline ads aren’t about feeding the metrics monster, but about altering perception , warping the space between reality and belief. It’s the art of the bluff , psychological warfare that would get Sun-Tzu’s seal of approval. You plaster your name where no one expects it, and suddenly you’re not the scrappy startup—you’re the giant they missed in the newsfeed. Perception is your most powerful weapon, and offline ads are the smoke and mirrors that make your size, your influence, and your legitimacy seem... inevitable. altering perception It’s the art of the bluff Perception is your most powerful weapon, and offline ads are the smoke and mirrors that make your size, your influence, and your legitimacy seem... inevitable. Do offline ads right, and you’ll be playing the system—and reality itself. Do offline ads right, and you’ll be playing the system—and reality itself. Do offline ads right, and you’ll be playing the system—and reality itself. The best startups don’t wait for numbers to validate them; they manufacture their own grandeur—and by the time people realize it was all part of the act, these companies are already on top. The best startups don’t wait for numbers to validate them ; they manufacture their own grandeur—and by the time people realize it was all part of the act, these companies are already on top. don’t wait for numbers to validate them Reddit’s Super Bowl Ad: When a Whisper Makes the Loudest Noise It’s 2021, and Reddit decides to buy a Super Bowl slot that feels more like a transition between ads rather than an actual ad. While giants of advertising threw tens of millions at glitzy, overproduced, celebrity-packed nonsense that pleased more C-suites than the crowd, Reddit spent their $1 million on five seconds of pure audacity. A text-heavy ad that made viewers scramble for their remotes to pause and actually read it. It was the “Leonardo DiCaprio sipping champagne” meme of ads: cool, detached, and oddly genius. Here’s how to make offline ads mess with minds, not metrics. And no, you don’t need a Super Bowl budget. Here’s how to make offline ads mess with minds, not metrics. And no, you don’t need a Super Bowl budget . And no, you don’t need a Super Bowl budget Turn Their Routine Into Your Real Estate Turn Their Routine Into Your Real Estate Think a giant billboard in Times Square is impressive? That’s tourist bait. It might get likes on LinkedIn (at best), but it won’t close deals. Real power comes from putting your name in front of the exact people who matter, in places they can’t avoid. Example: You’re a fintech startup targeting investment bankers. Ditch the giant downtown billboard. Plant an ad on the commuter train route that brings every CFO into work—smack in front of Penn Station. Every morning, before their first sip of artisanal coffee, they see your brand. They can’t unsee it. By week three, your startup isn’t just a company—it’s the underdog that’s living in their head rent-free. Example: By week three, your startup isn’t just a company—it’s the underdog that’s living in their head rent-free. Repetition rewires the brain. Seeing the same ad every day in a place they can't escape isn’t just a coincidence—it’s psychological infiltration. Exposure therapy, but with your brand . Give it some time and you’ll become the mental equivalent of an earworm, and like it or not, they’ve started to believe you’re bigger than you are . Repetition rewires the brain. Exposure therapy, but with your brand they’ve started to believe you’re bigger than you are they’ve started to believe you’re bigger than you are This isn’t mass marketing—it’s the "Rick-rolling" of advertising. Trolling 101: Outshine Competitors on Their Own Turf Trolling 101: Outshine Competitors on Their Own Turf This is where things get deliciously petty. It’s not enough to be seen—you need to be seen in a way that makes your competitors sweat. Try sticking an ad right outside their headquarters. Every time their employees walk by, they’ll see your logo and wonder why you’re suddenly everywhere. You’re not just advertising—you’re asserting dominance . You’re reminding them, every single day, that their territory isn’t just theirs anymore. This is where things get deliciously petty. You’re not just advertising—you’re asserting dominance You’re reminding them, every single day, that their territory isn’t just theirs anymore. Example : You’re building a SaaS product that’s going to wipe the floor with your competition. So, what do you do? Place a massive billboard across the street from their office that says, “Ready for software that actually works?” followed by your logo. It’s not subtle, and that’s the point. Every meeting they walk into, your name is hovering in the back of their minds. It’s the "Michael Scott declaring bankruptcy" of ads: loud, embarrassing for them, but effective. Example It’s the "Michael Scott declaring bankruptcy" of ads: loud, embarrassing for them, but effective. It’s the "Michael Scott declaring bankruptcy" of ads: loud, embarrassing for them, but effective. Territorial dominance is primal. This is the psychological equivalent of keying their car—not enough to get you arrested, but just enough to make them question their own sense of security . It’s the same reason a stray cat marking its territory drives your pet insane. Territorial dominance is primal. psychological equivalent of keying their car—not enough to get you arrested, but just enough to make them question their own sense of security Be that annoying neighbor who blasts music just low enough to avoid a noise complaint but loud enough to ensure everyone knows who’s boss. Be that annoying neighbor who blasts music just low enough to avoid a noise complaint but loud enough to ensure everyone knows who’s boss. Understate To Overwhelm Understate To Overwhelm Nothing makes an ad die faster than the stench of effort. Trying too hard is the neon sign of insecurity. Too much text, too many details—it’s like a bad Tinder bio that screams, “Please swipe right.” Nobody remembers the guy who tries too hard; they remember the one who said just enough to unsettle them. You’re not here to educate anyone—you’re here to haunt their subconscious. Nothing makes an ad die faster than the stench of effort. Example: Forget everything they tell you about a call to action. Picture a black billboard with nothing but the words: “You’re already too late.” No logo, no website, no instructions. Just that tiny seed of dread that makes people second-guess themselves. Don’t sell a product—peddle a moment of self-doubt. Example: Don’t sell a product—peddle a moment of self-doubt. Ambiguity is a trap. The mind is allergic to incompleteness , so when you don’t give people the answer, they’ll force themselves to do the heavy lifting, piecing together a story that you didn’t even tell. Don’t spend time baking up a triple layer double chocolate ganache cake—a trail of breadcrumbs will do. Ambiguity is a trap. The mind is allergic to incompleteness incompleteness Don’t spend time baking up a triple layer double chocolate ganache cake—a trail of breadcrumbs will do. The Stranger It Is, The Stronger It Sticks The Stranger It Is, The Stronger It Sticks QR codes are the potted plants of advertising. But when a QR code shows up in a place that makes no sense at all , it hijacks your brain’s WTF radar. We have a psychological craving for the weird, because out of place feels important —like a glitch in the Matrix you’re compelled to check. But when a QR code shows up in a place that makes no sense at all out of place feels important out of place feels important If you’re going to slap a QR code on something, make sure it’s the equivalent of that crackpot uncle at the wedding: everyone’s pretending not to look, but they’re absolutely dying to see what he’ll do next. everyone’s pretending not to look, but they’re absolutely dying to see what he’ll do next. Example: Imagine a QR code plastered on an empty wall in the middle of a posh office lobby, no context, no logo, just a line underneath that reads: “Scan it… or always wonder what you missed.” That’s a mental grenade, daring people to pull the pin. It’s as unsettling as finding a lonely sock on the street— you don’t want to care, but now you’re spooked by it . Example: you don’t want to care, but now you’re spooked by it Turn banal into bizarre. Pop a QR code somewhere so ludicrous that not scanning it feels like you’re missing out on a cosmic joke. Turn banal into bizarre. Final Thoughts: Unicorns Aren’t Born, They’re Made Final Thoughts: Unicorns Aren’t Born, They’re Made Numbers follow stories. Growth hacking isn’t just about scaling the business—it’s about scaling the legend. Let your competitors obsess over analytics while you build yourself as modern folklore, because everyone remembers the myth before they remember the metrics. Numbers follow stories. Numbers follow stories. Growth hacking isn’t just about scaling the business— it’s about scaling the legend . Let your competitors obsess over analytics while you build yourself as modern folklore, because everyone remembers the myth before they remember the metrics . it’s about scaling the legend everyone remembers the myth before they remember the metrics Think of it as startup cosplay : you put on the costume of the unicorn before you even have the horn. And if you do it right, people won’t be able to tell the difference between the facade and the reality. startup cosplay startup cosplay Don’t chase growth—write it into existence. Don’t chase growth—write it into existence.

Scaling Minds, Not Numbers: The Startup Marketing Hack You’re Not Using

Nömrələri deyil, ağılları miqyaslaşdırmaq: İstifadə etmədiyiniz başlanğıc marketinq hacki

স্কেলিং মাইন্ডস, নম্বর নয়: স্টার্টআপ মার্কেটিং হ্যাক আপনি ব্যবহার করছেন না

Skaliranje umova, a ne brojeva: Startup marketinški hak koji ne koristite

Aumentar la mente, no los números: el truco de marketing para startups que no estás usando

Skaliranje umova, a ne brojeva: marketinški hak za startup koji ne koristite

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Skalowanie umysłów, nie liczb: sztuczka marketingowa dla startupów, której nie używasz

පරිමාණ මනස, අංක නොවේ: ඔබ භාවිතා නොකරන ආරම්භක අලෙවිකරණ හැක්

Kuyera Pfungwa, Kwete Nhamba: Iyo Yekutanga Kushambadzira Hack Hausi Kushandisa

การขยายความคิด ไม่ใช่ตัวเลข: กลเม็ดทางการตลาดสำหรับผู้เริ่มต้นที่คุณไม่ได้ใช้

Масштабування розуму, а не цифр: маркетинговий хак для стартапів, яким ви не користуєтеся

Is your Fire TV Stick running slower than it used to be? I’ve been there and know how frustrating it can be. You sit down, ready to binge-watch your favorite show, only to have it ruined by endless buffering and lagging. I used to think it was just my internet connection, but after diving deeper, I discovered it was my FireStick’s settings that were holding things back. After spending some time tweaking a few key settings, the results were instantly noticeable—streaming was smoother, and navigation felt much snappier. Whether it's Amazon’s constant tracking or too many apps hogging system resources, there are several easy adjustments you can make to drastically improve performance. These changes have made all the difference for me, and I’m excited to share them with you so you can enjoy your Fire TV Stick the way it was meant to be. If you're ready to supercharge your device and say goodbye to frustrating streaming issues, stick with me, and let’s dive into the settings you need to change! Update the FireStick One of the simplest yet most important things you can do to keep your FireStick running smoothly is to ensure it’s updated. Just like with your smartphone, regular updates contain performance improvements and bug fixes. How to Update: Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates. If an update is available, install it. I used to have performance issues, but after updating regularly, my device runs much faster. Adjust Privacy Settings Amazon loves to track data, but all that data collection comes at the expense of your device's speed. Disabling unnecessary tracking will reduce the load on your FireStick. Here’s What To Do: Go to Settings > Preferences > Privacy Settings. Turn off Device Usage Data and Collect App Usage Data, and also disable Interest-Based Ads. After disabling these, I noticed my FireStick stopped lagging as much, especially during streaming. Disable Data Monitoring Data monitoring is a feature that tracks how much data your FireStick is using. While it may sound helpful, it consumes valuable system resources. How to Turn it Off: Go to Settings > Preferences > Data Monitoring and toggle it off. After switching this off, I saw a noticeable reduction in buffering during my favorite shows. Turn Off Notifications Every time an app sends you a notification, it takes a little bit of power away from your streaming. Disabling these interruptions can free up resources for a smoother experience. How to Disable Notifications: Go to Settings > Preferences > Notification Settings and turn on Do Not Interrupt. This change made a big difference for me, especially when multiple apps were sending alerts during a movie. Stop Autoplay on Featured Content Are those autoplaying ads and previews at the top of your home screen? They’re killing your bandwidth and slowing down your device. Disabling autoplay helps lighten the load on your FireStick. How to Turn Off Autoplay: Navigate to Settings > Preferences > Featured Content and turn off both Video Autoplay and Audio Autoplay. Once I did this, navigating the home screen felt much snappier. Clear Apps Not in Use Over time, we tend to accumulate a lot of apps we don’t use. These apps take up space and can slow down the FireStick, especially if they run in the background. Clearing them out will free up storage and speed up your device. Steps to Uninstall Unused Apps: Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications. Select the app you no longer use and click Uninstall. I went through and removed all the apps I hadn't touched in months, and the improvement in the performance of my device was instant! Force Stop Background Apps Some apps run in the background even when you’re not using them, consuming memory and slowing down your device. You can stop them to free up resources. How to Force Stop Apps: Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, and choose the app you want to stop. Select Force Stop to halt its background activity. Clear Cache Apps store temporary files that can accumulate over time and slow down your FireStick. Clearing this data can significantly speed things up. How to Clear Cache: Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, select the app, and choose Clear Cache. I do this regularly for apps I don’t use daily, and it really helps. Conclusion By making a few small adjustments, you can give your FireStick a significant performance boost. I used to struggle with constant buffering and slow navigation, but after these simple tweaks, things improved dramatically. Updating the system regularly, managing apps that were hogging resources, and adjusting a few privacy settings did wonders for my streaming experience. Now, my FireStick runs much faster, and buffering issues are almost non-existent. If you’ve been feeling the same frustration with your device, I highly recommend trying out these steps. They made a huge difference for me, and I’d love to hear how they work for you! Is your Fire TV Stick running slower than it used to be? I’ve been there and know how frustrating it can be. You sit down, ready to binge-watch your favorite show, only to have it ruined by endless buffering and lagging. I used to think it was just my internet connection, but after diving deeper, I discovered it was my FireStick’s settings that were holding things back. After spending some time tweaking a few key settings, the results were instantly noticeable—streaming was smoother, and navigation felt much snappier. Whether it's Amazon’s constant tracking or too many apps hogging system resources, there are several easy adjustments you can make to drastically improve performance. These changes have made all the difference for me, and I’m excited to share them with you so you can enjoy your Fire TV Stick the way it was meant to be. Fire TV Stick If you're ready to supercharge your device and say goodbye to frustrating streaming issues, stick with me, and let’s dive into the settings you need to change! Update the FireStick One of the simplest yet most important things you can do to keep your FireStick running smoothly is to ensure it’s updated. Just like with your smartphone, regular updates contain performance improvements and bug fixes. How to Update: Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates . If an update is available, install it. I used to have performance issues, but after updating regularly, my device runs much faster. Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates Adjust Privacy Settings Amazon loves to track data, but all that data collection comes at the expense of your device's speed. Disabling unnecessary tracking will reduce the load on your FireStick. Here’s What To Do: Go to Settings > Preferences > Privacy Settings . Turn off Device Usage Data and Collect App Usage Data, and also disable Interest-Based Ads. After disabling these, I noticed my FireStick stopped lagging as much, especially during streaming. Settings > Preferences > Privacy Settings Disable Data Monitoring Data monitoring is a feature that tracks how much data your FireStick is using. While it may sound helpful, it consumes valuable system resources. How to Turn it Off: Go to Settings > Preferences > Data Monitoring and toggle it off. After switching this off, I saw a noticeable reduction in buffering during my favorite shows. Settings > Preferences > Data Monitoring Turn Off Notifications Every time an app sends you a notification, it takes a little bit of power away from your streaming. Disabling these interruptions can free up resources for a smoother experience. How to Disable Notifications: Go to Settings > Preferences > Notification Settings and turn on Do Not Interrupt. This change made a big difference for me, especially when multiple apps were sending alerts during a movie. Settings > Preferences > Notification Settings Stop Autoplay on Featured Content Are those autoplaying ads and previews at the top of your home screen? They’re killing your bandwidth and slowing down your device. Disabling autoplay helps lighten the load on your FireStick. How to Turn Off Autoplay: Navigate to Settings > Preferences > Featured Content and turn off both Video Autoplay and Audio Autoplay. Once I did this, navigating the home screen felt much snappier. Settings > Preferences > Featured Content Clear Apps Not in Use Over time, we tend to accumulate a lot of apps we don’t use. These apps take up space and can slow down the FireStick, especially if they run in the background. Clearing them out will free up storage and speed up your device. Steps to Uninstall Unused Apps: Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications . Select the app you no longer use and click Uninstall. I went through and removed all the apps I hadn't touched in months, and the improvement in the performance of my device was instant! Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications Force Stop Background Apps Some apps run in the background even when you’re not using them, consuming memory and slowing down your device. You can stop them to free up resources. How to Force Stop Apps: Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications , and choose the app you want to stop. Select Force Stop to halt its background activity. Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications Clear Cache Apps store temporary files that can accumulate over time and slow down your FireStick. Clearing this data can significantly speed things up. How to Clear Cache: Go to S ettings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications , select the app, and choose Clear Cache. I do this regularly for apps I don’t use daily, and it really helps. ettings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications Conclusion By making a few small adjustments, you can give your FireStick a significant performance boost. I used to struggle with constant buffering and slow navigation, but after these simple tweaks, things improved dramatically. Updating the system regularly, managing apps that were hogging resources, and adjusting a few privacy settings did wonders for my streaming experience. Now, my FireStick runs much faster, and buffering issues are almost non-existent. If you’ve been feeling the same frustration with your device, I highly recommend trying out these steps. They made a huge difference for me, and I’d love to hear how they work for you!

Is Your Fire TV Stick Slowing Down? Here’s How to Fix It

In my current and previous startups, I’ve experienced firsthand the profound impact of timing, both good and poor, and how shifting conditions can dramatically change a business’s trajectory. I’ve seen how timing can influence our outcomes and learned what we did to mitigate its effects. I’ll share examples from my previous companies: my current startup, Withluna.ai, was launched at the beginning of 2023 amid widespread budget cuts and downsizing across tech startups and companies. In 2011, Namshi.com (a Rocket Internet venture) was one of the first large-scale e-commerce platforms in the GCC countries, an emerging market with limited experience in online shopping. To founders and product leaders: while the product, team, and market are all crucial, timing often has an outsized impact on whether a startup succeeds or fails. Poor timing affects sales and traction, shortens runway, and, if unaddressed, can break even the strongest startups. Because timing is often overlooked, I wanted to share my experience and perspective on this critical topic. Why does startup and product timing matter? In his well-known TED talk Bill Gross identified timing as the #1 factor impacting startup success, surpassing team and execution. Similarly, Marc Andreessen has said that the right startup idea will eventually succeed, but it’s a “massive question of timing”: a16z on timing. Startup founders can identify proxies for assessing timing, such as: Market readiness: is the market ready for your product? At Namshi’s inception, many users called to ask about our physical shop location or how to shop online, indicating unfamiliarity with e-commerce.
User behaviour and trends: these can create unique timing opportunities. For example, the shift to remote work during COVID-19 created perfect conditions for Zoom’s growth.
New regulations: regulatory changes can either enable opportunities or present significant obstacles. Understanding these shifts is essential to timing strategy. In their article “Why startup timing is everything”, NfX introduced the “Critical Mass Theory of Startups”, which suggests a tipping point where a product or market undergoes rapid transformation. This critical mass is reached when three minimum preconditions align: Economic impetus


Enabling technology


Cultural acceptance This framework helps founders visualize the timing landscape: Countless startups have had similar ideas, but the when, the timing of their launch, played a decisive role in their success or failure. How can founders assess and mitigate timing? Start small and test market readiness: launch an MVP or pilot to gauge interest without overcommitting. Try to win early paying customers, who are a stronger indication of demand than a large volume of non-committed feedback.

Dropbox famously launched with an MVP video that attracted 70,000 signups, building the confidence to move forward Focus on early adopters first: target a niche audience likely to embrace your product early. As Peter Thiel puts it, “In order for you to succeed in a competitive environment, you need to do something that others cannot. You need to be 10x better or solving a unique problem which means starting in a very small market.”

Slack launched for tech teams first, refining its value before expanding to a broader market. Be ready to pivot or persevere: if timing feels off, adjust based on feedback or refine your product until the market aligns.

At Namshi, we introduced a “cash on delivery” option to support first-time online shoppers, which ended up being used by more than 75% of our users. Stay updated on trends and external shifts: monitor market trends, regulations, and user behavior to adapt as needed.

Shopify initially launched as an online store for snowboarding equipment. However, when they noticed a demand for e-commerce tools, they pivoted to become a platform for other entrepreneurs to set up their online shops Plan a phased rollout: instead of going all-in at launch, consider a phased rollout that introduces your product gradually, allowing you to build traction and test assumptions as you grow.

Airbnb first targeted conference attendees in specific cities, then gradually expanded as it gained traction. This helped them gather user feedback and led to product and offering adjustments.
At Luna, we are following Airbnb’s founder, Brian Chesky’s mantra, “If you launch and no one notices, you can actually just keep launching,” Many great startups and products were launched too early to too late, impacting their potential for success and leaving them vulnerable to competitors who got the timing right. Persevering without adapting to poor timing can affect your strategy, team morale, and runway, reinforcing the need for timing awareness and mitigation. Whether you’re a founder or a product leader, considering timing as a core factor will greatly increase the quality and impact of your launches. In my current and previous startups, I’ve experienced firsthand the profound impact of timing, both good and poor, and how shifting conditions can dramatically change a business’s trajectory. I’ve seen how timing can influence our outcomes and learned what we did to mitigate its effects. I’ll share examples from my previous companies: my current startup, Withluna.ai , was launched at the beginning of 2023 amid widespread budget cuts and downsizing across tech startups and companies. In 2011, Namshi.com (a Rocket Internet venture) was one of the first large-scale e-commerce platforms in the GCC countries, an emerging market with limited experience in online shopping. Withluna.ai Namshi.com To founders and product leaders: while the product, team, and market are all crucial, timing often has an outsized impact on whether a startup succeeds or fails. Poor timing affects sales and traction, shortens runway, and, if unaddressed, can break even the strongest startups. Because timing is often overlooked, I wanted to share my experience and perspective on this critical topic. Why does startup and product timing matter? In his well-known TED talk Bill Gross identified timing as the #1 factor impacting startup success, surpassing team and execution. Similarly, Marc Andreessen has said that the right startup idea will eventually succeed, but it’s a “massive question of timing”: a16z on timing . TED talk TED talk a16z on timing a16z on timing Startup founders can identify proxies for assessing timing, such as: Market readiness: is the market ready for your product? At Namshi’s inception, many users called to ask about our physical shop location or how to shop online, indicating unfamiliarity with e-commerce. User behaviour and trends: these can create unique timing opportunities. For example, the shift to remote work during COVID-19 created perfect conditions for Zoom’s growth. New regulations: regulatory changes can either enable opportunities or present significant obstacles. Understanding these shifts is essential to timing strategy. Market readiness: is the market ready for your product? At Namshi’s inception, many users called to ask about our physical shop location or how to shop online, indicating unfamiliarity with e-commerce. Market readiness: User behaviour and trends: these can create unique timing opportunities. For example, the shift to remote work during COVID-19 created perfect conditions for Zoom’s growth. User behaviour and trends: New regulations: regulatory changes can either enable opportunities or present significant obstacles. Understanding these shifts is essential to timing strategy. New regulations: In their article “ Why startup timing is everything ”, NfX introduced the “Critical Mass Theory of Startups”, which suggests a tipping point where a product or market undergoes rapid transformation. This critical mass is reached when three minimum preconditions align: Why startup timing is everything Why startup timing is everything Economic impetus Enabling technology Cultural acceptance Economic impetus Economic impetus Enabling technology Enabling technology Cultural acceptance Cultural acceptance This framework helps founders visualize the timing landscape: Countless startups have had similar ideas, but the when , the timing of their launch, played a decisive role in their success or failure. when How can founders assess and mitigate timing? Start small and test market readiness: launch an MVP or pilot to gauge interest without overcommitting. Try to win early paying customers, who are a stronger indication of demand than a large volume of non-committed feedback.

Dropbox famously launched with an MVP video that attracted 70,000 signups, building the confidence to move forward Start small and test market readiness: launch an MVP or pilot to gauge interest without overcommitting. Try to win early paying customers, who are a stronger indication of demand than a large volume of non-committed feedback. Dropbox famously launched with an MVP video that attracted 70,000 signups, building the confidence to move forward Start small and test market readiness: Dropbox famously launched with an MVP video that attracted 70,000 signups, building the confidence to move forward Dropbox famously launched with an MVP video that attracted 70,000 signups, building the confidence to move forward Focus on early adopters first: target a niche audience likely to embrace your product early. As Peter Thiel puts it, “In order for you to succeed in a competitive environment, you need to do something that others cannot. You need to be 10x better or solving a unique problem which means starting in a very small market.”

Slack launched for tech teams first, refining its value before expanding to a broader market. Focus on early adopters first: target a niche audience likely to embrace your product early. As Peter Thiel puts it, “In order for you to succeed in a competitive environment, you need to do something that others cannot. You need to be 10x better or solving a unique problem which means starting in a very small market.” Slack launched for tech teams first, refining its value before expanding to a broader market. Focus on early adopters first: Slack launched for tech teams first, refining its value before expanding to a broader market. Slack launched for tech teams first, refining its value before expanding to a broader market. Be ready to pivot or persevere: if timing feels off, adjust based on feedback or refine your product until the market aligns.

At Namshi, we introduced a “cash on delivery” option to support first-time online shoppers, which ended up being used by more than 75% of our users. Be ready to pivot or persevere: if timing feels off, adjust based on feedback or refine your product until the market aligns. At Namshi, we introduced a “cash on delivery” option to support first-time online shoppers, which ended up being used by more than 75% of our users. Be ready to pivot or persevere: At Namshi, we introduced a “cash on delivery” option to support first-time online shoppers, which ended up being used by more than 75% of our users. At Namshi, we introduced a “cash on delivery” option to support first-time online shoppers, which ended up being used by more than 75% of our users. Stay updated on trends and external shifts: monitor market trends, regulations, and user behavior to adapt as needed.

Shopify initially launched as an online store for snowboarding equipment. However, when they noticed a demand for e-commerce tools, they pivoted to become a platform for other entrepreneurs to set up their online shops Stay updated on trends and external shifts: monitor market trends, regulations, and user behavior to adapt as needed. Shopify initially launched as an online store for snowboarding equipment. However, when they noticed a demand for e-commerce tools, they pivoted to become a platform for other entrepreneurs to set up their online shops Stay updated on trends and external shifts: Shopify initially launched as an online store for snowboarding equipment. However, when they noticed a demand for e-commerce tools, they pivoted to become a platform for other entrepreneurs to set up their online shops Shopify initially launched as an online store for snowboarding equipment. However, when they noticed a demand for e-commerce tools, they pivoted to become a platform for other entrepreneurs to set up their online shops Plan a phased rollout: instead of going all-in at launch, consider a phased rollout that introduces your product gradually, allowing you to build traction and test assumptions as you grow.

Airbnb first targeted conference attendees in specific cities, then gradually expanded as it gained traction. This helped them gather user feedback and led to product and offering adjustments.
At Luna, we are following Airbnb’s founder, Brian Chesky’s mantra, “If you launch and no one notices, you can actually just keep launching,” Plan a phased rollout: instead of going all-in at launch, consider a phased rollout that introduces your product gradually, allowing you to build traction and test assumptions as you grow. Airbnb first targeted conference attendees in specific cities, then gradually expanded as it gained traction. This helped them gather user feedback and led to product and offering adjustments.
At Luna, we are following Airbnb’s founder, Brian Chesky’s mantra, “If you launch and no one notices, you can actually just keep launching,” Plan a phased rollout: Airbnb first targeted conference attendees in specific cities, then gradually expanded as it gained traction. This helped them gather user feedback and led to product and offering adjustments. At Luna, we are following Airbnb’s founder, Brian Chesky’s mantra, “If you launch and no one notices, you can actually just keep launching,” Airbnb first targeted conference attendees in specific cities, then gradually expanded as it gained traction. This helped them gather user feedback and led to product and offering adjustments. At Luna, we are following Airbnb’s founder, Brian Chesky’s mantra, “If you launch and no one notices, you can actually just keep launching,” Many great startups and products were launched too early to too late, impacting their potential for success and leaving them vulnerable to competitors who got the timing right. Persevering without adapting to poor timing can affect your strategy, team morale, and runway, reinforcing the need for timing awareness and mitigation. Whether you’re a founder or a product leader, considering timing as a core factor will greatly increase the quality and impact of your launches.

Timing is Important for Startups and Product Launches

স্টার্টআপ এবং পণ্য লঞ্চের জন্য সময় গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

Tajming je važan za pokretanje i lansiranje proizvoda

El tiempo es importante para las empresas emergentes y los lanzamientos de productos

Le timing est important pour les startups et les lancements de produits

Ժամանակը կարևոր է նորաստեղծ ձեռնարկությունների և արտադրանքի թողարկման համար

スタートアップと製品の発売にはタイミングが重要

Laiks ir svarīgs jaunuzņēmumiem un produktu izlaišanai

Тајмингот е важен за стартапи и лансирање производи

Время важно для стартапов и запуска продуктов

ආරම්භක සහ නිෂ්පාදන දියත් කිරීම් සඳහා කාලය වැදගත් වේ

Mahalaga ang Timing para sa Mga Startup at Paglulunsad ng Produkto

آغاز اور پروڈکٹ کے آغاز کے لیے وقت اہم ہے۔

Artificial Minds, Human Consequences: Explaining AI’s Impact on Our Education, Cognition, and More

This is likely one of the most polemical issues we’ll find in the cypherpunk arena. Do you think murder is fine, under the right circumstances? At least we know that 54 countries think it’s a fair punishment for the most dangerous criminals. Jim Bell, a renowned crypto-anarchist, seems to think it’s justified against hated and corrupted political figures, and that’s how he came up with Assassination Politics (AP) —a would-be private assassination market. But let’s talk a bit about James Dalton Bell first. He was born in 1958 in Akron, Ohio (US), and later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a degree in chemistry. After graduating, he worked as an electrical engineer at Intel before starting his own company, SemiDisk Systems, in 1982, which specialized in computer storage devices. When the company closed in 1992, Bell developed a strong dislike for financial and tax issues —which would prove almost prophetical for him years later. Politically, he leaned toward anarcho-libertarian views and was involved with the Libertarian Party. His growing distrust of government led him to explore bold and controversial ideas, including the concept of a very unique prediction market. Assassination Politics This essay, published in 1996, outlines a controversial idea where people could anonymously contribute money to “predict” the death of specific government officials. It would function by leveraging encryption and digital cash to create a highly secure and anonymous prediction market. Participants would make predictions about the death of a listed target by submitting an encrypted guess, accompanied by a payment in digital cash. The prediction would be encrypted twice: the outer layer containing the digital cash is decrypted by the organization or administrators behind the market, while the inner layer, holding the prediction details, remains secure and known only to the predictor. If the prediction comes true, the predictor submits the decryption key, proving the accuracy of their guess, and receives the reward through an encrypted and untraceable digital cash transaction. Then, they can “gift” this reward to anyone —including an assassin. The entire process ensures that neither the organization nor any other party can trace the identity of the predictor or link it to the outcome, effectively safeguarding all parties involved from legal and investigative scrutiny. All of this was hypothetical, though. There wasn’t the proper technology for it back then. With the advent of smart contracts and cryptocurrencies, such a system could theoretically be implemented more securely today. A smart contract could automatically pay out a reward to someone who successfully predicts a specific event, like the death of a targeted official. The smart contract would ensure that no one needs to know who the predictor is, as the entire process would be automated and anonymous. A modern attempt to bring Bell’s idea to life was the Assassination Market, created by a pseudonymous figure known as Kuwabatake Sanjuro, but it wasn’t quite the same system, and not a prediction market at all. This platform allowed users to contribute bitcoins toward bounties on the heads of government officials. It’s unclear if it ever worked. Politics of Destruction The economics author Robert Murphy debated Bell’s proposal in his own essay, titled Politics of Destruction, published in 2002. Murphy argued that, despite its technological appeal, Assasination Politics is fundamentally flawed and impractical. His claims about administrators potentially pocketing funds or deceiving participants could be easily contented today with the existence of smart contracts and decentralized networks. However, Murphy also emphasizes the potential societal dangers of AP. If implemented, the system could lead to widespread violence, as it doesn’t limit targets to oppressive politicians but could be used against anyone, including ordinary individuals. This would create a chaotic environment where assassination becomes commonplace, undermining core values of property rights and personal safety that are crucial for a stable society —even for crypto-anarchists. In essence, Murphy contends that even if technical challenges were addressed, AP's ideological implications make it a perilous idea. He believes that its adoption could lead to the downfall of modern civilization and contradict the libertarian principles of a just and free society, as it would foster a world where violence and insecurity overshadow respect for individual rights. Bell’s Legal Saga As anyone could imagine, this essay put Bell on the radar of the authorities. Following an investigation by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 1997, Bell faced charges of tax evasion and misuse of Social Security numbers, leading to an 11-month prison sentence. After his release in 2000, Bell claimed widespread government corruption in his case, initiating a lawsuit in 2003, which triggered further legal complications. He was rearrested on charges of harassment and stalking of federal agents, resulting in a decade-long imprisonment. Bell's subsequent lawsuits alleged severe procedural misconduct by federal authorities. He accused the government of orchestrating an assault by a fellow inmate to intimidate him and claimed that court records were falsified to obstruct justice. Bell also protested the legality of surveillance measures, alleging that the government planted a GPS tracker on his car without proper warrants (which was proven right in the trial), violating his constitutional rights. His defense contended that these actions were part of a broader scheme to undermine his legal and civil liberties. Bell was eventually released in March 2012. All these issues haven’t stopped his AP activities however. In 2017, he announced the “Jim Bell Project” at the Paralelni Polis convention in Prague. He plans “to adopt a new [AP-like] system to completely eliminate all wars, all militaries, all taxes, and all government-sponsored violence,” with the help of worldwide volunteers and donors. Prediction Markets Assassination Politics was frequently discussed by cypherpunks, with mixed opinions. Trying to discern if this would be a good or a terrible idea could likely take a whole book, so we’ll leave it as food for thought. However, it’s important to note that prediction markets on decentralized platforms, like the one described by Bell, actually exist already. Even if the most common predictions don’t involve anyone’s death. Prediction markets in crypto are like online betting pools where people place bets on the outcomes of future events using cryptocurrency. Imagine a marketplace where you can wager on (non-deadly) things like election candidates, football results, or price breakthroughs. Participants buy and sell shares or tokens linked to different outcomes, and the prices of these shares reflect the collective predictions of the market. The idea is that the wisdom of the crowd can provide accurate forecasts, while the platform provides rewards to its users. Obyte, indeed, has its own decentralized prediction market based on bonding curves: Prophet. On this platform, participants are given options to bet on various event outcomes, such as Yes, No, or, for some events, Draw, each represented by a distinct token with an initial worth. These tokens can be traded, but their values fluctuate to reflect the changing probabilities as the event approaches and the market incorporates new information. In addition, users can also participate in liquidity mining. Common bets on Prophet include price predictions and football games, and the whole process eliminates middlemen. Maybe it’s not quite like what Bell had in mind, but we can still bet privately for a whole world of possibilities. Read more from Cypherpunks Write Code series:

Tim May & Crypto-anarchism
Wei Dai & B-money
Nick Szabo & Smart Contracts
Adam Back & Hashcash
Eric Hughes & Remailer
St Jude & Community Memory
Julian Assange & Wikileaks
Hal Finney & RPOW
John Gilmore & EFF
Satoshi Nakamoto & Bitcoin
Gregory Maxwell & Bitcoin Core
David Chaum & Ecash Featured Vector Image by Garry Killian / Freepik
Image of Jim Bell by All Hacking Cons / Paralelni Polis This is likely one of the most polemical issues we’ll find in the cypherpunk arena. Do you think murder is fine, under the right circumstances? At least we know that 54 countries think it’s a fair punishment for the most dangerous criminals. Jim Bell, a renowned crypto-anarchist, seems to think it’s justified against hated and corrupted political figures, and that’s how he came up with Assassination Politics (AP) —a would-be private assassination market. But let’s talk a bit about James Dalton Bell first. He was born in 1958 in Akron, Ohio (US), and later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a degree in chemistry . After graduating, he worked as an electrical engineer at Intel before starting his own company, SemiDisk Systems, in 1982, which specialized in computer storage devices. He was born in 1958 in Akron, Ohio (US), and later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a degree in chemistry When the company closed in 1992, Bell developed a strong dislike for financial and tax issues —which would prove almost prophetical for him years later. Politically, he leaned toward anarcho-libertarian views and was involved with the Libertarian Party. His growing distrust of government led him to explore bold and controversial ideas, including the concept of a very unique prediction market. Assassination Politics This essay, published in 1996, outlines a controversial idea where people could anonymously contribute money to “predict” the death of specific government officials. It would function by leveraging encryption and digital cash to create a highly secure and anonymous prediction market. Participants would make predictions about the death of a listed target by submitting an encrypted guess, accompanied by a payment in digital cash. This essay, published in 1996, outlines a controversial idea where people could anonymously contribute money to “predict” the death of specific government officials. The prediction would be encrypted twice: the outer layer containing the digital cash is decrypted by the organization or administrators behind the market, while the inner layer, holding the prediction details, remains secure and known only to the predictor. If the prediction comes true, the predictor submits the decryption key, proving the accuracy of their guess, and receives the reward through an encrypted and untraceable digital cash transaction. Then, they can “gift” this reward to anyone —including an assassin. The prediction The prediction The entire process ensures that neither the organization nor any other party can trace the identity of the predictor or link it to the outcome, effectively safeguarding all parties involved from legal and investigative scrutiny. All of this was hypothetical, though. There wasn’t the proper technology for it back then. With the advent of smart contracts and cryptocurrencies, such a system could theoretically be implemented more securely today. A smart contract could automatically pay out a reward to someone who successfully predicts a specific event, like the death of a targeted official. The smart contract would ensure that no one needs to know who the predictor is, as the entire process would be automated and anonymous. With the advent of smart contracts and cryptocurrencies, such a system could theoretically be implemented more securely today. A modern attempt to bring Bell’s idea to life was the Assassination Market , created by a pseudonymous figure known as Kuwabatake Sanjuro, but it wasn’t quite the same system, and not a prediction market at all. This platform allowed users to contribute bitcoins toward bounties on the heads of government officials. It’s unclear if it ever worked. Assassination Market Assassination Market Politics of Destruction The economics author Robert Murphy debated Bell’s proposal in his own essay, titled Politics of Destruction , published in 2002. Murphy argued that, despite its technological appeal, Assasination Politics is fundamentally flawed and impractical. His claims about administrators potentially pocketing funds or deceiving participants could be easily contented today with the existence of smart contracts and decentralized networks. Politics of Destruction Politics of Destruction However, Murphy also emphasizes the potential societal dangers of AP. If implemented, the system could lead to widespread violence, as it doesn’t limit targets to oppressive politicians but could be used against anyone, including ordinary individuals . This would create a chaotic environment where assassination becomes commonplace, undermining core values of property rights and personal safety that are crucial for a stable society —even for crypto-anarchists. If implemented, the system could lead to widespread violence, as it doesn’t limit targets to oppressive politicians but could be used against anyone, including ordinary individuals In essence, Murphy contends that even if technical challenges were addressed, AP's ideological implications make it a perilous idea. He believes that its adoption could lead to the downfall of modern civilization and contradict the libertarian principles of a just and free society, as it would foster a world where violence and insecurity overshadow respect for individual rights. Bell’s Legal Saga As anyone could imagine, this essay put Bell on the radar of the authorities. Following an investigation by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 1997, Bell faced charges of tax evasion and misuse of Social Security numbers, leading to an 11-month prison sentence. After his release in 2000, Bell claimed widespread government corruption in his case, initiating a lawsuit in 2003, which triggered further legal complications. He was rearrested on charges of harassment and stalking of federal agents, resulting in a decade-long imprisonment. Bell's subsequent lawsuits alleged severe procedural misconduct by federal authorities. He accused the government of orchestrating an assault by a fellow inmate to intimidate him and claimed that court records were falsified to obstruct justice. Bell also protested the legality of surveillance measures, alleging that the government planted a GPS tracker on his car without proper warrants (which was proven right in the trial), violating his constitutional rights. His defense contended that these actions were part of a broader scheme to undermine his legal and civil liberties. Bell's subsequent lawsuits alleged severe procedural misconduct by federal authorities. alleged alleged was proven right was proven right Bell was eventually released in March 2012. All these issues haven’t stopped his AP activities however. In 2017, he announced the “ Jim Bell Project ” at the Paralelni Polis convention in Prague. He plans “to adopt a new [AP-like] system to completely eliminate all wars, all militaries, all taxes, and all government-sponsored violence,” with the help of worldwide volunteers and donors. Jim Bell Project Jim Bell Project Prediction Markets Assassination Politics was frequently discussed by cypherpunks, with mixed opinions . Trying to discern if this would be a good or a terrible idea could likely take a whole book, so we’ll leave it as food for thought. However, it’s important to note that prediction markets on decentralized platforms, like the one described by Bell, actually exist already. Even if the most common predictions don’t involve anyone’s death. with mixed opinions with mixed opinions Prediction markets in crypto are like online betting pools where people place bets on the outcomes of future events using cryptocurrency. Imagine a marketplace where you can wager on (non-deadly) things like election candidates, football results, or price breakthroughs. Participants buy and sell shares or tokens linked to different outcomes, and the prices of these shares reflect the collective predictions of the market. The idea is that the wisdom of the crowd can provide accurate forecasts, while the platform provides rewards to its users. Prediction markets in crypto are like online betting pools where people place bets on the outcomes of future events using cryptocurrency. Obyte , indeed, has its own decentralized prediction market based on bonding curves: Prophet . On this platform, participants are given options to bet on various event outcomes, such as Yes, No, or, for some events, Draw, each represented by a distinct token with an initial worth. These tokens can be traded, but their values fluctuate to reflect the changing probabilities as the event approaches and the market incorporates new information. In addition, users can also participate in liquidity mining. Obyte Obyte Prophet Prophet Common bets on Prophet include price predictions and football games, and the whole process eliminates middlemen. Maybe it’s not quite like what Bell had in mind, but we can still bet privately for a whole world of possibilities. Read more from Cypherpunks Write Code series: Tim May & Crypto-anarchism
Wei Dai & B-money
Nick Szabo & Smart Contracts
Adam Back & Hashcash
Eric Hughes & Remailer
St Jude & Community Memory
Julian Assange & Wikileaks
Hal Finney & RPOW
John Gilmore & EFF
Satoshi Nakamoto & Bitcoin
Gregory Maxwell & Bitcoin Core
David Chaum & Ecash Read more from Cypherpunks Write Code series: Tim May & Crypto-anarchism Wei Dai & B-money Nick Szabo & Smart Contracts Adam Back & Hashcash Eric Hughes & Remailer St Jude & Community Memory Julian Assange & Wikileaks Hal Finney & RPOW John Gilmore & EFF Satoshi Nakamoto & Bitcoin Gregory Maxwell & Bitcoin Core David Chaum & Ecash Tim May & Crypto-anarchism Tim May & Crypto-anarchism Tim May & Crypto-anarchism Tim May & Crypto-anarchism Wei Dai & B-money Wei Dai & B-money Wei Dai & B-money Wei Dai & B-money Nick Szabo & Smart Contracts Nick Szabo & Smart Contracts Nick Szabo & Smart Contracts Nick Szabo & Smart Contracts Adam Back & Hashcash Adam Back & Hashcash Adam Back & Hashcash Adam Back & Hashcash Eric Hughes & Remailer Eric Hughes & Remailer Eric Hughes & Remailer Eric Hughes & Remailer St Jude & Community Memory St Jude & Community Memory St Jude & Community Memory St Jude & Community Memory Julian Assange & Wikileaks Julian Assange & Wikileaks Julian Assange & Wikileaks Julian Assange & Wikileaks Hal Finney & RPOW Hal Finney & RPOW Hal Finney & RPOW Hal Finney & RPOW John Gilmore & EFF John Gilmore & EFF John Gilmore & EFF John Gilmore & EFF Satoshi Nakamoto & Bitcoin Satoshi Nakamoto & Bitcoin Satoshi Nakamoto & Bitcoin Satoshi Nakamoto & Bitcoin Gregory Maxwell & Bitcoin Core Gregory Maxwell & Bitcoin Core Gregory Maxwell & Bitcoin Core Gregory Maxwell & Bitcoin Core David Chaum & Ecash David Chaum & Ecash David Chaum & Ecash Featured Vector Image by Garry Killian / Freepik Image of Jim Bell by All Hacking Cons / Paralelni Polis Featured Vector Image by Garry Killian / Freepik Freepik Freepik Image of Jim Bell by All Hacking Cons / Paralelni Polis All Hacking Cons All Hacking Cons

Cypherpunks Write Code: Jim Bell & Assassination Politics

Шыфрапанкі пішуць код: Джым Бэл і палітыка забойстваў

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