Moon Mag #44

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When the Market Gets Boring, We Kick Back Smarter, I’m Lisa N Edwards Founder, GettingStartedInCrypto.com & The Moon Mag and a few others…

Trader 25 plus years(Shhh I sound old) | Builder | Still Waiting for That Weekly Candle to Close Higher I’m hilarious, I know, but let’s be real. The crypto market right now is like that one friend who promises a wild night out and ends up falling asleep by 9 p.m. Oops, that’s me. Sideways price action. Shrinking volatility. More red than green candles (and not the good kind). If you’ve been staring at the charts like me, waiting for something exciting to happen, you’re not alone.

A note from Lisa

But here’s the truth: boring markets build millionaires. This is where the smart money accumulates, where narratives quietly shift, and where patient traders, not impulsive ones, prepare for the next leg up. And while we wait, there’s absolutely no harm in kicking your feet up and diving into some high-signal reading.

That’s where The Moon Mag comes in. In this month’s issue, we’re tackling the narratives that are bubbling just below the surface of this sleepy market:

Editorial

TikTok Onchain: Is the Web3 Social Media Narrative Making a Comeback? Forget algorithm games and shadowbans, Web3 social is stirring again. Platforms are emerging that give creators ownership, users data rights, and advertisers actual transparency. The TikTok era isn’t dying, it’s evolving on-chain.

World Mobile: The Dawn of a Decentralised Telecom RevolutionYou thought blockchain was just for finance? Think again. World Mobile is doing what telcos won’t, using blockchain infrastructure to bring connectivity to underserved regions. A decentralised future isn't just digital; it’s physical.

Pi Network: Real or Meme?

The Pi Network has been sitting quietly in the background, amassing a user base like it’s building a small nation. But is it the next big thing, or just a slow burn meme project? We take a look under the hood.

Trade Smarter While You Chill - Want something more actionable while the market naps? We’ve got FREE trading signals and educational content via GettingStartedInCrypto.com. Our signals are perfect for both beginners and seasoned traders looking for guidance during this "meh" season. It's part of our mission to help everyday people build wealth and confidence in the crypto space. https://gettingstartedincrypto.com/premium-signals-withphemex/

No Telegram spam. No paid groups. Just clean, clear, and consistent signals.

So yeah, the market might be boring, but your mindset, education, and portfolio don’t have to be.

Breathe. Stretch. Read. Learn.

And when things finally heat up again (because they always do), you’ll be glad you didn’t just scroll TikTok waiting for Bitcoin to pump, you built the skills and knowledge to ride the wave like a pro.

Until next time, Lisa x

A note from Josh

The 44th issue of the Moon Mag brings you, yet again, a super collection of fascinating articles all revolving around crypto. The thing is, crypto isn't just a collection of digital coins.

That's where most people stop with their assumptions. I've often heard others confess, 'Oh, digital currency? Don't ask me....' and a wave of their arms to signal a surrender of their limited knowledge on the subject and an end to that conversation. Like many things, if we invest a little bit more time than usual, if we become a little bit more curious about things and give them a chance, they often reveal astonishing insights and niches within niches.

On the face of it, this magazine is about digital coins, but have a look at some of the contents in this issue (and previous ones!) and you'll find a myriad of other niches and how they tie in to our 'digital coins'. Inside, you'll explore how concepts like entropy affect digital coins and trading, how social media immerses itself with digital coins, how retail has designed products around digital coins and, of course, a deep dive into some actual digital coins too! Plus loads more.

Enjoy the Moon Mag and be curious!

SUMMARY

TRADERS PERSPECTIVE

Entropy in Trading 10

World Mobile and the Dawn of a Decentralized Telecom Revolution 19

Sonic and the $S Token A Definitive Guide 27

TikTok Onchain 41

CRYPTO VS. AI 50

Bitcoin Reserve Strategy 57

Deep Dive: Pi Network

68

The Layer-2 Revolution 81

Top Crypto Wallets to HODL Your 2025 Moonshots

88

Crypto vs. Human Nature 95

SPONSORS

We are incredibly grateful to the following sponsors for their support. We run a ‘Sponsor A Writer’ campaign where crypto projects take part in an altruistic act of sponsoring our talented writers. By doing so, they play a crucial role in keeping the crypto economy alive and thriving, not only for our readership, but for the writers who provide the awesome articles.

DISCLAIMER All the content provided for you as part of the Moon Mag has been researched thoroughly and to the best of our ability however it is your choice, and your choice only, whether you wish to invest or participate in any of the projects. We cannot be held responsible for your decisions and the consequences of your actions. We do not provide financial advice. Please DYOR and above all, enjoy the content!

CONTRIBUTORS Daniel Daniel has been a blockchain technology evangelist since 2012 and is a faithful believer in the Crypto ecosystem. Daniel also writes for Coin Telegraph!

Samantha Freelance journalist dedicated to digital media, enthusiast of the crypto ecosystem and disruptive technologies. MDC writer since 2018, currently writer for CryptoTrendencia.

Chris I joined the crypto party in 2017. Worked as a DAO contributor, startup advisor, lead researcher and co-author. My superpower? Translating complex blockchain concepts into clear, engaging content that resonates.

Sachiko Tanaka 幸子 田中 Staff Writer

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BUY Lisa N Edwards’ Best Selling NEW Book OUT NOW!

TRADERS PERSPECTIVE

Entropy in Trading written by Lisa N. Edwards

Entropy and Elliott Wave Theory Mastering Market Chaos Chaos, Probability, and Market Dynamics Markets are a battlefield of order and chaos, where trends emerge and collapse in unpredictable ways. At the heart of this volatility lies entropy, a concept borrowed from physics, thermodynamics, and information theory that measures the level of randomness within a system. In trading, entropy helps us understand whether the market is following a structured trend or descending into disorder, playing a crucial role in assessing market efficiency, uncertainty, and the probability distribution of price movements. It can reveal hidden opportunities, prevent costly mistakes, and enhance strategy selection when applied correctly. Whether you’re a trend follower or a mean reversion trader, mastering entropy can give you an edge in navigating financial markets.

As someone who has spent years analysing market cycles through Elliott Wave Theory (EWT), I’ve seen firsthand how this structured approach reveals the market's natural rhythm. Elliott Waves suggest that markets move in predictable, fractal-based patterns, but what happens when those patterns seem to break down? That’s where entropy and Elliott Wave Theory intersect, helping me filter out false signals, refine wave counts, and time market entries and exits with greater precision. Understanding when to trust wave structures and when market entropy is too high for reliable predictions is key to making smarter trading decisions.

Understanding Entropy in Trading In simple terms, trading entropy measures how uncertain or chaotic a market is. It helps traders determine whether price action is stable and trending or unpredictable and volatile. Markets oscillate between low-entropy (structured, trending) and high-entropy (random, choppy) states. Understanding these transitions is crucial for selecting the right trading strategy.

Low-Entropy Markets (Trending) ● ● ●

Price moves in a consistent direction (uptrend or downtrend).

Suitable for trend-following strategies like moving averages, MACD, or RSI. Lower unpredictability allows traders to ride the momentum.

High-Entropy Markets (Chaotic, Sideways) ● ● ●

Price action is random, unpredictable, and full of fakeouts.

Trend-following strategies fail due to sudden reversals.

Best suited for mean-reversion or range-trading strategies.

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Entropy in Technical Analysis Several entropy-based indicators help traders measure uncertainty and make informed decisions:

Shannon Entropy ● ● ●

Used in algorithmic trading to measure market randomness.

If entropy is high, the market is less predictable (e.g., ranging).

If entropy is low, the market is structured, and trends are stronger.

Fractal Market Hypothesis & Hurst Exponent ● ● ●

Measures market entropy over different timeframes.

H > 0.5 → Trending market (low entropy).

H < 0.5 → Chaotic market (high entropy).

Bollinger Bands & Entropy ● ●

Tight Bands → Low entropy (market is preparing for a move).

Wide Bands → High entropy (market is volatile and directionless).

Entropy & Elliott Wave Theory: Predicting Chaos in Market Cycles Elliott Wave Theory (EWT) is based on the idea that markets move in predictable wave patterns, while entropy measures the degree of randomness or chaos in the market.

Combining these two concepts has been an essential part of my trading strategy, allowing me to determine the reliability of wave counts, identify trend reversals, and assess market stability with greater confidence.

When Entropy Matters in Elliott Waves Low-Entropy Conditions (Trending Markets) ●

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Impulsive Waves (1, 3, 5) Form Clearly: Strong trends show low entropy, meaning clear wave formations.

Wave Extensions and Fibonacci Levels Hold: When entropy is low, waves respect Fibonacci retracements (e.g., 0.618, 1.618).

Predictable Corrections (ABC Waves): Corrective structures (zigzag, flat, triangles) follow Elliott’s rules with low deviation.

Trading Tip: I focus on trend-following Elliott Wave setups in low-entropy markets, such as riding Wave 3 with Fibonacci extensions.

High-Entropy Conditions (Chaotic, Sideways Markets) ● ● ●

Wave Distortions and Overlaps: In choppy, sideways markets, wave counts fail as price movements become less structured.

False Breakouts & Extended Corrective Waves: High entropy leads to unexpected retracements and fakeouts, especially in Waves 2 and 4.

Lower Probability of Clear Wave Completion: Complex corrections (WXY, WXYXZ) emerge in high-entropy phases.

Trading Tip: In high-entropy markets, I avoid forcing Elliott Wave counts and instead focus on range-trading or mean-reversion strategies.

Practical Applications: Trading Strategies Using Entropy & Elliott Waves Traders can adjust their strategies based on entropy conditions:

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Entropy Level

Market Condition

Best Trading Approach

Low Entropy

Trending market

Trend-following (EMAs, MACD)

Medium Entropy

Mild volatility

Hybrid strategies (breakout or reversion)

High Entropy

Choppy, chaotic

Mean reversion (RSI, Bollinger Bands)

By identifying entropy levels, traders avoid losses from trend-trading in choppy markets and capitalise on momentum when trends form.

Low Entropy Patterns Following SMAs

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Images of high entropy patterns

The Edge of Combining Entropy & Elliott Waves Mastering entropy in trading isn’t just about understanding chaos, it’s about leveraging it to make smarter, more strategic decisions. By integrating entropy-based indicators into my approach, I can distinguish between predictable trends and unpredictable noise, allowing for more precise risk management and improved trade execution. Whether it's used for trend detection, refining algorithmic models, or managing volatility, recognising and adapting to market disorder has been a game-changer in my Elliott Wave trading.

One of the best current examples of high-entropy trending behaviour is Bitcoin (BTC). BTC has been in a strong uptrend but for nearly four months, consistently making lower highs and lower lows a classic High-entropy, structured Elliott Wave move. This kind of momentumdriven environment is where Elliott Wave Theory thrives, allowing traders to accurately count waves, use Fibonacci extensions for targets, and manage risk efficiently.

However, as BTC approaches key resistance zones, entropy is gradually increasing, meaning we could soon see a shift from trending to corrective price action to more chaotic. If that happens, the strategy must adapt, transitioning from trend-following trades to mean-reversion setups or identifying new breakout structures. Recognising these entropy shifts early is what separates high-level traders from the rest. In a world where financial markets constantly shift between order and chaos, those who understand when to ride the trend and when to pivot hold the key to long-term success.

Happy Trading Lisa

Explore the growth potential of digital assets. nexo.com Access new wealth opportunities.

The crypto markets today. https://nexo.com/markets

World Mobile The Dawn of a Decentralised Telecom Revolution written by Sachiko

In an era where connectivity is synonymous with opportunity, billions remain offline, tethered to the whims of a telecom industry that often prioritises profit over people. Traditional mobile networks, centralised giants like AT&T, Verizon, or Vodafone—have long dictated the terms: high costs, spotty coverage, and the quiet commodification of your personal data. Enter World Mobile, a telecommunications disruptor that’s not just challenging this status quo but rewriting it entirely. With the bold promise to "reclaim your power" and "own your network," World Mobile positions itself as the first global decentralised mobile network—private, fair, and unequivocally built for you.

Launched in 2018 by telecom veteran Micky Watkins, World Mobile isn’t just another player in the crowded telecom space. It’s a movement, a reimagining of how connectivity can work when power shifts from corporate boardrooms to the hands of communities. Leveraging blockchain technology, a sharing-economy model, and a vision of universal access, World Mobile is bridging the digital divide in ways that feel both revolutionary and inevitable. But what does it mean to "own your network"? And how does a decentralised approach deliver on the promise of privacy and fairness? Let’s dive deep into the world of World Mobile.

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The Problem: A Broken Telecom Paradigm To understand World Mobile’s mission, we first need to confront the cracks in the current telecom landscape.

Globally, over 3 billion people lack reliable internet access, often in rural or underserved regions where traditional infrastructure is too costly to deploy. In developed markets, customers face a different frustration: escalating bills, throttled speeds, and the unsettling reality that their data is harvested and sold to advertisers or worse. Big Wireless operates on a centralised model—towers, satellites, and servers all controlled by a handful of corporations. It’s efficient for them, sure, but it leaves users as passive consumers, locked into contracts and powerless over their own connectivity.

This centralisation breeds inequity. In the U.S. alone, 24 million people live in "digital deserts" with no reliable internet, while globally, the unconnected represent a missed economic opportunity measured in trillions.

Traditional telecoms have little incentive to change; their profits thrive on maintaining the status quo. World Mobile sees this not as a market failure but as an invitation to innovate.

The Solution: Decentralization Meets Telecom At its core, World Mobile is a decentralised wireless network—think of it as the Airbnb of telecom. Instead of relying solely on corporate-owned infrastructure, it empowers individuals and communities to operate their own network nodes, called AirNodes. These devices, which can be hosted on private property, provide last-mile connectivity—voice, text, and data—to local areas. In return, operators earn rewards in World Mobile Tokens (WMTx), the native cryptocurrency that fuels the ecosystem. It’s a model that flips the script: you’re not just a subscriber; you’re a stakeholder.

The backbone of this network is the World Mobile Chain (WMC), a Layer 3 blockchain built on Base, an Ethereum-compatible platform. WMC ensures transactions are fast, secure, and transparent, while EarthNodes—another layer of infrastructure—validate data and maintain the network’s integrity. AetherNodes bridge this decentralised system with traditional telecoms, ensuring seamless integration where needed. It’s a hybrid approach that balances cutting-edge tech with real-world practicality.

This isn’t just theoretical. World Mobile has already deployed over 10,000 AirNodes across three continents, serving 600,000 daily users. From rural Mozambique, where its aerostat balloons deliver connectivity to remote villages, to urban centers in the U.S., the network is proving its scalability. In 2024, it earned the GSMA Foundry Innovation Award, a testament to its traction among industry peers.

Privacy First: Your Data, Your Control One of World Mobile’s loudest promises is privacy. In an age where Big Tech and Big Wireless treat your data as their asset, World Mobile takes a stand: your information belongs to you. Its decentralised storage and fully encrypted systems mean no central entity can snoop or sell your activity. Plans even come with identity theft insurance, a nod to the real-world stakes of digital security.

Contrast this with the norm. Traditional carriers track your location, monitor your usage, and bundle it into profiles for third-party profit—all without meaningful consent. World Mobile’s blockchain foundation ensures transparency; every interaction is verifiable, tamper-proof, and free of middlemen. It’s not just about avoiding exploitation—it’s about building trust in a trustless world.

Fairness Through Ownership Fairness is the other pillar of World Mobile’s ethos. Traditional telecoms extract value from users; World Mobile redistributes it. By operating an AirNode, staking WMTx, or even referring friends to its phone plans, you earn rewards. Premier Staking, for instance, offers cashback and bonuses for locking tokens into the network, while AirNode operators profit by extending coverage. It’s a virtuous cycle: the more you contribute, the more you gain, and the stronger the network grows.

This sharing-economy model has teeth. In Kenya, World Mobile collaborates with regulators to integrate satellite communications, while in the U.S., its hybrid-dynamic network blends AirNodes with partner infrastructure for unmatched coverage. Unlike Big Wireless, which scales by raising prices, World Mobile scales by lowering barriers—plans start at $5, with no contracts or hidden fees. It’s connectivity that doesn’t punish you for wanting it.

The Tech: How It Works Let’s break down the machinery. AirNodes are the workhorses, delivering Wi-Fi or cellular signals to local communities. They’re affordable to host— think a small box on your roof or balcony—and connect to the broader network via EarthNodes, which handle blockchain operations and governance. WMTx powers it all, serving as both a utility token for transactions and a reward mechanism for participants.

The use of blockchain isn’t a gimmick. Telecom demands high throughput and low latency—real-time communication can’t stutter. WMC’s Layer 3 design optimises for this, cutting costs (up to 12x lower than legacy providers) while maintaining reliability. Aerostats, like those launched in Mozambique, extend reach to remote areas, proving the model’s flexibility. And as a Wi-Fi Alliance member alongside Apple and Qualcomm, World Mobile ensures its tech meets global standards, paving the way for partnerships and broader adoption.

The Impact: Connecting the Unconnected World Mobile’s ambition isn’t small: it aims to connect the 4 billion people still offline. That’s a $2.3 billion market opportunity just by capturing 0.5% of it. But the real win is human. In underserved regions, connectivity means access to education, healthcare, and jobs— pathways out of poverty. In developed markets, it’s about reclaiming agency over a utility we’ve taken for granted.

Take Mozambique’s Massingir launch in 2023: the first commercial telecom aerostat, deployed during a crypto winter, brought internet to a region Big Wireless ignored. Or consider the U.S., where early adopters are ditching contracts for plans that pay them back.

This isn’t charity; it’s empowerment through ownership.

Challenges and Critiques No revolution is flawless. Decentralised networks face hurdles—regulatory pushback, technical complexity, and the volatility of crypto rewards. Not every user wants to run an AirNode or stake tokens; some just want a phone plan that works. World Mobile counters this with simplicity—its Vault app manages nodes and rewards intuitively—and hybrid integration with existing systems. Still, scaling to billions will test its resilience.

Critics might argue blockchain adds unnecessary overhead to telecom. Why not just build cheaper towers? But that misses the point: World Mobile isn’t replicating the old model; it’s dismantling it. Centralisation failed the unconnected; decentralisation is the bet to fix it.

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The Future: A Network of the People World Mobile’s tagline—"Reclaim your power. Own your network."—is more than marketing. It’s a call to action. As of March 17, 2025, the company is rolling out new phone plans, expanding AirNode sales, and eyeing untapped markets. Its Linktree (linktr.ee/WorldMobile) and website (worldmobile.io) are hubs for joining the movement—whether as a user, operator, or advocate.

This is the first global decentralised mobile network, yes, but it’s also a proof of concept: when people control the tools that connect them, the results are private, fair, and transformative. Big Wireless had its chance. Now, it’s our turn.

World Mobile Team Information ●

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Micky Watkins - CEO: Micky Watkins is the founder and driving force behind World Mobile. With over two decades in the telecom industry, he’s known for launching mobile networks across Africa and beyond.

His vision is to empower communities by giving them ownership of their connectivity. Watkins often speaks on the transformative power of decentralised networks, as seen in community updates and industry events.

James Tagg - Co-founder and Chief Architect: A tech visionary, Tagg brings expertise in touchscreen technology and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). His role focuses on designing the technical architecture that underpins World Mobile’s blockchain-based network, ensuring scalability and efficiency.

Alan Omnet - COO: As Chief Operating Officer, Omnet oversees the operational rollout of World Mobile’s infrastructure, like AirNodes and aerostats. His experience in telecom operations helps bridge the gap between vision and execution.

Antonio Hernandez - CTO: The Chief Technology Officer, Hernandez, leads the development of World Mobile’s tech stack, including the World Mobile Chain (WMC) and integration with partner networks. His work ensures the network’s security and performance.

Josie Page - Senior Executive Assistant: Page supports the leadership team, coordinating efforts across the organisation. She’s been highlighted in community updates for her role in keeping the team aligned.

Mike Blake-Crawford - Marketing Director: Blake-Crawford shapes World Mobile’s public narrative, emphasising its mission of fairness, privacy, and community ownership. He’s key to driving awareness and adoption.

Sonic and the $S Token

This lineup reflects a blend of telecom expertise, technical innovation, and strategic leadership, all geared toward disrupting the traditional mobile network model. The team’s efforts have already connected over 600,000 daily users across multiple continents as of early 2025.

A Definitive Guide

Relevant Links

Official Website: worldmobile.io Linktree: linktr.ee/WorldMobile LinkedIn: World Mobile Group on LinkedIn written World Mobile Tokenby Site: worldmobiletoken.com Telegram Community: Chris t.me/WMTxWorldMobileToken Facebook: facebook.com/WorldMobileTeam

If you’ve been watching the Layer-1 space, you’ve likely heard the buzz about Sonic already.

It’s a shiny new evolution of the Fantom blockchain that’s got everyone talking. Rebranded and relaunched with a focus on speed, incentives, and rock-solid infrastructure, Sonic is an EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain that’s stepping up to the plate significantly. Fantom was praised for its innovative Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)-based design, which delivered serious scalability perks over traditional blockchains.

A DAG chain: image via Sonic docs

But Sonic? It’s taking things to a whole new level. Announced on August 1, 2024, the shift from Fantom Opera to Sonic wasn’t just a fancy rebranding but a full-on strategic glow-up. Sonic Labs has rolled out a brand-new network architecture, a revamped tokenomics model, and some seriously enticing incentives, all tailored for the future of Web3.

What’s really cool here is how Sonic is bucking the trend of Layer-2 scaling solutions, instead doubling down on being a fast, secure, and interoperable Layer-1 powerhouse. In this article, we’re diving deep into Sonic’s technical stack, $S tokenomics, the goodies it’s offering developers, and what it all means for the ecosystem. Plus, we’ll weigh up its strengths, flag any potential risks, and see how this migration from Fantom to Sonic stacks up. Let’s get into it!

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Background: Fantom to Sonic Unlike your typical blockchain, which strings blocks together in a straight line, Fantom’s design was more like a sprawling network, letting it handle high transaction volumes and zip through confirmations with ease. It was a standout in the crowded Layer-1 competitive field, offering scalability and speed that couldn’t be matched.

Fast forward to August 1, 2024, and the Fantom Foundation dropped a bombshell: they were rebranding to Sonic Labs and gearing up to launch a whole new blockchain called Sonic, complete with its own native token, $S. Now, you might be thinking, “A rebrand? Big deal.” But this was way more than a new logo. Sonic Labs is calling it the “next generation of Layer-1 blockchain innovation,” and they’re not messing around.

So, why ditch Fantom Opera for a fresh start? Turns out, the team had some major technical upgrades up their sleeve, stuff that couldn’t just be patched into the old network. By launching Sonic as a standalone blockchain, they’ve unlocked a treasure trove of improvements.

According to Sonic’s foundation, here is what’s on the table: ●

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10x faster node synchronisation: New nodes can join and sync with the network in a fraction of the time—talk about a warm welcome!

66% cheaper validator nodes: Lower costs mean more folks can jump in as validators, boosting decentralisation.

Live-pruning data management: No more downtime for maintenance— Sonic keeps things running smoothly.

96% smaller database footprint: Running big RPC nodes just got a whole lot cheaper.

Sub-second transaction finality: Say goodbye to rollbacks or reorganisations—transactions lock in fast and stay secure.

But it’s not just about the tech. Sonic’s also shaking up its tokenomics with a deflationary twist, a big shift from Fantom’s old model. This means the $S token supply will gradually shrink over time, giving holders some extra economic love and building a more sustainable ecosystem. These changes, combined with backend upgrades like slicker database management, were too big to squeeze into Fantom Opera, so Sonic Labs hit the reset button.

With EVM interoperability and the secure Sonic Gateway, they’re blending Ethereum compatibility with their own cutting-edge stack, aiming to make Sonic a go-to hub for developers and users alike. Pretty exciting stuff, right?

Sonic Technical Overview Alright, let’s pop the hood on Sonic and see what makes it tick. As an EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain, Sonic is built for speed and scalability, powered by a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism and that slick DAG structure we mentioned. Its native token, $S, is the native token of the network, handling transaction fees, staking, and governance. Let’s break it down even more: Proof-of-Stake (PoS) Sonic’s PoS system is all about keeping things secure and decentralised. Validators lock up $S tokens to secure the network, validating transactions and creating new blocks to keep the network running. It’s a classic setup: put some skin in the game, and you’re rewarded for playing by the rules. Want to run your own validator node? You’ll need at least 500,000 $S tokens to get started. That stake ties validators to the network’s success. if Sonic thrives, they do too.

Not keen on running a node yourself? Sonic’s got delegated staking. Just hand your $S tokens over to an active validator, and you can still earn rewards without the hassle. The validator rewards system is designed to keep everyone engaged, encouraging reliable node management and active participation.

It’s a win-win for security and community involvement.

Sonic Design: DAG-Based Architecture Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: Sonic’s DAG-based distributed ledger. If “Directed Acyclic Graph” sounds like tech jargon overload, don’t sweat it—it’s just a smarter way to organise transactions.

Traditional blockchains are like a single-file line, with blocks stacked one after another.

DAG, on the other hand, is more like a branching tree or a web, where each block (or “event”) can connect to multiple previous ones.

DAG Structure

Here’s why that’s awesome: ● ● ● ● ●

Multiple block connections: Each new event links to several past blocks, creating a rich, interconnected network instead of a monolithic old chain.

Concurrent validation: Validators can work on different blocks at the same time, cranking up the throughput.

Scalability and speed: Sonic can handle ~400k of transactions per second.

No cyclical dependencies: Transactions flow one way, from unconfirmed to confirmed, keeping everything tidy and secure.

Reduced latency: Real-time validation. validations happen fast, cutting confirmation times.

Sonic’s implementation is a textbook example of how this tech can supercharge a Layer-1 blockchain. It’s kind of the secret sauce behind Sonic’s high performance, making it a dream for decentralised apps that need speed and efficiency.

EVM Compatibility and Developer Friendliness Sonic’s journey begins with one of its most critical features: full compatibility with EVM. For any Layer-1 blockchain aiming to capture a slice of Ethereum’s vast developer community, EVM support is indispensable. Sonic not only allows developers to deploy existing Soliditybased applications with minimal tweaks but also extends its support to Vyper—a language appreciated for its clarity and inherent security. This means that if you’re already coding on Ethereum, you’ll find the migration to Sonic refreshingly straightforward.

With EVM compatibility, Sonic opens the door to a broader community of developers.

Projects that once required extensive rewriting can now move over with ease, tapping into a network designed to be both fast and secure.

Sonic’s Database Storage System A blockchain’s potential is often measured by how well it handles data—and Sonic shines here. The protocol boasts a specialised database storage system engineered to manage and store the entire world state, from account balances to smart contract bytecode. At the heart of this system is the live pruning mechanism, which sets Sonic apart from its predecessors.

Image via Sonic Docs

Traditional blockchains often require validators to take nodes offline for maintenance, but Sonic’s live pruning works continuously in the background. It automatically trims away obsolete data, keeping storage requirements in check and ensuring validators remain online and efficient. This not only cuts down on maintenance-related downtime but also slashes operational costs, making the network more sustainable in the long run.

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Nodes Sonic’s network architecture is built around two primary types of nodes: Archive Nodes and Validator Nodes, each serving distinct but complementary roles.

1.

2.

Archive Nodes act as the custodians of Sonic’s history, storing every transaction and state change from the genesis block onward.

Validator Nodes are the workhorses that keep Sonic running smoothly. These nodes are tasked with the critical functions of validating transactions, producing new blocks, and maintaining consensus across the network.

Validators operate on a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) basis, meaning they must stake a minimum of 500,000 $S tokens to participate. This staking requirement ensures that validators have a vested interest in the network’s success, aligning their incentives with overall network health.

For those who might find the direct approach too steep, Sonic also offers delegated staking. This system allows users to delegate their $S tokens to an existing validator, earning a share of the rewards without the need to run a full node.

$S Tokenomics and Economic Incentives $S token is a multifaceted asset that fuels every transaction, staking reward, and governance vote on the network. Sonic launched with an initial supply of 3.175 billion $S tokens, of which roughly 2.88 billion were made available for immediate circulation.

The remaining tokens have been strategically earmarked for validator incentives and broader ecosystem growth.

Image via Sonic’s Litepaper

Sonic’s tokenomics are designed to strike a delicate balance between supporting network expansion and maintaining token value. Initially, Sonic avoided immediate inflation; however, community-governed proposals have paved the way for controlled token issuance postlaunch. Starting six months after mainnet activation, Sonic will mint an extra 1.5% of the total supply—about 47,625,000 $S tokens—annually for six years. These newly minted tokens will support critical growth initiatives, such as developer airdrops, marketing campaigns, and validator rewards, ensuring the ecosystem remains vibrant and well-funded.

A standout feature of Sonic’s economic model is its robust deflationary mechanism. Sonic employs several strategies to reduce the circulating supply of $S tokens over time: 1.

2.

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Airdrop Burn Mechanism: Users receive only 25% of their airdrop tokens immediately, with the remainder locked as ERC-1155 NFTs. Early claims trigger a burn penalty, incentivising holders to remain engaged for the full vesting period.

Unused Funding Burn: Any tokens allocated for ecosystem growth that remain unused within a given year are permanently burned, ensuring that excess tokens do not dilute the market.

Fee Monetisation Burn: Developers are encouraged to participate in Sonic’s Fee Monetisation program; those who opt out face a burn penalty on their transaction fees.

This not only rewards compliant behaviour but also continuously reduces the overall token supply.

These deflationary measures work in tandem with Sonic’s emission schedule to create an economic environment where the $S token’s value is supported by both scarcity and sustained utility. Validator rewards are carefully calibrated, offering a steady 3.5% APR from existing block rewards for the first four years, after which a modest 1.75% inflation rate will resume minting tokens for further rewards.

Sonic Ecosystem A key element of Sonic’s ecosystem is its integration with Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP). This collaboration provides a secure and decentralised method for transferring assets and data across different chains. By enabling programmable token transfers and multiple layers of validation, the Chainlink integration not only bolsters the security of cross-chain applications but also expands the potential use cases for Sonic’s sub-projects.

To further stimulate ecosystem growth, Sonic has introduced a dual airdrop mechanism that caters to both users and developers: ▪

▪

Sonic Points: These are designed to reward user engagement and activity. By participating in the network, users earn points that can be redeemed for additional incentives.

Sonic Gems: Targeted at developers, these incentives reward the creation of innovative applications that generate real user activity. Developers can redeem Gems for S tokens, thereby encouraging the development of quality dApps.

Another notable feature is the integration of USDC.e (an official bridged version of USDC from Ethereum for those who don’t know). By incorporating this stablecoin, Sonic ensures that users can enjoy efficient trading and benefit from cost-effective solutions across their entire ecosystem.

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Sonic’s strategic partnerships extend to Solv Protocol and Rings Protocol. Through its collaboration with Solv Protocol, Sonic now offers yield-bearing Bitcoin assets such as SolvBTC and a liquid staking token for Bitcoin, thereby enhancing Bitcoin’s usability within the DeFi landscape. Meanwhile, in conjunction with Lombard Finance, Rings Protocol has enabled Sonic to introduce advanced Bitcoin derivatives like scBTC and LBTC. These tokens offer additional options for yield generation, liquidity provision, and governance participation, further enriching the ecosystem.

Additional ecosystem highlights reinforce Sonic’s position as a leading Layer-1 blockchain: ●

DeFAI Hackathon: In partnership with Hey Anon, DoraHacks, and Zerebro, Sonic hosted a hackathon that offered prizes totalling $295,000. The event focused on developing AI agents with social and on-chain functionalities, paving the way for innovative DeFAI applications.

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●

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MemeCoin Promotion: Sonic launched a MemeCoin competition that rewarded users with 1 million OS tokens to boost community engagement, highlighting the network’s commitment to fun and interactive participation.

Arkham Intelligence: This partnership integrates real-time blockchain data analytics into Sonic, providing advanced tools for tracking entities, setting up alerts, and visualising data. This transparency is crucial for both security and user trust.

Symbiosis Integration: By facilitating cross-chain token swaps with over 30 other networks, Sonic’s collaboration with Symbiosis enhances liquidity flow and streamlines user experience during cross-chain transactions.

High-Value DeFi Applications: Prominent projects such as Silo Finance, Beets Finance, and Avalon Finance have found a home on Sonic. Additionally, the deployment of AAVE V3 on Sonic brings advanced lending solutions into the fold, making the ecosystem even more attractive to DeFi enthusiasts.

Overall, Sonic’s ecosystem is a compelling blend of technological sophistication and strategic partnerships. With comprehensive developer tooling, robust cross-chain capabilities, and attractive incentives for both users and developers, Sonic extends the benefits of its Fantom heritage and paves the way for new applications and revenue models.

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Sonic Strengths and Risks To summarise, Sonic's strengths lie in its initial infrastructure and mechanics. The platform’s DAGbased consensus mechanism delivers impressive throughput, over 40k TPS, with sub-second finality.

This speed is crucial for applications that demand near-instant transaction confirmation. Moreover, full EVM compatibility allows developers to migrate Solidity and Vyper smart contracts with minimal effort, effectively lowering entry barriers and accelerating ecosystem growth. Sonic’s developercentric initiatives, such as its Fee Monetisation programme, provide sustainable revenue streams by redistributing network fees back to app creators.

Robust tokenomics and deflationary mechanisms, including various burn strategies, help maintain token value and promote long-term stability.

Additionally, Sonic inherits substantial brand equity from its Fantom heritage, which supports user and developer adoption.

▪

However, several risks warrant consideration.

Despite its EVM compatibility, Sonic has seen limited migration of dApps from other networks, suggesting potential hesitancy among developers accustomed to Ethereum’s established ecosystem or Layer-2 solutions.

The relatively low number of active validators— only 41 as of March 2025—raises concerns over decentralisation and potential centralisation risks.

▪

Furthermore, while high throughput was once a unique selling point, many Layer-1 and Layer-2 projects now offer similar performance metrics, potentially diluting Sonic’s distinctiveness. Early migration challenges and slow dApp adoption could also hinder community momentum.

These factors underscore the need for Sonic to continually innovate and offer compelling incentives to attract and retain developers and users.

My Thoughts on Sonic’s Future Sonic presents a promising yet challenging future in the competitive Layer-1 landscape.

The platform’s ambitious technical upgrades and redefined tokenomics position it as a potential leader in the next generation of decentralised applications. By combining security and scalability, Sonic is well-placed to tap into Ethereum’s extensive developer base and broaden its DeFi ecosystem. Its deflationary economic model, designed to gradually shrink token supply while rewarding network participants, offers a sustainable growth strategy that could boost investor confidence over time.

However, the journey forward is not without hurdles. To gain meaningful adoption, Sonic must bridge the migration gap and foster a vibrant dApp ecosystem that leverages its technological advantages. Expanding the validator network and enhancing community engagement will be critical to mitigating centralisation concerns and maintaining robust security. Sonic’s success will depend on its ability to continuously innovate, effectively compete with alternative scaling solutions, and nurture a dynamic, engaged community.

The space is running faster than ever, but Sonic is well-equipped to deliver tangible value to developers and users alike.

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TikTok Onchain: Is the Web3 Social Media Narrative Making a Comeback?

written by Daniel

The Attempt to Bring Decentralised Social Networks to the Masses As we approach the end of March, we also wrap up the first quarter of 2025, with the crypto market buzzing with the unmistakable energy of a bull run: strong institutional interest, governments adopting Bitcoin, and multiple Layer 2 projects anticipating what might unfold with Ethereum’s next major upgrade.

But amid this frenzy—marked by Bitcoin price swings and whales accumulating more BTC—an unexpected twist has emerged: TikTok could be going on-chain.

Yes, as unbelievable as it may sound, the giant centralised social network, with a billion thumbs glued to screens, might become the next big hit in Web3. Given TikTok’s sheer influence in today’s society, such a rumour cannot go unnoticed. The reason? This unexpected move could signal the triumphant return of the Web3 social media narrative.

Let’s dive into the rabbit hole to explore what’s behind this and what impact it could have on the industry.

The Attempt to Take Social Networks to the Masses: A Bumpy Road Looking back at the saga of Web3 social networks, we see a long and challenging journey dating back to the early 2020s.

During the height of a bull market, the bold idea of dethroning Big Tech giants like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram captivated an audience increasingly aware of the data vulnerabilities of using centralised social media.

And rightly so—reckless data handling by industry titans like Facebook made it clear that the narrative of decentralised social networks would gain traction, particularly within the crypto space.

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Source: Onchain

The previous led to the emergence of platforms such as Lens Protocol, Farcaster, and DeSo, which promised users a social media paradise: blockchain-based platforms where you control your data, creators retain their audience, and no algorithmic gods pull the strings from behind the scenes. A narrative that still holds weight, given its alignment with the crypto community's core values of freedom and autonomy, which translate into dismantling the monopolistic control of traditional platforms like Instagram and TikTok. But let's be honest—the narrative has faded into the background due to social media users' lack of interest in abandoning their effortless doom scrolling on TikTok for clunky dApps with poor user interfaces that fail to attract non-crypto audiences.

Furthermore, 2023 saw the rise of AI, which—along with the NFT boom the previous year—stole the spotlight (and funding), making Web3 social networks seem like a relic.

But now, with recent statements from Project Liberty and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian regarding TikTok’s potential rescue in the US—and his bold plan to drag it into the decentralised realm—the spark appears to have been reignited for the Web3 social media narrative.

Why TikTok? Ohanian’s proposal to move TikTok on the blockchain is ambitious. In simple terms, TikTok would transition from a rigid, centralised structure to a network where creators and users benefit from decentralisation—with all that this entails—without losing the mass appeal of the platform as we know it today.

It’s no secret that TikTok finds itself on shaky ground due to regulatory pressure in the US, putting its parent company, ByteDance, in a tight spot. When we examine the figures, the challenge appears even greater: ●

62.6% of the global population engages daily with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok (over 5 billion users).

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By the end of 2024, social media revenue reached $251.45 billion.

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Social media advertising could reach $406.64 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5%.

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The United States is TikTok’s largest market, with approximately 136 million users.

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Source: The Business Research Company

TikTok's near-total dominance remains evident in 2025, with its addictive nature shown in key platform metrics: the average global user spends 34 hours and 56 minutes per month on TikTok, opening the app 358 times per month.

Beyond its user base, TikTok generates roughly $16.1 billion in revenue, with projections from Wedbush analyst Dan Ives suggesting it could reach $300 billion, thanks primarily to the efficiency of its algorithm, which continues to attract more advertisers and active users.

Given these numbers, it’s no surprise that Project Liberty and Alexis Ohanian have set their sights on TikTok in the US. With a parachain designed for high-performance social applications, integrating the social media giant into Frequency Network, powered by Polkadot’s blockchain technology, could turn the vision of a decentralised TikTok into reality—empowering users and creators alike.

And while this might sound like another typical crypto story, smart money trends indicate that decentralised social networks could now be more of a reality than a utopia. On one hand, Polkadot has been steadily securing wins, increasing its Total Value Locked (TVL) by 35% this year, according to DeFiLlama. And guess which project has been gaining unexpected traction among developers? Frequency.

On the other hand, Project Liberty—the entity behind the Frequency parachain—boasts strong venture capital backing and key Web3 influencers, including Ohanian himself.

Moreover, reports such as Messari's "Crypto Theses 2025" seem to cement the argument by highlighting social media as a "sleeping giant," with Web3's social volume increasing by 20% since Q4 2024. ByteDance has been making subtle moves towards SUI for gaming and SocialFi, suggesting an openness to decentralisation— and that negotiations over TikTok may not be so straightforward.

The Onchain TikTok Vision: What’s Taking Shape?

Ohanian’s vision of a decentralised TikTok could serve as a blueprint for tackling the challenges of traditional social media—such as data exploitation, opaque and manipulative algorithms, and unfair monetisation mechanisms for content creators.

Additionally, it introduces a significant geopolitical factor in today’s digital era: reducing reliance on Chinese-owned tech platforms in Western markets, which operate under opaque principles regarding individual freedoms.

A decentralised TikTok could bring several benefits, including:

Empowering Users According to CoinDesk, "TikTok should be on-chain because it's time for users to own their digital lives," and may now be closer to seeing users take control—whether through tokenised tipping, NFT-based videos, or decentralised advertising revenue models that allow direct monetisation from fans without being trapped within ByteDance's walled garden.

Users would also control their data, rather than having it stored in centralised servers controlled by a single entity, providing greater privacy.

Unleashing Creators: Decentralised Monetisation Although TikTok has created millionaires, complaints about its payout structure are widespread.

Onchain data suggests the effective acceptance rate on TikTok is nearly 100%, meaning creators receive virtually no direct share of revenue.

Source: Onchain

A decentralised model could change the game entirely. Consider the potential of intellectual property tokenisation through NFTs—fans could invest in creators, who would then receive direct earnings.

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Imagine uploading a viral lip-sync video and receiving crypto payments directly from your audience via a parachain capable of handling 100,000 transactions per second in initial tests— sufficient to scale the platform and return control to the user.

Dodging the Regulatory Hammer A decentralised TikTok “belongs” neither to ByteDance nor to anyone else—it is a global network of nodes, at least in theory, which could help bypass bans in certain countries, such as the US. Moreover, with content stored on the blockchain, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to remove posts arbitrarily.

Thanks to on-chain transparency, a decentralised TikTok would allow the community to audit the recommendation algorithms. Lastly, and just as importantly, a blockchain-based TikTok could be interoperable with decentralised applications and GameFi projects—something ByteDance appears to have hinted at with its flirtation with SUI Network. Undoubtedly, this would open up countless opportunities to create a seamless digital economy.

The Stumbles: Can It Land Well?

While Web3 offers a range of advantages over the traditional (Web2) system, an on-chain TikTok faces significant challenges. Web3 carries its scars: clunky wallets, gas fees, and a steep learning curve. Can TikTok's billion-plus users be smoothly onboarded into the crypto wild west?

Source: Onchain

Although Frequency demonstrated that it can process thousands of transactions per second, this has not happened in real-world scenarios, such as handling the millions of videos posted on mainstream social media platforms.

Volatility is another key issue to tackle. Imagine a content creator watching their earnings plummet due to a sharp drop in the value of the token used for decentralised monetisation. The bot spam problem—seen in Lens Protocol—is another red flag, especially in an environment where TikTok’s strict control mechanisms may be absent: curated feeds, rapid moderation, etc.

Finally, launching an on-chain TikTok collides with the dominance of Big Tech players like Meta and X, who fiercely defend their market share against any potential disruptor.

The Bigger Picture: Is the Web3 Social Narrative Making a Comeback?

Looking back to 2020–2021, this is not an isolated attempt or a story about TikTok. It marks the second push to elevate the Web3 social narrative and make it shine.

However, the macro conditions of 2025—such as growing distrust in Big Tech, the rise of cryptocurrencies, and pro-crypto policies spearheaded by a US government more inclined towards digital assets—could revive this once-paused narrative.

Messari reports an 18% increase in Web3 social volume this year, with Farcaster reaching 200k monthly active users. If TikTok succeeds, millions will be experimenting with crypto through a familiar app, blending SocialFi with mainstream appeal.

Source: Messari

If Project Liberty pulls it off, it could be the blueprint: take a Web2 giant, integrate blockchain, and watch the dominoes fall. Next stop? Instagram on Arbitrum? X on Solana? The Web3 narrative can connect people like never before, and TikTok could ignite the spark or mark the end of this storyline.

For now, decentralised solutions like Farcaster, Lens, and Friend.tech continue striving to stand out and attract mass adoption, offering the benefits of blockchain technology in a market still overwhelmingly dominated by Web2 solutions and Big Tech.

CRYPTO VS. AI The war for the future is on

written by Sachiko

For years, crypto has been sold as the ultimate revolution—breaking free from centralised banks, governments, and financial gatekeepers. But now, it’s facing its biggest existential threat yet. And it’s not the SEC, regulators, or another bear market.

It’s artificial intelligence.

AI is moving faster than any technology before it. With OpenAI’s Sora generating Hollywoodquality films in seconds, Google rewriting search with AI Overviews, and deepfake technology erasing the line between real and synthetic identities, AI is infiltrating every aspect of digital life.

The problem? AI thrives on centralisation, control, and data extraction—everything crypto was built to fight against. And as AI advances, it’s quietly dismantling the very foundations of Web3.

Silicon Valley has already chosen its side. ● ● ●

Elon Musk is pushing xAI while abandoning Bitcoin payments.

Mark Zuckerberg is pivoting Meta towards AI instead of the metaverse.

Sam Altman is promoting Worldcoin, an AI-powered, biometric financial system that demands a retina scan to participate.

Crypto promised a decentralised world. AI is delivering the opposite—a hyper-controlled, centralised internet governed by algorithms, where identity, content, and finance are all controlled by machine intelligence.

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AI: THE DEATH OF DECENTRALISATION?

The rise of AI isn’t just about better chatbots and video generators. It fundamentally changes how information, money, and digital power are distributed.

1.

AI-generated identities are taking over.

With generative AI capable of producing millions of deepfake identities, social media, Web3, and even blockchain governance are under attack. Fake KYC verifications, AIdriven social engineering scams, and synthetic trading bots distort the market like never before.

2.

Big Tech is centralising AI at an alarming rate.

OpenAI, Google, and Meta control the most powerful AI models, and they are being trained on user data scraped from every corner of the internet. These models are black boxes, immune from scrutiny, and controlled by the few. Unlike crypto, where users demand transparency, AI corporations refuse to reveal how their models operate.

3.

AI-controlled finance is rising.

Algorithmic trading bots now dominate financial markets, and AI-driven hedge funds outperform human traders. The dream of decentralised finance (DeFi) is being overtaken

by AI-driven financial systems, with little room for permissionless, user-controlled platforms.

This isn’t speculation. This is happening right now.

CRYPTO’S COUNTERATTACK: BLOCKCHAINS DESIGNED TO FIGHT AI CENTRALISATION

The crypto industry isn’t taking this lying down. Several new blockchain projects are being developed specifically to resist AI’s centralising forces and ensure that Web3 remains decentralised.

1.

Proof-of-Personhood Protocols As AI-generated deepfakes flood the internet, proving that a human is actually behind a transaction or vote is becoming critical. New on-chain identity verification systems, like Soulbound NFTs, zk-proof attestations, and decentralised identity tokens, are being developed to create AI-resistant authentication.

2.

Decentralised AI Models Instead of allowing OpenAI and Google to control artificial intelligence, Web3 developers are working on on-chain AI models that cannot be censored or manipulated.

Platforms like Fetch.ai, SingularityNET, and Golem are pioneering decentralised AI marketplaces where AI models are accessible to all, not just the elite few.

3.

AI-Resistant Blockchains New blockchain architectures are being built to withstand AI-driven threats. These chains, such as Kaspa, Monad, and Aleph Zero, prioritise security models that prevent AIled manipulation, hacking attempts, and front-running in DeFi markets.

Anti-AI Trading Protections As AI bots take over trading, some DeFi platforms are implementing anti-sandwiching protections, front-run resistance, and human-prioritized liquidity pools to fight back against AI-driven market manipulation.

THE CRYPTO-AI HYBRID PLAY: WHERE THE MONEY IS FLOWING Despite the battle between AI and crypto, some projects are merging the two worlds and seeing massive investment inflows. The most promising hybrid plays right now include: ● ● ● ●

Fetch.ai ($FET): A decentralised AI network that surged over 200 percent since 2024.

SingularityNET ($AGIX): A blockchain-based AI marketplace that allows developers to build and monetise AI models.

Akash Network ($AKT): A decentralised cloud computing network designed to power AI applications without relying on centralised providers like AWS. Render Token ($RNDR): A blockchain-based GPU rendering network that powers AI and Web3 applications.

If AI is going to dominate digital infrastructure, these are the projects positioned to profit from the shift.

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THE CHOICE: CENTRALISATION OR DECENTRALISATION?

For the past decade, the battle has been crypto vs. governments. But that’s changing.

The real war of 2025 is crypto vs. AI. AI is promising a world of automation, convenience, and efficiency. But it comes at a cost— control. If AI wins, the future will be dictated by a handful of powerful corporations, shaping finance, identity, and communication with machine intelligence that serves their interests, not yours.

Crypto is one of the last standing forces pushing back against this wave of centralisation.

The question is: Which side will you choose?

Bitcoin Reserve Strategy: The New Economic Hash War written by Daniel

Unlike traditional fiat currencies, Bitcoin is not backed by a physical commodity like gold or by the promise of a government or central bank. Its value lies in the widespread trust in its security, scarcity, and predictability.

The previous seems to be a wellunderstood concept in the world’s major governments. A narrative that many bitcoiners have been proclaiming like digital prophets across various platforms for over a decade—yet not fully grasped by the institutions shaping global financial policies—now appears to be gaining momentum in 2025.

Over the past decade, Bitcoin has evolved from a digital experiment into a transformative force in global finance and geopolitics. It is no longer merely classified as a speculative asset but is instead taking on a strategic position as a reserve for various nations and corporations.

The recent executive order signed by the United States has drawn significant attention due to the country’s global influence. Creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve may begin a new digital race to accumulate BTC as a national or institutional policy, starting a silent battle to control the computational power needed for Bitcoin mining.

Could this be the new narrative of 2025? Let’s explore.

What Is a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?

Holding a Bitcoin reserve strategy involves a sovereign entity or institution acquiring and maintaining BTC as a strategic asset, similar to gold reserves or foreign currency holdings.

Bitcoin’s limited supply—21 million units, with 19.65 million in circulation as of March 2025, according to CoinMarketCap— is what sets this type of reserve apart, along with its decentralised structure, making it a shielded decision against the devaluation of traditional fiat currencies, even when compared to gold, which has a historical appreciation in diverse markets and remains a trusted asset for nations and institutions worldwide, but Bitcoin, the ‘digital gold’, as newcomers call it in the field—offers certain advantages over gold, including: Portability, divisibility, Immutability and transparency.

Sovereign Bitcoin Accumulation Despite Bitcoin’s price volatility in recent years, one pattern has remained in BTC’s price performance: it appreciates over time. Plan B’s stock-to-flow model projections suggest an upward trajectory for at least the next five years.

Source: X

As Bitcoin’s benefits become more widely recognised, the above chart plays an increasingly significant role in challenging the narrative of BTC’s volatility—an argument that central banks, governments, and financial institutions worldwide have previously used to resist Bitcoin adoption.

As Bitcoin’s benefits become more widely recognised, the above chart plays an increasingly significant role in challenging the narrative of BTC’s volatility—an argument that central banks, governments, and financial institutions worldwide have previously used to resist Bitcoin adoption.

Now, the stance appears to be shifting. In recent months, the accumulation of BTC, both directly and indirectly, has gained growing relevance within governments.

Data from BitcoinTreasuries.net indicates that known government holdings currently exceed 526,000 BTC, with the United States leading with ~200,000 BTC (93% of publicly known holdings, mostly from confiscations), which marks a 144% increase in less than 24 months, as a handful of governments now recognise Bitcoin’s potential as a strategic reserve asset.

Source: BitcoinTreasuries

While El Salvador established the precedent in 2021, it wasn’t until March 6, 2025, that the United States raised the stakes by establishing its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), comprising nearly 200,000 previously confiscated BTC.

Source: Data from BitcoinTreasuries

China is closely watching U.S. moves. Here, the competition is BTC holdings, not only about computational power for Bitcoin mining, with a ‘no-sell’ policy-shaping government strategies.

This shift underscores Bitcoin’s role in financial sovereignty, though its foundation is network security, driven by hash rate growth.

Key Statistic: The U.S. SBR accounts for 1% of Bitcoin’s total supply, valued at $16.8 billion as of March 23, 2025 The chart above highlights real-world cases of nations leading the shift towards adopting Bitcoin as a strategic reserve—alongside institutions and corporations of all sizes joining this new race to accumulate BTC. This magazine is sole property of themoonmag.com and is not to be redistributed in any form anywhere else.

From an institutional perspective, MicroStrategy has taken the lead by holding nearly half a million BTC. The global adoption of Bitcoin reserves is advancing as follows:

Bitcoin Reserve Adoption by Nations and Institutions ●

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El Salvador: El Salvador holds 6,126 BTC (~$530 million) and uses geothermal energy to mine 300 BTC yearly. Its strategy combines legal tender adoption with state accumulation.

United States: The SBR, launched on March 6, 2025, secures 198,109 BTC ($16.8 billion), according to Reuters. The BITCOIN Act, reintroduced on March 11 by Senator Cynthia Lummis, proposes acquiring 1 million BTC ($85 billion) by 2030—5% of the total supply.

Bhutan accumulates 8,971 BTC ($788 million) using hydroelectric energy, representing 10% of its $10 billion GDP, surpassing its gold reserves (1,500 kg, $120 million).

Czech Republic & Russia: The Czech National Bank is considering allocating 5% of its $146 billion reserves ($7.3 billion) to BTC, while Russia plans to acquire 50,000 BTC ($4.25 billion), as stated by Putin in 2024.

U.S. States: According to AlphaPoint, Texas seeks 10,000 BTC ($850 million), while 15 U.S. states explore Bitcoin reserves, according to Fortune.

South Korea rejected Bitcoin reserves on March 17, citing a 22% decline in Q1.

Corporations: MicroStrategy holds 506,137 BTC ($33.7 billion), while Fidelity’s ETF manages 200,000 BTC ($17.5 billion).

This division between governments and corporations drives Bitcoin’s strategic prominence, with the United States standing out for its scale and structured financial planning.

The Global Hashrate Race: The Role of Hash Rate in Economic Competition The computational power dedicated to the Bitcoin blockchain is measured by the hash rate, expressed in hashes per second (H/s). The hash rate forms the backbone of the network’s security, ensuring transaction validation and block addition approximately every 10 minutes through SHA-256 cryptographic puzzles.

By 2025, the hash rate has become a key indicator of economic and technological dominance in the hash war, as nations and corporations compete to control this critical infrastructure.

Historically, China has been the principal controller of Bitcoin’s hash rate through institutional mining farms and independent operations. However, its stringent crackdown on mining has forced many miners to relocate, leading to a geographic redistribution of mining power. Far from being a setback, this decentralisation strengthens the Bitcoin network.

For nations, controlling hash power within their borders represents a significant means of exerting influence over network security and decentralisation. Thus, alongside the establishment of strategic Bitcoin reserves, the competition to dominate the hash rate has already become part of a broader economic war, with BTC as a central player.

Hash Rate Metrics and Trends ●

Current Status: The Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index estimates that the global hash rate averaged 800 EH/s (exahashes per second) in March 2025. The Hashrate Index hit 839 EH/s on March 15, but CoinWarz registered a higher peak of 992 EH/s on February 28. After this peak, the hash rate settled at 826 EH/s on March 22, even though BTC’s price dropped 9% in Q1.

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Historical Growth: From 510 EH/s in January 2024 (CoinWarz), the hash rate grew by 56% in 2024, briefly reaching 1,000 EH/s on 2 February 2025. This increase reflects miners' resilience following the April 2024 halving, which reduced block rewards from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC.

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Geographical Distribution: The U.S. leads with 36% (288 EH/s), followed by Russia with 15.62% (125 EH/s) and China with 13.75% (110 EH/s), according to the Hashrate Index. Since China’s mining ban in 2021, its share has fallen from 65% to nearly a third..

Source: Hashrate Index

Since China’s mining ban, the United States has taken the lead to become the world’s primary Bitcoin mining hub. Its strategy is based on three key factors: access to cheap energy, a more transparent regulatory framework driven by pro-crypto leadership and investment in large-scale infrastructure, as seen with Marathon Digital and Riot Blockchain’s mining facilities in the US. Although officially banned, China continues its substantial, covert mining operations and leads in specialised mining hardware manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Russia has integrated Bitcoin mining into its economic strategy to circumvent international sanctions, positioning BTC as an alternative financial haven.

As noted by a user on X (@TheCryptoLark), nations with high debt levels may increase their hash rate to back Bitcoin reserves. This trend is evident in countries such as El Salvador, Kazakhstan, and Oman, which have made notable progress.

Meanwhile, Bhutan’s production of 300 BTC per year with 12 EH/s demonstrates how even smaller nations can compete to secure a portion of Bitcoin’s supply by leveraging strategic energy advantages.

Hash Rate as an Economic Weapon The Hash War pits nations against each other for mining dominance. The success of the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) relates to its 288 EH/s, backed by companies like Riot Platforms, which operates 18.5 EH/s (Compass Mining, January 2025).

Russia’s 48 EH/s aligns with its rumoured plans to accumulate 50,000 BTC, while the UAE’s estimated 800–1,000 MW mining capacity (equivalent to 40–50 EH/s) signals growing ambitions in the Middle East (AGBI). This war secures the Bitcoin network and defines control over its infrastructure as BTC rises as a reserve asset.

Key Metrics ● ● ●

Peak Hash Rate: 1,000 EH/s (3 January 2025), stabilised between 600–819 EH/s (March 2025).

The Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index reports yearly energy use of 172.8 TWh (0.6% of global electricity).

Projection: 1 ZH/s (1,000 EH/s) by 2027 (CoinDesk).

Global Economic Implications Bitcoin reserves could reshape global finance while serving as a strategic advantage for nations looking to bypass economic conflicts. We are already witnessing Bitcoin being used as an economic weapon, enabling countries like Russia, China, and Iran to resist financial sanctions by facilitating transactions beyond traditional systems.

Additionally, energy market dynamics are driving nations with abundant energy resources— such as Paraguay, Bhutan, and, historically, Venezuela—to leverage Bitcoin mining to monetise surplus electricity.

While BTC’s volatility remains a challenge for the stability of strategic Bitcoin reserves, its deflationary nature and advancements in ASIC hardware efficiency present a promising outlook for Bitcoin’s adoption as a natural reserve asset, possibly reducing reliance on traditional financial systems.

However, before establishing itself as a strategic asset, Bitcoin must overcome several challenges: regulatory uncertainties, risks of network centralisation, and, most notably, concerns over volatility. These factors could discourage governments from accumulating BTC, as seen with Germany’s 50,000 BTC sale in 2024, which caused a 15% price drop.

The Future of Bitcoin Reserves Analysts predict several promising future scenarios: ●

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U.S. Adoption: VanEck forecasts that 20 U.S. states will hold 247,000 BTC ($21 billion). A report suggests that a successful SBR could incentivise Japan and the EU to adopt 500,000 BTC in reserves by 2035.

Global Catalysts: The White House Crypto Summit on March 7 could accelerate this trend. President Donald Trump has pledged to make the U.S. the leading Bitcoin superpower and global crypto hub.

ResearchGate highlights that integrating BTC into payment systems (e.g., Lightning Network) could stabilise its value, increasing its appeal as a reserve asset.

Sustainability: A 2023 study published by the Risk Management Institute found that Bitcoin mining operations could reduce global emissions by around 8% by 2030.

Risks and Speculation: ResearchGate warns that a statebacked cryptocurrency (e.g., China’s CBDC) could displace BTC if it surpasses its adoption. Coinbase Research projects that 15% of global reserves ($4 trillion) could happen in BTC by 2030.

Economic Projections: HKIFOA estimates that if BTC reaches $200,000, a 1M BTC SBR could generate $199 billion in profits, while Standard Chartered predicts $150K per BTC by 2027.

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Final Thoughts The Bitcoin reserve strategy blends technology and economics in a global experiment. The digital currency is no longer just an asset for retail investors and tech enthusiasts.

Its significance now extends beyond small-scale mining rigs into the economic policies of the world’s leading governments, which perceive Bitcoin as a key financial strategy.

Furthermore, hash rate competition is shaping a new economic battlefield, with the U.S. (198,109 BTC), El Salvador (5,965 BTC), and Bhutan (12,206 BTC) leading the charge.

Geopolitical competition is now shifting to the technological race for BTC mining dominance.

Bitcoin has already proven—on a smaller scale—that it offers monetary sovereignty and an inflation hedge. Yet, it faces volatility, environmental concerns, and regulatory gaps. However, these issues appear to be gradually normalising, reinforcing Bitcoin’s role in the economic policies of some nations.

As of 2025, Bitcoin is redefining global power, with the US leading through meticulous financial planning.

Will Bitcoin endure as a strategic asset?

Or will it collapse like a digital mirage?

Will it become a key component of national reserves? Only time will tell. For now, accumulate as much BTC as possible—don’t get left behind.

Deep Dive: Pi Network written by Chris

If you’ve been scrolling through crypto Twitter lately, you’ve probably stumbled across Pi Network, a project promising to bring cryptocurrency to the masses.

Launched on Pi Day, March 14, 2019, it was all about making crypto mining as easy as tapping your phone. Unlike Bitcoin, which needs pricey hardware and heaps of energy, Pi lets you earn tokens through a mobile app, with no technical know-how required. It’s got a growing community, but there’s buzz about its future value and whether it’s all it claims to be. Let’s dive in and see what’s what.

How Pi Works Pi Network’s big sell is accessibility. You download the app, tap a button daily to mine Pi tokens, and that’s it. No draining your battery or wallet. It uses a trust-based system, relying on community verification rather than heavy computing, and it’s designed to be eco-friendly, using minimal power. The mining rate drops over time, following a negative exponential model, which means early adopters get more, but it’s still free to join.

After many years of anticipation, speculation and drama, the open mainnet launch commenced on February 20, 2025. Essentially, this meant that all Pi users could trade Pi tokens on exchanges, but we’ll get to the controversies later.

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Founders and Goals Behind Pi Network are Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis and Dr. Chengdiao Fan, both Stanford PhDs with a mission to democratize crypto.

Kokkalis, with a background in distributed systems, and Fan, in social sciences, wanted to break down barriers, making blockchain usable for everyday folks. Their goal? Build a Web3 ecosystem where Pi tokens power real-world apps, from payments to decentralised services, all while keeping it inclusive and low-impact.

History and Quick Summary Pi Network wasn’t the first protocol that enabled this. It was Enecuem (ENQ).

This kind of mining represents a significant attempt to democratize cryptocurrency by leveraging mobile technology, aiming to make blockchain accessible to the masses without the traditional barriers of expensive hardware and high energy costs.

Pi Network’s primary innovation is its mobile mining app, which allows users to mine Pi tokens by tapping a button daily. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which rely on proof-ofwork (PoW) requiring substantial computational power, Pi uses an energy-light method, consuming minimal battery power. This eco-friendly approach aims to reduce the environmental impact of crypto mining, aligning with sustainability goals.

The mining process requires users to log in and engage with the app every 24 hours to keep mining active. Pi Network follows a negative exponential declining token issuance model, where mining rates decrease over time based on network growth and participation, incentivising early adoption while ensuring fairness.

Pi’s trust-based security system relies on community verification, leveraging an early version of the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP) for transaction validation. This crowd-scaled KYC solution ensures true humanity, empowering real people while disempowering bots or malicious actors. The system aims to maintain integrity and foster collaboration, enabling the community to create a decentralised ecosystem with meaningful use cases for everyday people. Of course, that’s not the full story, but more on that later.

Tokenomics and Supply Model Pi Network’s tokenomics are designed to support widespread adoption and longterm sustainability. The project has not yet disclosed the total supply, but it follows a declining issuance model, where mining rates decrease over time, as per Forbes.

This model ensures that early miners receive higher rewards, but as the network grows, the rate slows, encouraging community expansion.

Ecosystem and Adoption Pi Network has built an integrated ecosystem to facilitate real-world transactions and support dApps. The mobile app serves as a wallet to host Pi (and probably other cryptos in the future), enabling users to transact Pi and engage with different DeFi apps. Essentially, the Pi ecosystem aims to create utilities for everyday people, from payments to social interactions, with its primary focus being inclusivity.

However, adoption faces challenges. The app’s utility is currently limited, with users primarily holding (and locking) Pi in hopes of future value appreciation. The most controversial thing over the years was 1 thing. The Pi network (and therefore the team behind it) operates like a direct selling or affiliate marketing system, promising a token for recruiting new users, which has led to accusations of pyramid schemelike behavior

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More Controversies and Challenges Pi Network faces skepticism regarding its legitimacy, primarily due to a lack of transparency and accusations of operating like a pyramid scheme, as described above. We can argue that its reliance on user recruitment for mining rewards mirrors MLM structures, potentially benefiting the founders more than the community. The 6-year delay of the mainnet launch has fueled doubts for many, with some questioning whether Pi can deliver on its promises of real-world utility, but the reality is that 75% of people have already locked their Pi tokens for 3 years, showing confidence in the team and the mission.

Additionally, the project’s value proposition is debated. While it aims to pay cents per hour for mining, large advertisers are unlikely to invest in a network where users log in for rewards, limiting revenue potential. Security concerns also arise, with the trust-based system potentially vulnerable to manipulation, though Pi’s KYC process aims to mitigate this.

Statistical Overview of User Engagement and Network Growth (As of 27th of March 2025) Pi Network has a community of tens of millions, with growing participation, as reported on minepi.com. However, exact figures are not publicly disclosed, and engagement metrics vary. The app’s daily tap requirement ensures active users, but retention rates are unclear, with some users dropping off due to limited immediate utility.

Metric

Details

Launch Date

March 14, 2019

Open Mainnet Launch

February 20, 2025

Active Validators

Not disclosed, relies on community verification

User Base

Tens of millions

Mining Model

Negative exponential declining issuance

Though exact validator numbers are not specified to reflect the trust-based system, the community has shown true support so far.

The Potential?

Pi Network’s future hinges on the success of its mainnet launch and future initiatives, which could unlock trading and boost adoption. If it delivers on its ecosystem promises, it could become a true gateway, bridging Web2 and Web3 users alike.

Then, we have many existing challenges, like regulatory scrutiny, competition from established cryptos, and user trust. The project’s ability to transition from a mining app to a functional blockchain with real-world utility will determine its long-term viability. The summary was quite big, so let’s dive in some more.

Exploring Pi Network’s Tech and Tools: A Closer Look So, you’ve got the basics of Pi Network—mobile mining, eco-friendliness, and a big community vibe. But let’s peel back the layers a bit more and talk about what’s powering this thing and how it’s shaping up in practice.

The Tech Behind the Tap Pi Network’s whole deal is that it’s crypto for the everyperson, and a lot of that hinges on its tech being lightweight and phone-friendly. You’ve already heard about the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), but let’s zoom in on how it actually plays out.

SCP is like the chill cousin of Bitcoin’s energyhungry Proof of Work. Instead of making your device sweat through math problems, SCP leans on a network of trusted nodes to agree on transactions. Picture it like a group chat where everyone vouches for each other, except here, it’s about confirming that your Pi tokens moved from point A to point B. These nodes aren’t random either, they’re tied to real users who’ve been verified, which brings us to Pi’s next trick: Security Circles.

Security Circles When you sign up for Pi, you’re encouraged to build a Security Circle—five people you know and trust, all KYC-verified (that’s the “prove you’re not a robot” step).

These circles link up across the network, creating a web of trust that SCP uses to keep things secure. It’s a clever way to sidestep the powerguzzling mining rigs and let your phone handle the job.

Here’s how it works in practice: ▪

Your circle vouches for you, their circles vouch for them, and so on. When a transaction needs validating, the system taps into this trust network rather than crunching numbers.

It’s low-energy, which is why your phone doesn’t turn into a toaster while you mine. Plus, it’s eco-friendly (Pi’s team loves to tout that angle), and it’s hard to argue when you compare it to Bitcoin’s carbon footprint.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Relying on trust means the system is only as strong as its weakest link. If someone sneaks in fake accounts or the KYC process slips up, it could throw a wrench in the works. Pi’s been pretty tight-lipped about how they handle those edge cases, but the KYC rollout has been a big focus to keep the network legit.

A Winning Combo?

The real win here is that Pi’s tech is built for mobile from the ground up. You tap the app once a day, and it keeps chugging along without emptying your battery. That’s thanks to SCP and the trust model—no heavy lifting required. It’s a stark contrast to the old-school crypto mining that needs warehouses full of gear.

This mobile-first approach ties into Pi’s green credentials too. By ditching the energyintensive stuff, Pi Network positions itself as a sustainable alternative in a space that’s often criticised for its environmental impact. Whether that’s enough to win over the skeptics is another story, but it’s a solid pitch for anyone who cares about their carbon footprint (or their phone bill).

The Tools in ‘’Your Pocket’’ Alright, let’s shift gears and talk about what you actually get when you fire up the Pi Network app. You’ve already mentioned the basics, mining and wallet features, but let’s dig into how these tools feel in action and what they’re setting up for.

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The Mining App: Tap and Go The Pi app is the heart of the experience. You download it, sign up, and start mining with a single tap every 24 hours. It’s so simple that anyone can do it. The app tracks your Pi balance, and since the mainnet went live on February 20, 2025, you can now move those tokens around or trade them on exchanges (the ones that actually passed the KYC process). .

The mining itself is more of a participation thing than a tech-heavy process found in most blockchain protocols. That daily tap keeps you active, and your rate depends on how early you joined and how many people you’ve brought in (or more specifically, how many people you have invited over).

It’s tied to that negative exponential model: ‘’early birds get the worm, but everyone still gets a bite.’’ The app’s design keeps it low-key as it’s not running in the background, chewing up data or power, which is a relief for anyone who’s ever had an app kill their battery.

Wallet Features: Holding and Trading Post-mainnet, the app doubles as your wallet. You can see your stash, send Pi to other users, or swap it on exchanges that list it (you can find the current ones here on Coingecko, but always DYOR). It’s a big step up from the pre-mainnet days when Pi tokens were just numbers on a screen.

The wallet is straightforward: no flashy bells and whistles, just the essentials. You can lock your tokens too, which a ton of users (roughly 75%) have done for three years.

Image by Piscan

That’s a sign of faith in the long game, but it also means most Pi isn’t moving around yet. It’s less of a spending tool and more of a “hold and see” setup for now.

Web3 Dreams?

Pi’s team has big plans for an inclusive Web3 ecosystem. From innovative dApps, where you can use Pi for payments, games, or social stuff, Pi is laying the groundwork, with the wallet as the primary hub. They’ve teased ideas like paying for goods or tipping creators, but as of now, it’s more vision than reality. The mainnet’s live, sure, but the dApps are still in the oven.

This is where Pi’s inclusivity pitch shines. The app’s simplicity and mobile focus make it a potential entry point for folks who’d never touch a crypto exchange. But—and this is a big but—the ecosystem’s usefulness hinges on those dApps actually showing up. Right now, it’s a waiting game, and users are mostly sitting on their Pi, hoping it pays off down the line.

The Catch: Simplicity vs. Substance Here’s the rub: Pi’s tools are easy to use, which is awesome for adoption, but they’re still pretty basic. The mining app and wallet get the job done, but they don’t offer much beyond that yet. The referral system—where you earn more by inviting friends—has driven crazy growth, but it’s also sparked those pyramid scheme vibes we mentioned. It’s a doubleedged sword: it’s built a massive community, but it’s left some wondering if the app’s more about recruiting than real utility.

And then there’s the trust factor. The tech is lightweight and green, but leaning on Security Circles and KYC puts a lot of faith in the community and Pi’s verification process. It’s a bold move, and while it’s kept things running so far, it’s not as battle-tested as some other blockchain setups.

Pi Network’s Big Moments and Where They’ve Been Let’s take a step back and look at the journey. Pi’s been around since 2019, and in those six years, they’ve popped up at some cracking events and racked up achievements that show they’re not just another crypto pipe dream. This isn’t about guessing what’s next, it’s about what they’ve already done, from hackathons to global shindigs, and the milestones that got them here.

Kicking Off with a Bang: The Early Days One of their first big moves was getting the community involved in events that weren’t just about mining but building something real. By 2021, they were already hosting their first proper event: the #buildPi2gether Hackathon.

This wasn’t some small fry gathering either. Thousands of developers and Pioneers from across the globe jumped in, churning out over 360 projects. Winners like Pi Workforce Pool, a marketplace for hiring skilled Pioneers, and PiCare, a bug-reporting platform, showed off what the community could whip up in a weekend. It was a proper signal that the Pi team wasn’t messing about; they wanted a buzzing ecosystem, and this was the spark.

Stateside Hackathons: Taking It to the Unis Fast forward to 2022, and Pi Network took their show on the road, sponsoring hackathons at some of the brainiest spots in the US: Harvard, Cornell, and UC Berkeley. These weren’t just for kicks—teams got hands-on with Pi’s tech, and the results were ace. −

− −

At Harvard, the Sus Drones crew won with a drone system tracking environmental stats like CO2 levels, tying Pi into sustainability.

Cornell’s Sparkle team built an idle game where you could snag NFTs with Pi while, UC Berkeley’s lot cooked up more creative prototypes.

Pi’s team mentored these students, and some even kept building after the events. It was a smart move, showing off how accessible their platform is for young devs and planting seeds for future apps.

PiFest: From Local to Global Then there’s PiFest, which has become a bit of a legend in Pi circles. The 2024 edition, held during the Enclosed Mainnet phase, was a belter—over 27,000 active sellers and 950,000 Pioneers across 160 countries got stuck in over a few days.

This was real-world commerce, with folks using Pi to buy and sell everything from handmade goods to services.

The Map of Pi helped punters find local merchants, and the Pi Wallet made transactions a doddle on the blockchain. It proved Pi could handle a massive, global event and gave a taste of what an open network might look like.

Fast forward to March 2025, post-mainnet, and PiFest was back, building on that success with even more merchants jumping on board—55,000 sellers this time—showing the community’s still got fire in its belly.

Achievements That Stand Out Pi’s not just been faffing about at events—they’ve got some proper notches on their belt. By early 2023, their Q1 Hackathon pulled in over 6,700 participants and nearly 600 project submissions. Polls for Pi, a Web3 polling app that pays you in Pi, nabbed the top spot, while others like Coinskro, an escrow system for bartering, showed off practical uses. That same year, they hit 3.8 million KYCverified users—a massive step for keeping the network legit. By late 2024, the app had smashed 100 million downloads on Google Play, a mental number for a project still in its pre-open phase back then.

The mainnet launch was the big one, though…10.14 million Pioneers migrated, beating their 10 million goal. Within days, billions in trading volume were clocked. They’ve also rolled out .pi domains at the 2025 Pi Day auction, with over 200,000 bids and 2.9 million Pi staked, proving the ecosystem’s got its legs everywhere.

Community Power in Action What’s mad is how much of this is down to the Pioneers themselves. Events like the —more a virtual bash than a physical one—saw the community vote on speakers and topics, shaping where Pi’s headed.

The Developer Ambassador Programme’s been quietly chugging along too, getting Pioneers to rope in devs and keep the app pipeline flowing. It’s not flashy, but it’s the backbone of why Pi’s got over 50 million verified users today.

Where is Pi heading?

So, that’s the current Pi Network in a nutshell. It has a slick system that’s easy on your phone (and the planet), with an app that’s dead simple to use. The mainnet’s finally unlocked trading, and the vision is intriguing, even if it’s not fully here yet.

Certainly is not perfect (but what is if you think about it), as trust issues and limited features keep it grounded still, but what we can say is that it is a fascinating experiment in making crypto accessible to the masses.

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The Layer-2 Revolution Supercharging Blockchain for the Real World

written by Sachiko

Imagine a highway with bumper-to-bumper traffic—cars inching along, drivers fuming, fuel costs soaring. Now picture a sleek overpass whisking you above the jam, delivering speed and savings without rebuilding the road below. That’s the essence of Layer-2 (L2) blockchains: a turbo boost for the crypto world’s foundational networks, solving problems that have bottlenecked adoption for years. As Bitcoin hovers in the $80s and Ethereum powers a sprawling DeFi ecosystem, L2s are quietly reshaping how we transact, trade, and dream in the decentralised age. Let’s dive into what they are, why they matter, and where they’re taking us.

What Are Layer-2 Blockchains?

Layer-2 solutions are secondary frameworks built atop Layer-1 (L1) blockchains—think Ethereum, Bitcoin, or Solana. L1s are the bedrock: they handle consensus, security, and data storage, but they’re often slow, expensive, and rigid. L2s don’t replace them; they enhance them, offloading grunt work to deliver scalability and efficiency while leaning on L1’s trust and durability.

The concept is simple: process most transactions off the main chain, then settle the results back to it. It’s like tallying a bar tab all night and only swiping your card once at closing time. From rollups to sidechains to state channels, L2s come in flavors, each with unique mechanics but a shared goal— making blockchain usable at scale.

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The Big Problems L2s Solve L1 blockchains are engineering marvels, but they’ve got flaws. Ethereum, for instance, chugs along at 15-30 transactions per second (TPS), while Bitcoin averages a glacial 7 TPS. Compare that to Visa’s 1,700 TPS, and you see why crypto’s been stuck in the slow lane. Add sky-high gas fees—$50+ for a simple Ethereum swap during peak times—and it’s clear why your average Joe isn’t buying coffee with ETH. L2s tackle three core issues:

1. Scalability: More Room, More Speed L1s are like single-lane roads—great for security, terrible for traffic. L2s widen the highway. Take rollups, a star player in the L2 game: they bundle hundreds or thousands of transactions into one compact “rollup,” then post a summary to L1. Optimistic Rollups (e.g., Arbitrum, Optimism) assume transactions are valid unless proven otherwise, while zk-Rollups (e.g., StarkNet, zkSync) use cryptographic proofs to guarantee accuracy. Either way, the result is thousands of TPS—enough to power global dApps without breaking a sweat.

2. Cost:

3. Speed: Instant Gratification Waiting 10 seconds for an Ethereum block or 10 minutes for Bitcoin confirmation kills real-time use cases. L2s like the Lightning Network (Bitcoin) or Polygon (Ethereum) settle transactions in a flash, syncing with L1 later. Swaps on Optimism feel as snappy as PayPal, opening doors to high-frequency trading and seamless UX.

How Layer-2s Work: A Peek Under the Hood L2s aren’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s a rundown of the main types: ●

●

●

Penny-Pinching Transactions Gas fees are crypto’s toll booth, and on busy days, they’re brutal. L2s slash costs by doing the heavy lifting off-chain. A zk-Rollup, for example, compresses data so efficiently that a single L1 settlement covers countless L2 actions. On Arbitrum, a DeFi trade might cost $0.10 instead of $10. For microtransactions— think gaming rewards or tipping—this is a game-changer.

●

Rollups: The heavy hitters.

Optimistic Rollups bet on honesty, with a challenge period to catch fraud. zk-Rollups lean on math— zero-knowledge proofs—to prove validity upfront. Both inherit L1 security, making them gold standards for Ethereum scaling.

Sidechains: Independent chains (e.g., Polygon PoS) linked to L1 via bridges. They’re fast and flexible but trade off some security for autonomy.

State Channels: Two-party tunnels (e.g., Lightning Network) where users transact privately, settling on L1 only when done. Perfect for repeated interactions like payments.

Plasma: An older L2 trick—think offchain “child chains”—now less common due to data availability issues.

Each method balances speed, cost, and trust differently, but they all lean on L1’s backbone for finality. It’s a symbiotic dance: L2s scale, L1s secure.

Real-World Wins: L2s in Action L2s aren’t theoretical—they’re live and thriving. Ethereum’s ecosystem, clogged

by DeFi and NFTs in 2021, now breathes easier thanks to L2s. Arbitrum hosts Uniswap trades at a fraction of mainnet costs. Polygon powers Starbucks’ NFT loyalty program. Bitcoin’s Lightning Network lets you buy a burger at El Salvador’s McDonald’s with BTC, no 10minute wait required.

A fresh example? Pepe Unchained, a 2024-launched meme coin with an L2 twist. Its custom Layer-2 chain tackles Ethereum’s gas guzzlers, letting traders swap PEPU tokens fast and cheap while staking for 100%+ APY. It’s a niche use case—meme coin mania—but shows how L2s can unlock markets L1s couldn’t touch.

The Trade-Offs: No Free Lunch L2s shine, but they’re not flawless.

Bridging assets from L1 to L2 can be clunky, with delays or fees. Some rollups rely on centralised “sequencers” to order transactions, raising trust questions.

Liquidity can fragment—ETH on Arbitrum isn’t the same as ETH on Optimism, complicating DeFi. And if an L2 fails or gets hacked, users might scramble to exit back to L1.

Still, these are growing pains. Teams are iterating fast—zk-Rollups are cutting costs further, and cross-L2 bridges are smoothing interoperability.

Why L2s Matter Now In 2025, crypto’s at a tipping point. Bitcoin’s flirting with $82,000, driven by institutional bets and strategic reserve talks. Ethereum’s DeFi TVL sits at $150 billion+, per recent X chatter.

But mass adoption—think billions of users—won’t happen on L1 alone. L2s are the bridge to that future, making blockchain practical for gaming, payments, even tokenised real estate.

They’re also eco-warriors in disguise. By slashing L1 transaction loads, L2s cut energy use—a big deal as ESG pressures mount. Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, for instance, makes BTC payments greener than ever.

The Road Ahead L2s are evolving. zk-Rollups, with their cryptographic wizardry, are poised to dominate Ethereum scaling—StarkNet’s already live, and zkSync’s token is turning heads. Bitcoin’s Taproot upgrade is fueling Lightning adoption.

Newcomers like Pepe Unchained hint at bespoke L2s for niche communities. And as L1s like Ethereum tweak their own designs (e.g., sharding), L2s will adapt, potentially blurring the lines between layers.

The dream? A world where blockchains as invisible as the internet—fast, cheap, secure, and everywhere. L2s aren’t the whole answer, but they’re the rocket fuel pushing us there. Next time you swap a token or mint an NFT for pennies, thank Layer-2. The highway’s open—where will it take us?

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Top Crypto Wallets to HODL Your 2025 Moonshots written by Sachiko

The crypto cosmos is erupting—Solaxy ($SOLX) raised $21M in presale, Wall Street Pepe ($WEPE) hauled in $47.5M, and Flockerz ($FLOCK) is nearing $10M, all with their sights on massive exchange listings. These aren’t just tokens; they’re potential moonshots, and you need a wallet to match their orbit. Whether you’re chasing meme coin mania, staking for gains, or securing Layer-2 bets, your wallet’s your spaceship. Moon Mag’s serving up the juiciest rundown on the top five crypto wallets for 2025, plus a deep dive into OKX Web Wallet—the multi-chain monster you’ll wish you’d known sooner. Buckle up, fam—this is your ticket to the stars!

The Top 5 Wallets to

HODL Your Moonshots

▪

Ledger Nano X: The Cold Storage Titan ○ ○

○

○

Specs: $149, hardware wallet, 5,500+ coins supported (Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin, etc.).

Meat of It: Ledger Nano X is the gold standard for security freaks. Its CC EAL5+ certified chip keeps your private keys offline, safe from hackers drooling over your $SOLX stash. Bluetooth connectivity pairs with the Ledger Live app, letting you manage assets from your phone or desktop—swap, stake, or HODL without sweat. It’s got room for 100 apps, so you’re covered for Solana’s ecosystem (think $SOLX) or Ethereum’s DeFi jungle. Launched in 2019, it’s battle-tested through bull runs and bear traps.

Moon Factor: With presale stars like $WEPE eyeing Binance listings, Ledger’s your vault for post-launch profits. Its 256KB storage upgrade over the Nano S means you can juggle multiple chains without unplugging.

Why It Rules: Offline peace of mind for your $10M+ market cap hauls—perfect for long-term believers in 2025’s breakout coins.

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▪

MetaMask: The DeFi Warlord ○ ○

○

○

▪

Specs: Free, software wallet (browser extension/mobile), thousands of ERC-20 tokens.

Meat of It: MetaMask is the OG of Ethereum wallets, born in 2016 and still dominating Web3.

It’s your portal to decentralised exchanges (Uniswap, SushiSwap) and dApps, supporting Ethereum and compatible chains like Polygon or Arbitrum. Got $FLOCK or $MEMEX in presale? If they’re ERC-20, MetaMask lets you swap ‘em the second they hit a DEX. Its open-source code’s been audited to death, and with 30M+ users, it’s a community juggernaut. Staking’s limited, but its swap feature hunts for low gas fees—crucial in Ethereum’s wild fee swings.

Moon Factor: Free and hot, it’s built for active traders chasing presale pumps before CEX listings. Pair it with a hardware wallet for bigger bags.

Why It Rules: Web3 access on tap—your frontrow seat to DeFi’s next wave of hyped tokens.

Trust Wallet: The Multi-Chain Maverick ○ ○

○

○

Specs: Free, software wallet (mobile-focused), 70+ blockchains, millions of assets.

Meat of It: Trust Wallet, acquired by Binance in 2018, is a non-custodial beast with teeth. It spans Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain— pretty much every chain pumping out 2025’s hottest coins. Its built-in DEX and staking options (e.g., 5%+ APY on BNB) let you grow your $SOLX or $WEPE while you wait for listings. The wallet’s open-source, with a slick UI that’s newbie-friendly yet deep enough for pros. It even handles NFTs and browser access to dApps, making it a Swiss Army knife for crypto explorers.

Moon Factor: With Binance’s backing, it’s primed for coins hitting their exchange—or any CEX. A go-to for Solana-based $SOLX or meme coin madness.

Why It Rules: Versatility meets accessibility— your all-in-one for trading, staking, and HODLing across ecosystems.

▪

Coinbase Wallet: The Normie’s Moon Bridge

○ ○

○ ○

Specs: Free, software wallet (mobile/browser), 10+ blockchains supported.

Meat of It: Don’t confuse this with Coinbase’s exchange—this is their standalone, noncustodial wallet, launched in 2018. It covers Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, and more, with a clean interface that screams “easy mode.” You can store NFTs, connect to dApps, and transfer funds straight to Coinbase’s exchange for trading hyped listings like $MEMEX. Security’s tight with biometric logins and encrypted keys, though it’s still hot, so big stacks need extra caution. Its 4.7/5 App Store rating from 14K+ reviews proves it’s a crowd-pleaser.

Moon Factor: Ideal for beginners jumping into $10M+ market cap tokens—swap to Coinbase and cash out when the hype peaks.

Why It Rules: Simplicity with exchange firepower—your on-ramp to crypto’s wild ride.

▪

Trezor Safe 5: The Hardware Heavyweight ○ ○

○ ○

Specs: $169, hardware wallet (launched June 2024), 1,000+ coins, expandable via apps.

Meat of It: Trezor Safe 5 is the shiny new toy from the folks who pioneered hardware wallets in 2014. Its EAL6+ Secure Element and color touchscreen scream next-gen, while USB-C and third-party app support (e.g., MetaMask) keep it flexible. It handles Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana—enough to secure $SOLX or $WEPE post-presale. The open-source firmware’s a nerd’s delight, and its Shamir Backup splits your seed phrase for extra safety. At 16 grams, it’s light but packs a punch.

Moon Factor: Your fortress for 2025’s breakout stars—think long-term HODLing after exchange listings.

Why It Rules: Cutting-edge security with a user-friendly twist—crypto’s future-proof bunker.

Spotlight: OKX Web Wallet—The Multi-Chain Moon Machine ● ●

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Specs: Free, non-custodial software wallet (web/extension/mobile), 100+ blockchains.

Meat of It: OKX Web Wallet, from the OKX exchange empire (50M+ users, MiCAlicensed), is a Web3 beast. It supports 100+ chains—Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin, Aptos, you name it—outrunning Trust Wallet’s 70+. Its X-Routing tech optimises swaps across 400+ DEXs, snagging the best rates for your $SOLX or $FLOCK trades. DeFi tools, NFT marketplaces, and staking (5.11% APY on USDT via Aave, 2.98% on ETH via Lido) make it a powerhouse. Non-custodial with MPC key management, it flags 1.28M risky tokens and 153K shady domains for safety. Ties to OKX’s exchange mean lightning-fast transfers when your coins hit their platform. Its 4.6/5 App Store rating seals the deal.

Moon Factor: If $WEPE or $SOLX launches on OKX—or any CEX—this wallet’s your command center. Free and loaded, it’s built for presale-to-listing glory.

Pros: ○ Multi-Chain Mastery: 100+ chains dwarf MetaMask’s scope—$SOLX, $FLOCK, no limits. ○ Web3 Arsenal: DeFi, NFTs, staking, and DEX swaps in one slick package. ○ Exchange Synergy: OKX integration primes it for hyped listings.

Cons: ○ Hot Wallet Risks: Online means phishing threats—pair with Ledger for whale-sized bags. ○ Steep Curve: Less newbie-friendly than Coinbase’s plug-and-play vibe. ○ U.S. Hitch: No OKX exchange access stateside, though the wallet’s global.

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The Lunar Playbook Cold storage champs Ledger Nano X and Trezor Safe 5 are your unbreachable moons—secure those $10M+ market cap hauls for the long haul.

Hot wallet hustlers can lean on MetaMask’s DeFi edge, Trust Wallet’s multi-chain muscle, or Coinbase Wallet’s normie appeal.

OKX Web Wallet? It’s the wildcard—100+ chains, Web3 firepower, and exchangeready for 2025’s rockets like $WEPE or $SOLX. Crypto’s a rollercoaster, fam. Stashing big? Mix a hardware tank with OKX’s hot versatility. The moon’s ripe pick your ship, load your bags, and blast off!

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Crypto vs.

Human Nature written by Josh

Change is uncomfortable. It’s disruptive. It forces us to rethink what we know, and let’s be honest, most people would rather stick with what’s familiar than wrestle with something new. It’s built into us. Humans are wired for survival, and survival (for most of history) meant sticking to what worked yesterday because it’s probably still going to work today.

This is why new ideas (especially those that challenge existing power structures) tend to be met with resistance, skepticism, and even outright hostility. It’s not a conscious decision. It’s biology. Our brains evolved to favour predictability, and when something comes along that disrupts the status quo, our default reaction is to dismiss it, mock it, or fear it.

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Enter crypto.

For over a decade, Bitcoin and crypto at large have been fighting this deeply ingrained psychological resistance. People who don’t understand it tend to default to one of three reactions: 1.

2.

3.

"It’s a scam."

"It’s too complicated."

"It will never last."

If you’ve been in the space for any amount of time, you’ve heard all of these, probably from family members at Christmas dinner, from friends who think they’re saving you from financial ruin, or from random Twitter accounts copying whatever the latest mainstream media hit piece is saying.

But these reactions aren’t unique to crypto.

The same skepticism was thrown at the internet in the 90s. The same doubts surrounded early electric cars, online payments, and even the idea of putting your personal information on a social media platform (until, of course, everyone did it).

People fight new ideas not because they’ve critically analysed them and found them lacking but because their brains are simply trying to protect them from the unknown.

The Illusion of Stability The irony in all this is that the systems people cling to like banks, governments and traditional finance, aren’t as stable as they believe. We’ve watched banks collapse, inflation erode savings, and governments make questionable financial decisions that leave ordinary people paying the price. And yet, many still trust the familiar, even when it repeatedly fails them.

Why? Because stability is an illusion, and illusions are comfortable.

Crypto shatters that illusion by offering an alternative. It says, "You don’t have to trust a third party - you can verify everything yourself." It says, "You don’t have to ask permission to move your money - you control it." This is powerful, but also terrifying for those who have spent their entire lives believing that financial systems must be centralised and controlled by institutions.

Breaking the Resistance So, if humans are naturally resistant to change, how do we help them break past this mental block and see the potential of crypto for what it really is? The answer isn’t to argue or overwhelm people with technical jargon. People don’t change their minds because someone threw a whitepaper at them. They change their minds when they experience something that forces them to reconsider their assumptions.

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Here’s what actually works: 1.

Lead by Example – Nothing is more convincing than watching someone you trust benefit from something. If you’re using crypto in practical ways, whether that’s earning with it, transacting with it, or protecting your wealth, people will take notice. Curiosity follows results.

2.

Tell Stories, Not Specs – People don’t care about the tech; they care about what it enables. Tell them about the person in Argentina who preserved their savings with Bitcoin when their currency collapsed. Tell them about the freelancer in Nigeria who got paid instantly in stablecoins without dealing with predatory banking fees. Make it relatable.

3.

Meet Them Where They Are – Not everyone is ready to dive into DeFi or start trading altcoins. Start small. Maybe they just need to understand why their money loses value over time or why banks limit withdrawals in financial crises.

Once they grasp the "why," they’ll naturally want to explore the "how."

4.

Remove the Fear Factor – Crypto is still wrapped in a lot of unnecessary complexity. Simplify it. Show them how easy it is to set up a wallet, make a transaction, or earn yield without needing to be a financial expert. Fear fades with familiarity.

One Of Us! One Of Us! Change isn’t easy. It never has been. But every major shift in human history, from electricity to the internet, was met with resistance before it became the new normal. Crypto is no different.

The people who mocked Bitcoin in 2013 are the same ones quietly buying it now. The institutions that dismissed it as a temporary joke are the same ones lobbying for regulation so they can get their cut.

The shift is happening, whether people like it or not. The real question is: Will they be ahead of the curve or struggling to catch up?

For those of us who see what’s coming, our job isn’t to force people to understand; it’s to be patient, to share, and to lead by example. Resistance to change is human nature. But so is curiosity. And if you can spark that curiosity in even one person, you’ve already made a difference.

At GettingStartedInCrypto.com, we’ve just celebrated our 4th Birthday! With thousands of people being part of GSIC over the years, we like to think that we’ve made a good effort at gently coaxing them into trying crypto. Hopefully, it will have a ripple effect, and many more people will get to experience a new industry. A new idea. A new revolution in finance

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