The Internet Computer (ICP) is a revolutionary blockchain project that creates a decentralized cloud computing platform. It leverages blockchain technology to move data, compute, and use AI on a single network, enabling entirely new applications like Web3 social networks and secure online communities with their own governance (DAOs). This “full stack decentralization” offers an alternative to traditional cloud providers by creating a sovereign network built on the internet itself.
Genfinity landed an exclusive interview with some of the brightest minds shaping the future of the ICP ecosystem, and we gained insights you won’t find anywhere else! Dive deeper into these pioneering projects and discover the future of Web3 on the Internet Computer! Keep reading for more details.
Our Panel
Kyle Stoflet, Founder of The Swop, helped co-host our interview with various projects within the ICP ecosystem. The Swop is a multifaceted company using conferences, tournaments, and metaverse events to bridge the entertainment industry with cryptocurrency and NFTs, offering exclusive access and fostering community through NFTs with special Internet Computer features.
Jesse Williams, the Founder and creator of Personal DAO, attended our interview. Personal DAO is a comprehensive DAO solution designed to operate as a private peer-to-peer lending institution, serving enterprises, corporations, communities, families, and individuals. We were also joined by Juan, the builder and lead developer of Solutio App, a platform he is developing alongside his friend and colleague, Eric. Next, introducing himself as Juan’s partner and one of the founders of Solutio, Eric explained that they are developing a decentralized ideation and crowdfunding platform. Finally, Scott Spiegel introduced himself as the Founder of BitBasel, announcing that they are developing an Ordinals art marketplace on the Internet Computer.
BitBasel: Moon Landing and Ordinal Launch for Space Art Exploration
Kyle kicked off our interview by asking Scott to elaborate on BitBasel’s recent project of placing art on the moon and to provide more details about their upcoming launch.
Scott shared his excitement, describing it as the pinnacle of BitBasel’s efforts over the past six years in Miami. They have been at the forefront of the blockchain ecosystem, prioritizing artists and integrating them with various Web3 technologies, such as AI and augmented reality. Notably, their guiding principle has been “putting the artists first,” which they discovered as the best way to drive technology adoption.
Last year, BitBasel’s community and team were invited to participate in the Lunaprise Moon Museum project, which was especially relevant given Florida’s status as the space capital. For the first time since 1972, the U.S. returned to the moon, partnering with the private sector through the Artemis Program, led by companies like SpaceX. The Artemis Program, a five-year mission, is a modern continuation of the Apollo Program from the 1970s. The first Artemis mission sent a lunar lander carrying the Lunaprise Museum to the moon. This “museum,” one of a dozen payloads mostly focused on scientific research, consisted of a nickel disc etched with the works of 222 curated artists.
Scott proudly mentioned that BitBasel played a significant role in onboarding artists for this historic project. Now, the physical artwork on the moon is being transformed into digital assets, specifically Ordinals, which will be launched on the Internet Computer. This upcoming launch marks another exciting chapter for BitBasel, blending space exploration with digital art innovation.
Personal DAO: Building on ICP’s Decentralized Infrastructure
Jesse Williams, Founder & Creator of Personal DAO, shared his intriguing journey with the ICP, explaining how its initial high valuation caught his attention. What kept him engaged, however, was the exceptional developer experience and the underlying technology’s potential. Notably, he is a staunch believer in decentralization, valuing the democratization of the digital infrastructure that is essential for participating in today’s real economy.
He elaborated on his awareness of how centralization often leads to the misuse and abuse of systems. The opportunity to join an ecosystem that aims to decentralize our world’s digital infrastructure, traditionally controlled by giants like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, resonated deeply with him. By redistributing this custody to the users, the ecosystem aims to prevent exploitation through data breaches.
Furthermore, Jesse emphasized his commitment to this vision, which inspired him to delve into the technology stack and actively contribute to the ecosystem. His goal is to create value through the products he is building, aligning with the broader mission of decentralizing digital infrastructure and empowering users.
Embracing Decentralization’s Future
The Founder acknowledged their technology’s nascent stage and highlighted that corporate entities could be threatened by decentralized solutions like AWS. Despite any challenges, Jesse expressed optimism about the future. He stressed the importance of continuous innovation and responsiveness to user feedback among developers and entrepreneurs. Features like main tokens and NFTs not only foster community engagement but also drive value creation essential for competing with tech giants like Microsoft and Google.
Looking ahead twenty years, Jesse envisioned a decentralized landscape where computing power shifts away from centralized entities. Notably, he predicted the emergence of multiple decentralized ecosystems driven by healthy competition. Unlike established incumbents, whose influence may wane, he saw ample room for growth within their dynamic environment.
Additionally, he underscored the need for responsible community stewardship. He advocated for unity and collaboration across the crypto space, urging stakeholders to transcend tribalism and showcase the collective benefits of decentralized technologies to broader ecosystems.
Collaboration and Overcoming Tribalism in Crypto
Moving on in the interview, Kyle reflected on the issue of tribalism within the crypto community. He stressed the importance of understanding and engaging with diverse projects and ecosystems. Notably, building robust, positive relationships was fundamental to the growth of the decentralized movement. “Over the past few years,” he explained, “I’ve been passionate about this. For ICP to achieve blockchain singularity, we must move beyond criticism and embrace collaboration with other ecosystems. It’s about recognizing their strengths and finding ways to work together.”
Kyle highlighted that this inclusive approach not only strengthens the core of Web3 but also makes it more accessible for newcomers. “By fostering a collaborative environment,” he concluded, “we create a welcoming space that encourages innovation and growth.”
Solutio: Bridging the Gap Between Ideas and Action in Decentralization
We asked about the potential for collaboration and innovation concerning decentralization, particularly focusing on the importance of breaking away from echo chambers and embracing diverse ideas. How do different solutions, like crowdfunding, crowd building, and shared development costs contribute to advancing the entire industry?
Eric, one of the founders of Solutio App, discussed the gap between social media ideation and actionable outcomes, noting that despite widespread engagement, platforms often failed to translate ideas into tangible projects. Moreover, there is a difficulty developers face in managing and prioritizing feature requests from platforms like Twitter.
Consequently, this is where Solutio’s structured approach comes into play: users can initiate challenges and prompt diverse solutions from the community. This competitive environment not only fosters creativity but also ensures that the most promising ideas garner support through likes or crypto pledges.
The platform’s democratic process empowers users to influence development directions while providing companies with valuable insights into consumer preferences. By aligning development efforts with community-driven demands, Solutio App enhances product relevance and user satisfaction. Overall, Solutio App represents a shift towards collaborative innovation within the decentralized ecosystem where ideas flourish through community consensus and active participation.
From Feedback to Funding – A New Paradigm
Eric expressed his hopes that many projects on ICP would adopt Solutio as a feedback mechanism for their initiatives. He emphasized that users could initially utilize the platform for free and then financially support ideas they were passionate about. Looking forward, Eric envisioned Solutio App evolving into a potential replacement for traditional grant systems.
Additionally, he articulated a vision where even DFINITY, as an investment entity, could leverage Solutio’s community-driven data to inform funding decisions effectively. “What is better than a list of the most requested apps and features from the community?” Eric pondered. He believed that such insights would provide a transparent and data-driven approach to allocating resources, ensuring investments aligned closely with community needs and desires.
In summary, he sees the long-term goal of Solutio App as transforming how projects receive funding on ICP, advocating for a shift towards a more democratic and community-centric model of decision-making in the decentralized ecosystem.
Navigating Innovation: Feedback, Pivots, and Ordinals in the Web3 Space
We inquired about the strategies of innovators in the Web3 space who release products without extensive pre-release feedback, potentially leading to discrepancies between intended and actual usage. We also explored the challenges of pivoting once a product is launched, alongside questioning the motivations and community responses to Ordinal-based developments within blockchain ecosystems like ICP and Bitcoin within the previous year.
Scott provided insights into BitBasel’s upcoming marketplace, emphasizing the transformative potential of Ordinals within blockchain architecture. He highlighted Bitcoin’s role in providing permanence and provenance for art, particularly in one-on-one contexts. However, with scaling challenges and the rise of Ethereum, many creative applications, including smart contracts and NFTs, migrated away.
Notably, BitBasel pivoted to Ordinals due to its innovative on-chain NFT creation capabilities on Bitcoin. Scott acknowledged the Internet Computer as an early leader in Bitcoin layer-two integrations, leveraging Canisters for scalable smart contracts. Moreover, they capitalized on ICP’s infrastructure to seamlessly integrate ordinals, enabling gas-free transactions and user-friendly minting processes. Scott praised ICP’s user-centric approach and visionary technology, noting its potential for blockchain singularity and cross-chain communication, which aligns with BitBasel’s ethos and community values.
Beyond the Base Layer: A Layered Approach to Blockchain Scaling
The BitBasel Founder also emphasized the logical approach of leveraging different layers of scaling within blockchain technology. Drawing parallels to the layered protocols of the internet like TCP/IP and HTTP, he highlighted the complexity and efficiency gained from multiple layers working together seamlessly. Scott pointed out that expecting a single blockchain to handle all functions — from financial transactions to hosting decentralized AI — may not be optimal. Instead, he advocated for a layered approach where various blockchains, including emerging layer-3 solutions, cater to specific user needs and functionalities. This strategy, he explained, prioritizes user experience by simplifying interactions and ensuring accessibility across different applications and services within the decentralized ecosystem.
Kyle chimed in and drew a comparison between Bitcoin’s market cap surpassing that of tech giants like Facebook, highlighting its significance in the financial and technological landscape. He also linked this observation to Scott’s collaboration with Bionic and their use of ckBTC to enhance transaction speeds and mitigate congestion.
Bitcoin’s Next Chapter: Ordinals, ckBTC, and the Art World’s Embrace
The Swop Founder posed a question to Scott, diving into the intersection of Bitcoin’s market cap dominance and its potential in the art world through technologies like Ordinals and ckBTC. Essentially, he sought Scott’s perspective on the future adoption of ckBTC, particularly within the art sector, over the next 12 to 18 months, also asking how these innovations have been received within the art community and their anticipated impact moving forward.
Scott emphasized that Ordinals represent another instance of art driving technological innovation, describing it as merely scratching the surface. He pointed out Bitcoin’s staggering $1.2 trillion market cap, highlighting the immense potential not only in NFTs but also in decentralized finance. Furthermore, Scott noted the transformative impact of projects like Bitcoin Runes, distinguishing them from meme coins.
“So in terms of pools of capital that can come into Bitcoin from a decentralized finance perspective, that’s probably the next wave that’s gonna blast off.” -Scott Spiegel, Founder, BitBasel
While he personally appreciates meme coins, he stressed the broader implications of leveraging Bitcoin for DeFi, predicting a significant influx of capital into the ecosystem. From an institutional standpoint, Scott noted Bitcoin’s recognition as a commodity by the CFTC over the past six years, underscoring its appeal for substantial capital allocations via DeFi channels. He concluded that this convergence represents the next explosive growth phase for Bitcoin in the financial landscape.
Disrupting Data Ownership and User Empowerment in the Age of Decentralization
Genfinity asked Jesse about the potential impact and opportunity presented by Personal DAO in disrupting the status quo of data provenance and technological interactions.
Jesse sees a significant opportunity to address the issues prevalent in current Web2 platforms. Firstly, he acknowledged the hidden nature of exploitation and abuse by large tech companies, which often becomes evident only after a latency period. Subsequently, Jesse pointed out the growing frustration among users due to the lack of privacy, increased censorship, and the exploitation of their data.
He opined that people are increasingly unwilling to tolerate these practices and are ready for alternatives. While there is a place for centralization, the current imbalance tilts too far towards abuse and exploitation. He envisions a future where decentralized alternatives empower users by giving them control over their data and its uses, particularly in AI development. He asserts that within five years, there will be a paradigm shift towards these decentralized models, marking a transformative inflection point for the industry.
“The way to wealth is productivity” – Jesse Williams, Founder & Creator of Personal DAO
Eric of Solutio expressed his agreement with Jesse’s observations, drawing parallels between capitalism in retail and the challenges of competing with tech giants like YouTube or Facebook. He highlighted the economic barriers to entry in the tech industry, where deep pockets are often required to challenge established platforms. Furthermore, Eric pointed out the stagnant competition landscape in social media despite issues like bot activities and fake comments persisting for years.
Significantly, he underscored the importance of initiatives like Personal DAO and Solutio in empowering communities to develop alternatives and compete effectively against entrenched players. This is crucial for fostering innovation and addressing long-standing issues in the digital space.
Roadmap to Success: Project Milestones and the Road Ahead
Unveiling Innovation: Launching a Dual-Purpose Bitcoin & ICP Wallet
Scott described the upcoming launch of their alpha product, which is slated for a soft release in a few weeks, with a broader unveiling planned for the Bitcoin 2024 conference. Moreover, he emphasized that their project exemplifies the capabilities of the Internet computer. Over the past six months, they developed a dual-purpose wallet accommodating both Bitcoin and ICP, facilitating unique functionalities such as showcasing and selling Bitcoin Ordinals directly from the wallet interface.
Furthermore, he highlighted the contrast with on-chain Bitcoin transactions, which incur fees and take time, comparing it with their platform’s near-instantaneous capabilities. He illustrated this with a demonstration of artwork listings that users can purchase using ckBTC, akin to wrapped Bitcoin on the IC, including users having a secure login via Gmail without storing personal data. Overall, he underscored the platform’s sophisticated backend technology while maintaining a user-friendly interface that is accessible to all, aligning with their goal of making advanced technology accessible even to less tech-savvy users.
The Swop: Beyond Events – Immersive Experiences and Web3 Growth
Kyle discussed recent milestones and upcoming events, including his role as MC at the ICPCC 24 conference, where The Swop played a significant role in production and event organization. He hinted at forthcoming developments within the team, suggesting potential new announcements in the coming weeks or months. Moreover, The Swop intends to expand its focus on creating immersive experiences within the Web3 space, transitioning from traditional events to more experiential engagements. Kyle emphasized their shift towards highlighting these experiences, describing it as an event series aimed at advancing the Web3 ecosystem.
Additionally, he mentioned plans to engage in business-to-business campaigns to further support the industry’s growth. Kyle expressed excitement about participating in Bitcoin Nashville and contributing to the ICP ecosystem’s visibility at the event. He noted the DFINITY Foundation’s substantial presence and hinted at upcoming marketing initiatives to promote ckBTC within the ecosystem, positioning these efforts as pivotal for amplifying their impact throughout the summer.
Personal DAO in Action: A Look at the Alpha Release, Staking Neurons, and Beyond
Jesse provided an insightful overview of the current status and future plans for Personal DAO, emphasizing its transition from the pre-alpha to the alpha phase. He highlighted ongoing development tasks aimed at resolving bugs and optimizing data storage within the application. Jesse demonstrated the functionality of Personal DAO with two separate instances, each with its own dataset and user base, managed through a minimalist interface featuring three tabs: dashboard, treasury, and private wallet.
In detailing the dashboard’s capabilities, Jesse explained its role in managing DAO operations, including Canister IDs, computational resources, and proposal statuses. He underscored the treasury’s significance, particularly its unique ability to stake and fractionalize neurons. Users can create neurons collectively owned by the DAO, influencing governance through proportional voting power based on their contributions.
Furthermore, Jesse outlined the private wallet’s role in interacting with the treasury, facilitating deposits, withdrawals, and custody of tokens. He described Personal DAO as a fundamental tool for seeding governance structures within the ICP ecosystem, essential for diverse community engagements.
Looking ahead, he outlined the roadmap for Personal DAO’s development post-alpha phase, including plans to integrate Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC into its protocol. This expansion aims to broaden collateral options for securing loans within the DAO, enhancing its utility and appeal across different cryptocurrency communities. Finally, he projected readiness for these advancements by September or October, underscoring a community-driven approach to future feature enhancements beyond the initial alpha release.
Building Together: Solutio’s Development Journey, Launch Plans, and Long-Term Vision
Juan, Founder & Lead Developer, provided a comprehensive overview of Solutio’s development journey and upcoming milestones. The project commenced in February with support from the DFINITY Grant Program, focusing initially on backend development. By early May, they transitioned to building the front-end interface, marking significant progress toward the imminent launch scheduled for June 15. Moreover, he emphasized their approach of initially offering the platform to a select group of users for feedback and testing before a broader release.
Looking forward, the developer outlined their post-launch strategy, emphasizing a collaborative effort with the community to gather feedback and refine features. He expressed enthusiasm for identifying and addressing any bugs that may arise to enhance Solutio’s functionality. Following the initial rollout, there are plans for a beta version, which is expected around September, aimed at incorporating community insights and expanding the platform’s accessibility to a wider audience.
Finally, Juan outlined Solutio’s roadmap, highlighting a strategic shift towards targeting a broader user base beyond the initial ICP community and close connections. The anticipated September release is slated to be the most comprehensive and inclusive version yet, showcasing their commitment to community-driven development and continuous improvement based on user input.
From Beta to Blockchain-Agnostic: Solutio’s Expanding Vision for Collaborative Innovation
Discussing the beta version, Eric stated that Solutio aimed to expand beyond the ICP community to accommodate various blockchain and open-source projects. He emphasized Solutio’s potential utility in diverse applications, such as hardware troubleshooting within Linux communities, where users can pledge funds to fix common issues collectively.
Furthermore, Eric expressed enthusiasm for integrating features inspired by Personal DAO’s approach. He envisioned a future where users not only pledge for ideas but also have proportional ownership over implemented solutions. While the specific implementation platform, like Personal DAO or another solution, is yet undecided, Eric underscored their commitment to user-driven ownership in project development.
Moreover, Eric discussed Solutio’s versatility beyond coding projects, highlighting its potential for collaborative content creation. He outlined a scenario where developers pool resources on Solutio to fund content creation initiatives, thereby reducing individual costs while enhancing profitability for creators and promoters alike. In addition to these developments, Eric mentioned the recent launch of a community Discord to foster collaboration among builders on ICP and beyond. He extended an open invitation to anyone interested in sharing ideas or pooling resources for collaborative projects to join their Discord community and contribute to the growing ecosystem of innovation on Solutio.
*Disclaimer: News content provided by Genfinity is intended solely for informational purposes. While we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, we do not offer financial or legal advice of any kind. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or legal decisions. Genfinity disclaims any responsibility for actions taken based on the information presented in our articles. Our commitment is to share knowledge, foster discussion, and contribute to a better understanding of the topics covered in our articles. We advise our readers to exercise caution and diligence when seeking information or making decisions based on the content we provide.
