Supply-demand chaos
And the future of decentralized collective action
While the world’s supply chain crisis rages on, gig workers and creators take action against platform marketplaces and Unit continues to shape a new kind of fintech infrastructure.
Power to gamers
From Digital Native, by Rex Woodbury
NFTs and social tokens are still in the “early adopters” phase - gaming will change this.
In-game micropurchases make up 75% of gaming revenue.
Gamers will no longer have to worry about something they own being ‘erased’.
Blockchain enables a reversal from game → community to community → game, creating a more valuable digital economy.
Delays for Santa
From The Curiosity Chronicle, by Sahil Bloom
Global supply chains are in crisis. Demand is outpacing supply.
Demand: sharp rebound from 2020 COVID dip.
Supply: labor shortages, factory & port shutdowns, logistical challenges and an energy crisis in China.
Collective action
From Li Jin’s Newsletter
Gig workers and creators are pushing for change across platform marketplaces.
Decentralized collective action (DCA) is a new type of labor activism - an informal union that is bottom-up and peer-to-peer.
DCA has failed to alter platform policy and introduce lasting change.
Alternatives: crypto DAOs and better labor laws.
The future is nuclear
From 1729, by Zion Lights
Our demand for energy is forecasted to rise by 50% by 2030 and our existing strategies are unlikely to meet this growing demand.
Nuclear energy is safe, clean and scalable.
Countries moving toward a nuclear future include Finland, Poland, and China.
Although the US provides the most nuclear energy worldwide, it is also facing pressure from activist groups.
With heavy subsidies for renewables, nuclear is turning unprofitable in certain states.
Unit deep dive
From Not Boring, by Packy McCormick
Unit is a new banking-as-a-service platform allowing tech companies to embed financial features into their products.
Unit partners up with businesses that already have the trust of their customers to avoid high CAC costs.
Unit integrates tech, compliance, support and security all into one platform, allowing clients to offer a range of financial products to their customers. Everyone wins.
Although Unit’s strategy is solid, their space remains highly competitive.
Extra Reading
Bitcoin for strategic reserves (The Pomp Letter, Anthony Pompliano)
Twitter’s first 1000 users (First 1000, Ali Abouelatta)
The salary negotiation (Lenny’s Newsletter)
Future of work and seductive historical beliefs (Collaborative Fund)
A look at Toast’s strategy (Napkin Math, Evan Armstrong)
Future of DAOs (Divinations, Nathan Baschez)