El pasado 13 de septiembre lanzamos Núcleo, una plataforma creada para formar a la próxima generación de builders web3 en Latinoamérica. La acogida superó nuestras expectativas, demostrando el hambre de conocimiento técnico y práctico que existe en la región.

Hoy damos un paso más y anunciamos el lanzamiento de un nuevo curso intensivo: De 0 a dApp con Stellar + Rust, un bootcamp diseñado para que desarrolladores puedan construir y desplegar su primera aplicación descentralizada desde cero.

Además de mentoría, acompañamiento técnico y comunidad, este curso ofrece la posibilidad de conectar directamente con el ecosistema global de Stellar y abrir puertas a oportunidades reales en la industria.

Una colaboración con Stellar y Myosin para builders que quieren ir en serio

Este bootcamp nace en colaboración con Stellar Development Foundation y Myosin, dos organizaciones clave en el desarrollo y crecimiento del ecosistema Web3. Stellar es un protocolo blockchain reconocido por su enfoque en pagos globales y soluciones financieras abiertas. Myosin impulsa comunidades de creadores y desarrolladores para acelerar la adopción de tecnologías descentralizadas.

A lo largo del curso, los participantes trabajarán con Soroban, la plataforma de smart contracts de Stellar, y Rust, uno de los lenguajes más potentes y seguros para desarrollo en blockchain.

¿Por qué aprender esto? Dominar Rust y Soroban es ganar acceso a un ecosistema en expansión, con programas de grants, hackathons globales y comunidades activas que ofrecen un puente directo entre aprender y construir productos reales.

Pre-inscripciones abiertas: https://luma.com/72ij0clo

Lo que aprenderás en este curso

El bootcamp tiene una duración de 2 semanas e incluye 10 workshops en vivo, ejercicios prácticos, office hours con el docente y acceso a una comunidad activa de builders.

Durante el programa, los participantes aprenderán a:

• Crear y transferir activos en Stellar.

• Integrar Stellar Wallet Kit y reforzar la seguridad en wallets.

• Desarrollar, testear y desplegar contratos en Soroban con Rust.

• Emitir eventos y auditar transacciones.

• Conectar contratos con un frontend funcional.

• Presentar un proyecto final operativo en Demo Day.

Además, los 5 mejores estudiantes recibirán una beca TODO pago para asistir al Stellar Haus y al showcase BAF x Stellar en Devconnect 2025. También habrá acceso a hackathons con más de $15,000 USD en premios, mentorías y certificaciones onchain.

Conoce al instructor: Federico Estigarribia

El curso estará liderado por Federico Estigarribia, desarrollador blockchain con más de tres años de experiencia en el ecosistema Stellar. Federico ha liderado proyectos que recibieron financiamiento del Stellar Community Fund, entre ellos:

• Keizai, una herramienta similar a Postman para testear smart contracts.

• Borderless, una plataforma de préstamos entre merchants.

• Allonge, que tokeniza hipotecas deterioradas como activos fraccionados.

• Diversas soluciones de remesas internacionales basadas en Stellar.

Federico trae conocimiento técnico y la experiencia práctica de haber llevado ideas a producción dentro de Web3.

Inscríbete y empieza a construir

Este bootcamp es una puerta de entrada a oportunidades concretas en la industria blockchain y la oportunidad perfecta para llegar recargado a DevConnect 2025. Si quieres dar el salto de aprender a crear tu propia dApp en Stellar, este es el momento.

Asegura tu lugar: https://luma.com/72ij0clo

Kicking off in October 2025, Acelera is an equity-free 6-week intensive program designed to scale 8-10 of Latin America's most ambitious crypto founders. We provide builders with a structured program to propel them to prepare to make a real impact across Latin America .

Our mission is to empower Latin America's brightest builders to transform society by leveraging onchain technology to create decentralized futures. Acelera is designed to provide a world-class experience, setting new standards of quality and innovation that will scale crypto in Latin America to the next level.

We are deeply rooted in the region and are true crypto natives, giving us unique insights into Latin America's challenges and opportunities. With strategic support from Ethereum Foundation Founder Success Team and the presence of other partners, we're scaling the boldest founders tackling complex problems in DeFi, payments, stablecoins, decentralized social, gaming, infrastructure, wallets, and other verticals of the onchain economy.

Ready to accelerate? Apply here: odisea.xyz/acelera

Our Thesis

We believe crypto has the potential to disrupt centralized institutions of power across Latin America. Permissionless, decentralized, and credibly neutral protocols can transform the region's financial systems, economies, and social structures. Yet, despite this potential, the number of emerging crypto projects in Latin America has been underwhelming - what we call the innovation gap.

To overcome the innovation gap, Odisea:

• Conducts foundational research on the state of crypto in Latin America

• Partners with leading global crypto protocols and foundations

• Backs the best founders in the region

• Provides technical education for emerging developers

To bring this vision to life, Odisea is proud to have partnered with leading ecosystems, including the Ethereum Foundation Founder Success Team, Mantle, Agora, Founder School, Dune, Alchemy, Protocol Labs, Founders Forge, among others.

We set up the Acelera program after realizing that some of the region's most successful founders often needed missing ingredients to reach their full potential. Through this program, we aim to scale the region's boldest and most visionary founders, both operating in the region and beyond.

Program Overview

Applications: September 12th - September 25th

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. After submitting, you'll undergo a technical review and two interviews. Expect to receive a final decision by October 3rd.

Acelera: October 6th, 2025 - November 21st, 2025

The program is fully remote and structured to provide ample time for what matters most: building your project. The culmination is a live Demo Day at Devconnect Argentina in late November, where the entire Odisea community gathers.

Through Acelera, we aim to set a new benchmark for excellence in crypto innovation, ensuring that Latin America not only participates but leads in this global transformation. To that end, the program offers the following:

Educational Sessions

Building a startup is hard, and building a crypto startup is even more challenging. Building a crypto startup in Latin America is often perceived to be nearly impossible. We provide weekly workshops covering market research, viability, product-market fit, business modeling, marketing, tokenomics, fundraising, and beyond.

Ecosystem & Network

One introduction can change the entire trajectory of a project's future. We leverage our connections within a vast network of crypto professionals, mentors, projects, and enthusiasts to scale a project's impact and reach. We've established strong relationships throughout the ecosystem that we're excited to put to work for you!

Product Development

We support developing your MVP into market-ready applications that meet market needs and user expectations. Whether it is setting up user testing, feedback sessions, or finding new technical talent to build your product, we're here to help you build the best product possible.

Advisory Sessions

You will have access to crypto's brightest minds through our advisory network. These advisors are committed to supporting you as you continue to scale up your projects and take you to the next level, both through 1:1 advisory as well as through cohort-wide sessions.

Technical Code Review

Our program includes comprehensive technical code reviews led by experienced blockchain engineers, ensuring your code meets the highest standards for security, scalability, and efficiency. These reviews offer detailed feedback and actionable insights, helping you refine your product, address vulnerabilities, and build robust, market-ready solutions.

Funding and Investment Opportunities

Access to grants, venture capital, and demo days to secure necessary funding. In addition to providing the best founders with a grant, we also work with our leading partners to create a milestone-based stream of grants upon successful integrations of certain protocols and dApps. Our Demo Day at DevConnect Argentina will feature leading investors across the ecosystem who are keen to back Latin America's best builders.

Regulatory and Compliance Support

We work with some of the region's top lawyers and advisors to guide you through the complex regulatory landscape of Latin America's crypto space. This ranges from where you should incorporate your startup, what your fundraising vehicles should look like, and more.

Program Structure

The program will take place over 6 intensive weeks. Each week, we will have several educational sessions, 1:1 mentorship sessions with industry leaders, technical code reviews, and guide founders through any pressing challenges you're facing.

Week 0: Onboarding (October 6-10, 2025)

Welcome to Acelera! This initial week sets the foundation for your journey. You'll meet fellow founders, mentors, and the Odisea team while we conduct a 360 diagnostic for each startup, define your North Star metrics and KPIs, and ensure everyone is aligned with the program's goals and expectations.

Week 1: Identifying Market Opportunities (October 13-17, 2025)

This week focuses on validating your market and product fit. Through intensive workshops on problem/customer validation, market sizing, and customer interview techniques, you'll refine your understanding of your target audience and their needs. The week concludes with our first pitch practice session.

Week 2: Product Development (October 20-24, 2025)

Dedicated to bringing your product to life. Expert-led sessions on product design, UX, prototyping strategies, and user testing methodologies will help you develop and iterate on your product with hands-on support from technical experts. The week ends with a social engagement to strengthen community bonds.

Week 3: Protocol Design (October 27-31, 2025)

Dive into the technical aspects of blockchain development. We'll explore protocol design fundamentals, scaling DeFi applications, and building consumer-friendly Web3 applications. Technical progress check-ins ensure your project stays on track, and another pitch practice helps refine your messaging.

Week 4: Growth and Blitzscaling (November 3-7, 2025)

Learn strategies to scale your Web3 startup through sessions on growth strategies, acquisition channels, community building, and scaling infrastructure. Gain insights from mentors who have successfully grown crypto projects, concluding with a social networking event.

Week 5: Fundraising (November 10-14, 2025)

Prepare for investor engagement through workshops on crafting your fundraising narrative, building a compelling data room and deck, and mastering investor relations and negotiation tactics. A technical progress check-in and pitch practice ensure you're ready to present to potential investors.

Week 6: Demo Day Preparation (November 17-21, 2025)

The final week prepares you for Demo Day at Devconnect Argentina. Focus on pitch storytelling, practice with an external panel, and develop investor networking strategies. This is your opportunity to showcase your progress and connect with leading investors in the global Ethereum community.

Acelera Advisors

Acelera is proud to be backed by an exceptional team of advisors who are leaders in the crypto and entrepreneurship space. Our advisors bring a wealth of experience, insights, and connections that will be invaluable to founders in our program.

Our advisory network includes successful crypto entrepreneurs, blockchain researchers, venture capitalists, and technical experts who are committed to supporting the next generation of Latin American builders. These advisors will provide personalized guidance through one-on-one sessions, participate in cohort-wide workshops, and offer their unique perspectives on navigating the challenges of building in crypto and AI.

From technical architecture reviews to fundraising strategies and go-to-market planning, our advisors cover the full spectrum of expertise needed to build successful crypto startups in the region. Their involvement demonstrates the global crypto community's commitment to fostering innovation in Latin America.

Apply

If you're a top-tier founder looking to continue to grow your startup to the next level, we would encourage you to submit an application for the program. You can submit your application here: odisea.xyz/acelera

Applications close September 25th at 3:00 PM ET.

Should you have any questions regarding the program, you can contact us at: acelera@odisea.xyz

FAQs

General Information

• What is Acelera?

  Acelera is an equity-free 6-week intensive program designed to scale 8-10 of Latin America's most ambitious Crypto & IA teams. It's brought to you by Odisea Labs, in partnership with Ethereum Foundation Founder Success Team and others.

• When does the program run?

  The application period opens on September 12th, 2025 and closes on September 25th, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET. The program runs from October 6th to November 21st, 2025, culminating with a Demo Day at Devconnect Argentina.

• Who can apply to the program?

  The program is open to crypto and AI teams from any nationality focusing on Latin America. We're looking for ambitious founders who understand regional challenges.

Application Process

• When can I apply?

  Applications open on September 12th, 2025 and close on September 25th, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET.

• How do I apply?

  Applications are available through our website at odisea.xyz/acelera.

• Is there an information session for potential applicants?

  Yes, we will host an AMA / information session. Details will be shared on our social media channels. For any questions, you can also contact us at acelera@odisea.xyz.

• What happens after I submit my application?

  Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. After submitting, you'll undergo a technical review and two interviews. The process includes assessment of your team, project value, and potential for Latin American impact.

Selection Process

• How are projects selected?

  Projects go through a technical review and two interview rounds. We evaluate startups based on their understanding of regional challenges like regulatory complexity, currency instability, limited financial access, and their ability to create solutions that address these emerging market conditions.

• When will I know if I've been selected?

  All applicants will receive notification (acceptance or rejection) by October 3rd, 2025.

• What happens if my project is selected?

  Selected projects will undergo Week 0: Onboarding (October 6-10, 2025), where you'll meet fellow founders, mentors, and the Odisea team. You'll get access to the program's resources including Slack/Discord, Notion, calendars, and other tools.

Program Details

• What resources will be provided to selected startups?

  Selected startups will receive access to advisors, educational sessions, 1:1 mentorship with industry leaders, technical code reviews, regulatory and compliance support, and networking opportunities. The program includes comprehensive weekly workshops focused on market opportunities, product development, protocol design, growth strategies, fundraising techniques, and demo day preparation – all tailored to the Latin American crypto and AI ecosystem.

• Is there any funding provided?

  The program provides equity-free support plus access to grants, venture capital, and demo days to secure necessary funding. Our Demo Day at Devconnect Argentina will feature leading investors across the ecosystem.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided in this article by Odisea Labs LLC is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about its completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. This article does not constitute professional advice, and readers should seek their own professional advice before making any decisions based on the information provided. Odisea Labs LLC will not be liable for any loss or damage, including indirect or consequential loss or damage, arising from or in connection with the use of this article. For any questions, please contact us at terms@odisea.xyz.

Después del gran resultado de nuestra primera edición, Núcleo vuelve recargado. No se trata solo de una nueva cohorte o una segunda vuelta: esta vez decidimos construir una plataforma desde cero, que acompañe de forma mucho más cercana a quienes están dando el salto hacia el mundo Web3.

¿Qué es Núcleo?

Es una experiencia formativa pensada para quienes quieren aprender construyendo. Una comunidad para compartir, equivocarse, crecer. Un espacio donde la calidad, el talento y la comunidad se encuentran para potenciarse mutuamente.

En su primera edición, más de 50 builders se sumaron desde toda la región. Algunos vinieron sin conocimientos previos de programación, otros ya con experiencia en desarrollo. Lo que tenían en común: ganas de aprender, construir y conectar con una comunidad.

Hoy, todo ese aprendizaje se transforma en una nueva versión de Núcleo, que viene con mejoras pensadas en cada detalle.

Lo que se viene en Núcleo

En esta nueva edición, el enfoque es claro: acompañar tu evolución como builder, adaptándonos a tu ritmo y objetivos.

Una forma de aprender más personalizada

Vamos a incorporar tutores de IA disponibles 24/7, que te van a guiar a lo largo del recorrido y ayudarte a resolver dudas en tiempo real. La transición de Web2 a Web3 no es un salto, sino un proceso progresivo que irás construyendo con práctica, feedback y acompañamiento constante.

Evaluaciones continuas para entender tu progreso

El proceso de aprendizaje en Núcleo no se mide solo por completar clases. Ahora vas a tener instancias para evaluar tu evolución, con foco en el desarrollo real de habilidades y en tu capacidad de aplicar esos conocimientos en el mundo real.

Porque el conocimiento se celebra

Incorporamos una capa de gamificación que convierte tu recorrido en una experiencia más divertida y motivadora. A medida que avances, vas a desbloquear logros, acumular insignias y ganar reputación onchain que alimenta tu identidad profesional.

Tu progreso no solo se nota: se reconoce públicamente, y se vuelve parte de tu huella como builder.

Comunidad potenciada

El social graph de Núcleo te va a permitir conectar con otras personas que están transitando caminos similares. Estudiar solo no es lo mismo que construir con otros. La comunidad es clave.

Tú eliges el camino

Núcleo está diseñado para que puedas armar tu propio recorrido, según tus intereses y objetivos. Podrás:

• Conseguir tu primer trabajo en Web3

• Mejorar tus habilidades y crecer en tu carrera actual

• Construir y lanzar tu propio proyecto desde cero

Como en los juegos de aventura, tú elegís el recorrido. Nosotros te damos las herramientas, la guía y el entorno para avanzar.

¿Qué más?

Además de todo lo anterior, también sumamos:

Certificación onchain

Al finalizar el recorrido, vas a obtener una certificación onchain, verificable públicamente. Porque tu conocimiento vale, y queremos que puedas demostrarlo ante cualquier comunidad, protocolo o empresa.

Nuevos contenidos basados en feedback real

Los módulos que más impacto tuvieron en la edición pasada siguen presentes, pero ahora también incluimos nuevos contenidos pedidos directamente por la comunidad y los partners.

Plataforma data-driven

Todo lo que hacemos en Núcleo parte de algo fundamental: escuchar. A los estudiantes, a los formadores, a los equipos que construyen con nosotros. Las decisiones sobre contenido, herramientas y formato se toman con base en datos y feedback, no en suposiciones.

¿Quieres ser parte?

Únete a Núcleo hoy: nucleo.odisea.xyz

Núcleo es mucho más que una academia. Es una comunidad de aprendizaje, una herramienta de evolución y una plataforma para que construyas tu camino en Web3.

Nos emociona todo lo que se viene. ¿Nos acompañas?

Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQs)

1. ¿Qué es Núcleo?

Es una plataforma de formación continua para desarrolladores que quieren aprender, practicar y crecer en Web3. Ofrece cursos modulares, eventos en vivo, recursos exclusivos y una comunidad activa para impulsar tu carrera como builder onchain.

2. ¿Quién puede unirse?

Desarrolladores con experiencia en programación (Web2 o Web3) que quieran adquirir o profundizar conocimientos en blockchain y Web3. No necesitas experiencia previa en blockchain, pero sí bases sólidas en programación.

3. ¿Tiene costo?

Esta edición cuesta tiene un precio promocional de $25 USD (valor real: $500). Si ganas la Buildathon, puedes multiplicar tu inversión. Pero lo más importante: entras al ecosistema que ya genera $1M mensual en startups Web3.

4. ¿Qué áreas cubre la plataforma?

DeFi, seguridad en smart contracts, DAOs, oráculos, layer 2, account abstraction, tecnologías ZK, integración con IA y mucho más.

5. ¿Cómo es la metodología?

Combina cursos on-demand, clases en vivo con expertos, retos prácticos, mentorías y un entorno gamificado para mantenerte motivado y en constante progreso.

6. ¿Qué obtengo al finalizar un curso o módulo?

• Certificación onchain verificable.

• Acceso a oportunidades de trabajo y networking.

• Posibilidad de participar en hackathons y programas de incubación.

7. ¿Cuánto tiempo debo dedicar?

Depende de tu objetivo. Los cursos modulares pueden completarse a tu ritmo, pero los programas intensivos requieren entre 10 y 15 horas semanales.

8. ¿Habrá instructores invitados?

Sí. Contaremos con desarrolladores y referentes de protocolos líderes que compartirán conocimientos, experiencias y tendencias emergentes.

9. ¿Cómo me inscribo?

Haz click aquí y descubre la plataforma: nucleo.odisea.xyz

At Odisea Labs and the Latin American Dynamism Project (LADP), we believe Ethereum has a unique role to play in addressing these risks. That’s why we’ve launched a new research project: Ethereum-Based Solutions for Mitigating AI Risks in Latin America. This pioneering study explores how Ethereum’s ecosystem can help safeguard communities, strengthen technological sovereignty, and open new economic opportunities in the age of AI.

Why This Matters

Latin America is already feeling the disruptive impact of AI. Studies show that nearly 28% of the region’s workforce faces high risk of automation, with disproportionate effects on women, urban workers, and younger populations. Governments across the region—from Argentina to Mexico—are deploying AI in sensitive areas like healthcare, justice, and social welfare, often without transparency or robust oversight. Meanwhile, deepfakes and disinformation are being used in electoral processes across Mexico, Venezuela, and Argentina.

If left unaddressed, these risks could entrench inequality, erode civil liberties, and make Latin America overly dependent on foreign technology. But we believe Ethereum’s stack—its decentralized identity protocols, governance mechanisms, smart contracts, and zero-knowledge tools—can provide a path forward.

Our Research Objectives

This project will explore practical, Ethereum-powered approaches to mitigate AI’s risks, including:

• Privacy & Data Ownership: Leveraging decentralized identity (DID) solutions and zero-knowledge proofs to protect user privacy.

• Reducing Bias: Building decentralized data marketplaces where communities contribute diverse datasets to improve AI fairness.

• Civil Liberties: Introducing democratic governance frameworks for AI surveillance, secured by smart contracts.

• Decentralized AI Development: Encouraging AI training and development on decentralized infrastructure (DePin clusters) in the region.

• New Economic Models: Exploring Ethereum-based DAOs and decentralized workforce streams to offset job losses from automation.

• Technological Sovereignty: Designing fundraising mechanisms on Ethereum to support local AI innovation.

• Fighting Disinformation: Using blockchain-based verification and decentralized reputation systems to combat deepfakes.

Our success will be measured by the publication of the first academic literature addressing how Ethereum can mitigate AI risks in Latin America—paired with actionable policy briefs, community webinars, and pilot project ideas for builders across the region.

What Makes This Research Unique

Although there is significant research on AI risks in Latin America and on Ethereum’s capabilities, there is almost no academic work connecting the two. We are addressing four key gaps:

1. Interdisciplinary Gap – Bridging blockchain technology with AI governance in a Latin American context.

2. Regional Application Gap – Adapting Ethereum-based approaches to diverse national contexts across the region.

3. Practical Implementation Gap – Providing concrete guidance on how Ethereum solutions can be deployed on the ground.

4. Technological Sovereignty Gap – Showing how Ethereum can help Latin America move from being a consumer of AI to a producer.

This research will provide policymakers, developers, and civil society with frameworks they can actually use.

Who We Are

The project is led by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, technologists, and policy experts:

• Claudio Cifuentes Lobo – Investigative journalist and lead researcher on the Latin American Dynamism Project.

• Cush – Founder of Odisea Labs, Ethereum Foundation Next Billion Fellow, focused on crypto & AI adoption in Latin America.

• Dr. Said Saillant – MIT PhD, Harvard postdoctoral fellow, expert in AI, ethics, and public policy.

• Dr. Beatriz Botero Arcila – Assistant Professor at Sciences Po Law School, Faculty Associate at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center, expert in law and AI governance.

• Leonardo Quattrucci – Former European Commission policy strategist and AWS executive advisor on public-interest technology.

Together, this team brings deep expertise across Ethereum, AI governance, law, journalism, and regional policy.

What’s Next

Over the coming months, we will:

1. Conduct country-specific case studies across Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico.

2. Engage policymakers, Ethereum developers, and AI leaders through interviews, surveys, and validation workshops.

3. Publish the final report, alongside policy briefs and community webinars to ensure wide accessibility.

This research is supported through a $55,000 grant, covering research time, data collection, community engagement, and dissemination.

Join Us

This is the first study of its kind, and we want it to spark a broader conversation. By exploring how Ethereum can mitigate AI risks in Latin America, we hope to inspire builders, policymakers, and civil society to take action.

If you’re a developer, policymaker, researcher, or community leader in Latin America interested in contributing, reach out to us. Together, we can ensure AI serves the region’s people—not the other way around.

Follow our progress at Odisea Labs and the Latin American Dynamism Project

We’re here to accelerate frontier tech, from Latin America to the world. By unlocking capital, network, and talent, we empower builders to solve real problems with onchain tools. From research and education to hackathons and investor readiness, we build to generate meaningful, long-term impact. latam/acc. 

June begins in full swing.

OnlyDevs, our new podcast made by and for devs, launched and is now streaming on YouTube and Spotify. Don’t miss the latest episodes, where Rafa and Guty unpack dev culture, build habits, and onchain chaos, one sprint at a time.

The Latin American Dynamism Project landed in Washington D.C. for the AI Expo, putting our ecosystem on the global stage. We shared insights on deep tech, strategic alignment, and why LatAm is a launchpad for the future. During the event, we presented our latest report on accelerating frontier tech in the region. From regulators and think tanks to investors, academics, and civil society leaders, we engaged in meaningful conversations about how deep tech can drive a more prosperous, advanced, and integrated Latin America. Dont' miss the report, more data below in this issue.

June opens with IncuBase in full force—our new builder program kicks off with a livestream, founder intros, and 1:1 mentorship. Over four intense weeks, teams will build, launch, and sharpen their vision in front of top VCs and ecosystem allies.

Curious about what’s ahead for Odisea this year? We’ve got you covered. watch it here.

We will be participating in these awesome events:

• Uniswap House - Buenos Aires - June 16-19

• Infinita City - Próspera Zone, Roatán, Honduras - June 1 - 30

• Starknet Startup House with Espacio Cripto - Monterrey - June 18 - 20

• Devconnect - Buenos Aires - November

The Odisea team is growing we’re looking for two new interns for Ops and Research. Both roles are part-time, remote, and open to applicants across Latin America. Please share this with someone who might be a great fit.

This is how crypto beats in Latin America:

LatAm is turning all pink for Uniswap. Wrapped up with a Sunset Party that brought together DeFi communities, local builders, and the folks from Espacio Cripto in an unforgettable evening of mezcal, music, and onchain connection, Uniswap landed in Latin America and this was just the first stop in CDMX. Cush and AB shared their take on the big event, Rafa and Guty spill everything on Uniswap on the latest episode of OnlyDevs, and Losi gave a super cool tour, watch it here.

Next Stop? Asado in Buenos Aires, don't you dare miss it.

Núcleo—the onchain builders academy—is back for a second edition this semester. After a successful first generation, we knew we had to keep building. The energy, the projects, the talent: everything about Gen 1 exceeded expectations.

Make sure you don’t miss what’s coming next.Join our community, and invite frens and fam. Bringing more people to web3 is everyone's mission.

Crypto Cities Hackathon, a week-long sprint to build real-world crypto systems. With only 100 hackers and 30 projects selected, and $20,000 USDC in prizes, this is where IRL meets onchain.

We're hiring two interns for Ops and Research. Both roles are part-time, remote, and open to applicants across Latin America.

Tether is hiring in Brazil. GnosisPay is searching for a Business Development Manager for LatAm.

And if you’re based in Mexico, you can help shape the region’s crypto roadmap. A new survey by Myosin is collecting data on how people are using crypto and what platforms they trust most. The findings will inform a strategic regional report to guide future product development.

Want to contribute? You can participate here: https://myosin.typeform.com/mexico-rr

"They say Guadalajara is the world's sweetheart", prays the first song of this tremenda tracklist.

Please indulge yourself with this tender guide to the soul that soothes all and pulls one bolero after another from the heart of Mexico to sweeten your day. It makes you want to slow dance, cheek to cheek, with your beloved. As they say "it’s sentimental music for all the sad girls and sad boys out there"—where every chord is a caress and every lyric, a wound that sings. Nothing remains but surrender and enjoy.

Como La Flor w/ Jazmin 2nd June 2025

Playing Bossa Nova, Bolero, Bachata. Música sentimental for all the sad girls and sad boys.

https://www.nts.live

Well, that’s all, frens!
Abrazo grande,

The Odisea Team
odisea.xyz

Stay connected with us on:

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We’re here to accelerate frontier tech, from Latin America to the world. By bringing in key funding, resources and connections, we create solutions that boost economic growth across the region and globally. We empower local talent, founders and devs. Our goal is to generate real and lasting impact. Our motto is: latam/acc.

Now you can also find us on Instagram and TikTok.

As May unfolded, we kicked off the month by launching our official Instagram and TikTok channels bringing Odisea’s insights and lifestyle behind-the-scenes moments and quick-fire explainers to even broader audiences across LatAm. 

Our DevRel Guty is revamping our YouTube with a super comprehensive workshop that will have you hackathon-ready—no deep technical expertise required, just energy and sharp ideas.

Núcleo's first generation shipped!: our program has wrapped up with a bang, many of our students are now landing interviews, some are advancing through multiple rounds, and others have already secured new roles—demonstrating that Núcleo is fulfilling its primary objective.

Latin American Dynamism Project lands in DC: With our initiative to map and supercharge the region’s deep-tech ecosystem and to accelerate the growth and global alignment of Latin American deep tech, we’ll be at AI Expo at booth #1146. Meet us there.

This month in Frontera, our podcast in partnership with Espacio Cripto, we had incredible conversations with Santiago R. Santos, a crypto & tech OG; Marek, co-founder of Celo; Raj Parekh, CEO of Portal and former Head of Crypto at Visa; Ben Wong, Mantle’s LatAm point man—and plenty more top-tier talents. We are happy to see how this project continues to grow, consolidating itself as a go-to source for critical updates and regional analysis.

We were on the move. From CDMX to Buenos Aires and Santiago.

We even grabbed the turntables as DJs at the Cinco de Mayo IRL meetup in CDMX—mixing Latin grooves with electronic beats to keep the energy sky-high—and then stepped into the spotlight as hosts for Base Batches LatAm in Buenos Aires, guiding workshops, moderating pitch rounds, and making sure every team felt the beat of our on-chain community. We also joined Chile’s Mantle Cookathon Meetup with our friends at DobProtocol and ChileDAO—an afternoon designed for builders, developers, and aspiring hackers.

We were also there for Mantle events in Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina with SEED LatAm, and in La Paz, Bolivia with Builders Tech.

We made the month celebrating the spirit of community, creativity and collaboration that defines our ecosystem.

Odisea continues to build from LatAm to the world, creating the necessary bridges for founders, developers, and investors to connect and grow.

Looking ahead to June, we’ll be heading to Washington D.C. with the Latin American Dynamism Project and gearing up for the Mantle Cookathon—an immersive buildathon where developers will compete to deliver breakthrough on-chain experiences. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and join the action, keep an eye on our channels for details.

We will be participating in these awesome events:

• Hacker House ConCon - Chile - May 18- 23

• Uniswap Sunset Party - CDMX - May 29

• Ai Expo DC - Washington, D.C. - June 2-4

• Infinita City - Próspera Zone, Roatán, Honduras - June 1 - 30

• Starknet Startup House with Espacio Cripto - Monterrey - June 18 - 20

• Devconnect - Buenos Aires - November

  
  

This is how crypto beats in Latin America:

At Ethereum Lima Day, Voto Libre, a project part of our Acelera program, delivered a workshop on Restoring Trust in Democracy, showing how its platform fuses blockchain permanence with real-time AI fraud detection to secure spotless elections. Attendees saw step-by-step how citizens snap irregularities, anchor the evidence on a public chain, and earn stablecoins for every verified report—turning voters and observers into a decentralized corps of democracy watchdogs. 

Gianluca Minoprio, founder of Amanu and part of our Acelera program, just stepped into a new role in Daimo Pay. Congrats, Gianluca!

Gianluca Minoprio

@GlMinoprio

After an incredible journey creating @AmanuCash, pushing the boundaries of wallet design, digital money, and payment interactions, I am thrilled to announce that I have joined @daimopay as Head of Growth. My next chapter will focus on turning Daimo Pay into the easiest way to

99

5:18 p.m. • 12 may 2025

If you are interested in joining Acelera as a founder or advisor, please drop us a line: acelera@odisea.xyz 

Uniswap Labs touches down in LatAm, connecting with DeFi communities in Mexico, Buenos Aires, Bogotá y San Pablo. First event in CDMX will be a Sunset Party at The Uniswap House ​Co-hosted by Espacio Cripto— an evening of mezcal, music, and connection with the CDMX crypto community. ​Apply to attend — spots are limited. ​To participate, you’ll need a crypto wallet. ​🦄 Download the Uniswap Wallet on iOS or Google Play.

Uniswap Labs 🦄

@Uniswap

Onchain. On the ground.

We’re visiting eight countries this summer, connecting with the builders and communities pushing DeFi forward

Find out where we're heading

286

11:24 a.m. • 14 may 2025

Opportunity radar

An absolute highlight—don’t miss it: Draper University presents Founder Residency and an Embark Accelerator: founders will have the opportunity to get up to $72k in grant + investment funding, and up to 5 months in Silicon Valley. 

Strategic Mentorship and access to Draper Ecosystem: Connect with VCs and successful founders. The Draper ecosystem has invested in almost 60 unicorn companies, and DraperU has an alumni network of over 5000 that you can tap into. 

The Embark Program is specifically designed for Web3 startups that have progressed beyond the ideation phase, have a prototype or product, and are ready for significant scaling and market expansion. 

Both programs are for builders focused on one of these blockchain verticals 

📲 End User Apps (wallets, micropayments, remittances)
📈 Financial Protocols (synthetic assets, derivatives, yield strategies)
🌉 Infrastructure (anchors, bridges, on/off ramps)
🛠 Developer Tooling (smart contract testing, security)
🤖 AI x Web3 (on-chain intelligence, automation)
🃏 Wildcards (impact projects, games, social finance, anything not listed above)

If you apply, please do mention Odisea in the application ;)

Next-gen-mex founders, there's a house waiting for you 👀

Join Mexico’s first Startup House from Starknet Foundation and Espacio Cripto and take your project to the next level

📚 Mentorship from top experts
🏠 Accommodation and meals included
💸 Chance to secure a 25K grant

For those exploring new roles this month, check out current opportunities including a Full Stack Developer and many other opportunities at Calice; Communications Specialist position at Tether and the hackathon announced by Lens Chain.

Cue up DJ Cush’s latest playlist and watch the room ignite. By daylight he’s the mastermind steering Odisea, but come nightfall he trades spreadsheets for turntables and unleashes a set that drags reggaetón, baile funk, and global bass into a single sweat-soaked orbit. Think neon-lit rooftops, subwoofers rumbling like distant thunder, and a tracklist that won’t let your hips call it quits. Hit play, kill the talk, and give the floor the workout it’s been begging for—you’ll be chasing that final beat till sunrise.

DALE PLAY

cush

cush is on Mixcloud. Listen for free to their radio shows, DJ mix sets and Podcasts

https://www.mixcloud.com

Well, that’s all, frens!
Abrazo grande,

The Odisea Team
odisea.xyz

Stay connected with us on:

X
Telegram
LinkedIn
Instagram
TikTok

We’re here to accelerate frontier tech, from Latin America to the world.

By bringing in key funding, resources, and connections to create solutions that boost economic growth across the region and globally.  

We empower local talent, founders, and devs. Our goal is to create real and lasting impact. Our motto is: latam/acc. Presented by Cush, this is us:

cush

@0xcush

This year is shaping up to be incredibly bullish for @odisealabs (announcements soon™), so I wanted to take some time to share more about some of the *incredible* team members who are making all of the magic happen:

First up is Sol (@SolangeSoifer)—truly a jack of all

90

11:10 a.m. • 4 abr 2025

As March came and went, we wrapped up foundational work and laid the ground for what’s next. One phase ended — and many more began. Several of our flagship initiatives moved into full motion, becoming powerful engines for builders across Latin America:

We wrapped Acelera with a vibrant Demo Day that brought together founders, mentors, and ecosystem leaders to celebrate the progress of 15 standout teams. Our accelerator came to a close after ten weeks of intense work, leaving behind a cohort with clearer pitches, refined roadmaps, and stronger community strategies — many of them already in conversations with potential partners and backers.

Núcleo is now fully in motion: a program dedicated to providing the foundation for Latin America's next builders launched its first cohort and is steadily advancing through its weekly modules, laying the technical and conceptual groundwork ahead of the closing hackathon in May.

The new Battlefronts of Tech: At the Latin American Dynamism Project, we published a major research piece on LatAm's geopolitical positioning in emerging technologies — as a strategic battleground in this shift. What unfolds in the region will be key to understanding the next world order. A must read for all

Frontera, our podcast in partnership with Espacio Cripto, continues to grow, consolidating itself as a go-to source for critical updates and regional analysis.

We were on the move. March took us to Monterrey for Inc MTY, to Merge and Aleph in Buenos Aires — three packed events where we connected with builders, thinkers, and allies from across the region.

Also learning a lot

On branding with our designer Lu

On business with our Ecosystem Lead, Losi

On Mindfulness and Maths with our full zen stack dev, Diego

And judging tremendous pitches at ICP HUB from latam projects

Odisea continues to build from LatAm to the world, creating the necessary bridges for founders, developers, and investors to connect and grow.

April brings a new wave of building as we deepen our commitment to growing the onchain ecosystem — from home to every home abroad.

Research: We’re conducting in-depth interviews and focus groups with people living in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, or Mexico to better understand how real users interact with wallets, DEXs, and CEXs. If you're over 18 and have used crypto — whether you're just getting started or already deep in the space — we'd love to hear from you.

We will also be participating in these awesome events:

• ETH 5 de Mayo - CDMX - May

• Ai Expo DC - Washington, D.C. - June

• Infinita City - Próspera Zone, Roatán, Honduras - June 1 - 30

• Devconnect - Buenos Aires - November

Feel free to contact us if you are coming to any of these at hola@odisea.xyz

New travels: We’ll be in Mexico and Buenos Aires this May and June. Looking forward to reconnecting, exploring new ideas, and building in person.

New channel: We’ve just launched our Telegram channel entirely in Spanish, designed for Latinos by birth or by choice. It’s your go-to space for opportunities, updates, and real networking across the region. Join us!

This is how crypto beats in Latin America:

In order to accelerate the LatAm ecosystem, as Cush says, we need more long-term-oriented builder programs that actually take them from 0 to 1. And that is exactly what we are building with Acelera.

We celebrate the bold founders and projects shaping the future. Today, we highlight two teams pushing the boundaries of financial innovation:
DAMM is a DeFi firm building advanced decentralized capital management solutions. They’re not traders — they’re engineers applying first principles to design more robust, transparent financial infrastructure.

HODL brings award-winning hedge fund strategies to DeFi, helping users steadily grow their holdings over time — no leverage, no nonsense. Just time-tested alpha wrapped in code. Not financial advice, of course. DYOR.

If you are interested in joining Acelera as a founder or advisor, please drop us a line: acelera@odisea.xyz 

Wag-worthy swag

Our tremendas caps and stickers are everywhere, do you have one? Send us your photo asap. 

Builders & Backers: Open Calls + Onchain Jobs and Grants

BASE BATCHES is now live. This global program for early-stage builders is all about getting real support, mentorship, and funding to bring your ideas to life. Join the LatAm buildathon, pitch your project to Coinbase Ventures, and compete for up to $1,000,000 in funding. Apply here

• Uniswap is hiring LatAm leads across Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina

• Ripio is looking for a Head of Product in Buenos Aires

• Edge City Residency is open for applications — a creative + crypto residency in Próspera (Roatán, Honduras) happening from May 24 to June 21. Apply here

• Acumen Academy in Colombia is looking to hire a Program Associate

No nos damos por vencidos, we insist on Bud Bunny

Today, the Latin soundtrack you didn’t know you needed, dig into the tiny-desk bad bunny hole:

Bad Bunny just dropped a stunning Tiny Desk performance, and it’s everything you’d hope for. Backed by a full band of Puerto Rican musicians and traditional instruments like the cuatro and congas, he brings the soul of the island straight into the room. The setlist includes tracks from his latest album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, like "Pitorro de Coco", "Voy a Llevarte Pa PR", and "La Mudanza" — each one soaked in nostalgia, swagger, and raw Caribbean groove.

This isn’t just a concert — it’s a love letter to Puerto Rico. So crack open a beer, let the late afternoon sun spill through the window, and press play. You’ll be dancing before the second song hits. Te vas a querer quedar.

Well, that’s all, frens!

Abrazo grande,

The Odisea Team
odisea.xyz

Stay connected with us on:
X
Telegram
LinkedIn

We’re here to accelerate Latin America—not just by growing a strong deep tech ecosystem, but by bringing in key funding, resources, and connections to create solutions that boost economic growth across the region and globally.

‍We bridge the innovation gap with research, consulting, education, startup programs, our venture studio, and investing in the region. We empower local talent founders and devs and leverage advanced technologies to unlock sustainable development in communities that need it most.

Our goal is to create real and lasting impact. Our motto is: latam/acc

Over the past months, we have been moving forward with key initiatives to strengthen the builder ecosystem in Latin America. We launched Acelera, a 10-week program designed to scale 15 of the region’s most ambitious teams, providing them with the support, resources, and network to take their projects to the next level.

Packed with insights, these are our favs lessons by top-tier advisors for building onchain:

“Don't be afraid of pivoting”, by Cris Storaker - Arch Finance

“Make love to the algorithm”, by Juan Rivera Pérez - Thirdweb

"Don't sell the tech, sell the use case" by Diego Fernández - Aligned

“You're not talking to your users enough” by Mark Veer - Mantle

We also introduced Núcleo, the first onchain builder academy in Spanish, created for LatAm devs. Offering 50 developers per cohort technical and strategic knowledge in their native language, we aim to lower entry barriers to Web3 and empower more talent across the region. The program will culminate in a hackathon, bringing participants together to apply their skills and compete for a wide range of prizes and ongoing support over the year.

Additionally, we launched LADP, the Latin American Dynamism Project, a dedicated research vertical focused on accelerating the development and investment landscape of deep tech in Latin America powered by Eric Schmidt’s International Strategy Forum. With a focus on mapping the ecosystem and identifying key opportunities, we are working to drive innovation and position the region as a global player.

On top of that, we are part of Frontera, the crypto news podcast from LatAm. A weekly program hosted by Cush and Ab from Espacio Cripto community. More than just delivering the latest news, it’s a dive deep into analysis, with valuable learnings, and special guests to discuss core developments in the ecosystem. Each episode also offers a behind-the-scenes look at their experiences in industry events, giving an inside perspective on the evolving crypto landscape in Latin America.

Odisea continues to build for LatAm, creating the necessary bridges for founders, developers, and investors to connect and grow.

In the coming month, we are setting the stage for pivotal moments in our journey to strengthen the builder ecosystem in Latin America. Acelera’s Demo Day will mark the culmination of our 10-week program, showcasing the progress and achievements of the region’s most ambitious teams as they take the next step toward scaling their projects. At the same time, we are kicking off Núcleo. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, LADP convenes key stakeholders in deep tech through a series of Roundtables, bringing together founders, venture capitalists, government representatives, and industry leaders. These discussions are already fostering collaboration, identifying challenges, and driving strategic initiatives to propel the deep tech ecosystem forward in Latin America. Reach out at: claudio@ladp.io 

We will also be participating in these awesome events:

• Inc MTY - Monterrey - March

• Merge - Buenos Aires - March

• Aleph Crecimiento - Buenos Aires - March

• Ai Expo DC - Washington, D.C. - June

• Devconnect - Buenos Aires - November

Feel free to contact us if you are coming to any of these at hola@odisea.xyz

Agents have taken the ecosystem by storm. At Odisea, we have two classes to share on the topic, and we are proud to have organized LatAm’s first internal AI Agents Hackathon.

In this session, our super software dev Rafa Canseco explores artificial intelligence, cultural biases, emotional self-awareness, human insight,  AI agent training, and the technical and ethical challenges that come with it—especially in the context of quantum computing.

And our super crack DevRel Guty delivered an outstanding workshop on the present and future of AI Agents, the specific role of GPTs, and showed us how to use the Base dev platform, Cursor and prompting to bring one to life.

Yes, frens!! The moment you’ve been waiting for—Odisea swag is back! If you're heading to Crecimiento in March, make sure you don’t miss out on our tremendas caps. Here’s a little sneak peek to spark that FOMO!

cush

@0xcush

Why does the crypto industry insist on sinking copious amounts of money into hackathons that lead to little to no retention for builders?

I'm all for experimentation, but we need more long-term-oriented builder programs that actually take builders from 0 to 1.

265

5:02 p.m. • 6 mar 2025

In order to accelerate the LatAm ecosystem, as Cush says, we need more long-term-oriented builder programs that actually take them from 0 to 1. And that is exactly what we are building with Acelera.

We celebrate the bold founders and projects shaping the future. Today, we highlight Bondi Finance and Pistachio, two teams pushing the boundaries of financial innovation.

Bondi Finance offers yields uncorrelated to crypto markets, fully on-chain. By fractionalizing high-value bonds—once accessible only to those with $100K+ minimums—Bondi makes lucrative bonds available through easy-to-own bond tokens (BTs). Bondi is now live on Base. You can try it here: app.bondifinance.io.

Pistachio FI is a savings account on steroids—an onchain self-custody banking alternative that allows users to passively earn yield while maintaining instant liquidity. It addresses debanking, remittances, and wealth building by providing a high-yield savings solution. Pistachio is launching soon—get early access!

We’re proud to have these teams as part of our accelerator program, driving financial accessibility and innovation forward. There are many more awesome teams, and we will be introducing them in the upcoming editions.

If you are interested in joining Acelera as a founder or advisor, please drop us a line: acelera@odisea.xyz 

This is Latin America’s year! And we couldn’t be more excited for EFDevconnect to be hosted in Argentina this November!

At Odisea, we’re all in on this. Just recently, Ethereum Foundation invited us to their X account so we could tell the stories of how the blockchain is driving real-world impact in the lives of Latinos. There’s no better time to highlight what’s happening in the region. Accelerating latam is f* real.

• IPE Floripa Village 2025

• ETH Latam Honduras

• Deep Tech Summit by Draper

• Plan B El Salvador

“I don't know if they're firecrackers or gunshots”, says the lead single, if you live in LatAm, you get it.

Welcome to this messy tropical jungle of green & concrete, passion, and innovation. Today, the Latin soundtrack you didn’t know you needed, dig into the bad bunny hole:

Bad Bunny’s new album DtMF aka Debí tirar más fotos AKA I should have taken more photos, is a vibrant tribute to Latin America, packed with rhythms, slang, and everyday references that feel like home. From perreo-heavy beats to nostalgic melodies, it captures the essence of the region’s streets, beaches, and fiestas. And today, we bring it to you: crack open a beer, sink into the couch—unless you have the multipurpose white plastic chair—hit play, and immerse in Latin America’s endless summer; you will get off the couch one musical note at a time.

DtMF

Bad Bunny · DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS · Canción · 2025

https://spotify.com

Well that’s all, frens!
Abrazo grande,

The Odisea Team
odisea.xyz

Stay connected with us on:
X
Telegram
LinkedIn

Nuestra región combina de manera única una necesidad genuina de innovación en blockchain, un talento técnico excepcional y un gran deseo de aprovechar oportunidades transformadoras. Por eso creamos Núcleo en colaboración con el equipo de Mantle. 

Imaginamos un futuro en el que desarrolladores latinoamericanos no solo participen en la revolución global de Web3, sino que contribuyan a liderarla. Nuestro programa está diseñado para crear un ciclo virtuoso: formamos desarrolladores talentosos que puedan contribuir de inmediato a proyectos globales, ganar experiencia invaluable, construir sus propios proyectos y luego regresar para impulsar el crecimiento y la innovación en la región.

Como parte de Odisea, estamos posicionados de forma única para conectar a estos desarrolladores con oportunidades inmediatas a través de nuestro developer shop, venture studio, nuestros programas de incubación y nuestras alianzas con protocolos líderes. Cada graduado de Núcleo se convertirá no solo en un desarrollador, sino en un catalizador para el crecimiento de la región, creando un efecto multiplicador para consolidar a América Latina como una powerhouse en el espacio cripto.

Con inicio el 17 de marzo de 2024, Núcleo será un programa intensivo de 10 semanas, diseñado para que los builders de web2 se conviertan en desarrolladores onchain plenamente formados, incorporando los avances más recientes en IA y cripto.

En Núcleo, serás guiado desde cero hasta construir una dApp en un entorno dinámico que combinará aprendizaje asincrónico con sesiones en vivo. Nuestro equipo te brindará un apoyo cercano y personalizado a lo largo de todo el proceso, asegurando que estés rodeado de una comunidad de builders con intereses afines. 

Para nuestros graduados, organizaremos un hackathon al finalizar el programa para quienes completen todo el curso, además de un premio grupal para cada participante que se gradúe con su proyecto final. Valoramos el esfuerzo y el tiempo que inviertes en aprender, y vamos a recompensar tu dedicación.

También contaremos con la participación de speakers invitados de los principales protocolos del ecosistema. Tendrás la oportunidad de escuchar a desarrolladores líderes contar sus desafíos y anticipar tendencias emergentes. Cada sesión incluirá charlas estructuradas seguidas de un espacio abierto de preguntas y respuestas, donde podrás interactuar directamente con los expertos.

Nuestro objetivo es ayudar a que te conviertas en uno de los mejores builders de LatAm, y sabemos que para lograrlo se necesita una gran práctica en el mundo real. Al finalizar el curso, tendrás múltiples opciones para seguir creciendo, incluyendo cursos avanzados de tecnología, oportunidades para asistir a startups emergentes con desafíos técnicos, pasantías o la posibilidad de desarrollar tu proyecto a través de la aceleradora de Odisea. El potencial de crecimiento aquí es ilimitado, y Núcleo será la plataforma para impulsarte en tu camino.  

Aplica ahora: https://www.odisea.xyz/nucleo

Núcleo es un programa full-stack diseñado para ofrecer el mejor contenido educativo a desarrolladores emergentes de cripto en América Latina. Nuestro curso tendrá el siguiente plan de estudios:

Domina la arquitectura de la EVM y configura tu entorno de desarrollo blockchain.

Escribe tus primeros contratos inteligentes e implementa buenas prácticas de pruebas.

Implementa patrones avanzados de contratos y conjuntos de pruebas integrales.

Despliega y actualiza contratos siguiendo las mejores prácticas de la industria.

Construye dApps completas con frameworks modernos y wallets integradas.

Integra oráculos, soluciones de capa 2  y comunicación cross-chain.

Explora la tecnología ZK, la integración con IA y la abstracción de cuentas.

Define tu proyecto final mientras aprendes de expertos del sector.

Aplica todo lo aprendido desarrollando tu propio proyecto blockchain.

Nos encantaría conocer tu experiencia previa y tu motivación para convertirte en un builder onchain. El proceso de aplicación consiste en:

Paso 1: Envía tu solicitud antes del 3 de marzo a las 11:59 pm PST https://www.odisea.xyz/nucleo.

Paso 2: Si te seleccionamos, unos días después de enviar tu solicitud, tendrás una breve entrevista con el equipo de Núcleo para hablar sobre tu experiencia y expectativas.

Paso 3: Recibirás la notificación de aceptación por correo electrónico. Acepta la oferta y prepárate para comenzar tu camino en Núcleo.

Paso 4: Núcleo comienza el lunes 17 de marzo de 2025.

Núcleo es un programa intensivo de 10 semanas diseñado para ayudar a desarrolladores de Web2 y Web3 a convertirse en builders onchain. El curso combina aprendizaje asincrónico, sesiones en vivo con expertos, y un proyecto final.

El programa está dirigido a desarrolladores con experiencia en Web2 que quieran hacer la transición a Web3 y Web3 que deseen profundizar en sus conocimientos. No es necesario tener conocimientos previos en blockchain, pero sí experiencia en programación y ganas de aprender. Se recomienda conocimientos básicos en programación, JavaScript fundamentalmente. CSS, HTML, TypeScript deseable. 

Si bien el programa es gratuito, al momento de comenzar el estudiante asumirá un compromiso monetario que será devuelto al completar la cursada.

El curso está dividido en 10 semanas, cubriendo desde fundamentos de blockchain hasta el desarrollo y despliegue de smart contracts. Las últimas dos semanas se enfocan en el buildathon, donde los participantes aplicarán lo aprendido en un proyecto propio.

Núcleo combina clases sincrónicas dos veces por semana de dos horas cada una con material asincrónico. Las clases incluyen sesiones teórico-prácticas de dos horas y un office hours de 90 minutos. Además, los participantes formarán parte de una comunidad de builders con quienes podrán intercambiar conocimientos y colaborar en proyectos.

Los graduados recibirán:

• Oportunidad de participar en el hackathon final exclusivo para los graduados.

• Acceso a una red de oportunidades laborales, incubación y apoyo para seguir desarrollando proyectos.

• Premios para los proyectos destacados en el hackathon.

Para aprovechar al máximo el programa, se requiere un compromiso de tiempo significativo. Sin embargo, si no puedes completar el curso, podrás postularte nuevamente en futuras ediciones.

1. Completa tu solicitud antes del 3 de marzo a las 11:59 pm PST.

2. Si eres preseleccionado, tendrás una breve entrevista con el equipo de Núcleo.

3. Recibirás la notificación de aceptación vía email.

4. Acepta la oferta y prepárate para iniciar el programa el 17 de marzo de 2025.

Se recomienda una dedicación de 10-15 horas semanales para completar las actividades, participar en las sesiones en vivo y desarrollar el proyecto final.

Sí. Como parte de Odisea, facilitamos oportunidades a nuestros graduados a través de nuestra incubadora, DevShop y alianzas con protocolos líderes en el ecosistema Web3.

Sí. Contaremos con la participación de desarrolladores de protocolos destacados y poco convencionales en la industria, quienes compartirán sus conocimientos y experiencias.

Puedes enviar tu solicitud a través del siguiente enlace: https://www.odisea.xyz/nucleo antes del 3 de marzo a las 11:59 pm PST.

Si tienes más preguntas, no dudes en contactarnos. ¡Esperamos verte en Núcleo y construir juntos el futuro de Web3 en América Latina!

Kicking off in January 2025, Acelera is a 10-week program designed to scale 15-20 of Latin America’s most ambitious teams. We provide builders with a structured program to propel your startup to the next level, access to over 50 top-tier advisors, a $20K participation grant for the best teams in the program, and a Demo Day where you’ll pitch to the industry’s leading investors.

Our mission is to empower Latin America’s brightest builders to transform society by leveraging onchain technology to create decentralized futures. Acelera is designed to provide a world-class experience, setting new standards of quality and innovation that will drive crypto in Latin America to the next level.

We are deeply rooted in the region and are true crypto natives, giving us unique insights into Latin America’s challenges and opportunities. Together with Mantle, we’re scaling the boldest founders tackling complex problems in DeFi, payments, stablecoins, decentralized social, gaming, infrastructure, wallets, and other verticals of the onchain economy.

Ready to accelerate? Apply here.

We believe crypto has the potential to disrupt centralized institutions of power across Latin America. Permissionless, decentralized, and credibly neutral protocols can transform the region’s financial systems, economies, and social structures. Yet, despite this potential, the number of emerging crypto projects in Latin America has been underwhelming—what we call the innovation gap.

To overcome the innovation gap, Odisea:

• Conducts foundational research on the state of crypto in Latin America.

• Partners with leading global crypto protocols and foundations.

• Backs the best founders in the region.

• Provides technical education for emerging developers.

To bring this vision to life, Odisea is proud to have partnered with leading ecosystems including Mantle, Base, Safe, Lens, Celo, Liquity, the IDB, and Schmidt Futures. 

We set up the Odisea Accelerator after realizing that some of the region's most successful founders often need key ingredients to unlock their full potential. Through this program, we aim to scale the region's boldest and most visionary founders, both operating in the region and beyond.

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. After submitting, you’ll undergo a technical review and two interviews. Expect to receive a final decision two weeks after submitting your application,

• The program is fully remote and structured to provide ample time for what matters most: building your project.

Through Acelera, we aim to set a new benchmark for excellence in crypto innovation, ensuring that Latin America not only participates but leads in this global transformation. To that end, the program offers the following:

• Building a startup is hard, and building a crypto startup is even more challenging. Building a crypto startup in Latin America is often perceived to be nearly impossible. We provide weekly workshops covering market research, viability, product-market fit, business modeling, marketing, tokenomics, fundraising, and beyond 

• One introduction can change the entire trajectory of a project’s future. We leverage our connections within a vast network of crypto professionals, mentors, projects, and enthusiasts to scale a project’s impact and reach. We've established strong relationships throughout the ecosystem that we're excited to put to work for you!

• We support developing your MVP into market-ready applications that meet market needs and user expectations. Whether it is setting up user testing, feedback sessions, or finding new technical talent to build your product, we're here to help you build the best product possible. 

• You will have access to crypto’s brightest minds through our advisory network. These advisors are committed to supporting you as you continue to scale up your projects and take you to the next level, both through 1:1 advisory as well as through cohort-wide sessions. 

• Our program includes comprehensive technical code reviews led by experienced blockchain engineers, ensuring your code meets the highest standards for security, scalability, and efficiency. These reviews offer detailed feedback and actionable insights, helping you refine your product, address vulnerabilities, and build robust, market-ready solutions.

• Access to grants, venture capital, and demo days to secure necessary funding. In addition to providing the best founders with a grant, we also work with our leading partners to create a milestone-based stream of grants upon successful integrations of certain protocols and dApps. Our demo day will feature leading investors across the ecosystem who are keen to back Latin America's best builders.

• We work with some of the region’s top lawyers and advisors to guide you through the complex regulatory landscape of Latin America's crypto space. This ranges from where you should incorporate your startup, what your fundraising vehicles should look like, and more.

The program will take place over 10 weeks. Each week, we will have several educational sessions, 1:1 mentorship sessions with industry leaders, technical code reviews, and guide founders through any pressing challenges you're facing. The program structure is as follows:

• Welcome to the beginning of your journey with the Odisea Accelerator! In this initial week, we'll set the stage for what's to come. You'll meet fellow founders, mentors, and the Odisea team, creating a supportive network from the get-go. We'll dive into the accelerator's structure, goals, and expectations, ensuring everyone is aligned and ready to maximize the experience. This week is about laying a solid foundation, so prepare to embark on an exciting adventure with fellow accelerator members.

• In Week 2, we focus on exploring the first principles of Product-Market Fit (PMF). Understanding your market and ensuring your product meets its needs is crucial. We'll conduct intensive market research sessions, helping you identify your target audience, understand their pain points, and refine your product offering. By the end of this week, you'll have a clearer vision of your market position and a roadmap to achieving PMF.

  

• Week 3 is all about bringing your product to life. We’ll work on developing your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and transitioning it to a market-ready application. This involves setting up user testing, gathering feedback, and iterating on your product design. Our team of technical experts will provide code reviews and hands-on support to ensure your product meets market needs and user expectations.

• Security is paramount in the crypto space. Week 4 will cover essential security protocols and best practices to safeguard your product and users. You’ll learn about smart contract security, data protection, and risk management strategies. We aim to equip you with the knowledge and tools to build secure and trustworthy applications, ensuring long-term success and user confidence.

• Navigating the complex regulatory landscape is crucial for any crypto startup. In Week 5, we bring in top lawyers and advisors to guide you through legal and compliance challenges. We'll cover topics such as incorporation, fundraising vehicles, and regulatory requirements specific to Latin America. By the end of this week, you’ll have a solid understanding of the legal framework and how to position your startup for compliance and success.

• Week 6 dives into the intricacies of protocol design. We’ll explore the principles of decentralized systems, consensus mechanisms, tokenomics, and smart contract development. This week’s sessions are designed to deepen your technical expertise and help you create robust, scalable, and efficient blockchain protocols. With guidance from industry leaders, you’ll refine your design and implementation strategies.

• Growth and market penetration are the focus of Week 7. We’ll work on developing effective go-to-market (GTM) strategies, marketing plans, and growth-hacking techniques. You’ll learn how to build a strong brand, engage your audience, and scale your user base. Our mentors will share insights and tactics to help you drive growth and achieve your business objectives.

  

• Building a strong company culture and community is vital for long-term success. In Week 8, we’ll discuss the importance of culture, values, and leadership within your startup. You’ll learn how to cultivate a positive work environment, attract top talent, and build a loyal community around your product. This week emphasizes the human aspect of your startup journey, ensuring you’re equipped to lead effectively and foster a thriving ecosystem.

• Securing funding is a critical milestone for any startup. During Week 9, we’ll focus on fundraising strategies, preparing you for investor pitches and negotiations. You’ll gain insights into creating compelling pitch decks, identifying potential investors, and navigating fundraising. We’ll also provide access to grants and venture capital opportunities and organize a demo day rehearsal to hone your presentation skills.

  

• The culmination of the Odisea Accelerator program is Demo Day. In Week 10, you’ll showcase your progress, pitch your startup to a panel of investors, and demonstrate your product’s potential. This is your opportunity to secure funding, make valuable connections, and celebrate the achievements of the past 10 weeks. We’ll help you refine your pitch and presentation, ensuring you’re ready to impress and take your startup to the next level.

A 1% participation fee via a SAFE/SAFT is in exchange for receiving top-tier support through Acelera’s program, network, the $20K participation grant, and follow-on grants from our partners. We aim to align long-term incentives with each of the founders to ensure that we drive maximum utility for both the founders and the Odisea ecosystem. 

We will work closely with you from the very early stages of your startup’s journey to the successful maturation of your project. We are excited to scale your project with you and can’t wait to get started.

If you’re a top-tier founder looking to continue to grow your startup to the next level, we would encourage you to submit an application for the program. You can submit your application here. 

Should you have any questions regarding the program, you can contact us at: acelera@odisea.xyz.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided in this article by Odisea Labs LLC (RMI Series LLC) is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about its completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. This article does not constitute professional advice, and readers should seek their own professional advice before making any decisions based on the information provided. Odisea Labs LLC will not be liable for any loss or damage, including indirect or consequential loss or damage, arising from or in connection with the use of this article. For any questions, please contact us at terms@odisea.xyz.

Let's start with where the region stands today:

Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, among other countries in the region have some of the highest rates of adoption GLOBALLY. This rate of adoption is only increasing at a rapid rate throughout the region too. Let’s look at what’s happening across the region.

El Salvador was the world's first country to adopt #BTC as legal tender. That is huge! The country currently holds hundreds of millions of dollars of Bitcoin on its balance sheet and purchases another Bitcoin every day. They mine Bitcoin with geothermal power—that's right, they're literally mining Bitcoin with volcanoes! Awesome. 

Argentina has long been a hotbed of crypto developers. Some of the ecosystem's most valuable projects come from the land of asados. @brian_armstrong often cites his time in Buenos Aires as the moment where he truly understood the opportunity for crypto globally. 

From Mexico all the way down to Argentina, you're going to find a local community for just about every major crypto ecosystem out there. Latin Americans are some of the most involved groups of governance contributors, developers, and offer a really wide set of educational opportunities for people who are either 10x engineers or are just dipping their feet into the ecosystem. 

OK... pero like why? Well, let's talk about Product-Market-Fit (PMF):

Latin America is slowly emerging from centuries-old colonial rule, where power was extremely centralized in a privileged set of actors. Couple that with BRUTAL Cold War-era conflicts that left many countries reeling and with hollowed-out institutions and you've got yourself a region where the promise of more decentralized, permissionless, and self-sovereign economic and social systems sure does sound nice. 

In their current form, Latin America’s nation-states are also fairly young - with many republics only being established a little over 200 years ago. Latin America’s population is also skewn to a younger demographic, which, as crypto matures, will also increase the number of younger forward-thinking people who will be willing to adopt this technology. 

So, for those of you asking the question... blockspace for what? Here's some ideas where I'm personally bullish:

Latin American banks are super extractive. It's not uncommon to see 100%+ APY's on loans, many times the interest rate people are quoted is a daily interest rate, which people fall for without realizing that it'll end up compounding to hundreds of % in interest. 

Many in the region can't even open up bank accounts, due to permissioned banks intentionally barring the most disenfranchised in doing so, resulting in a disproportionate amount of the population unable to access financial services. In many extreme cases, the government has seized people's assets without justification. 

As many of you know, remittances also make up a HUGE amount of people's incomes in the region, often being one of the important drivers of economic growth in many countries (in many cases double digit’s worth of a country’s GDP). The problem here is that you may be charged exorbitant amounts of money for sending and withdrawing the money you receive.

What can be built: 

• offer people a way to send, spend, borrow, and save while retaining sovereignty over their assets. 

• Build front-ends for people to access "complex" DeFi strategies with a seamless UX. 

• Instant, (nearly) free cross-border payments. 

Many of LatAm's governments are some of the world's most corrupt institutions. Politicians use the façade of political ideologies to siphon exorbitant amounts of money from public treasuries to benefit themselves. Parties buy people's votes with false promises. Voting systems will go down without explanation mid-vote, and a losing party is suddenly 10 points ahead of the other. Voting fraud is much more common than it should be. Our democracies are frankly a joke. If you want to get any paperwork done, it will take months, if not years, for even the most basic procedures. 

What can be built: 

• onchain national budgets where we can see where everyone's public contributions to a government are flowing. 

• Better and more transparent ways of administering national administrative processes (a-la Estonia). 

• Onchain voting systems. 

• Network states that offer entirely new ways of engaging in governance.

Latin America is renowned for its contributions to the artistic world (see: Frida Kahlo, Paolo Coelho, Bad Bunny, Shakira, among others). Aside from world-renowned artists, LatAm is also a net exporter of all sorts of art. Despite having a knack for creative endeavors, across the region, there are oftentimes extractive middlemen that drive away value from the end producers of this artistic work. Ultimately this leaves creators with less value generated from their artistic endeavors.

What can be built: 

• Marketplaces that remove middlemen and ultimately enable creators to receive more equitable rewards for their work. 

• Ways of authenticating the origination of artwork. 

• Better tools for creators to connect with their communities, track fan base loyalty, and reward their fans. 

Unfortunately, LatAm has some of the lowest literacy and educational rates in the world. Public schools are oftentimes an afterthought, and even if there is decent educational infrastructure, parents have to make difficult decisions regarding whether to leave their children in school or not. Families may not be able to afford leaving their kids in school, as they would much rather have their children working as soon as possible to generate income for their families. 

What can be built: 

• Learn-to-earn is an obvious route here. A program enabling families to earn (crypto) rewards that are distributed according to certain educational criteria being met could seriously impact the region. 

All of this leads us to the next and final segment of this odyssey, which aims to answer the following question… IF Latin America is ripe for crypto adoption, why haven’t we seen mass adoption happen across several of these verticals? 

Even if you’re the most passionate follower of crypto, religious listener of podcasts, and are a CT addict - it’s hard to stay on top of the latest trends, developments, and opportunities in the space. Navigating the crypto rabbit hole is hard for even the most dedicated, let alone for someone who is a recent entrant into the ecosystem.

What can be built:

Abstraction. If they hope to participate in the onchain economy, end users should not be forced to understand the technical underpinnings of the proposed solutions. There is lots of technical talent in the region, and we should continue supporting legitimate educational efforts that aim to nurture developers and artists jointly with the broader public. Yet, requiring technical expertise to interact with day-to-day crypto use cases,  shouldn’t be a prerequisite to reap the benefits of crypto.  In the exact same way, no one needs to understand the intricacies of our financial system every time they wish to pay for a coffee.

Many Latin American countries have yet to set firm crypto stances. However, we have a track record of following our Big Brother’s footsteps in the north, which, as things currently stand, may not be optimal for the adoption of crypto in our communities.

What can we do:

Optimistically, the lack of a clear regulatory landscape means there is A LOT of opportunity to actually properly educate regulators on the benefits of crypto and push forth pro-crypto regulation. Further, we should focus on supporting more pro-crypto regulators passionate about advancing the state of technological innovation in the region. As adoption in our community increases, crypto is serving as a schelling point for politics across and within countries.

In a recent study we conducted with Odisea, we found that over 90% of founders in the region struggle with raising capital. Without being able to raise capital, many of the region’s most promising founders cannot scale their projects to a meaningful scale, leaving significant impact on the table. 

What can we do:

Raising capital is a very multifactorial process. This is a double-sided problem: many investors we’ve spoken with often say they don’t find the caliber of talent in Latin America that meets their investing standards. Many founders do not have prior experience raising capital within technology or crypto-focused funds. 

As founders - we should focus on nurturing founder-building skill sets amongst our community members looking to take the next step. By supporting each other in conducting better market research, rapid iteration within our product development, establishing regulatory frameworks, and aligning VC & Founders’ investment strategies. By doing so, we’ll be able to unlock more opportunities for investors to back leading teams leveraging crypto to transform the fabric of our society.

There’s an interesting opportunity to shift our mindset from one that is focused on a Latin American isolationist mindset, to one that aims to shift the region’s focus to look towards more global horizons. Yes, it’s important to begin developing markets within LatAm, but founders should also have the ambitions to scale their operations globally. 

Every industry has to deal with parties seeking to unjustly cheat their way into extracting value from the system. With so much focus on LatAm, we’ve seen our fair share of grifters crop up throughout the region. The unfortunate outcome is that as these illegitimate acts are unveiled, some backers of the region may look upon the region unfavorably and real builders with legitimate intentions may not receive the backing they deserve. 

So: We have to do a better job of calling these malicious actors out. Together I believe we’ll be able to weed these parties out, ultimately leading us to legitimize and flourish as a region. All it takes is a few bad apples to give those who are interested in supporting the region a sour taste of what is unfolding here. The more we can keep each other accountable, the likelier we’ll be able to build a legitimate industry together. 

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! I appreciate you taking the time to read this gargantuan thread. If like many of us, you’re passionate about building out new coordination substrates for Latin America, join the cause! There are many ways for you to contribute and continue to build.

Whether you're a LatAm-based/operating founder looking to scale your venture or a global protocol/foundation interested in entering the region, reach out! We're always keen to work with top teams who are deeply passionate about leveraging crypto to drive meaningful change across the very fabric of society. You can also join our Telegram community and connect with other passionate folks in crypto across LatAm. Lastly, you can always subscribe to our blog to stay updated with the latest happenings across the Odisea ecosystem.

¡Vamos!

Special thanks to Nico, Francis, Romina, Max, Bunny, Kyle, and Kairon for reviewing this post :)

However, if our goal is for DeFi to go mainstream and become the future of France - it only makes sense to explore and leverage another one of the most important technologies of our time: AI. DeFi-AI integrations promise to enhance DeFi's efficiency, accessibility, and personalization, introducing advanced applications like AI-driven lending, intelligent yield farming strategies, automated market making, and AI-assisted portfolio management.

For those who have been following Odisea's work for some time, you know that our mission has always been centered around how we bring more people onchain, engage with critical protocols across the ecosystem, and add real-world utility and value to their lives. In this piece, we aim to explore the emerging use cases of AI-powered DeFi applications in the ecosystem, specifically those that aim to unlock new markets and more complex strategies for a broader set of users. 

Below, we outline the challenges driving mass adoption of DeFi and why AI could be a key catalyst for onboarding more users. We also highlight some specific use cases alongside key actors already working on building out these solutions across the ecosystem.

At its peak, DeFi TVL reached a whopping $180 billion (!). That's right. Peer-to-peer finance, providing the staked security for permissionless coordination layers and unlocking new financial substrates for digital assets, among other exciting use cases, skyrocketed in value, reaching a higher value locked than many of the world's nations’ annual GDP.

Since DeFi's inception, hundreds of thousands of crypto natives have played around with farming yams, taking out over-collateralized loans against their ETH, making cross-border payments, lending to SMEs in emerging markets, staking, re-staking, and re-staking their re-staked ETH.

And yet, as entropy continues to unfold not just in DeFi, but throughout crypto - with the never-ending onset of new dApps, protocols, and lots and lots of chains - it is no wonder that so-called "normies" are booing even the mention of Bitcoin. How do we expect to onboard billions of people onto our wonderful, egalitarian, permissionless financial primitives if using these protocols still requires many seemingly complex steps where a substantial amount of capital could be at risk?

If only we had technology that could interpret massive amounts of data, identify patterns, and provide clear and concise outputs…

The onset of AI in our day-to-day lives is increasingly prevalent. From the chatbots we interact with to solve our problems on a merchant's website to creating digital designs, asking it to finish our homework, and even making full-blown movies with AI, AI will continue to permeate our lives.

One particular use case we are excited about is how AI will dramatically improve our financial lives. Pair that with the self-sovereignty DeFi brings to the table, and you've got the perfect combination of superintelligence powering unstoppable finance. Moreover, it's said that crypto is likely the best money for AIs, as it gives them access to completely digital sovereign means of transacting online.

The DeFi + AI combo has the opportunity to not only onboard the masses by removing the current complexities of DeFi but also unlock new strategies currently not on the market. To overcome the adoption barrier of DeFi, here are a few use cases we are particularly excited about at this intersection, ranging from application-level use cases to enhancing base-layer DeFi infrastructure. In each section, we highlight some cutting-edge teams at the forefront of pushing forward the intersection of DeFi and AI. 

Every day, DeFi users face a barrage of new pools to LP, assets to swap, protocols to receive airdrops from, traders to copy, and staking protocols, among other more complex DeFi strategies. Leveraging AI to rapidly identify emerging trends and financial opportunities could be a 0 to 1 moment whereby even your grandmother can do “one-click DeFi” and be on par with even the most degens of degens. A few teams are already tackling this problem head-on:

Fyde is an onchain automated portfolio and liquidity tool that helps users consistently lock in gains, generate yield, and maintain liquidity. Their liquid vault is accessible directly through more than 40 tokens and uses AI, simulation modeling, and diversified allocations to reduce risk. Depositors receive $TRSY, a token that represents the vault and is engineered to be tradeable.  This gives users a set-it-and-forget-it approach to managing crypto portfolios. 

Fyde uses AI to lower risk and optimize liquidity. The protocol uses graph machine learning to look at blockchain transaction networks (e.g., network transactions, wallet flows, and more) to gauge the risk of tokens in real time and to avoid hacks and rug pulls. A visual example of this network analysis can be seen below:

Fyde also creates simulation environments that test and refine liquidity strategies for the wrapper token $TRSY. This allows Fyde to dynamically adjust liquidity provisioning in real time to give $TRSY holders the most bang for their buck. These tools are automated and run in the background of their Liquid Vaults to provide a layer of protection for users’ assets that users might not be able to access by themselves.

One Click Crypto leverages AI to streamline the user onboarding process and deliver personalized insights, making the transition into decentralized finance (DeFi) more accessible and customized. The platform begins by analyzing a user's on-chain transaction history through a connected wallet or scanned address, followed by a brief quiz to refine the user's profile.

Beyond onboarding, One Click Crypto is expanding its AI capabilities to include automated portfolio rebalancing, predictive yield forecasting, fraud detection, personalized risk assessments, and sentiment analysis for investment insights. Future enhancements aim to improve security with AI-driven smart contract audits, optimize the user interface through behavioral analytics, provide AI-curated educational content, offer AI-powered chatbot support, and conduct ongoing market trend analysis. These features are designed to enhance the user experience, making DeFi investing easier, highly tailored, and secure.

Fungi addresses DeFi’s complexity by positioning itself at the intersection of AI and Account Abstraction. Fungi is building customized DeFi Agents that process real-time blockchain data, perceive their environment—your smart wallet—and autonomously execute actions based on your precise instructions. It’s like ChatGPT but for DeFi.

Users can chat with Fungi to deepen their understanding of crypto, receive personalized guidance, perform on-chain transactions, create customized DeFi strategies (Hyphas), and even monetize these Hyphas by sharing them with the community. Fungi works as a network of agents who interact with each other and learn from past experiences—a financial superintelligence accessible to everyone.

Here is how Fungi works:

Wayfinder is building out AI agents to navigate and transact across DeFi. By leveraging their “ecosystem graph,” Wayfinder’s agents can navigate and execute complex DeFi strategies, optimizing transactions for speed, cost, and risk. AI agents in the Wayfinder ecosystem continuously learn from each other’s strategies, ultimately making onboarding and executing complex DeFi strategies a breeze. 

Like Fungi and Wayfinder, DAIN is building a chatbot-like interface that allows users to chat directly with the interface to query blockchain data, grok meaningful market trends, and execute trades on their behalf. 

Another exciting use that brings together AI and crypto is Numerai, which, for several years, has built out a platform to crowd-source stock market prediction algorithms, which are matched with ML algorithms to determine the optimal strategies. More than 5,500 data scientists stake their NMR tokens to compete in a weekly tournament to predict where the stock market will move. Numerai uses cryptography to ensure that other data scientists cannot see each other’s proprietary trades, but it allows them to build machine-learning models that analyze their peers' predictions. According to the coefficient of the stock market performance paired with the predictions crowdsourced from each of Numerai’s data scientists, Numerai will issue rewards for the best-performing predictions. While Numerai’s performance is not public, it has been reported that they have generally outperformed markets through their crowd-sourced predictions, highlighting the power of bringing together decentralized networks, crypto incentives,

Historically, market-making has been gate-kept by centralized and often obscure entities with a mercenary mindset that does not hold the best interest of the ecosystems they are market-making for at hand. ReformDAO is democratizing access to market making and integrating AI to enhance its predictions on token price movements. ReformDAO leverages classification and regression models, refined by causality-focused models, to identify the underlying cause of price movements rather than solely based on correlations. ReformDAO’s use of AI extends to anomaly detection and high-time frame regressions, enhancing its ability to foresee and react to long-term market trends and potential irregularities. Moreover, by predicting 'fair prices' through detailed analysis of order book data, ReformDAO can set competitive bid-ask prices, which is crucial for profitable market making. 

Powered by the SmartCredit team, ChainAware gives users a credit score based on their wallet activity. ChainAware then issues an attestation concerning the creditworthiness of the user’s wallet, which users can then use to prove to third parties that they have healthy wallet activity. While its integrations across wider DeFi are still relatively nascent, using your onchain activity as a potential source of trust for lending could become a huge unlock for advancing DeFi’s real-world adoption. 

Governance can be an overly cumbersome and often data-filled landscape to navigate. Getting governance right is crucial in DeFi, where substantial capital is at stake. With MakerDAO’s upcoming implementation of the “Endgame,” they want to leverage AI to make governance more transparent and accessible. MakerDAO’s implementation of AI aims to create a governance tool that will allow anyone to participate in governance by building out “The Atlas” - Maker DAO’s governance rulebook that will level the playing field between deeply embedded insiders and more peripheral community members. With increased complexity entering MakerDAO’s governance system through the Endgame, this AI tool should welcome a more diverse set of governance participants, who may provide new perspectives on how the protocol should be governed and how to optimize for MakerDAO’s long-term sustainability. 

DeFi has suffered billions of dollars in losses due to smart contract exploits. Oftentimes, even the most talented auditors may miss critical vulnerabilities that may create more robust and safer security audits for many of the leading and emerging DeFi protocols. AI is currently being experimented as a tool to aid auditors in reviewing code and identifying key exploits that could lead to an entire protocol’s assets being compromised. Last year, OpenZeppelin used ChatGPT to face Ethernaut’s security challenge, and the AI found 20 of the 28 critical vulnerabilities. Today, OpenZeppelin is building out teams specializing in exploring how they can integrate AI to enhance their auditing capabilities; these teams recently announced the launch of Defender, which installs a Code Inspector GitHub Application, and using AI will automatically generate a report of any potential issues or vulnerabilities within the code.

As AI matures, we will inevitably see more small teams develop projects that reach unicorn or deca-corn status. In the world of DeFi, having smart contract engineers who can build safe and innovative protocols is a massive barrier to mass adoption. Spectral Labs is building out AI Agents that, through natural language interpretation, can develop and deploy Solidity code, drastically reducing the barrier to entry for creating new DeFi protocols. Further, Spectral Nova is a decentralized network that provides machine learning inferences directly to smart contracts. It enables DeFi protocols to utilize advanced predictive and analytical capabilities, improving decision-making processes and efficiency. For instance, DeFi protocols could use these capabilities for better risk assessment, pricing models, or algorithmic trading strategies.

Due to its complexity and challenging user experience, DeFi is unlikely to reach mass adoption in its current form. However, AI could be the solution to tackle an average user's overwhelming decisions to maximize their opportunities in DeFi and the lack of innovative use cases emerging in the ecosystem. From facilitating the execution of complex transactions to enhance yields on DeFi to deploying production-ready DeFi code, we are bullish on AI’s capacity to unlock a new wave of DeFi adoption. 

Many of the teams pushing forth for the integration of AI into DeFi protocols are new entrants into the market, seeking to lay down their mark on the ecosystem. Hopefully, this will incentivize some of the incumbents in the space to explore further how they could bring a new wave of AI-powered advancements to their protocols, drive more user value, and onboard more capital into the DeFi ecosystem. We’re big believers that permissionless financial primitives have the opportunity to disrupt extractive legacy economic systems and look to continue to support teams who are eager to disrupt the status quo. 

Odisea Labs is a venture studio and innovation lab bridging the Latin American innovation gap in crypto. We aim to introduce emerging technologies to Latin America and catalyze the growth of pioneering builders in the region. We achieve this by:

1. Research - produce high-quality cutting-edge research on crypto adoption, opportunities, and challenges in the region.

2. Scaling - work with leading startups and established foundations to scale their regional presence by tapping them into local developer communities, governments, and other key partners.

3. Media - create content at the forefront of crypto adoption in the region and work with our top-tier partners to establish a strong presence across LatAm's audiences.

4. Build - lastly, our venture studio and fund is where we scale the most promising startups in the region by providing them access to technical talent, regulatory guidance, key partnerships, mentors, and capital.

This litepaper outlines the current challenges for crypto adoption in Latin America, our thesis on overcoming the innovation gap, and our activations to foster a wave of crypto adoption in Latin America and beyond.

Crypto in LatAm

Latin America presents a unique amalgamation of socio-economic conditions ripe for the adoption of crypto. Economic volatility, centralized power, and weak institutions have paved the way for a pressing need to build the foundation for more decentralized pillars for our societies. Today, noteworthy milestones in the region’s crypto ecosystem include:

• El Salvador's pioneering move to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender and hold Bitcoin on its balance sheet.

• Argentina's emergence as a nexus for crypto developers and leading projects in the space.

• Prospera, in Honduras, is becoming a hub of crypto innovation and one of the fastest-growing network states.

• Some of the world’s highest rates of crypto adoption in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, as highlighted by Chainalysis’ Global Crypto Adoption index.

• A burgeoning community of crypto enthusiasts and developers across the region, eager for knowledge and participation.

Problem

Despite the palpable need and enthusiasm for crypto in Latin America, a significant gap exists for achieving greater levels of adoption and development throughout the region, namely the following:

• Limited local knowledge and partnerships for global partners, restricting their presence and opportunity to scale in the region.

• Lack of global and local capital investing in the region's most promising startups.

• Despite having an incredibly talented developer base, many promising builders lack the necessary acumen, community, networks, and capital to bring their projects to market.

• Lack of regulatory clarity throughout the region leaves regulators and builders unsure of where the frontier of innovation stands.

• Few pathways for talented developers to transition towards crypto and build projects in their respective interest areas.

• Poorly informed local communities who are unsure of crypto's opportunity in the region.

Odisea’s Mission

To address these compounding challenges, Odisea Labs brings comprehensive solutions to unlock crypto's potential in LatAm. We collaborate with the region's most promising startups, thought leaders, regulators, funders, developers, civil society, and other key partners to create an ecosystem fueled by innovation and disruption. To that end, we focus on the following activations:

Research

• Objective: To generate actionable insights into the adoption, opportunities, and challenges of crypto and blockchain in Latin America.

  • Conduct comprehensive studies on crypto market trends, user demographics, and adoption barriers.

  • Collaborate with academic institutions and industry experts to enrich research quality and reach.

  • Utilize findings to inform stakeholders and guide strategic decisions in the crypto ecosystem.

Scaling

• Objective: To amplify the impact of global startups and established foundations in Latin America by integrating them with local ecosystems.

  • Facilitate partnerships between startups/foundations and local developers, governmental bodies, and corporations.

  • Offer mentorship and resources to startups for navigating regulatory environments and cultural nuances.

  • Organize workshops and networking events to foster community engagement and collaborative opportunities.

Media

• Objective: To lead content creation that educates, informs, and stimulates dialogue around crypto adoption in the region.

  • Produce high-quality, accessible content, including articles, videos, and podcasts, that addresses key topics in crypto.

  • Partner with media platforms with substantial reach across Latin America to disseminate content widely.

  • Engage with the community through social media, webinars, and live events to encourage active discussion and feedback.

Build

• Objective: Leverage our venture studio as a platform to support and co-develop the most promising startups by providing them with all of the necessary resources to scale successfully.

  • Offer technical expertise and development resources for both short-term and long-term project collaborations.

  • Work across various domains within the crypto space, focusing on real-world utility coupled with cutting-edge technology.

  • Utilize our network's resources and partnerships to foster more high-growth and impactful projects to emerge from the region.

Who We Work With

Odisea Labs collaborates with a diverse set of partners, ranging from DeFi applications to infrastructure and educational tools, each of whom are key players in the global crypto ecosystem. Previously we’ve collaborated with: Liquity, Zash, the Ethereum Foundation, Celo, Safe, Lens, Aave Grants DAO, clr.fund, Filecoin, ENS DAO, Ambire, among others. Outside of the crypto ecosystem we’ve worked with the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the Ford Foundation, among other leading research and impact-led organizations.

Get Involved

Odisea, or odyssey in English, represents a long and exciting journey. Our path is one that leads to self-sovereign futures where ownership, governance, economics, finance, and culture are backed by cryptography and not the evident corruption that has plagued Latin America for centuries. If you are called to this mission, please connect with us via email, Telegram, and subscribe to our Paragraph below.

This research and report was conducted by Odisea Labs, a research and innovation lab focused on driving technological innovation where it is needed most. Scaling LatAm's Crypto Builder Ecosystem focuses on identifying the most prominent crypto founders in the region, unpacking where they are facing their growth challenges, and getting a clear picture of what we need to do to bring more support for these builders. This report is for those who are crypto builders in LatAm, for partners who are looking to understand how they can best support the builders in the region, and for investors who are looking to know where some of the founders in the area are facing shortfalls. Happy reading!

The opportunity for crypto

As crypto continues to emerge back into the global limelight, we have always held the conviction that one region has all of the right conditions to be a hotbed of crypto mass adoption: Latin America. Latin America's historical backdrop is one steeped in brutal dictatorships, catastrophic economic policies, and decimation of natural resources, among other socioeconomic dynamics that can only emerge within systems that are imbued with centralized powers.

These historical precedents we have inherited are the main drivers behind Latin America's adoption and development of crypto:

• El Salvador was the first country to make Bitcoin legal tender.

• Argentina is a hotbed of developers in the ecosystem who have both contributed and founded some of the most consequential projects in crypto.

• Prospera, located in Roatán, Honduras, is gathering some of crypto's brightest minds and builders to flesh out an entirely new platform for human coordination.

• Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina rank in Chainalysis' top 20 countries for crypto adoption

• Dozens of local Latin American crypto communities are onboarding beginners into the ecosystem and creating an onramp for new developers to begin their journey into the space.

Seeing the opportunity for Latin America, as part of the Ethereum Foundation's Next Billion Fellowship, which seeks to explore how we can drive more adoption in emerging regions, we conducted an extensive research process titled "Last Mile DeFi." Last Mile DeFi was both a written report and an accompanying podcast that sought to unpack the utility and challenges for DeFi to provide enhanced financial rails in a region where most lack access to dignified financial services.

As we conducted our research, speaking with over 400 protocols, foundations, builders, and users of DeFi, we found that while Latin America is primed for large-scale adoption of crypto-native consumer applications, there needs to be more builders shipping products to market. In Latin America, crypto protocols are not just "nice to have" but critical to unlocking flourishing economies built on decentralized rails.

The question then is how can we lay the foundations to support emergent builders who are both technically talented and understand where crypto can massively improve our economic, financial, governance, technological, and cultural systems?

To answer this question, we embarked on another research venture, speaking with over 100 pre-seed and seed-stage builders, where we aimed to understand the following:

1. What the builders in the region are working on

2. What challenges have arisen as they have embarked on their journey

3. What support do these builders need to scale their projects 100x

The data

Below, we have compiled the data from our interviews across geographic locations, ecosystems, industries, and growth challenges.

Geographic location

Notably, we have a strong contingency based in Mexico, with nearly half of the founders coming from this region. Unsurprisingly, Argentina also made up about 25% of our conversations. Central America and the Caribbean must catch up, with a mere 10% of founders coming from the regions.

Ecosystem

A substantial majority of builders are focused on deploying their projects on the EVM (63%); however, Solana (17%) and Bitcoin (16%) were the two primary alternative ecosystems that founders were choosing to deploy on.

Industry

As far as the industry is concerned, DeFi (33%) leads the way concerning what founders are looking to build; this includes payments and lending, among other use cases of DeFi. Following that, infrastructure (16%) and education (16%) were the two follow-on industries.

Growth challenges

Now comes the most crucial part of our findings: exploring where these founders have struggled with scaling their projects. We detail each of these below.

• Product-Market-Fit (52%)

  • More than half of the founders in our research struggled primarily with two fronts regarding PMF. The first one was market research - which revolved around conducting the necessary investigation to identify meaningful gaps in the market where their product would serve a pressing need. Some founders we spoke with were enthusiastically hacking away without first conducting essential research into whether their offering was sought after enough by a sufficiently large group of users.

  • The second PMF challenge was centered around product development. If the founders had identified what they considered a sufficiently compelling problem to work on, they struggled to build a product that met the needs of the problem statement they were addressing. Even if the founders were technically capable, they were often held back by needing help to deliver a smoothly designed interface that gave their users a smooth onboarding experience. To some extent, this could be attributed to crypto's already challenging user experience, and many cited account abstraction and multi-party computation as being important unlocks in creating more seamless experiences for their users.

• Growth and Scaling (73%)

  • Nearly three-quarters of the founders called out growth and scaling as areas of struggle in their journeys. Developing go-to-market strategies that were sufficiently compelling for the market got in the way of them being able to deploy their projects either in LatAm or, even more challenging - on a global scale. While many of these founders had already developed strong products, navigating how they could drive users to them was a particularly complex area.

  • With more mobile phones than toilets in the region, Latin America is a region where adopting technological advancements is just waiting for the right product to ignite a revolution. However, many founders in the region need the necessary growth strategies or marketing visions to bring their products to scale fully. Consequently, once they launched, some founders needed help gaining meaningful traction.

• Regulatory (32%)

  • Latin America is a region where crypto regulation is still in development. Often, we look up to our big brother, the United States, for guidance on matters relating to policy - a trend that is becoming increasingly less popular. Already, we have seen El Salvador make significant strides in not only making Bitcoin legal tender and acquiring Bitcoins for its national reserve but also establishing critical pro-crypto regulation that aims to foster an ecosystem of innovation in the country. On the other hand, while some countries are cracking down on crypto, others recognize its potential in the region and aim to attract top-tier talent under their jurisdictions. Overall, we are bullish on where regulation is heading in the area.

  • For founders, navigating the complexity of launching a startup in a fragmented regulatory landscape is challenging, even more so when we have crypto as an additional legal consideration. The well-versed crypto lawyers in the region are few and far between, and often, incumbents (both in and out of crypto) will go after newly launched projects to avoid them taking any market share in a seemingly fragile financial monopoly. Founders often cited questions regarding the incorporation of their companies, ideal legal structures, and token considerations, among others, as key questions they had when looking to establish their legal entities.

• Access to Talent (48%)

  • While Latin America is a hotbed of crypto developers, the founders we spoke with brought up hiring capable talent as a barrier to scaling. This challenge can primarily be thought of on two fronts: the first was finding technically proficient builders, and the second was ensuring there was a high degree of alignment with the project over the long term. On the first point, many builders, particularly those focusing on more complex projects, mentioned that many of the 10x engineers were often already tied up with other projects or were hard to find amongst the sea of other developers. Most of the founders we spoke with mentioned that working with other Latin Americans was generally a priority, which may be based on language and cultural considerations.

  • The second challenge founders faced when building out their protocols and dApps was around screening and retention of talent. They described that onboarding aligned talent committed over the long-term of a project was often something they felt they could improve. They frequently mentioned that compensation for engineers from Latin American-based projects differs from a European or North American-based project, making incentivizing long-term alignment challenging, given the competitive hiring landscape.

• Raising Capital (91%)

  • This was by far the most common challenge that the Latin American founders mentioned that was holding them back from developing their projects. Access to capital in Latin America for crypto is scarce for a few different reasons; we will first explore how founders may access grants in the crypto ecosystem and then dive into venture capital.

  • On the grants side, while many foundations and protocols are interested in supporting emerging builders with capital to scale their projects, it can take time to navigate the crypto grants ecosystem. Many builders needed help knowing where to direct their energy and attention to identify the proper channels to apply for grants. If they identified the right avenue, they spent significant amounts of time tracking grant cycles and submitting their applications. This often implies having a high degree of understanding regarding the grant-giving organization's grant operations and frequently takes a disproportionate amount of time, meaning builders could not focus on their product.

  • On the venture capital front, this was an even more harrowing journey that Latin American-based founders had to undergo. LatAm founders have two options regarding VC: either you go to a VC in the region or recur to a globally positioned fund. For the regional VCs, accessing capital was challenging for several reasons: First, VCs in the region need to familiarize themselves with crypto's proposition and technological stack. This makes investing in an early-stage crypto project a challenging proposition to these funds as they often would pass on these deals instead of conducting the necessary due diligence thoroughly and making an informed decision. The second problem with working with LatAm-based VCs arises from the first, with many funds often offering smaller ticket sizes with expectations of an unequal amount of equity in exchange. Many founders, therefore, need to pay more attention to this route and look towards globally focused VCs.

  • On the global stage, there are a plethora of technology/crypto-forward thinking VCs; however, many founders we spoke with mentioned they needed help to raise capital from this contingency. The founders we spoke with often needed help understanding how they should approach the VCs who may be interested in backing their projects, how they should structure their deals, and how to negotiate the terms of the investment. To further compound this, many VCs based in North America or Europe need a clearer understanding of the Latin American landscape, opportunities, and risks, making deploying capital in LatAm founders an additional barrier.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Crypto in Latin America has the opportunity to massively disrupt the incumbent extractive institutions that are holding the region's people back from financial, economic, and social freedom. To get there, however, we need more regional builders focused on shipping products for the area and bringing global products to market. The research above aims to begin a life-long exploration of how we may start supporting the pioneers pushing forward crypto adoption in the region.

Our mission at Odisea Labs is to continue to support the bold visionaries who dare to defy the status quo across Latin America and beyond. This investigation serves as the basis for us to move forward into building a more robust ecosystem of support for the builders in the region. We will continue to work closely with our partners to deliver high-value opportunities to continue to bring LatAm onchain. As a next step, we will outline and create activations to address these issues and look forward to backing these exceptional emerging founders. By providing high-caliber founders with the necessary resources, network, capital, and talent, we will continue to see some of the most impactful projects emerge from the region.

We are grateful to all those who participated and contributed to this research, and we look forward to working with you to scale your projects 100 from here. If you are either a LatAm-based builder or are looking to support builders in the region, you can get in touch via email or connect with the author of this report on X.

https://youtu.be/utgulBbbqws

Also available on: Spotify | Apple | Google | Simple Cast

Every time I record a new Odisea show, I’m continously impressed by the quality of the guests who are joining us on our collective journey towards infinite gardens. And this conversation with Kevin was certainly not the exception. One of the key takeaways for the listeners is the notion that “regen is a vibe” - keep that in mind as you listen to this podcast.

After Kevin shared his crypto journey with us, we dove straight into the Greenpill Network and the movement that is being built around that community. Emerging from the work of his book, Greenpill, Kevin has now looked to broaden the horizon of the work he’s doing by building local Greenpill chapters that are focusing on deploying local solutions that lever global technological advancements, such as cryptography and blockchain.

One of the things we double-clicked on in this conversation is what it means to “build a movement” - after all, movement-building is at the crux of what we can do if we look to coordinate towards better societies that offer us an alternative lifestyle. After all, if we are to genuinely bring a regenerative future forth, it must go much farther beyond simply keyboard optimism and towards visceral and IRL movements. And this is what I find most exciting about what Kevin is up to - he’s built a number of successful projects in the ecosystem, built an audience around his work, and is now leveraging those relationships to build a movement.

A core pillar of movement-building is creating a strong coalition of values-aligned partners who are willing to go to bat for you and your values. In this instance, it’s leveraging distributed systems to build pro-social, pro-environmental, plural gardens of growth and freedom that allow us to thrive collectively. We dive into a number of the players in the crypto community that are nurturing the frontier of these new movements including: Giveth, Optimism, DoinGud, DAO Drops, among others.

Ensuring that we are creating cross-pollinating public goods networks is what will ultimately allow us to multiply the impact that each of these players would otherwise achieve independently. The notion that 1+1=3 is what Kevin reference to the value of supermodularity - meaning that by collaborating, we can create optimal outcomes for all other players of a particular game. It’s with this same vision that Kevin has gone on to found Supermodular - a venture studio building a regenerative digital frontier.

Lastly, Kevin leaves the audience with some insights for regen-focused builders who are sticking around through the bear. He emphasizes that we must continue to collaborate and create positive-sum games that provide optimal outcomes for all of the participants within the ecosystem (and far, far beyond our little bubble, I’ll add). Let’s focus on high leverage opportunities that allow us to add substantial value to the ecosystem and of course, don’t be afraid to fail (Gitcoin was Kevin’s 6th startup - so keep going!)

Remember, you’ve still got time to mint your Odisea Community Collectible below. The collectible is available on the Optimism network, which we have intentionally chosen thanks to their commitment to support public goods, largely through their Retroactive Public Goods Funding (RetroPGF) mechanism, which allocates the fees paid by users of the network and then distributes them retroactively to public goods in the ecosystem. Mint yours below and support public goods :)

If you’d like to connect to discuss the episode and explore ways we can collaborate to build a better future leveraging crypto, let’s chat on Twitter or you can join the Telegram community as well!

subscriber-edition://0x0A1152cc3F3A44501a2A4360C094F3286A93EDe9?tokenId=0&size=small

Odisea is produced with the support of Safe and Ambire Wallet.

Safe (previously Gnosis Safe) is a decentralized custody protocol, securing ~$60 Billion in assets today. It is establishing a universal standard for secure custody of digital assets, data, and identity.

Ambire Wallet is an account abstraction-based, self-custodial gateway to Web3 that introduces a range of impressive features like transaction batching, a pre-payment mechanism, and the ability to pay gas fees in stablecoins. By being accessible on both mobile and desktop devices, with a browser extension version on the horizon, Ambire Wallet aims at streamlining the user experience and ensure convenience across different platforms.

https://youtu.be/IZgjYDPqx9k

Also available on: Spotify | Apple | Google | Simple Cast

Originally known as Gnosis Safe, Safe is truly at the forefront of building a safe (no pun intended), reliable, and trust-worth protocol that now has over $60b in its multisig wallets. From Vitalik storing his ETH, the world’s largest DAO’s managing their treasuries on Safe, to Punk 6529 safeguarding his digital assets, Safe is the protocol we all know and love if we are looking to bring more flexibility to the way we manage our crypto.

My conversation with Jorge was centered around his journey into crypto and how he, having grown up in Latin America, has seen the extractive relationship that we can sometimes enter with centralized bodies of power. With this conviction, Jorge joined Safe as the team was creating its stand-alone project that was emerged from the Gnosis ecosystem. The origins of Safe come from those who launched the original Gnosis project raised a substantial amount of funds from an ICO and wanted a way to collectively manage their funds onchain. With that, Gnosis Safe was born and fastforward to today, it has undoubtedly been one of the foundations of being able to manage our asses digitally.

As listeners of this podcast will know, Safe has two core products: 1. the Safe multisig wallet we all know and love and 2. the Safe{core}, which is their developer toolkit for all those who are interested in leveraging Safe to build the future of wallets and manage digital assets. Safe is on a mission to make smart accounts the standard with regards to how folks engage with their digital assets, leaving the outdates externally owned accounts (EOA’s) behind.

To do this, Safe has doubled down on growing the ecosystem of developers building with Safe{core}. By supporting hackathons and events that are builder-focused, Safe has managed to get some great projects built on top of their infrastructure. One project I particularly like is an ETHLisbon finalist that created a mechanism whereby people in Bolivia can exchange crypto p2p by using scratch cards:

https://twitter.com/ETHGlobal/status/1660628813322022912?s=20

This is just one of hundreds of projects that are building on top of Safe to bring more folks into the ecosystem. I’m super bullish on where Safe will continue to build and can’t wait to see them continue to foster a more robust developer ecosystem at Safe (check out the podcast, there’s some serious alpha in there)! A big drive of these efforts is led by Jorge who is ensuring that folks are continuing to leverage the Safe stack to deploy more solutions, either at hackathons or there onwards to bring more of our grandma’s into crypto. Onwards!

Remember, you’ve still got time to mint your Odisea Community Collectible below. The collectible is available on the Optimism network, which we have intentionally chosen thanks to their commitment to support public goods, largely through their Retroactive Public Goods Funding (RetroPGF) mechanism, which allocates the fees paid by users of the network and then distributes them retroactively to public goods in the ecosystem. Mint yours below and support public goods :)

If you’d like to connect to discuss the episode and explore ways we can collaborate to build a better future leveraging crypto, let’s chat on Twitter or you can join the Telegram community as well!

subscriber-edition://0x0A1152cc3F3A44501a2A4360C094F3286A93EDe9?tokenId=0&size=small

Odisea is produced with the support of Safe and Ambire Wallet.

Safe (previously Gnosis Safe) is a decentralized custody protocol, securing ~$60 Billion in assets today. It is establishing a universal standard for secure custody of digital assets, data, and identity.

Ambire Wallet is an account abstraction-based, self-custodial gateway to Web3 that introduces a range of impressive features like transaction batching, a pre-payment mechanism, and the ability to pay gas fees in stablecoins. By being accessible on both mobile and desktop devices, with a browser extension version on the horizon, Ambire Wallet aims at streamlining the user experience and ensure convenience across different platforms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCgqUCXHzKE

Also available on: Spotify | Apple | Google | Simple Cast

By now, you’re probably already familiar with how bullish I am on the role of wallets in driving mass adoption. For many of us, we see the wallet as the key to providing existing and incoming users to the ecosystem a home for their digital, onchain lives. Within our wallets we trade, we collect art, we ascribe identity to ourselves, and we are able to tap into the power of the entire crypto ecosystem.

Despite the central role that wallets play, we seem to perpetually deal with the challenge between striking the perfect balance between self-sovereignty and ease-of-use. One the one hand, there are those who build their own hardware off-line to generate their private-keys in truly airgapped fashion; whilst on the other hand many will rely on using centralised services that put users at risk of being rugged by malicious third parties.

One of the things that particularly stood out in this conversation with Ivo was how they have taken an analytical approach to how they identify the problems they currently see in the space and have built a super holistic product that addresses a number of those challenges. Namely, those friction points are:

1. Having to store your private keys, which could provide a single-point of failure for storing your assets

2. Needing the native network token to pay for gas fees

3. Having to sign multiple transactions to conduct basic operations (eg swapping)

4. Hard to read transactions which may lead to signing malicious transactions

To address some of these challenges, Ambire has built a product whereby folks can recover their private keys through a number of channels, including email recovery. They batch transactions which reduces the confusion some have with regards to why they have to sign multiple transactions to execute simple operations onchain. They parse the transaction and provide a readable and accessible way of understanding the transactions you are signing. In aggregate, these all give everyday users a seamless experience when navigating their digital lives.

It’s this kind of holistic approach to address user experience challenges that are key to driving mass-adoption. In order for us to go mainstream, we’ve got to continue to push the envelope on integrating the latest technological developments in the space (AA, MPC) alongside slick UX.

Aside from exploring Ivo’s founder journey and his product-mindset, we discuss the other spaces he’s excited for in the space. As a power-user of Aave, he shared why he’s bullish particularly on lending protocols with regards to capital utilisation and other efficiencies. Ivo also shares his thoughts on where he sees NFTs playing a central role in unlocking more utility for DeFi, particularly in the real world and of course, the opportunities that crypto gaming brings with it!

Remember, you’ve still got time to mint your Odisea Community Collectible below. The collectible is available on the Optimism network, which we have intentionally chosen thanks to their commitment to support public goods, largely through their Retroactive Public Goods Funding (RetroPGF) mechanism, which allocates the fees paid by users of the network and then distributes them retroactively to public goods in the ecosystem. Mint yours below and support public goods :)

If you’d like to connect to discuss the episode and explore ways we can collaborate to build a better future leveraging crypto, let’s chat on Twitter or you can join the Telegram community as well!

subscriber-edition://0x0A1152cc3F3A44501a2A4360C094F3286A93EDe9?tokenId=0&size=small

Odisea is produced with the support of Safe and Ambire Wallet.

Safe (previously Gnosis Safe) is a decentralized custody protocol, securing ~$60 Billion in assets today. It is establishing a universal standard for secure custody of digital assets, data, and identity.

Ambire Wallet is an account abstraction-based, self-custodial gateway to Web3 that introduces a range of impressive features like transaction batching, a pre-payment mechanism, and the ability to pay gas fees in stablecoins. By being accessible on both mobile and desktop devices, with a browser extension version on the horizon, Ambire Wallet aims at streamlining the user experience and ensure convenience across different platforms.

https://youtu.be/Ori2m-UudYE

Also available on: Spotify | Apple | Google | Simple Cast

With a strong commitment to promoting smarter and more impactful investments, Mercy Corp Ventures has supported the scaling efforts of 43 early-stage ventures and successfully raised over $396.7 million in follow-on funding. Their portfolio holds a significant representation (50%) of female-founded ventures, focusing primarily on adaptive agriculture and food systems, inclusive fintech, and climate-smart technologies. MCV goes beyond solely capital allocation as they focus on providing piloting supporting, goal-setting, and impact management for the projects they support.

MCV holds a belief that blockchain plays a critical role in addressing some of the key issues faced by disenfranchised communities in the global south such as financial exclusion and the climate crisis. In this conversation with Kenneth, we dive deep into this trajectory towards MCV and where the fund is allocating capital to back some of the world’s leading entrepreneur that are tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time through crypto-leveraged solutions.

One of the key topics of conversation that comes up throughout the conversation with Kenneth is the idea of the “hype gap” that exists in crypto. Kenneth reminds us that in some of the earlier iterations of the cypherpunk movement’s manifesto’s and even Satoshi’s writing, the intention was to create a more equitable playing field for everyone, irrespective of their status or wealth.

Despite these lofty goals, it often feels that whilst we’ve made a substantial amount of noise in the ecosystem, it’s hard not to look around us and “what have we really done?” And is crypto truly living up to its fullest potential?

That is what we describe as the “hype gap” - the notion that whilst we seem to shout from the rooftops about the revolutionary opportunity crypto can theoretically bring us, it feels that we’re far from really brining on many of the killer use cases that I’m sure many of the readers are excited to see emerge in the world. This includes creating a global payments network, changing the way our governments participate in governance, creating values-aligned incentive mechanisms to provide solutions to the climate crisis, among a number of other promises crypto could theoretically deliver.

At times, however, it can feel that we’re surrounded by merely speculation, hype, and regulatory scrutiny. We need to see more innovation and entrepreneurship that is building at the edges and is focused on looking past the short-term Moloch-induced greed and rather creating pro-social impact-led movements that are powered by blockchains, rather than ponzi-style scams.

To address this specific gap, MCV is providing key catalytic capital in some of the most impact-led projects that are emerging out of the ecosystem. To give you a sense of a couple of the crypto companies they back:

• Goldfinch: a decentralized credit protocol that makes loans to SMEs in the global south, thus expanding access to capital and fostering financial inclusion.

• Ejara: A woman-led platform that leverages the power of blockchain to democratize access to investment and savings products for underserved populations in West Africa.

• You can see their full portfolio here.

MCV is truly at the forefront of blending impact investing with crypto-levered solutions and this conversation with Kenneth speaks to the intentionality they are bringing forward to continuing to back the boldest entrepreneurs at this intersection. If you’re keen to build a crypto project that is driving positive social and environment impact, this episode’s for you!

Remember, you’ve still got time to mint your Odisea Community Collectible below. The collectible is available on the Optimism network, which we have intentionally chosen thanks to their commitment to support public goods, largely through their Retroactive Public Goods Funding (RetroPGF) mechanism, which allocates the fees paid by users of the network and then distributes them retroactively to public goods in the ecosystem. Mint yours below and support public goods :)

If you’d like to connect to discuss the episode and explore ways we can collaborate to build a better future leveraging crypto, let’s chat on Twitter or you can join the Telegram community as well!

subscriber-edition://0x0A1152cc3F3A44501a2A4360C094F3286A93EDe9?tokenId=0&size=small

Odisea is produced with the support of Safe and Ambire Wallet.

Safe (previously Gnosis Safe) is a decentralized custody protocol, securing ~$60 Billion in assets today. It is establishing a universal standard for secure custody of digital assets, data, and identity.

Ambire Wallet is an account abstraction-based, self-custodial gateway to Web3 that introduces a range of impressive features like transaction batching, a pre-payment mechanism, and the ability to pay gas fees in stablecoins. By being accessible on both mobile and desktop devices, with a browser extension version on the horizon, Ambire Wallet aims at streamlining the user experience and ensure convenience across different platforms.

https://youtu.be/SyOmV9F_B7Y

Also available on: Spotify | Apple | Google | Simple Cast

A seasoned entrepreneur, John’s journey has been marked by connecting the dots across technology and design to make the world a better place. His builder journey began in his college dorm room where he tried, failed, and succeeded building startups led by an impact-driven thesis.

Simultaneously, John has also taken a committed approach to nurturing his inner self through his practices of meditation, yoga, and mindfulness. He attributes much of his success and commitment towards regeneration stemming from his own practices of inner work, which have allowed John to access his deepest source of intelligence.

It is with this same prowess that John co-founded ReFi DAO, an incredible community and ecosystem that is inspiring and supporting builders around the world to regenerate themselves and the communities within which they exist. Having partaken in one of ReFi DAO’s Founder Circles, I can say from firsthand that there really is nothing more valuable when one is doing the hard work of regeneration that it is so helpful to have the support of a kindred community.

That same premise is ultimately what led John and I to become friends, as our paths have continued to cross through our journeys in this ecosystem. What I’ve found in John, is not only someone who is deeply committed to the work he does, but is also an incredible kind and wise soul who is always willing to uplift those around him.

Speaking of surrounding yourself with those who are aligned with your vision, ReFi DAO is now working on its next ambitious undertaking - building a network state driven by environmental regeneration.

With the first node already established and activated in Lisbon, ReFi DAO is looking to scale its operations globally, by supporting local nodes around the world. They have a strong emphasis on backing and supporting nodes in the global south, which has already led to a diverse and flourishing set of local communities emerging around them.

As a believer in thinking in post-nation state terms and as someone who cares deeply about social and environmental regeneration, I’m incredibly excited to see where ReFi DAO continues to expand and grow across the ecosystem.

Remember, you’ve still got time to mint your Odisea Community Collectible below. The collectible is available on the Optimism network, which we have intentionally chosen thanks to their commitment to support public goods, largely through their Retroactive Public Goods Funding (RetroPGF) mechanism, which allocates the fees paid by users of the network and then distributes them retroactively to public goods in the ecosystem. Mint yours below and support public goods :)

If you’d like to connect to discuss the episode and explore ways we can collaborate to build a better future leveraging crypto, let’s chat on Twitter or you can join the Telegram community as well!

subscriber-edition://0x0A1152cc3F3A44501a2A4360C094F3286A93EDe9?tokenId=0&size=small

Odisea is produced with the support of Safe and Ambire Wallet.

Safe (previously Gnosis Safe) is a decentralized custody protocol, securing ~$60 Billion in assets today. It is establishing a universal standard for secure custody of digital assets, data, and identity.

Ambire Wallet is an account abstraction-based, self-custodial gateway to Web3 that introduces a range of impressive features like transaction batching, a pre-payment mechanism, and the ability to pay gas fees in stablecoins. By being accessible on both mobile and desktop devices, with a browser extension version on the horizon, Ambire Wallet aims at streamlining the user experience and ensure convenience across different platforms.

https://youtu.be/Xx50uk21soE

Also available on: Spotify | Apple | Google | Simple Cast

I remember being in kindergarten and memorising the national anthem, learning about our national flowers, trees, the importance of the military and police in maintaining civil order, the role of the government in making sure we had smooth-running nationwide operations, and of course revering the all-important president of our nation.

At the time, and throughout much of our lives, we don’t stop and think about what exactly is going on through this process. As children, we are very early on imbued into the nation state system, one marked by imaginary (and at times, material) borders imposed by us humans.

We’ve been led to believe that the most important organising body for human coordination is the nation state (if you grew up in a heavily religious country, like I did, then God is likely the only superior organising force). It is this same belief, that has led to countries going to war, millions of lives lost, and justification for exploitation of the “other.”

Of course, it would be unfair on the nation state to simply call out its faults, but rather also celebrate the importance of some of the achievements that we’ve accomplished with the shared belief of the nation. We’ve put humans on the moon, celebrated culture, and created entire stories of lore to commemorate what each unique nation brings to the table.

One thing, however, we seem to forget often is the extent to which nations are a relatively new human invention. Only a few hundred years old, nation states have had their time to shine - but for many of us that were indoctrinated with this philosophy can’t help but question whether this is really the panacea that we believed it to be.

One particular example of this is the lack of the nation states power to address the problem of climate change. We are now coming up to the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) conference, the most important meeting of nation states seeking to address the climate change challenge. Despite that, 28 conferences in, it seems that we haven’t yet made the progress needed to tackle CO2 emissions, environmental degradation, mass extinction of species, water pollution, among other pressing challenges.

This is just one example among many where I believe we humans have outgrown the nation state, both from a coordination standpoint as well as a technological one. With unprecedented technological development sitting right in front of us, I believe it’s time we start looking past the nation state and forward to what comes after.

Afropolitan’s mission of bringing together those who are connected to the African continent through a shared history, heritage, and passion for uplifting their communities is one that I deeply resonate with. I would like to see more network states similar to Afropolitan emerge throughout the world, based on shared affinities.

Already, I feel that we’ve built somewhat of a network state amongst those who believe in decentralised worlds powered by blockchain. Whenever I connect with my crypto friends in Bogotá, Denver, Europe, or elsewhere - I feel a deep affinity and know that we are collectively working towards enhancing the state of the world by leveraging distributed ledgers to enhance human coordination.

Most recently, Zuzalu was perhaps the most interesting experiment that emerged out of the Ethereum ecosystem. Ethereans from around the world gathered in Montenegro for two months to discuss and hack around Zero-Knowledge technology, artificial intelligence, DAO coordination, network state ideation, among other cutting-edge conversations.

Chika was a resident of Zuzalu, spending nearly two months in the picturesque scenery of Montenegro. She shares with us what she saw and witnessed whilst there and where Afropolitan is heading to in the future.

Lastly, I also deeply enjoyed exploring with Chika around the role that she sees crypto playing in the global south. We’re both super bullish on the future potential for crypto in these regions and can’t wait to continue to drive more adoption in the region by supporting and nurturing local initiatives throughout.

Remember, you’ve still got time to mint your Odisea Community Collectible below. The collectible is available on the Optimism network, which we have intentionally chosen thanks to their commitment to support public goods, largely through their Retroactive Public Goods Funding (RetroPGF) mechanism, which allocates the fees paid by users of the network and then distributes them retroactively to public goods in the ecosystem. Mint yours below and support public goods :)

If you’d like to connect to discuss the episode and explore ways we can collaborate to build a better future leveraging crypto, let’s chat on Twitter or you can join the Telegram community as well!

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Odisea is produced with the support of Safe and Ambire Wallet.

Safe (previously Gnosis Safe) is a decentralized custody protocol, securing ~$60 Billion in assets today. It is establishing a universal standard for secure custody of digital assets, data, and identity.

Ambire Wallet is an account abstraction-based, self-custodial gateway to Web3 that introduces a range of impressive features like transaction batching, a pre-payment mechanism, and the ability to pay gas fees in stablecoins. By being accessible on both mobile and desktop devices, with a browser extension version on the horizon, Ambire Wallet aims at streamlining the user experience and ensure convenience across different platforms.