The Latest from ThreeFold - Foundation

🔗The Rise & Fall of Platforms

The world of digital platforms can leave us feeling a bit deflated. We invest time and effort in creating content and building our online presence across platforms, only to see them come and go – either in terms of popularity or existance. Years of efforts can go down the drain in an instant. And the introduction of new platforms means we feel almost pressured to create new profiles yet again. Take Threads, for example, recently released by Meta. I, personally, have not downloaded the app or created a profile myself. Nor do I plan to.

🔗Algorithmic Shifts & Manipulation

Algorithms, like shifting weather, change direction without warning. What used to be familiar suddenly feels like a puzzle we can’t solve. Further, algorithms on social media and other platforms are designed to keep us engaged. They show us content that’s likely to keep us scrolling and clicking. This can lead to addictive behaviors, with us spending more time on platforms than we initially intended.

🔗Platform Redundancy

Why, in this digital age, do we have countless platforms doing essentially the same thing? It’s as if we’re at a party with multiple dance floors, all playing the same music. This fragmented landscape demands our memory’s acrobatics as we juggle passwords, navigate different interfaces, and figure out where our friends are hanging out. A simpler, unified experience seems a distant dream.

🔗Products in a Machine

We pour our creativity and stories into platforms, only to realize we don’t truly own them. Our content, our data, our followers – they belong to the platform. It’s like building a sandcastle at the beach, but it washes away with the tide. The digital space, which once held the promise of empowerment, has subtly transformed us into products within a larger system.

🔗Decentralization: Reclaiming Digital Sovereignty

Imagine a digital world where you’re the true owner of your data and content, where your digital footprint isn’t erased by platform shifts. A space where the power to shape the experience is in your hands, where you’re not a product but a participant in a collaborative journey.

This reimagined Internet isn’t a dream; it’s an evolving reality. Decentralization represents a paradigm shift – a chance to reclaim our digital autonomy. We need to foster an environment where platforms don’t dictate, but rather, serve as tools shaped by the collective. This is a call to action, a reminder that a more inclusive, user-centric Internet is within reach.

The Internet has always been a canvas for human connection and creativity. Let’s paint a picture where we’re not just contributors but true owners, where we’re not lost in a labyrinth but are the architects of our digital landscape. Let’s embrace a decentralized Internet, because we deserve an Internet that truly serves us – the people.

🔗1960s to 1980s: Internet’s Early Days

The Internet as we know it began as a project of the US Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) in the 1960s, with the aim of creating a communication network that could withstand a nuclear attack. The network was designed to be decentralized, so that if one node was destroyed, the network could still function. The result was a decentralized system that allowed computers to communicate with each other over long distances, without relying on a central server.

By the 1970s, the ARPANET (as it was then called) had grown to include dozens of nodes and was used by government agencies, educational institutions, and research organizations for communication and data sharing. However, it was still very much a fragmented network, and accessing information from one system to another was not easy. So, in the early 1970s, Ray Tomlinson developed the first email system, which enabled users to send messages between different computers on the ARPANET.

In the late 1970s, the TCP/IP protocol suite was developed, which enabled computers to communicate across different networks and laid the foundation for the global Internet. This was the dawn of the peer-to-peer concept. In the early 1980s, the Domain Name System (DNS) was developed, which provided a way to translate human-readable domain names into IP addresses, making it easier to access websites and other resources on the Internet. Finally, in 1989, Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web, which provided a user-friendly interface for accessing and sharing information on the Internet.

The early days of the Internet were a time of experimentation and innovation, as researchers explored new ways to connect computers and share data. This phase of the Internet was focused on building the underlying infrastructure of the network and establishing protocols for communication between computers.

🔗1990s & 2000s: Popularization & Commodification of the Internet

The 1990s marked a turning point in the Internet’s evolution. The World Wide Web became the primary way people accessed information and connected with one another online. This new platform, which allowed users to easily access and share information, changed the Internet’s use from an exclusive network for institutions and organizations to a tool accessible to the general public. As such, there was an explosion in its use, which allowed for the rise of e-commerce and online advertising – creating new business opportunities and changing the way we shop and consume media.

The emergence of new ways to interact online in the 1990s and early 2000s further popularized the Internet. Companies such as Amazon, eBay, and Yahoo! capitalized on this trend, creating a massive online market for goods and services. The further commodification of the Internet led to the rise of tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon.

This phase of the Internet was thus marked by the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large companies who controlled the infrastructure and thus access to information and data. The introduction of social media created new ways for people to connect and share information, but it also enabled the spread of misinformation and misuse of data. Some companies began to build their businesses on the collection and analysis of user data to sell advertising, which started raising concerns about data ownership, privacy, and security.

The 2000s also saw the rise of cybercrime and surveillance on the Internet. Cybercriminals began to exploit vulnerabilities in websites and software to steal sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, and personal data. Governments also started to monitor online activities in the name of national security. This led to the development of more advanced security protocols like HTTPS and VPNs to protect users’ privacy and data.

🔗2010s: The Age of Big Data and Social Media

The 2010s saw the rise of big data and social media, which brought a new set of privacy and security concerns. Issues such as data breaches, cyber attacks, and online harassment were becoming increasingly common as the Internet continued to evolve. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter collected vast amounts of data on their users, often without their explicit knowledge or consent. Governments continued to monitor online activities, and there were widespread reports of government surveillance and censorship.

These issues led to a growing awareness of the need for a more secure and privacy-centric Internet. This phase of the Internet was marked by growing concerns about data ownership, privacy, and security. The Cambridge Analytica scandal and the Equifax data breach are just a few examples of the risks associated with the commodification of user data. To combat these issues, new technologies like blockchain and decentralized networks began to emerge. These technologies promised to create a more secure and private Internet by removing centralized control and giving users more control over their data.

🔗2020s So Far: A Shift Towards Privacy and Sovereignty

The 2020s have seen a growing movement towards creating a more private and sovereign Internet. With continued concerns about data breaches, surveillance, and censorship, there has been a growing demand for more secure and private online services. Many people have started to switch to privacy-focused services like Signal and ProtonMail, which offer end-to-end encryption and other privacy protections.

Governments and tech companies are also starting to recognize the importance of privacy and sovereignty. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are examples of legislation that aim to protect users’ privacy and give them more control over their data. Tech companies like Apple and Google are also introducing new privacy features in their products to give users more control over their data.

We are now seeing the emergence of Web3 technology, which aims to create a decentralized Internet that is more secure and private. Web3 is built on blockchain technology, which allows for decentralized control and eliminates the need for third-party intermediaries. This technology also enables the creation of user-centric digital twins, which are unique digital representations of individuals that can be used to authenticate their identity and provide secure access to online services.

Secure cloud technologies are also becoming increasingly important in the quest for a more secure and sovereign Internet. Cloud technologies provide scalable and reliable infrastructure for storing and processing data, but they also come with security risks. To address these risks, new technologies like confidential computing and secure enclaves are being developed to provide secure cloud environments that protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.

Together, these emerging technologies are driving a paradigm shift towards a more secure, private, and sovereign Internet. While there is still much work to be done to address the challenges of cybersecurity and privacy in the digital age, these developments are promising signs that we are moving in the right direction.

🔗Looking Ahead: Together We Build

Today, the Internet is a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, and it continues to evolve. As we continue to innovate and collaborate, we can build a better, more secure digital future for all. Already, we are seeing the emergence of new technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, that promise to transform the Internet even further. As we move forward, we can expect to see more innovations and developments that aim to create a more secure, decentralized, and user-centric Internet that prioritizes privacy, data ownership, and security.

On our side, at ThreeFold, we see that many of the solutions being presented today are mere band-aids, without addressing the root of the problems of what the Internet has become. Our founders, who were early Internet pioneers themselves, along with a dedicated team, are building the infrastructure for tomorrow’s Internet. One that takes inspiration from the early days. One that is decentralized, peer-to-peer, open-source, secure, private, and much more! We believe that putting people at the forefront of our project is crucial, and that protecting our planet’s resources while doing so is equally important. We have a project like no other, and if you believe in the evolution of the Internet towards more security, privacy & sovereignty, we invite you to dive in to learn more.

• Visit our Website.
• Visit our Forum.
• Collaborate on GitHub.
• Subscribe to our Weekly & Monthly Newsletters.
• Connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, & Reddit.
• Join our Community Chat and Updates Channel.

🔗Rising Energy Prices

Energy prices have been on steady rise globally because of increasing costs of energy production, high demand, and the depletion of traditional energy sources such as oil and natural gas as primary drivers. However, the Russian-Western standoff due to the invasion of Ukraine has produced an unprecedented increase in energy prices, especially in Europe.

Some statistics:

• UK - Household energy bills increased by 54% in April 2022, and a further increase of 20% is expected in April 2023.
• USA - Consumers paid 14.3% more for electricity last year on average.
• France - As of February 2023, electricity prices may rise by 15%.

These rising energy costs have a significant impact on the economy, affecting inflation and driving up the cost of goods and services.

🔗Reducing Our Bills & Our Impact on the Environment

Given the increasing cost of energy, it is more important than ever to adopt responsible energy use practices. Simple measures like turning off lights and electronics when not in use, using energy-efficient appliances, and properly insulating homes can make a big difference in reducing energy consumption and lowering bills.

By reducing energy waste, individuals and businesses can not only save money, but also help protect the environment and preserve natural resources for future generations. The world’s energy resources are finite, and the increasing demand for energy is putting pressure on the environment. By adopting responsible energy use practices, we can reduce our carbon footprint, decrease our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, and preserve the planet for future generations.

Saving energy is important for the planet as it can have a positive impact on the environment and the economy. Some of the key benefits of energy conservation are:

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions:
  • By reducing the amount of energy we consume, we also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by power plants, which are a major contributor to climate change.
• Saves natural resources:
  • Conserving energy helps to conserve our limited natural resources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which are used to generate electricity.
• Lowers energy costs:
  • By using energy more efficiently, we can lower our energy bills, saving money and reducing our overall energy costs.
• Improves energy security:
  • By reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy, we can improve our energy security and reduce the risks associated with energy shortages and price spikes.
• Creates jobs:
  • The development and implementation of energy-efficient technologies and practices can create jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors.

While it has been known for a long time that consuming less energy meant a smaller ecological footprint, most people weren’t very motivated to do so. However, once their wallets started feeling the price increase, people became increasingly aware & careful of their energy consumption. So, in a way, while it is not a great thing for our economies, the rising energy prices are doing a good thing for the planet.

🔗Energy Usage of Nodes

The energy usage of a node in a network depends on various factors such as the type of node, its hardware specifications, and the workload it is handling. Generally, nodes that perform more intensive computations and have more advanced hardware specifications will consume more energy compared to basic nodes.

For example, nodes used in cryptocurrency mining operations are known to consume large amounts of energy due to the intensive computations they perform. On the other hand, simple nodes used for basic network functions such as routing or data storage may consume less energy.

It is important to note that the energy consumption of a node can also be influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, network congestion, and power supply efficiency. By optimizing these factors, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption of a node and minimize its environmental impact.

🔗ThreeFold 3Node Servers

ThreeFold is a decentralized internet infrastructure that utilizes a network of nodes (referred to 3Nodes on our grid) to provide computing resources and data storage. Farmers can farm capacity for the ThreeFold Grid by building their own server and hosting Zero-OS on it, or by buying and running a preconfigured device.

In general, a 3Node cluster is expected to consume less energy compared to traditional server clusters, due to its focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. However, the exact energy usage will depend on the hardware specifications of the nodes, the workload they are handling, and the energy-saving measures implemented. It’s important to note that even a machine with nothing running on top of it consumes energy and brings a cost to farmers.

🔗ThreeFold WOL Feature Comes as Part of Our Farmerbot

Wake-on-LAN (WOL) is a feature in computer hardware that allows a network administrator to power on a computer remotely. The feature works by sending a special “magic packet” to the target computer, which contains the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the network adapter. The network adapter is programmed to recognize the magic packet and use it to initiate the power-on process.

Wake-on-LAN is useful for remotely accessing a computer that is turned off, as it allows the computer to be powered on without physically pressing the power button. This feature is commonly used for remote administration and maintenance tasks, as well as for remotely accessing a computer for work or entertainment purposes.

Wake-on-LAN requires specific hardware and software support, including a network adapter that supports the feature, a motherboard that enables the feature in the BIOS, and an operating system that supports WOL. Additionally, the computer must be connected to a network that supports WOL, and the feature must be enabled in the network adapter’s settings.

The community has been asking for an energy-saving solution for quite a while and we had been looking for one. It took some time, as this was not the only topic that needed our team’s attention, and we had obstacles along the route to designing this solution, including limited funding and needful adjustments.

We had been working on a WOL feature for power-saving set up directly on the chain, but it turned out to be a dead end. Instead of an independent WOL feature, our dev team started from scratch with a new idea! We are now very close to delivering a solution: A Farmerbot that uses WOL to switch nodes on and off when needed!

Farmers will be able to define their configuration in an easy markdown format. The Farmerbot will check which nodes can be turned off or not. Farmers will be able to personalize this feature according to their farm’s own needs and preferences.

🔗Conclusion

Saving energy is crucial for the planet and has numerous positive impacts on the environment, economy, and society. By taking steps to conserve energy, we can help to reduce our environmental impact, lower energy costs, improve energy security, and create jobs in the clean energy sector.

Having a power-saving feature for ThreeFold nodes is one of our priorities. Together with the community, we agree that this is a pressing issue we need to solve. Our main incentive is to respect our engagement to be a sustainable network that puts the planet first. Supporting our farmers to get through difficult times financially is an extra one.

If you’d like to contribute to making this a reality, there are several options:

• Become a farmer and run your own 3Nodes.
• Test the Farmerbot feature by signing up here.
• Join our community chat and forum to participate in discussions.
• Deploy workloads on the Grid to make good use of our Grid.
• Spread the word about ThreeFold!

Together, let’s build a sustainable and profitable network!

🔗ThreeFold Today

Let’s be honest. There is no other project or technology out there like ThreeFold, no one nearly as far along as we are. Our co-founders have decades of experience (and success) in the Internet and Cloud space. They and the team developed a new Internet infrastructure from the ground up, including a stateless operating system based on the Linux kernel, which is quite a significant accomplishment.

Today, we have the biggest network of decentralized storage, compute, and network on the planet. The technology is in its third generation, functional and ready for utilization, even commercially. The ThreeFold Playground provides a sandbox of limitless opportunities for open-source builders – developers can (and are) now build(ing) and monetize(ing) projects built on the grid.

Hopefully you’ve been following along lately with community calls and all of our updates to see the major progress that was made in 2022. The technology took major strides, the grid nearly doubled, the community got way more active, and there are some partnerships in the works with huge reach where we can make big impact.

Of course the token price is low and this is less than ideal to say the least, especially for farmers who are running hardware and weary of costs – although a power savings feature is coming! But the token is built on strong fundamentals and our efforts are focused on creating a balanced and sustainable token economy for the long-term.

🔗ThreeFold Tomorrow

In the coming days we’ll be announcing a super exciting project (ThreeFold Grid Services) from the ThreeFold team with the following purpose:

To prove that the current state of the ThreeFold Grid is enough on top of which to start an end-user facing commercial business. We will release a suite of grid services with fiat gateways and we will also create content that explains in steps how to use the technical building blocks to put it all together to create your own solution / service.

Within Q1 we also aim to expose one or several partnerships with the potential to impact millions of people in emerging / developing countries.

We have ThreeFold Ventures coming as well, different businesses or arms of ThreeFold including OurPhone that create a holistic ecosystem for a more fair and equal world.

Then there’s the Internet of Internets (Regional Internet) model which will come to life this year, and Digital Twin. And more – this is not comprehensive – but you get the picture.

🔗ThreeFold Beyond

ThreeFold is the foundation for people around the world to live in true digital sovereignty, for people who today do not have affordable access to education, communication, and financial tools to gain access. ThreeFold can impact industries from Internet to banking to education to supply chain and more. The possibilities are really limitless, let your imagine run wild. ThreeFold can change the world.

🔗Our Future Is up to All of Us

I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again (and again) … A decentralized movement is all about decentralized action and participation. And participation comes in all shapes and sizes. Together, we all need to act and push this into the world. Everyone in this community is empowered to help the project succeed though their own initiatives. The team is of course happy to offer support through technical help and even token grants. ThreeFold will be a success if people continue to choose to believe it is important and dedicate their energy towards it.

ThreeFold can and needs to be a complete, end-to-end decentralized ecosystem empowering all its members to build and create. We have everything we need, and if we don’t, let’s solve it. Most importantly, we have each other. Let’s do this.

If you want to get involved, the forum, two-way chat, farmers chat, and library / manual are great places to get started.

🔗How would Decentralisation of the Internet help India?

Ashish Bansal has been a member of the ThreeFold support team since October 2021. He was born in India. Ashish believes that we all deserve a better internet which is free, decentralized and equal for all.

The Internet has become one of the most important aspects of human life. Our everyday lives are impacted by social media and other online platforms on a very minute level. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and others have become the most convenient way to stay in touch with friends and family. WhiteHart, Udemy and others have made quality education accessible to all. Swiggy, Zomato and others have made our favourite cuisine accessible at home. Amazon, Flipkart and others have grown the shopping experience for Indians with a variety of choices. Netflix, Hotstar, Youtube and others have made entertainment on demand easy for us.

Over the past decade, we have all gotten addicted to the comforts that the internet has brought to us, and it wouldn’t be wrong for us to say that we cannot imagine our lives without the internet.

While Indian internet usage ranks second in the world today behind China, with 43% of its total population online, this also means that there is still a lot of untapped potential in India.

🔗Issues with current Internet

Although the internet has helped us in making our lives comfortable, there are several issues with the current Internet services we use. Some of them are mentioned below:

🔗Cyber security

The cyber security infrastructure in India today is not well equipped to tackle increasing cyber-crimes. You may not have the resolution to your complaints filed with Cyber Cell Portals on time. Hence there is an increasing number of fraudsters and hackers in India.

🔗Data ownership

Personal details shared by you on the internet are used by big companies to influence your decision-making process strategically.

🔗Higher cost to customers

Since internet infrastructure is owned and controlled by a few big companies, there is an irregular price increase which makes the internet unaffordable to many parts of rural India.

🔗Decentralised Internet is the solution

Decentralisation of the internet refers to the arrangement of the internet or its components such that no single entity or organization has control or authority over the network. It holds the potential to revolutionize the way every nation accesses and utilizes the world wide web. India, one of the biggest players in the digital world, can greatly benefit from Internet decentralization. It would open up many new opportunities for both the country and its citizens.

To start, decentralization of the internet would give India more control over its digital landscape. Instead of relying on a single, centralized entity to power its network, India could decentralize its internet and make the administration of the network much more efficient. With this additional control and efficiency, India could develop a more secure and reliable infrastructure, while also controlling the delivery of services. This could lead to faster, more reliable connection speeds, along with increased safety and security.

Additionally, decentralization of the internet would allow India to establish itself as a technological leader. By decentralizing the internet, India could shift its focus from the existing internet infrastructure to developing innovative technology and applications. This could include the development of decentralized artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and much more. Potential applications of these technologies could drastically improve the education, healthcare, and transportation sectors of India.

Finally, decentralization of the internet could help with digital media access and distribution. This could open up new opportunities for providing access to digital media in rural areas, allowing for more effective access to education and entertainment. Furthermore, it could also provide access to more reliable payment services, as well as better consumer protection policies.

In conclusion, decentralization of the internet holds the potential to greatly benefit India and its citizens. It would give India control over its internet infrastructure, opening the door for development of innovative technologies and applications. Additionally, it could provide more effective access to digital media, along with more reliable payment services and consumer protection policies. In order for India to take full advantage of the potential of decentralization of the internet, it must take decisive steps towards implementing the necessary reforms and investments to ensure its success.

🔗How ThreeFold can contribute

ThreeFold technology runs on the concept of a grid formed by farmers who are independent people, unlike big corporations, that connect their nodes anywhere network and electricity is present to create a global distributed internet infrastructure. This resolves the problem of monopoly and price of big internet companies.

The technology also ensures that you get data security which was how the internet was originally intended to be.

To know more of ThreeFold technology and start farming:

• Dive into the ThreeFold Library
• Get a node from the Official ThreeFold webshop
• Build your own node
• Or join us on our two-way chat

🔗The ThreeFold Grid

The grid has grown significantly this year, with a whopping total of 2900+ online nodes as of this week. The farming community is contributing capacity across 62 countries, made up of nearly 72,000 Cores and providing nearly 40PB of storage capacity.

• This year, we officially said goodbye to Grid v2, which was discontinued, along with all platforms no longer needed on v3. Farewell old friend!
• Thanks to our motivated team and testing community, the grid evolved from version 3.0 to 3.7.1, and soon 3.8. Each update included improvements to various ThreeFold Grid components including the Playground, Zero-OS, TF Wallet, TF Chain and more.

🔗Farming

Thanks to all of our farmers for upholding & expanding the Grid! It was beautiful to see the community growth and engagement on both chat and the forum.

• A power saving feature is in development for farmers, allowing idle nodes to power off and still farm tokens. Our developers worked very hard to make it manageable from the chain. While they got it to work recently, the solution was not the most ideal one, therefore, the team is rethinking this feature as a service that a farmer can choose to run for their farm rather than something that happens entirely on TF Chain. Stay updated & contribute to this on GitHub.
• For those who are interested in farming, find your node(s) on the global 3Node marketplace, launched this year. (Or, build your own!)

🔗Technology

When it comes to ThreeFold technology, we saw major progress. Thanks to the team and testing community for your efforts here.

• The ThreeFold Playground became a robust grid solution and gained new additions this year! Find more here.
• Full Virtual Machines, introduced in Q4, allow limitless possibilities and are easier than ever to deploy on the Grid as from Grid 3.7.
• The grid experience became much more simple. For instance, the Dashboard has been improved & features such as the explorer have been integrated within.
• We are very proud to have launched the FreeFlow Twi (formerly Uhuru), a decentralized alternative to digital platforms, tools and browsers, offering a tangible UX. Anyone can try it out here.
• The ThreeFold Connect App gained new features and improvements as well to offer a better UX.
• Mastodon Powered by ThreeFold are servers that are deployed on the ThreeFold Grid via ThreeFold’s Mastodon Deployer. It’s a web application that will enable anyone to deploy and manage their Mastodon within a few clicks (See more below).

🔗Decentralization

Decentralization is at the core of ThreeFold and creates resilience while involving the community in the decision-making process, leading to wider ownership and greater engagement. In 2022, we took great steps towards true decentralization, and will continue to take this path next year!

• Several Grid Enhancement Proposals were made and voted on by the community around the grid and farming.
• This year, we officially introduced the validator program, which will come to fruition in 2023.
• As of ThreeFold Grid v3.6.1, the DAO functionality has been live on TF Chain.
• The first TF Chain (L1) DAO proposal – for the creation of the Gold Certified Farming Policy – was voted on and approved

🔗TFT

While the token price has been low this year, it presents a great opportunity for believers to buy TFT.

• This year, it became possible to buy TFT directly with BTC (Bitcoin) as well as with fiat currencies through the Mercuryo gateway.
• In 2023, we’ll be introducing TFT-fiat gateways into the Mastodon weblet (see below) and across the whole grid ecosystem to make it even easier to use grid services.

As believers in truly decentralized models, we have repeatedly questioned how to exist without centralized exchanges. In August, TFT was delisted from the Liquid Exchange, the result of their acquisition by FTX earlier this year. A blessing in disguise, after seeing the monumental FTX crash which affected Liquid (which could have resulted in a loss of funds, although the exchange Liquid “hopes to return customer funds in 2023”) and sent ripple effects across the entire industry.

Part of our aim next year will be to introduce concepts like the liquidity pool and P2P DeFi wallet to provide a resilient, sustainable, and native financial system for the Internet of Internets, which strengthens the foundation of the ecosystem by enhancing the stability and liquidity of the ThreeFold Token.

🔗Partnerships

We doubled down on commitment to follow our values, particularly when it comes to collaborations and partnerships.

• ThreeFold signed a Head of Terms in December 2022 to officialize a public-private-partnership with a country in East Africa in Q1 2023. This partnership will support the roll out of a decentralized Internet infrastructure to support fintech services, e-residency and more.
• ThreeFold is on track to support international communities to launch their digital nations (AKA network states).
• ThreeFold & OpenNebula opened a collaboration to explore cooperation in open source & edge computing
• Alongside 27 organizations such as Atos and Deutsche Telekom, ThreeFold is part of Structura-X – a lighthouse project ensuring common European infrastructure services that meet Gaia-X requirements.

🔗Team on the Ground

We were on the ground in strategic locations and events all over the world, sharing about ThreeFold and expanding the community.

• ICT Tanzania (update 1, 2, & 3) in Zanzibar
• Consensus 2022, Austin
• World Blockchain Summit, Dubai
• Visiting Lebanon

🔗Mastodon, the Fediverse & ThreeFold

The aftermath of Musk’s acquisition of Twitter was a mass digital migration towards Mastodon (up from 300,000 to 2.5 million monthly active users). We supported this trend towards decentralized social media platforms, and saw that ThreeFold could be of great support to Mastodon!

• Blog: Twitter, Mastodon, and Why We’re Evolving the Internet
• Community Call recording focused around Mastodon
• We have been working on a weblet to deploy Mastodon servers on top of the Grid, and Mastodon powered by ThreeFold is now ready for testing! Your feedback is valued, and be sure to spread the word!
• Read the manual on how you can deploy your own Mastodon on TF Grid here.
• For more: Fediverse section of the Forum

🔗Q4 Community Calls

In Q4, we held a series of Community Calls aimed at bringing the community together while updating on, exploring, and discussing key topics related to the ThreeFold Ecosystem! Watch them here:

• Grid Utilization
• Tokenomics & Regional Internet
• Mastodon & the Fediverse
• How to Create & Monetize Weblets
• Farming
• End-Of-Year Call

🔗Wrapping up

In a fast-moving and ever-changing world, it is our belief that ThreeFold is one of the few projects out there that can genuinely enable a better future. We are driven by our mission and vision, guided by our values, and upheld by our global community.

2023 will be about continuing to improve the technology and simplify the grid experience, bringing to life the Regional Internets and Digital Twin concepts, introducing partnerships we’ve been alluding to this year, and furthering the decentralization of ThreeFold by empowering the community to take action independently.

ThreeFold is all of ours, and as a decentralized movement, we all share the responsibility to drive this project forward in meaningful ways to the best of our own abilities.

ThreeFold is the future. Based on decentralization and open source paradigms, we are a strong movement that continues to grow resilience. We are hungry for a better tomorrow, and ready to continue the journey towards the actualization of our common vision.

Here’s to 2022!

Here we come, 2023!

Together We Build!