291 day ago • cryptodaily
Terminal 3 Raises Pre-Seed Funding for Decentralized User Data Infrastructure
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, August 2nd, 2023, ChainwireTerminal 3, a Hong Kong-based Web3 startup, has successfully raised an oversubscribed pre-seed round to build user data infrastructure for a decentralized future. The company announced today a world-class investor group comprising 500 Global, CMCC Global, Consensys Mesh, Bixin Ventures, BlackPine, DWeb3, Hard Yaka, Bored Room Ventures, Mozaik Capital, and others.The company aims to replace centralized data storage that deprives users of privacy and saddles enterprises with compliance and security issues and their associated costs. Terminal 3 leverages decentralized storage and zero-knowledge proofs to empower an equitable Web3, where user data is freely composable while remaining fully private and secure.“The continued growth in blockchain allows us to reimagine digital data ownership and security,” said Gary Liu, CEO of Terminal 3. “We believe that data should flow freely between applications to drive innovation and improve user experience, but not at the expense of personal privacy and control.”Terminal 3 was co-founded by Gary Liu alongside his partners Malcolm Ong (CPO) and Joey Liu (COO). All three were former entrepreneurs and business leaders who have built, scaled, and transformed some of the world’s leading technology companies. The co-founders previously worked together at the South China Morning Post, where they led the historic newspaper’s successful digital transformation. Gary was the Post’s CEO, while Malcolm and Joey were SVP of Product and Head of Strategy respectively.Malcolm was also the Co-founder and CTO of Skillshare, the world’s largest online learning community for creativity, while Gary and Joey co-founded Artifact Labs, a Web3 startup backed by Blue Pool Capital and Animoca Brands that is preserving historical assets on the blockchain. Gary is also the Founding Chair of Web3 Harbour, an association in Hong Kong serving Web3 builders, investors, users, and leaders.“I believe Gary, Malcolm, and Joey are perfectly suited to address data privacy problems that plague the internet,” said Vishal Harnal, Managing Partner at 500 Global. “Their mix of consumer startup success and expertise in enterprise technology could help bridge a critical gap between the old world of centralized data and the new world of decentralized identity.”Growing Need for Alternative Data InfrastructureOver the past five years, new regulations on data privacy have created a stringent environment for the storage and use of personal information worldwide. Led by Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and China’s Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), global regulators and lawmakers are increasingly holding enterprises accountable for the protection of individual privacy. This trend is set to continue with the approval of the Digital Market Act in Europe and upcoming GDPR-inspired laws in the United States and around the world.US and UK corporations have spent over US$9 billion on GDPR compliance since 2018, with those investing incurring average costs of US$1 million annually. However, over 40% of companies still lack any budget for such compliance while GDPR fines continue to grow, with Meta alone sustaining over US$2.3 billion in penalties.Data security is also a costly enterprise concern as data breaches accelerate in frequency. Global spending on data security and risk management products is projected to exceed US$188 billion in 2023. However, in a world where 90% of companies rely on multi-cloud environments, data privacy and security issues will grow regardless of investment.Blockchain technology is increasingly viewed by corporate executives as a solution for user data privacy and security. In a recent survey of US Fortune 500 companies, Coinbase found that 51% of enterprises that use or plan to use blockchain employ the technology for ‘Data Collection and Management’.“Terminal 3 is a compelling alternative to the non-compliant and unsecured data infrastructure that enterprises rely on today,” said Shawn Cheng, Partner at Consensys Mesh. “Data regulations and security laws are becoming more stringent around the world, and companies are finally realizing that self-sovereign data is a great solution for both users and enterprises. We are excited to be involved in this important project.”“Scaling Web3 will require the re-invention of core enterprise technologies,” added Gary Liu. “Terminal 3 is building solutions that serve both corporations and individuals, to enable this critical shift in our digital world.”About Terminal 3Terminal 3 is a Hong Kong-based Web3 startup building user data infrastructure for a decentralized future. The company’s solutions are an alternative to centralized data storage that deprives users of privacy and saddles enterprises with compliance and security concerns. Terminal 3 leverages decentralized storage and zero-knowledge proofs to empower an equitable Web3 where user data is freely composable while remaining fully private and secure. The company’s founders are successful corporate executives and entrepreneurs, who have built, scaled, and transformed some of the world’s most important companies. Terminal 3 is also backed by world-class investors including 500 Global, CMCC Global, Consensys Mesh, Bixin Ventures, BlackPine, DWeb3, Hard Yaka, and Bored Room Ventures.For more information about Terminal 3, please visit Terminal 3's: Official Website | Twitter | LinkedInContactJoey LiuTerminal [email protected]
344 days ago • cryptopotato
World Mobile to Launch African Expansion Following Successful Field Tests of DeWi Technology
[PRESS RELEASE – London, England, June 8th, 2023] Decentralized wireless network operator World Mobile has announced the successful completion of field tests of its DeWi technology in three African countries. The tests conducted in Kenya, Mozambique, and Nigeria demonstrate the scalability of World Mobile’s hybrid-connectivity solution and pave the way for a rollout across the […]
345 days ago • cryptodaily
World Mobile Plans Major African Expansion of Its DeWi Service
Source: Depositphotos
Decentralized wireless (DeWi) operator World Mobile has announced a major expansion to its African network coverage following successful field trials. The company, whose decentralized network forms part of the sharing economy, has been conducting tests in Kenya, Mozambique, and Nigeria ahead of a broader rollout across the African continent.
World Mobile Does DeWi
For the past few months, World Mobile has been on a mission to convince Africans to trial its cellular data service. Its message is simple: World Mobile can provide data significantly cheaper than incumbent carriers and provide better coverage, particularly in rural areas where residents can struggle to get a signal.
World Mobile’s ultimate goal is to create a community-owned wireless network that spans the globe, with users incentivized to provision spare bandwidth. To get its African service up and running, however, the company has utilized TV White Space equipment. This taps into unused spectrum in the TV broadcast band, harnessing it to deliver mobile network services. To further boost bandwidth, World Mobile also utilized Starlink, the satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX.
According to World Mobile CEO Micky Watkins, “The successful completion of field tests in Kenya, Mozambique, and Nigeria, mark a significant milestone in World Mobile's mission to connect the unconnected. These tests validate the feasibility and scalability of our DeWi technology, bringing us one step closer to providing affordable and reliable internet access to both rural and underserved areas worldwide.”
From Zanzibar to India and Beyond
World Mobile has been steadily rolling out its services to select territories with a view to gauging demand and ensuring its network can scale to match demand. Last month, the company launched its commercial service in Zanzibar, having completed successful trials in the East African island cluster that saw 16,000 users sign up.
Meanwhile, the company has announced its intention to perform periodic buybacks of its WMT token. The token is used to reward participants in World Mobile’s sharing economy and support adoption of its mobile solutions. Ultimately, World Mobile aims to forge an inclusive mobile ecosystem in which users can earn revenue while retaining a degree of ownership over network infrastructure and data.
Within the radical decentralized mobile economy World Mobile is building, individuals and businesses are encouraged to operate nodes on the network. This helps provide greater network coverage while rewarding operators for their efforts.
While Africa has formed the focus of World Mobile’s strategy for much of 2023, there are plans to gain a foothold in other key regions including India. Tellingly, the company recently announced the appointment of Manoj Kohli as an advisor. As the former country head of SoftBank India and CEO of Bharti Airtel, Kohli’s telecoms expertise will be pivotal in realizing this goal.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.