January 27, 2025

E010 - How Crypto Is Transforming Tomorrow In Emerging Markets With Ken Kou From Mercy Corps Ventures

59 minutes

In this episode, Jarrett Carpenter welcomes Ken Kou from Mercy Corps Ventures to discuss the evolution of the Crypto for Good Fund and its impact on emerging markets. They explore how blockchain technology enhances financial inclusion in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America, including real-world applications such as a savings product for unbanked individuals in Cameroon.

The conversation delves into anticipatory action in humanitarian aid, the role of smart contracts, and the implications of tokenization for global financial access. They address wealth inequality, the future of crypto investment in emerging markets, and the importance of long-term thinking in the sector.

Ken also explains decentralized physical infrastructure (D-PIN) and its role in humanitarian efforts like water access projects. The discussion highlights the growth of crypto in aid delivery, challenges in converting crypto to fiat, and the importance of user experience in crypto applications. Kou emphasizes that nonprofits should prioritize solving problems over focusing on technology, advocating for a user-friendly approach to crypto adoption.

Watch On YouTube - https://youtu.be/7tJ-vnQxNP0

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Episode Intro

02:53 - Where Did The Time Go Since Our First Episode? (link below)

03:36 - What Mercy Corps Ventures Has Been Building In The Bear Market

05:20 - Reflecting On The Moment Right Now In Crypto

07:27 - Diving Into Mercy Corps Ventures' Crypto For Good Fund

08:28 - Cameroon Savings Project With Crypto

13:25 - Anticipatory Action With Crypto

21:00 - Exploring Global Tokenization of Assets

26:10 - Analyzing Mercy Corps Ventures' Portfolio & Focus

32:00 - DePin's Potential

35:09 - Crypto For Good's Fund's Focus - Humanitarian Aid Delivery

39:50 - Mercy Corps' Interest In Crypto

44:55 - On/Off Ramps Are Biggest Challenges In Crypto

49:30 - Crypto Has a UX Problem

50:50 - Tips On Deploying Smart Contracts

52:20 - DeFAI

53:46 - How Best To Articulate What web3/Crypto Is

Check Out Episode 66 With Ken On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/10PXM7uFKfU1Uchchu4oEJ?si=s98bZp97Tc-IkmXVAeg8rg

Check Out Episode 66 With Ken On YouTube - https://youtu.be/ujpalo6f9R0?si=4yoh7cdbocSNXU_q

Check Out Episode 66 With Ken On Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e66-ken-kou-on-leveraging-blockchain-with-mercy-corps/id1518312181?i=1000604064172

Ken's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethkou/

Mercy Corps Ventures' Website - https://medium.com/mercy-corps-social-venture-fund

MCV' Anticipatory Action Accelerator - https://medium.com/mercy-corps-social-venture-fund/anticipatory-action-accelerator-expanding-the-innovation-frontier-for-humanitarian-aid-026319f845c0

Future Signal is a podcast hosted and produced by Jarrett Carpenter that explores tomorrow’s tech today via guest interviews

All of Future Signal’s content is not financial advice but rather edu-tainment.

All of our episodes are available on YT as well as wherever you listen to podcasts.

Please follow us on social media and check out our website:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/futuresignalpod/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/futuresignalpod

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-signal-pod/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@futuresignalpod

Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/futuresignalpod

For more info on the podcast, please check out https://www.futuresignal.xyz/
To learn more about Future Signal’s Host - https://www.jarrettcarpenter.com/

...more

View all episodes

By Jarrett Carpenter

2020 ratings