By Pete Townsend | Early-stage Startup Investor
5
11 ratings
The podcast currently has 272 episodes available.
Luis Ramirez is the Founder and CEO of Mawari, a pioneer in cloud rendering and streaming technology. The Mawari team got started in Tokyo in 2017, and since then, the team has effectively built the foundation for the 3D internet.
Mawari enables real-time 3D content streaming to spatial computing devices like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 through a global network of GPUs, leveraging Web3 elements such as DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) to overcome the limitations of traditional centralized networks.
Uniquely positioned to address one of the core challenges in the spatial computing industry, formerly known as XR (eXtended Reality), Mawari focuses on delivering scalable infrastructure for real-time 3D applications. Mawari has since launched the Mawari Network — a DePIN and the only full-stack spatial computing platform offering decentralized compute and storage resources optimized for AR/VR experiences.
As a side note and in the spirit of transparency, Mawari recently announced the closing of their $10.8mn strategic funding round, and I’m thrilled to be part of the round as an angel investor.
In this episode, Luis and I riff on his journey from music to technology, the inception of the Mawari vision, building the team and overcoming challenges, the role of decentralization in the Mawari Network, Luis’ lessons learned from raising $17.3mn across two rounds in 3 years, and the essence of persistence, creativity, and the strategic foresight required to scale a tech startup in the evolving landscape of AR, VR, and Web3.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:39 Meet Luis Ramirez: From Music to Technology
06:18 The Birth of Mawari and Its Vision
15:02 Challenges and Innovations in XR and Web3
21:40 Building and Scaling the Mawari Team
32:20 Fundraising Journey and Future Milestones
38:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Follow Luis Ramirez
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismawari/
Learn more about:
-Mawari: https://mawari.net/
-Techstars Web3 Accelerator: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3
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Linda Jeng is the Founder and CEO of Digital Self Labs, and she joins me in exploring the evolving landscape of stablecoins. Our discussion focuses on our key takeaways from Castle Island Ventures' latest stablecoin report, 'Stablecoins: the Emerging Market Story'.
Linda shares her background in financial regulation, blockchain, and AI, and offers critical insights into how stablecoins are reshaping financial systems in emerging markets. Through a detailed analysis of the Castle Island Ventures report written with Brevan Howard Digital, the conversation reveals the growing use of stablecoins for cross-border payments, currency conversion, and as a stable store of value, reflecting their importance beyond crypto trading. We also touch on regulatory perspectives, why non-dollar stablecoin volumes are so meager, and the potential impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) on the stablecoin market.
Linda Jeng, is a trailblazing leader in the digital economy through ‘shaping a self-empowered future through blockchain and AI technologies’. Digital Self Labs is a regulatory and policy advisory firm combining blockchain expertise with policy and regulatory strategy. With over 15 years of government experience, she has held key roles at institutions like the U.S. Federal Reserve, US Treasury Department, the SEC and the Bank for International Settlements. Linda is also a Visiting Scholar at Georgetown Law, a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke Law School, and a Bank for International Settlements Research Fellow. Her deep expertise in financial systems and her advocacy for data transparency and decentralized technology make her a pivotal figure in shaping the future of finance.
TIMESTAMPS:
02:57 Linda Jeng's Career Journey
05:36 Castle Island Ventures and ‘Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story’
09:59 Understanding Stablecoins in Emerging Markets
14:15 The Role of Stablecoins in Global Finance
19:38 Challenges and Opportunities for Stablecoins
20:59 The Future of Stablecoins and Digital Identity
46:23 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
48:50 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements
REFERENCE LINKS:
Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story (Castle Island Ventures & Brevan Howard Digital, 12-Sep-24)
The Finternet: The financial system for the future (Bank for International Settlements, 19-Apr-24)
International Association of Deposit Insurers
Overview of the Bancor Proposal from Bretton Woods (Wikipedia)
Stablecoin companies now 16th largest holder of U.S. treasuries globally (CryptoSlate, 18-Oct-23)
Follow our guest co-host, Linda Jeng:
-X(Twitter): https://x.com/LindaJeng1
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-jeng-4682b3/
Learn more about:
-Digital Self Labs: https://www.digitalselflabs.com/
-Techstars Web3 Accelerator: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3
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Alejandro Gutierrez, CEO of npayme Labs and co-founder of ETH Dublin joins me again as guest co-host this week. In this episode, we recap our recent panel on ‘Finding Web3 Talent’ at Dogpatch Labs, touching on market sentiment, the cyclical nature of crypto investments, and strategies for early-stage startups. We delve into the concept of real-world asset tokenization, highlighting key initiatives by firms like Provenance, PayPal, Circle and Centrifuge. The conversation also covers the evolving landscape for content creators in Web3, emphasizing the use of tokenization for new revenue streams and the role of AI in content creation.
STORIES WE COVERED:
Recap of ‘Finding Talent in Web3’ last week at Dogpatch Labs (Owen Healy on LinkedIn, 15-Sep-24)
Friday Fund Tokenization Update (Eoin Motherway on Linkedin, 13-Sep-24)
Provenance Blockchain Labs launches Fund Issuance platform, to tokenize, list, & lend RWA funds on Figure Markets (Marketwatch, 20-Aug-24)
PayPal's stablecoin hits $1B market cap (Cointelegraph, 26-Aug-24)
MakerDAO, rebranded as SKY to roll out new stablecoin USDS (The Block, 27-Aug-24)
Circle's USDC in Brazil and Mexico Now Available to Businesses Via Banking System (CoinDesk, 17-Sep-24)
Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story (Nic Carter @ Castle Island Ventures, 12-Sep-24)
Centrifuge launches a RWA lending market leveraging tokenized U.S. Treasury bills.(CoinDesk, 27-Aug-24)
AAVE (Avara) onboards BUIDL Shares as Collateral for GHO stablecoin (The Defiant, 29-Aug-24)
Natixis launch €100M Digital Bond, secured by mortgage loan pools & operated by SC Ventures, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale & LBBW (Ledger Insights, 28-Aug-24).
Siemens issues €300M digital bond, as the largest bond issued under Germany’s eWpG. (Ledger Insights, 4-Sep-24)
Creators’ content is a real-world asset (Alejandro Guterrez on X, 17-Sep-24)
TIMESTAMPS
01:40 Insights from the Web3 Talent Panel
04:11 Market Sentiment and Investment Strategies
07:02 The Role of Tokenization in Web3
14:31 Real-World Asset Tokenization
28:24 Content Creation in the Web3 Era
34:01 Closing Thoughts and Farewell
LINKS:
Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez:
-X(Twitter): https://twitter.com/A_gutierro
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-gutierrez-98979b43/
Learn more about:
-npayme Labs: https://npayme.com/
-ETH Dublin: https://ethdublin.io/
-Techstars Web3 Accelerator: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3
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Garvan Callan is the founder of OneZero1, a company that’s redefining how startups and enterprises alike can navigate the complex world of digital strategy and transformation. Garvan is a strategist, innovator and transformation advisor whose career spans leadership roles in major corporations and working hands-on with startups, giving him a unique perspective on both sides of the entrepreneurial divide. Garvan is also a lecturer and the author of Digital Business Strategy, a must-read for anyone serious about innovation and growth in today’s fast-moving world.
We explore lessons from Obama's quote 'We are the change that we seek,' the significance of adaptability, the concept of the 'three V's: vision, values, and velocity,' and their application in both large corporations and startups. The episode also covers the challenges and strategies for fostering innovation, the importance of building strong, adaptive teams, and practical advice for startup founders looking to scale. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or just someone interested in the future of business, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss
TIMESTAMPS:
01:52 The Power of Change: Lessons from Barack Obama
02:23 Garvin's Journey: From Rural Roots to Corporate Leadership
07:15 Embracing Uncertainty: A Key to Success
12:08 The Three V's: Vision, Values, and Velocity
19:51 Applying Startup Lessons to Large Enterprises
21:02 Leadership and Stress Management
22:13 Founders' Challenges and Letting Go
24:07 Enterprise Dynamics and Managerial Roles
24:59 Understanding Organizational Currencies
27:29 Corporate Innovation Labs and Startup Founders
36:35 Building Relationships and Synchronization
LINKS:
Follow Garvan Callan on socials:
-Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garvan-callan-b4634323/
-Twitter/X: https://x.com/gpcallan
Learn more about and follow OneZero1
-Website: https://onezero1.ie/
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onezero1/
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-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ
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Mark McLaughlin is an Irish entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of the ticketing industry since 2006. Mark is the co-founder and CEO of Coras, a company that's been revolutionizing the ticketing landscape with its powerful API solutions, boasting clients like Ryanair. But Mark’s journey doesn’t stop there—he’s now leading Coras into a new frontier with Fida, a cutting-edge loyalty platform that's merging the best of web2 and web3 worlds.
In this episode, we’ll explore Mark’s entrepreneurial journey from founding Ticket Text and Ticket ABC to building Coras, and now, innovating with Fida. We’ll dive into the recent €1.3 million funding round led by Irish VC DataOp and the unique challenges of navigating the web2 and web3 investment landscape. Mark will share insights on balancing traditional and forward-thinking approaches for those straddling the web2 and web3 worlds, and what it means for getting these businesses funded.
00:36 Meet Mark McLaughlin: Revolutionizing Ticketing
03:24 The Ticketmaster Saga
05:52 Building Ticketing Solutions: Challenges and Innovations
07:02 Navigating Financial Crises and Raising Funds
10:59 The Evolution of Coras and the Impact of COVID-19
15:50 Introducing Fida: The Future of Loyalty Programs
25:48 Tokenized Commerce and Loyalty Programs
27:12 Building a Universal Loyalty Program
28:05 Challenges in Raising Funds for Web3 Projects
29:54 Pitching to Investors: Lessons Learned
36:04 The Importance of Timing and Luck in Fundraising
38:20 Exploring New Applications for Blockchain
39:05 Advice for Founders in Web2 and Web3
43:02 Mark's Journey from Music to Tech Entrepreneurship
46:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
LINKS:
Follow Mark McLaughlin on socials:
-Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmclaughlin1/
-Twitter/X: https://x.com/markwmcl
Learn more about and follow Coras & Fida
-Website: https://www.coras.io/
-Website: https://www.fidaapp.io/
-X-Twitter: @corasdotio | https://x.com/corasdotio
-X-Twitter: @fidaapp | https://x.com/fidaapp
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coras-io/
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fidaapp/
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Returning from our summer hiatus, Laura Walsh joins the show again this week as guest co-host as we dive into Crypto Politics by unpacking Donald Trump's campaign promises involving bitcoin and crypto.
Laura and I worked together closely in the first two years of the Techstars Web3 accelerator, and she is a Techstars All-Star Mentor, advisor, founder, web3 O.G. and friend.
In this episode, Laura and I are diving into a hot topic that's been making waves in both the political and crypto spheres. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Donald Trump has been making some bold promises regarding the future of crypto in the United States—from boosting Bitcoin mining to shaking up the regulatory landscape.
We take a close look at each of Trump's crypto promises, evaluating their feasibility and potential impact. We explore his claims about ending the so-called ‘crypto crackdown,’ his controversial pledge to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and his ambitious goal of making the U.S. a dominant player in Bitcoin mining. We also discuss Trump's proposal to build a national Bitcoin stockpile and defend self-custody rights, along with his strong stance against the introduction of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
But how much of this actually holds water? Can these promises be realistically fulfilled, or are they just campaign rhetoric designed to win over the crypto community? We break down each promise, tally up the results, and consider who in the tech and crypto space is lining up to support Trump—and why.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of what’s at stake and whether these promises could shape the future of crypto in America, or if they’re just a play for votes. Jump right in as we unpack the reality behind the rhetoric.
TIMESTAMPS:
03:38 Debate Reactions and Crypto Politics
05:03 Trump's Bitcoin Conference Appearance
14:13 Crypto Regulation and Political Maneuvering
16:42 Trump's Crypto Crackdown and Mining Proposals
26:47 Crypto and Politics: A Misunderstood Relationship
29:01 Bitcoin Stockpile: A Baffling Proposal
34:12 Self Custody and Legislative Processes
35:49 The Controversy of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
40:46 Ross Ulbricht: A Presidential Promise
42:17 Evaluating Trump's Crypto Promises
49:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell
LINKS:
Connect with Laura Walsh on social media:
-Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralwalsh/
-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOGLauraWalsh
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-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ
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Pranav Kanade, Portfolio Manager of VanEck's Digital Assets Alpha Strategy joins the show this week. VanEck is an American investment management firm headquartered in New York City with over $100bn in assets under management. Although they’re well known for their passive exchange-traded funds or ETFs, they also manage active portfolios such as Pranav’s Digital Assets Alpha Strategy.
Pranav Kanade joined VanEck in 2022 from Millennium Management where he was a Credit Portfolio Manager working closely with a team of six investment professionals. Prior to Millennium, he was the founding member of the Head of Research for the Liquid Credit investing business at Angelo, Gordon & Co. and also spent time with Hutchin Hill Capital focused on technology and energy.
In this episode, Pranav and I dig into his transition from traditional finance (TradFi) to the crypto world, his investment philosophy, and the catalysts for growth in digital assets. Pranav details his journey, the differences between traditional and liquid token investments, and how stablecoins, decentralized physical infrastructure, gaming, and social finance can drive mass adoption. We also delve into regulatory landscapes, tokenomics, and the challenges and opportunities in token project investments.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:18 Meet Pranav Kanade: From TradFi to Crypto
01:55 The Evolution of Digital Assets
04:10 Understanding Tokenomics and Market Dynamics
16:20 The Future of Stablecoins and Tokenized Securities
21:13 Managing a Liquid Venture Portfolio
26:03 The Role of Regulation in Crypto Adoption
38:05 Closing Thoughts and Personal Insights
LINKS:
Follow Pranav Kanade on socials:
-Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkanade1/
-Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/vaneckpk
-Substack: https://killerapps.substack.com/
Learn more about and follow VanEck:
-X-Twitter: @vaneck_us | https://twitter.com/vaneck_us
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaneck/
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Rita Martins joins the show to discuss her new book, Web3 in Financial Services, which explores how blockchain, digital assets, and cryptocurrency are disrupting traditional financial services.
In this episode, Rita and I riff on her inspiration for writing Web3 in Financial Services and how she tackled the process of writing a book for the first time. We also talk about the present and the future of Web3 technologies in finance, the book’s key messages, and how Rita aimed to make the content evergreen with the fast pace of change in web3. Rita was kind enough to feature a conversation with me in the book, so thank you Rita for including my thoughts.
Rita Martins is a strategic senior leader with a distinguished track record in financial services, fintech and Web3. She serves on the advisory boards of a range of startups at the intersection of finance and DeFi, blockchain, digital assets and crypto, and is a mentor for the Techstars Web3 accelerator.
Previously, Rita was the Global Head of Fintech Partnerships at HSBC, where she played a key role in incubating and accelerating disruptive technologies, creating significant advancements in the fintech landscape. Her extensive background also includes strategy and digital transformation roles at Accenture and Ernst & Young, where she led large-scale digital transformation projects, helping clients achieve strategic milestones.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:43 Meet Rita Martins: Author, Financial Services Executive and Board Member
01:20 Diving into Web3 and Financial Services
02:43 Rita's Journey in Financial Services
05:23 The Inspiration Behind the Book
06:52 Understanding Blockchain and Its Impact
10:58 Writing the Book: Challenges and Insights
15:07 The Future of Web3 in Finance
26:16 Evolving Ecosystem and Challenges
28:10 Dynamic Nature of Writing in Crypto
29:05 Podcasting vs. Publishing
30:31 Killer Apps in Crypto
31:18 Political Influence on Crypto
34:07 Global Impact and Future Predictions
38:09 Reactions and Feedback
41:22 Marketing and Promotion Efforts
44:34 Personal Insights and Experiences
LINKS:
Connect with Rita Martins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamartins2/
Follow Rita Martins on X: https://x.com/RitaMartinsUK
Buy/download Rita Martin’s book Web3 in Financial Services:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Web3-Financial-Services-Blockchain-Traditional/dp/1398615714
KoganPage
https://www.koganpage.com/accounting-finance-banking/web3-in-financial-services-9781398615717
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This week, we dive into decentralization with Kenny Ezeji-Okoye and Stella Dyer from Millicent, Ilya Orlov from FileMarket, alongside Rita Martins, author and Techstars Web3 mentor. The discussion covers the journey from centralized to decentralized models, the impact of decentralization on users and developers, and insights into decentralization in financial services. The episode also includes a sneak peek into Rita Martins' new book, Web3 in Financial Services.
Decentralization generally refers to the transfer of control of an enterprise from a small group of stakeholders to a distributed network. At the earliest stages of a startup’s life, the co-founders usually put a plan in motion to keep the control of the business within the hands of the co-founders as a centralized business.
With many web3 projects, however, the project leads or co-founders decide to create a distributed network, where the enterprise value accrues to a token rather than to the equity of a centralized operating company.
Decentralization is not a point-in-time decision, however. For example, it took 5 years for the Maker Protocol to fully decentralize. Most web3 projects that do become decentralized originally start as a centralized operating company and then decentralize over time, like Maker Protocol became Maker DAO.
Does this matter to users whether or not a project is decentralized or plans to decentralize? Do they actually care? What about developers, i.e., those building apps/dapps on top of web3 protocols? What’s in it for them?
Kene and Stella from Millicent, Ilya from FileMarket, and author Rita Martins tell us what they think about decentralization and when it matters and when it doesn’t.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:57 Understanding Decentralization
02:12 Perspectives from Millicent and FileMarket
03:31 In-Depth Discussion on Decentralization
10:36 User and Developer Perspectives
18:33 Advice for Web3 Founders
23:18 Rita Martins on Decentralization in Financial Services
32:35 Conclusion and Closing Remarks
LINKS:
Connect with this week’s guests on LinkedIn:
-Kene Ezeji-Okoye: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pronouncedkenny/
-Stella Dyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stelladyer/
-Ilya Orlov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlov-ilya/
-Rita Martins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamartins2/
Follow this week’s guests on X/Twitter:
-Kene Ezeji-Okoye: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pronouncedkenny/
-Stella Dyer: https://x.com/MillicentLabs/
-Ilya Orlov: https://x.com/UnderKong
-Rita Martins: https://x.com/RitaMartinsUK
Learn more about each founder’s business:
-Millicent Labs: https://www.millicent.io/ | https://x.com/MillicentLabs
-FileMarket: https://filemarket.xyz/ | https://x.com/FileMarket_xyz
-Rita Martins’ book: Web3 in Financial Services https://www.amazon.co.uk/Web3-Financial-Services-Blockchain-Traditional/dp/1398615714
Leave a review and subscribe on
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-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ
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Alejandro Gutierrez, CEO of npayme Labs and co-founder of ETH Dublin joins me again as guest co-host this week. We start with Alejandro's Token2049 Dubai ‘tsunami-in-a-yacht’ story, the upcoming ETH Dublin 2024, and the Techstars Web3 demo day on June 6th in NYC. We then cover the challenging venture capital funding market for Web3 projects, political and regulatory developments in the U.S. concerning crypto, and the in-flight approval of Ethereum ETFs.
As we recorded this episode a few hours before the SEC took the first step in authorizing Ethereum ETFs, we unpacked the political and legislative climate towards crypto in the U.S., and how things like SAB121 and the FIT21 Act are driving real change. We also touch on the broader impact of blockchain technology on financial markets and the context of tokenization, consumerization, and infrastructure improvements in the crypto space.
TIMESTAMPS:
01:53 Alejandro's Dubai Adventure at Token 2049
04:40 ETH Dublin 2024 Preview and Techstars Web3 Demo Day
07:16 npayme Labs and the Future of Web3
12:14 The State of Venture Capital in Crypto
23:00 The Impact of Political Climate on Crypto
25:04 Trump's Crypto Strategy
26:18 Crypto Donations and Political Influence
28:43 Ethereum ETFs and Regulatory Challenges
32:25 Political Shifts and Crypto Regulation
37:19 The Future of Crypto Legislation
45:09 Pizza Day and Bitcoin's History
STORIES WE COVERED:
VC Funding in Crypto
Galaxy Ventures bemoans ‘challenging’ market as crypto VC funding set for measly 27% gain (DL News, 20-May-24)
CryptoRank: Recent Crypto Investments and Fundraising Rounds (early stage only)
ETH ETF Approval Expectations
Ether jumps 20% on renewed optimism for an ETF, bitcoin also rallies (CNBC, 20-May-24)
Ether ETFs Filing Process Sees Abrupt Progress, Though Approval Not Guaranteed: Sources (CoinDesk, 20-May-24)
Fidelity Drops Staking Plans in Updated Ether ETF Filing (CoinDesk, 21-May-24
Blockworks’ BTC ETF Tracker
US Crypto Regulatory Ups and Downs
House To Vote On Who Will Regulate Crypto (21-May-24)
Proposed DeFi Carve-out from Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Hayden Adams on X/Twitter, 20-May-24)
Uniswap Labs Urges SEC to Drop Pending Enforcement Action in Wells Response (CoinDesk, 21-May-
LINKS:
Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez:
-X(Twitter): https://twitter.com/A_gutierro
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-gutierrez-98979b43/
Learn more about:
-npayme Labs: https://npayme.com/
-ETH Dublin: https://ethdublin.io/
Register for the Techstars Web3 Demo Day:
-Livestream: https://lu.ma/usaj1l7k
-In-Person (NYC): https://lu.ma/3wlbvrih
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