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

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/