Emerging markets, AI, and crypto: insights from Ryze Labs’ Matthew Graham

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As a seasoned crypto investor with roots deeply entrenched in the dynamic world of emerging markets, I find myself consistently captivated by the insights and foresight of visionaries like Matthew Graham, CEO of Ryze Labs. Based in Shanghai, his company’s strategic focus on bleeding-edge projects at the intersection of crypto innovation is nothing short of inspiring.

At the Emergence Conference in Prague, Matthew Graham, head of Ryze Labs, discusses his perspectives on the upcoming wave of artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency integration.

In the constantly changing realms of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, few figures are as daring and impactful as Matthew Graham, the founder of Ryze Labs. Based out of Shanghai, Graham and his team at Ryze Labs strive to invest in cutting-edge companies that combine crypto innovation, with a goal of fostering innovation in developing regions by connecting talent with financial resources.

As an analyst, I’m responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of companies that align with our web3 vision. This includes innovative alt-L1 platforms such as Polygon and Sui, strategic investments in infrastructure providers like Layer Zero and Builders Tribe, and a variety of decentralized applications (DApps) and gaming/metaverse ventures that embrace the ethos of web3 technology.

During a special conversation at the Emergence Conference in Prague on December 5th, Graham expressed his thoughts about the revolutionary impact of AI within the cryptocurrency sector. He emphasized distinct chances in developing economies and hinted at upcoming possibilities for blockchain innovators as the next significant leap forward.

Graham’s excitement about the blend of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain is noticeable. “From my perspective, the integration between AI, cryptocurrency, and the groundbreaking advancements happening there is the most significant wave of innovation we’ve witnessed since the DeFi summer,” he stated confidently. This belief has been a key factor in steering Ryze Labs towards projects that leverage the best aspects of both technologies.

The company’s AI Combinator, jointly developed with a16z, demonstrates our commitment in this area. It serves as a platform where AI and blockchain developers can interact, share knowledge, and speed up advancements. Graham mentioned that they have already invested between 10 to 12 times at the intersection of these technologies. He added that the incubator is planning to allocate around $5 million from its fund into various sectors.

Beyond this, Ryze Labs has solidified its presence within Solana’s environment by purchasing MNDE tokens via Marinade, a prominent Solana staking platform. This move showcases their faith in Solana’s SVM infrastructure, progress in staking, and PayFi applications. Meanwhile, for the TON blockchain, Graham has made an investment into Telegram’s expansive 900 million-strong user base, providing a solid foundation for creating the next groundbreaking Web3 super app. This action underscores his fund’s dedication to supporting projects with significant transformative power across various ecosystems, such as social media and messaging.

One way to rephrase the sentence could be: “A fundamental argument put forth by Graham is that the surge in cryptocurrency will largely be driven by Artificial Intelligence.

Graham emphasized that it’s more probable we won’t witness AI innovation with AI agents tailored exclusively to a single L1 (Language One). Instead, he suggested we might expect a multi-layered structure where the top layer is designed for AI agents, functioning across various L1s. This middle layer will serve as a common ground for these AI agents.

According to Graham, a key strength lies in assisting the companies within our portfolio to penetrate distinctive market opportunities.

As an analyst, I’ve observed that Graham identifies emerging markets as prime grounds for growth in the crypto sphere. He emphasizes that these markets are where the future users and innovators will emerge from, underscoring the importance of customized assistance to navigate regulatory, cultural, and technological hurdles in regions that lie beyond the main crypto hubs such as New York, San Francisco, Zug, or London. In response, Graham has opted to explore global cities like Lagos and Bangalore for potential talent and the next breakthrough AI/crypto ventures.

He pointed out similarities between internet memes and folklore, explaining how even though physical boundaries exist, the collective consciousness of the internet can unite and drive movements simultaneously in different times and places.

He emphasized that stories play a crucial role in the achievement of these innovative projects, citing examples such as Terminal of Truths – an AI agent that attracted attention earlier this year for its blend of the Goatsee meme’s lore, an X account, and a Solana wallet. Notably, this project received $50,000 in funding from Marc Andreessen at a16z, sparking ideas about the capabilities of AI agents to traverse the cryptocurrency landscape.

Essentially, what Matthew is emphasizing is our aim to support enthusiastically those who are developing captivating initiatives at the junction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cryptocurrency. When he discovered Terminal of Truths, it was an eye-opening experience that demanded immediate attention. The amalgamation of AI and crypto isn’t merely a fad; it represents the next significant leap forward.

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2024-12-06 23:24