Author: dfmines

For years, inflation was primarily a concern for emerging markets, where volatile currencies and economic instability made rising prices a persistent challenge. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation became a global issue. Once-stable economies with historically low inflation were suddenly grappling with soaring costs, prompting investors to rethink how to preserve their wealth.While gold and real estate have long been hailed as safe-haven assets, Bitcoin’s supporters argue that its fixed supply and decentralized nature make it the ultimate shield against inflation. But does the theory hold up?The answer may depend largely on where one lives.Bitcoin advocates emphasize its strict supply limit of 21 million coins as a key advantage in combating inflationary monetary policies. Unlike fiat currencies, which central banks can print in unlimited quantities, Bitcoin’s supply is predetermined by an algorithm, preventing any form of artificial expansion. This scarcity, they argue, makes Bitcoin akin to “digital gold” and a more reliable store of value than traditional government-issued money.Several companies and even sovereign nations have embraced the idea, adding Bitcoin to their treasuries to hedge against fiat currency risk and inflation. The most notable example is El Salvador, which made global headlines in 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. The government has since been steadily accumulating Bitcoin, making it a key component of its economic strategy. Companies like Strategy in the US and Metaplanet in Japan have followed suit, and now the United States is in the process of establishing its own Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.A Bitcoin investment strategy has paid off so farSo far, the corporate and government Bitcoin investment strategy has paid off as BTC outperformed the S&P 500 and gold futures since the early 2020s before inflation surged in the United States. More recently, however, that strong performance has shown signs of moderation. Bitcoin remains a strong performer over the past 12 months, and while BTC’s gains outpace consumer inflation, economists caution that past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indeed, some studies suggest a correlation between cryptocurrency returns and changes in inflation expectations is far from consistent over time.  Returns over the past 12 months. Source: Truflation.Bitcoin’s role as an inflation hedge remains uncertainUnlike traditional inflation hedges such as gold, Bitcoin is still a relatively new asset. Its role as a hedge remains uncertain, especially considering that widespread adoption has only gained traction in recent years.Despite high inflation in recent years, Bitcoin’s price has fluctuated wildly, often correlating more with risk assets like tech stocks than with traditional inflation hedges like gold. A recent study published in the Journal of Economics and Business found that Bitcoin’s ability to hedge inflation has weakened over time, particularly as institutional adoption grew. In 2022, when US inflation hit a 40-year high, Bitcoin lost more than 60% of its value, while gold, a traditional inflation hedge, remained relatively stable.For this reason, some analysts say that Bitcoin’s price may be driven more by investor sentiment and liquidity conditions than by macroeconomic fundamentals like inflation. When the risk appetite is strong, Bitcoin rallies. But when markets are fearful, Bitcoin often crashes alongside stocks.In a Journal of Economics and Business study, authors Harold Rodriguez and Jefferson Colombo said, “Based on monthly data between August 2010 and January 2023, the results indicate that Bitcoin returns increase significantly after a positive inflationary shock, corroborating empirical evidence that Bitcoin can act as an inflation hedge.” However, they noted that Bitcoin’s inflationary hedging property was stronger in the early days when institutional adoption of BTC was not as prevalent. Both researchers agreed that “[…]Bitcoin’s inflation-hedging property is context-specific and likely diminishes as it achieves broader adoption and becomes more integrated into mainstream financial markets.”US inflation index since 2020. Source. Truflation“So far, it has acted as an inflation hedge—but it’s not a black-and-white case. It’s more of a cyclical (phenomenon),” Robert Walden, head of trading at Abra, told Cointelegraph. Walden said, “For Bitcoin to be a true inflation hedge, it would need to consistently outpace inflation year after year with its returns. However, due to its parabolic nature, its performance tends to be highly asymmetric over time.”Bitcoin’s movement right now, Walden said, is more about market positioning than inflation hedging—it’s about capital flows and interest rates.”Argentina and Turkey seek financial refuge in cryptoIn economies suffering from runaway inflation and strict capital controls, Bitcoin has proven to be a valuable tool for preserving wealth. Argentina and Turkey, two countries with persistent inflation throughout recent decades, illustrate this dynamic well.Argentina has long grappled with recurring financial crises and soaring inflation. While inflation has shown signs of improvement very recently, locals have historically turned to cryptocurrency as a way to bypass financial restrictions and protect their wealth from currency depreciation.A recent Coinbase survey found that 87% of Argentinians believe crypto and blockchain technology can enhance their financial independence, while nearly three in four respondents see crypto as a solution to challenges like inflation and high transaction costs.Related: Argentina overtakes Brazil in crypto inflows — ChainalysisWith a population of 45 million, Argentina has become a hotbed for crypto adoption, with Coinbase reporting that as many as five million Argentinians use digital assets daily.“Economic freedom is a cornerstone of prosperity, and we are proud to bring secure, transparent, and reliable crypto services to Argentina,” said Fabio Plein, Director for the Americas at Coinbase. “For many Argentinians, crypto isn’t just an investment, it’s a necessity for regaining control over their financial futures.”“People in Argentina don’t trust the peso. They are always looking for ways to store value outside of the local currency,” Julián Colombo, a senior director at Bitso, a major Latin American cryptocurrency exchange, told Cointelegraph. “Bitcoin and stablecoins allow them to bypass capital controls and protect their savings from devaluation.”Argentina inflation index. Source. Truflation.Beyond individual investors, businesses in Argentina are also using Bitcoin and stablecoins to protect revenue and conduct international transactions. Some workers even opt to receive part of their salaries in cryptocurrency to safeguard their earnings from inflation.According to economist and crypto analyst Natalia Motyl, “Currency restrictions and capital controls imposed in recent years have made access to US dollars increasingly difficult amid high inflation and a crisis of confidence in the Argentine peso. In this environment, cryptocurrencies have emerged as a viable alternative for preserving the value of money, allowing individuals and businesses to bypass the limitations of the traditional financial system.” While Bitcoin’s effectiveness as an inflation hedge is still up for debate, stablecoins have become a more practical solution in high-inflation economies, particularly those pegged to the US dollar.Relative to its economic size, Turkey has emerged as a hotspot for stablecoin transactions. In the year leading up to March 2024, purchases alone accounted for 4.3% of GDP. This digital currency boom, fueled by years of double-digit inflation—peaking at 85% in 2022—and a more than 80% plunge in the lira against the dollar over the past five years, gained momentum during the pandemic.Turkey’s Bitcoin adoption proves citizens drive adoption, not governmentsAlthough Turkey allows its citizens to buy, hold, and trade crypto, the use of digital currencies for payments has been banned since 2021 when the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey prohibited “any direct or indirect usage of crypto assets in payment services and electronic money issuance.” Nevertheless, crypto adoption in Turkey is still evident, with an increasing number of Turkish banks offering crypto services and shops and ATMs providing crypto exchange options.High inflation rates backed the erosion of the Turkish lira’s value, which lost nearly 60% of its purchasing power as inflation soared to 85.5% between 2021 and 2023. This led many Turkish citizens to turn to Bitcoin as a store of value and a medium of exchange. While some argue that Bitcoin’s scarcity bodes well for long-term appreciation, potentially outpacing consumer inflation, its high volatility and recurring correlation with tech-heavy, risk-associated indexes like the Nasdaq in recent times suggest that its performance as a pure inflation hedge remains mixed. However, in inflation-ridden nations like Argentina and Turkey, where local currencies have collapsed in value, the “digital gold” has undeniably served as a crucial avenue of escape from local currencies, preserving purchasing power in ways traditional fiat cannot.Although Bitcoin is still a nascent asset, and its effectiveness as a hedge requires further study, one thing remains clear—so far, it has significantly outperformed consumer inflation. For Bitcoin enthusiasts, that alone is reason enough to celebrate.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

For years, inflation was primarily a concern for emerging markets, where volatile currencies and economic instability made rising prices a persistent challenge. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation became a global issue. Once-stable economies with historically low inflation were suddenly grappling with soaring costs, prompting investors to rethink how to preserve their wealth.While gold and real estate have long been hailed as safe-haven assets, Bitcoin’s supporters argue that its fixed supply and decentralized nature make it the ultimate shield against inflation. But does the theory hold up?The answer may depend largely on where one lives.Bitcoin advocates emphasize its strict supply limit of 21 million coins as a key advantage in combating inflationary monetary policies. Unlike fiat currencies, which central banks can print in unlimited quantities, Bitcoin’s supply is predetermined by an algorithm, preventing any form of artificial expansion. This scarcity, they argue, makes Bitcoin akin to “digital gold” and a more reliable store of value than traditional government-issued money.Several companies and even sovereign nations have embraced the idea, adding Bitcoin to their treasuries to hedge against fiat currency risk and inflation. The most notable example is El Salvador, which made global headlines in 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. The government has since been steadily accumulating Bitcoin, making it a key component of its economic strategy. Companies like Strategy in the US and Metaplanet in Japan have followed suit, and now the United States is in the process of establishing its own Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.A Bitcoin investment strategy has paid off so farSo far, the corporate and government Bitcoin investment strategy has paid off as BTC outperformed the S&P 500 and gold futures since the early 2020s before inflation surged in the United States. More recently, however, that strong performance has shown signs of moderation. Bitcoin remains a strong performer over the past 12 months, and while BTC’s gains outpace consumer inflation, economists caution that past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indeed, some studies suggest a correlation between cryptocurrency returns and changes in inflation expectations is far from consistent over time.  Returns over the past 12 months. Source: Truflation.Bitcoin’s role as an inflation hedge remains uncertainUnlike traditional inflation hedges such as gold, Bitcoin is still a relatively new asset. Its role as a hedge remains uncertain, especially considering that widespread adoption has only gained traction in recent years.Despite high inflation in recent years, Bitcoin’s price has fluctuated wildly, often correlating more with risk assets like tech stocks than with traditional inflation hedges like gold. A recent study published in the Journal of Economics and Business found that Bitcoin’s ability to hedge inflation has weakened over time, particularly as institutional adoption grew. In 2022, when US inflation hit a 40-year high, Bitcoin lost more than 60% of its value, while gold, a traditional inflation hedge, remained relatively stable.For this reason, some analysts say that Bitcoin’s price may be driven more by investor sentiment and liquidity conditions than by macroeconomic fundamentals like inflation. When the risk appetite is strong, Bitcoin rallies. But when markets are fearful, Bitcoin often crashes alongside stocks.In a Journal of Economics and Business study, authors Harold Rodriguez and Jefferson Colombo said, “Based on monthly data between August 2010 and January 2023, the results indicate that Bitcoin returns increase significantly after a positive inflationary shock, corroborating empirical evidence that Bitcoin can act as an inflation hedge.” However, they noted that Bitcoin’s inflationary hedging property was stronger in the early days when institutional adoption of BTC was not as prevalent. Both researchers agreed that “[…]Bitcoin’s inflation-hedging property is context-specific and likely diminishes as it achieves broader adoption and becomes more integrated into mainstream financial markets.”US inflation index since 2020. Source. Truflation“So far, it has acted as an inflation hedge—but it’s not a black-and-white case. It’s more of a cyclical (phenomenon),” Robert Walden, head of trading at Abra, told Cointelegraph. Walden said, “For Bitcoin to be a true inflation hedge, it would need to consistently outpace inflation year after year with its returns. However, due to its parabolic nature, its performance tends to be highly asymmetric over time.”Bitcoin’s movement right now, Walden said, is more about market positioning than inflation hedging—it’s about capital flows and interest rates.”Argentina and Turkey seek financial refuge in cryptoIn economies suffering from runaway inflation and strict capital controls, Bitcoin has proven to be a valuable tool for preserving wealth. Argentina and Turkey, two countries with persistent inflation throughout recent decades, illustrate this dynamic well.Argentina has long grappled with recurring financial crises and soaring inflation. While inflation has shown signs of improvement very recently, locals have historically turned to cryptocurrency as a way to bypass financial restrictions and protect their wealth from currency depreciation.A recent Coinbase survey found that 87% of Argentinians believe crypto and blockchain technology can enhance their financial independence, while nearly three in four respondents see crypto as a solution to challenges like inflation and high transaction costs.Related: Argentina overtakes Brazil in crypto inflows — ChainalysisWith a population of 45 million, Argentina has become a hotbed for crypto adoption, with Coinbase reporting that as many as five million Argentinians use digital assets daily.“Economic freedom is a cornerstone of prosperity, and we are proud to bring secure, transparent, and reliable crypto services to Argentina,” said Fabio Plein, Director for the Americas at Coinbase. “For many Argentinians, crypto isn’t just an investment, it’s a necessity for regaining control over their financial futures.”“People in Argentina don’t trust the peso. They are always looking for ways to store value outside of the local currency,” Julián Colombo, a senior director at Bitso, a major Latin American cryptocurrency exchange, told Cointelegraph. “Bitcoin and stablecoins allow them to bypass capital controls and protect their savings from devaluation.”Argentina inflation index. Source. Truflation.Beyond individual investors, businesses in Argentina are also using Bitcoin and stablecoins to protect revenue and conduct international transactions. Some workers even opt to receive part of their salaries in cryptocurrency to safeguard their earnings from inflation.According to economist and crypto analyst Natalia Motyl, “Currency restrictions and capital controls imposed in recent years have made access to US dollars increasingly difficult amid high inflation and a crisis of confidence in the Argentine peso. In this environment, cryptocurrencies have emerged as a viable alternative for preserving the value of money, allowing individuals and businesses to bypass the limitations of the traditional financial system.” While Bitcoin’s effectiveness as an inflation hedge is still up for debate, stablecoins have become a more practical solution in high-inflation economies, particularly those pegged to the US dollar.Relative to its economic size, Turkey has emerged as a hotspot for stablecoin transactions. In the year leading up to March 2024, purchases alone accounted for 4.3% of GDP. This digital currency boom, fueled by years of double-digit inflation—peaking at 85% in 2022—and a more than 80% plunge in the lira against the dollar over the past five years, gained momentum during the pandemic.Turkey’s Bitcoin adoption proves citizens drive adoption, not governmentsAlthough Turkey allows its citizens to buy, hold, and trade crypto, the use of digital currencies for payments has been banned since 2021 when the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey prohibited “any direct or indirect usage of crypto assets in payment services and electronic money issuance.” Nevertheless, crypto adoption in Turkey is still evident, with an increasing number of Turkish banks offering crypto services and shops and ATMs providing crypto exchange options.High inflation rates backed the erosion of the Turkish lira’s value, which lost nearly 60% of its purchasing power as inflation soared to 85.5% between 2021 and 2023. This led many Turkish citizens to turn to Bitcoin as a store of value and a medium of exchange. While some argue that Bitcoin’s scarcity bodes well for long-term appreciation, potentially outpacing consumer inflation, its high volatility and recurring correlation with tech-heavy, risk-associated indexes like the Nasdaq in recent times suggest that its performance as a pure inflation hedge remains mixed. However, in inflation-ridden nations like Argentina and Turkey, where local currencies have collapsed in value, the “digital gold” has undeniably served as a crucial avenue of escape from local currencies, preserving purchasing power in ways traditional fiat cannot.Although Bitcoin is still a nascent asset, and its effectiveness as a hedge requires further study, one thing remains clear—so far, it has significantly outperformed consumer inflation. For Bitcoin enthusiasts, that alone is reason enough to celebrate.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research InstituteScience has always been about pushing boundaries, yet today, many of those boundaries are artificial — walled-off journals, slow-moving institutions and research funding locked behind bureaucratic doors. The system is designed for gatekeepers, not explorers. But what if we could tear down those walls? What if science could be set free?Over the past few years, we’ve watched decentralized science (DeSci) morph from a radical experiment into one of crypto’s most electrifying frontiers. Once dismissed as a niche idea, DeSci is now a billion-dollar movement. As of early 2025, the top DeSci tokens collectively boast a market capitalization of around $1 billion. Momentum is undeniable: Half of the top 10 projects in the space launched just last year, according to Messari. What started as a whisper is now a roar, echoing across the halls of academia, biotech labs and decentralized autonomous organizations alike.Raw energy isn’t enough. DeSci still faces formidable challenges: scalability, quality control, reproducibility and real-world adoption. It’s a vision in motion, not a finished revolution. And that’s where artificial intelligence steps in — not just as a tool but as the missing puzzle that could propel DeSci from a bold experiment to an unstoppable force.AI is already reshaping the traditional science (TradSci) landscape: sifts through massive data sets, spots hidden patterns, cracks problems that once took decades to solve, ventures into longevity research, and accelerates drug development, materials science and computational biology. Yet, for all its promise, access to AI remains tightly controlled and monopolized by a handful of corporations, elite universities and government-backed institutions. AI’s vast potential is shackled by centralization.What if these two forces — the decentralized infrastructure of DeSci and the power of AI — merged into one system? A system where science is decentralized, intelligent, autonomous and radically open?Let’s call it DeScAI. Science, but unstoppableImagine a world where every experiment, every data set and every discovery isn’t buried in paywalled journals or trapped in proprietary vaults but flows seamlessly across a decentralized, living network. This is the vision of DeScAI, where blockchain and AI unite to build an open, intelligent and self-sustaining ecosystem. Knowledge isn’t just stored — it breathes, evolves and connects. AI curators scour vast data sets, linking research across disciplines, uncovering hidden insights and transforming isolated findings into a shared intellectual bloodstream.Recent: DeFi can help us choose the best robots for the jobFor too long, independent researchers have struggled to access the AI tools they need for research and massive data analysis. DeScAI could rewrite this equation by turning the world into a vast, decentralized supercomputer. Every idle processor, every surplus server and every untapped resource can contribute to a global grid where computing power is not a commodity but a shared asset. Need to map the human brain or train a biodiversity model? There is no need to beg a tech giant — just tap into the collective machine. Smart incentives ensure fairness; AI optimizes distribution; and science advances at a speed never seen before.What about funding? Today’s grant system is a labyrinth of delays, favoritism and opaque decision-making. DeScAI could replace this outdated model with a marketplace of ideas where anyone — researchers, enthusiasts even curious citizens — can directly support groundbreaking projects. No elite panels, no endless bureaucracy. AI-assisted platforms analyze proposals, suggest collaborations, and help communities vote with their resources. If an idea has merit, it gets the backing it deserves — whether from one person or 10,000.Peer review, once the bedrock of scientific integrity, has become a bottleneck. Papers languish in submission queues for months, sometimes years, subjected to a process that is as unpredictable as it is biased. DeScAI can potentially turn peer review into a dynamic, real-time process. Research is uploaded to an immutable ledger, where AI immediately verifies data integrity and flags potential conflicts of interest. Expert reviewers — who are no longer anonymous gatekeepers but active, rewarded participants — provide transparent, constructive and traceable feedback. Reputations are built on contributions, not credentials. Science becomes an ongoing conversation, not a waiting game.Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of DeScAI is its ability to turn isolated curiosity into collective intelligence. What if an AI could help a marine biologist in Argentina and a quantum physicist in Germany stumble upon a connection neither would have made alone? What if an engineer working on renewable energy models could instantly access simulations run by climate scientists in a different hemisphere? DeScAI makes these moments of serendipity not just possible but inevitable.What about the raw material of modern science — data? Today, data is hoarded, exploited and sold without the consent of those who generate it. DeScAI shifts power back to the people. Data contributors retain ownership and are compensated when their information is used to train AI or develop new models. Blockchain solutions ensure privacy; smart contracts enforce fairness; and the age of data colonialism ends.Science should be borderless, but for too long, geography, institutions and economics have dictated who gets to participate. DeScAI erases those barriers. A young coder in Nairobi can collaborate with a neuroscientist in Seoul, not because an institution promotes it but because the infrastructure allows it. AI-driven translation tools dissolve language barriers, decentralized data sharing enables seamless collaboration, and research teams form organically around ideas, not affiliations.The resistance will be fierceAcademic publishers, government agencies and corporate research labs have built their influence on exclusivity. They will not willingly embrace an open system where knowledge flows freely, research is verifiable in real-time and funding no longer depends on institutional decisions. Some projects in this space will stumble, giving critics ammunition to dismiss the movement as they may argue that decentralized oversight cannot maintain the same level of quality control, and it is unrealistic to expect cohesive governance from a patchwork of tokenholders and autonomous agents. Yet the success of DeScAI does not hinge on dismantling the existing research order outright — it hinges on demonstrating superior efficiency, fairness and innovation. Ultimately, it offers a parallel ecosystem that anyone can join, building trust through open ledgers, cryptographic proofs and AI-verified methodologies. The direction is clear: Just as DeFi forced the banking sector to acknowledge new economic models, DeScAI will force research institutions to do the same.This is not a slow evolution — it is a shift in scientific power. The old system, built on secrecy and hierarchy, collides with an emerging model of openness and decentralization. The question for those still embedded in traditional academia is whether they will adapt or be left behind as knowledge production moves into a future they can no longer control.Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research Institute.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research InstituteScience has always been about pushing boundaries, yet today, many of those boundaries are artificial — walled-off journals, slow-moving institutions and research funding locked behind bureaucratic doors. The system is designed for gatekeepers, not explorers. But what if we could tear down those walls? What if science could be set free?Over the past few years, we’ve watched decentralized science (DeSci) morph from a radical experiment into one of crypto’s most electrifying frontiers. Once dismissed as a niche idea, DeSci is now a billion-dollar movement. As of early 2025, the top DeSci tokens collectively boast a market capitalization of around $1 billion. Momentum is undeniable: Half of the top 10 projects in the space launched just last year, according to Messari. What started as a whisper is now a roar, echoing across the halls of academia, biotech labs and decentralized autonomous organizations alike.Raw energy isn’t enough. DeSci still faces formidable challenges: scalability, quality control, reproducibility and real-world adoption. It’s a vision in motion, not a finished revolution. And that’s where artificial intelligence steps in — not just as a tool but as the missing puzzle that could propel DeSci from a bold experiment to an unstoppable force.AI is already reshaping the traditional science (TradSci) landscape: sifts through massive data sets, spots hidden patterns, cracks problems that once took decades to solve, ventures into longevity research, and accelerates drug development, materials science and computational biology. Yet, for all its promise, access to AI remains tightly controlled and monopolized by a handful of corporations, elite universities and government-backed institutions. AI’s vast potential is shackled by centralization.What if these two forces — the decentralized infrastructure of DeSci and the power of AI — merged into one system? A system where science is decentralized, intelligent, autonomous and radically open?Let’s call it DeScAI. Science, but unstoppableImagine a world where every experiment, every data set and every discovery isn’t buried in paywalled journals or trapped in proprietary vaults but flows seamlessly across a decentralized, living network. This is the vision of DeScAI, where blockchain and AI unite to build an open, intelligent and self-sustaining ecosystem. Knowledge isn’t just stored — it breathes, evolves and connects. AI curators scour vast data sets, linking research across disciplines, uncovering hidden insights and transforming isolated findings into a shared intellectual bloodstream.Recent: DeFi can help us choose the best robots for the jobFor too long, independent researchers have struggled to access the AI tools they need for research and massive data analysis. DeScAI could rewrite this equation by turning the world into a vast, decentralized supercomputer. Every idle processor, every surplus server and every untapped resource can contribute to a global grid where computing power is not a commodity but a shared asset. Need to map the human brain or train a biodiversity model? There is no need to beg a tech giant — just tap into the collective machine. Smart incentives ensure fairness; AI optimizes distribution; and science advances at a speed never seen before.What about funding? Today’s grant system is a labyrinth of delays, favoritism and opaque decision-making. DeScAI could replace this outdated model with a marketplace of ideas where anyone — researchers, enthusiasts even curious citizens — can directly support groundbreaking projects. No elite panels, no endless bureaucracy. AI-assisted platforms analyze proposals, suggest collaborations, and help communities vote with their resources. If an idea has merit, it gets the backing it deserves — whether from one person or 10,000.Peer review, once the bedrock of scientific integrity, has become a bottleneck. Papers languish in submission queues for months, sometimes years, subjected to a process that is as unpredictable as it is biased. DeScAI can potentially turn peer review into a dynamic, real-time process. Research is uploaded to an immutable ledger, where AI immediately verifies data integrity and flags potential conflicts of interest. Expert reviewers — who are no longer anonymous gatekeepers but active, rewarded participants — provide transparent, constructive and traceable feedback. Reputations are built on contributions, not credentials. Science becomes an ongoing conversation, not a waiting game.Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of DeScAI is its ability to turn isolated curiosity into collective intelligence. What if an AI could help a marine biologist in Argentina and a quantum physicist in Germany stumble upon a connection neither would have made alone? What if an engineer working on renewable energy models could instantly access simulations run by climate scientists in a different hemisphere? DeScAI makes these moments of serendipity not just possible but inevitable.What about the raw material of modern science — data? Today, data is hoarded, exploited and sold without the consent of those who generate it. DeScAI shifts power back to the people. Data contributors retain ownership and are compensated when their information is used to train AI or develop new models. Blockchain solutions ensure privacy; smart contracts enforce fairness; and the age of data colonialism ends.Science should be borderless, but for too long, geography, institutions and economics have dictated who gets to participate. DeScAI erases those barriers. A young coder in Nairobi can collaborate with a neuroscientist in Seoul, not because an institution promotes it but because the infrastructure allows it. AI-driven translation tools dissolve language barriers, decentralized data sharing enables seamless collaboration, and research teams form organically around ideas, not affiliations.The resistance will be fierceAcademic publishers, government agencies and corporate research labs have built their influence on exclusivity. They will not willingly embrace an open system where knowledge flows freely, research is verifiable in real-time and funding no longer depends on institutional decisions. Some projects in this space will stumble, giving critics ammunition to dismiss the movement as they may argue that decentralized oversight cannot maintain the same level of quality control, and it is unrealistic to expect cohesive governance from a patchwork of tokenholders and autonomous agents. Yet the success of DeScAI does not hinge on dismantling the existing research order outright — it hinges on demonstrating superior efficiency, fairness and innovation. Ultimately, it offers a parallel ecosystem that anyone can join, building trust through open ledgers, cryptographic proofs and AI-verified methodologies. The direction is clear: Just as DeFi forced the banking sector to acknowledge new economic models, DeScAI will force research institutions to do the same.This is not a slow evolution — it is a shift in scientific power. The old system, built on secrecy and hierarchy, collides with an emerging model of openness and decentralization. The question for those still embedded in traditional academia is whether they will adapt or be left behind as knowledge production moves into a future they can no longer control.Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research Institute.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research InstituteScience has always been about pushing boundaries, yet today, many of those boundaries are artificial — walled-off journals, slow-moving institutions and research funding locked behind bureaucratic doors. The system is designed for gatekeepers, not explorers. But what if we could tear down those walls? What if science could be set free?Over the past few years, we’ve watched decentralized science (DeSci) morph from a radical experiment into one of crypto’s most electrifying frontiers. Once dismissed as a niche idea, DeSci is now a billion-dollar movement. As of early 2025, the top DeSci tokens collectively boast a market capitalization of around $1 billion. Momentum is undeniable: Half of the top 10 projects in the space launched just last year, according to Messari. What started as a whisper is now a roar, echoing across the halls of academia, biotech labs and decentralized autonomous organizations alike.Raw energy isn’t enough. DeSci still faces formidable challenges: scalability, quality control, reproducibility and real-world adoption. It’s a vision in motion, not a finished revolution. And that’s where artificial intelligence steps in — not just as a tool but as the missing puzzle that could propel DeSci from a bold experiment to an unstoppable force.AI is already reshaping the traditional science (TradSci) landscape: sifts through massive data sets, spots hidden patterns, cracks problems that once took decades to solve, ventures into longevity research, and accelerates drug development, materials science and computational biology. Yet, for all its promise, access to AI remains tightly controlled and monopolized by a handful of corporations, elite universities and government-backed institutions. AI’s vast potential is shackled by centralization.What if these two forces — the decentralized infrastructure of DeSci and the power of AI — merged into one system? A system where science is decentralized, intelligent, autonomous and radically open?Let’s call it DeScAI. Science, but unstoppableImagine a world where every experiment, every data set and every discovery isn’t buried in paywalled journals or trapped in proprietary vaults but flows seamlessly across a decentralized, living network. This is the vision of DeScAI, where blockchain and AI unite to build an open, intelligent and self-sustaining ecosystem. Knowledge isn’t just stored — it breathes, evolves and connects. AI curators scour vast data sets, linking research across disciplines, uncovering hidden insights and transforming isolated findings into a shared intellectual bloodstream.Recent: DeFi can help us choose the best robots for the jobFor too long, independent researchers have struggled to access the AI tools they need for research and massive data analysis. DeScAI could rewrite this equation by turning the world into a vast, decentralized supercomputer. Every idle processor, every surplus server and every untapped resource can contribute to a global grid where computing power is not a commodity but a shared asset. Need to map the human brain or train a biodiversity model? There is no need to beg a tech giant — just tap into the collective machine. Smart incentives ensure fairness; AI optimizes distribution; and science advances at a speed never seen before.What about funding? Today’s grant system is a labyrinth of delays, favoritism and opaque decision-making. DeScAI could replace this outdated model with a marketplace of ideas where anyone — researchers, enthusiasts even curious citizens — can directly support groundbreaking projects. No elite panels, no endless bureaucracy. AI-assisted platforms analyze proposals, suggest collaborations, and help communities vote with their resources. If an idea has merit, it gets the backing it deserves — whether from one person or 10,000.Peer review, once the bedrock of scientific integrity, has become a bottleneck. Papers languish in submission queues for months, sometimes years, subjected to a process that is as unpredictable as it is biased. DeScAI can potentially turn peer review into a dynamic, real-time process. Research is uploaded to an immutable ledger, where AI immediately verifies data integrity and flags potential conflicts of interest. Expert reviewers — who are no longer anonymous gatekeepers but active, rewarded participants — provide transparent, constructive and traceable feedback. Reputations are built on contributions, not credentials. Science becomes an ongoing conversation, not a waiting game.Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of DeScAI is its ability to turn isolated curiosity into collective intelligence. What if an AI could help a marine biologist in Argentina and a quantum physicist in Germany stumble upon a connection neither would have made alone? What if an engineer working on renewable energy models could instantly access simulations run by climate scientists in a different hemisphere? DeScAI makes these moments of serendipity not just possible but inevitable.What about the raw material of modern science — data? Today, data is hoarded, exploited and sold without the consent of those who generate it. DeScAI shifts power back to the people. Data contributors retain ownership and are compensated when their information is used to train AI or develop new models. Blockchain solutions ensure privacy; smart contracts enforce fairness; and the age of data colonialism ends.Science should be borderless, but for too long, geography, institutions and economics have dictated who gets to participate. DeScAI erases those barriers. A young coder in Nairobi can collaborate with a neuroscientist in Seoul, not because an institution promotes it but because the infrastructure allows it. AI-driven translation tools dissolve language barriers, decentralized data sharing enables seamless collaboration, and research teams form organically around ideas, not affiliations.The resistance will be fierceAcademic publishers, government agencies and corporate research labs have built their influence on exclusivity. They will not willingly embrace an open system where knowledge flows freely, research is verifiable in real-time and funding no longer depends on institutional decisions. Some projects in this space will stumble, giving critics ammunition to dismiss the movement as they may argue that decentralized oversight cannot maintain the same level of quality control, and it is unrealistic to expect cohesive governance from a patchwork of tokenholders and autonomous agents. Yet the success of DeScAI does not hinge on dismantling the existing research order outright — it hinges on demonstrating superior efficiency, fairness and innovation. Ultimately, it offers a parallel ecosystem that anyone can join, building trust through open ledgers, cryptographic proofs and AI-verified methodologies. The direction is clear: Just as DeFi forced the banking sector to acknowledge new economic models, DeScAI will force research institutions to do the same.This is not a slow evolution — it is a shift in scientific power. The old system, built on secrecy and hierarchy, collides with an emerging model of openness and decentralization. The question for those still embedded in traditional academia is whether they will adapt or be left behind as knowledge production moves into a future they can no longer control.Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research Institute.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research InstituteScience has always been about pushing boundaries, yet today, many of those boundaries are artificial — walled-off journals, slow-moving institutions and research funding locked behind bureaucratic doors. The system is designed for gatekeepers, not explorers. But what if we could tear down those walls? What if science could be set free?Over the past few years, we’ve watched decentralized science (DeSci) morph from a radical experiment into one of crypto’s most electrifying frontiers. Once dismissed as a niche idea, DeSci is now a billion-dollar movement. As of early 2025, the top DeSci tokens collectively boast a market capitalization of around $1 billion. Momentum is undeniable: Half of the top 10 projects in the space launched just last year, according to Messari. What started as a whisper is now a roar, echoing across the halls of academia, biotech labs and decentralized autonomous organizations alike.Raw energy isn’t enough. DeSci still faces formidable challenges: scalability, quality control, reproducibility and real-world adoption. It’s a vision in motion, not a finished revolution. And that’s where artificial intelligence steps in — not just as a tool but as the missing puzzle that could propel DeSci from a bold experiment to an unstoppable force.AI is already reshaping the traditional science (TradSci) landscape: sifts through massive data sets, spots hidden patterns, cracks problems that once took decades to solve, ventures into longevity research, and accelerates drug development, materials science and computational biology. Yet, for all its promise, access to AI remains tightly controlled and monopolized by a handful of corporations, elite universities and government-backed institutions. AI’s vast potential is shackled by centralization.What if these two forces — the decentralized infrastructure of DeSci and the power of AI — merged into one system? A system where science is decentralized, intelligent, autonomous and radically open?Let’s call it DeScAI. Science, but unstoppableImagine a world where every experiment, every data set and every discovery isn’t buried in paywalled journals or trapped in proprietary vaults but flows seamlessly across a decentralized, living network. This is the vision of DeScAI, where blockchain and AI unite to build an open, intelligent and self-sustaining ecosystem. Knowledge isn’t just stored — it breathes, evolves and connects. AI curators scour vast data sets, linking research across disciplines, uncovering hidden insights and transforming isolated findings into a shared intellectual bloodstream.Recent: DeFi can help us choose the best robots for the jobFor too long, independent researchers have struggled to access the AI tools they need for research and massive data analysis. DeScAI could rewrite this equation by turning the world into a vast, decentralized supercomputer. Every idle processor, every surplus server and every untapped resource can contribute to a global grid where computing power is not a commodity but a shared asset. Need to map the human brain or train a biodiversity model? There is no need to beg a tech giant — just tap into the collective machine. Smart incentives ensure fairness; AI optimizes distribution; and science advances at a speed never seen before.What about funding? Today’s grant system is a labyrinth of delays, favoritism and opaque decision-making. DeScAI could replace this outdated model with a marketplace of ideas where anyone — researchers, enthusiasts even curious citizens — can directly support groundbreaking projects. No elite panels, no endless bureaucracy. AI-assisted platforms analyze proposals, suggest collaborations, and help communities vote with their resources. If an idea has merit, it gets the backing it deserves — whether from one person or 10,000.Peer review, once the bedrock of scientific integrity, has become a bottleneck. Papers languish in submission queues for months, sometimes years, subjected to a process that is as unpredictable as it is biased. DeScAI can potentially turn peer review into a dynamic, real-time process. Research is uploaded to an immutable ledger, where AI immediately verifies data integrity and flags potential conflicts of interest. Expert reviewers — who are no longer anonymous gatekeepers but active, rewarded participants — provide transparent, constructive and traceable feedback. Reputations are built on contributions, not credentials. Science becomes an ongoing conversation, not a waiting game.Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of DeScAI is its ability to turn isolated curiosity into collective intelligence. What if an AI could help a marine biologist in Argentina and a quantum physicist in Germany stumble upon a connection neither would have made alone? What if an engineer working on renewable energy models could instantly access simulations run by climate scientists in a different hemisphere? DeScAI makes these moments of serendipity not just possible but inevitable.What about the raw material of modern science — data? Today, data is hoarded, exploited and sold without the consent of those who generate it. DeScAI shifts power back to the people. Data contributors retain ownership and are compensated when their information is used to train AI or develop new models. Blockchain solutions ensure privacy; smart contracts enforce fairness; and the age of data colonialism ends.Science should be borderless, but for too long, geography, institutions and economics have dictated who gets to participate. DeScAI erases those barriers. A young coder in Nairobi can collaborate with a neuroscientist in Seoul, not because an institution promotes it but because the infrastructure allows it. AI-driven translation tools dissolve language barriers, decentralized data sharing enables seamless collaboration, and research teams form organically around ideas, not affiliations.The resistance will be fierceAcademic publishers, government agencies and corporate research labs have built their influence on exclusivity. They will not willingly embrace an open system where knowledge flows freely, research is verifiable in real-time and funding no longer depends on institutional decisions. Some projects in this space will stumble, giving critics ammunition to dismiss the movement as they may argue that decentralized oversight cannot maintain the same level of quality control, and it is unrealistic to expect cohesive governance from a patchwork of tokenholders and autonomous agents. Yet the success of DeScAI does not hinge on dismantling the existing research order outright — it hinges on demonstrating superior efficiency, fairness and innovation. Ultimately, it offers a parallel ecosystem that anyone can join, building trust through open ledgers, cryptographic proofs and AI-verified methodologies. The direction is clear: Just as DeFi forced the banking sector to acknowledge new economic models, DeScAI will force research institutions to do the same.This is not a slow evolution — it is a shift in scientific power. The old system, built on secrecy and hierarchy, collides with an emerging model of openness and decentralization. The question for those still embedded in traditional academia is whether they will adapt or be left behind as knowledge production moves into a future they can no longer control.Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research Institute.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research InstituteScience has always been about pushing boundaries, yet today, many of those boundaries are artificial — walled-off journals, slow-moving institutions and research funding locked behind bureaucratic doors. The system is designed for gatekeepers, not explorers. But what if we could tear down those walls? What if science could be set free?Over the past few years, we’ve watched decentralized science (DeSci) morph from a radical experiment into one of crypto’s most electrifying frontiers. Once dismissed as a niche idea, DeSci is now a billion-dollar movement. As of early 2025, the top DeSci tokens collectively boast a market capitalization of around $1 billion. Momentum is undeniable: Half of the top 10 projects in the space launched just last year, according to Messari. What started as a whisper is now a roar, echoing across the halls of academia, biotech labs and decentralized autonomous organizations alike.Raw energy isn’t enough. DeSci still faces formidable challenges: scalability, quality control, reproducibility and real-world adoption. It’s a vision in motion, not a finished revolution. And that’s where artificial intelligence steps in — not just as a tool but as the missing puzzle that could propel DeSci from a bold experiment to an unstoppable force.AI is already reshaping the traditional science (TradSci) landscape: sifts through massive data sets, spots hidden patterns, cracks problems that once took decades to solve, ventures into longevity research, and accelerates drug development, materials science and computational biology. Yet, for all its promise, access to AI remains tightly controlled and monopolized by a handful of corporations, elite universities and government-backed institutions. AI’s vast potential is shackled by centralization.What if these two forces — the decentralized infrastructure of DeSci and the power of AI — merged into one system? A system where science is decentralized, intelligent, autonomous and radically open?Let’s call it DeScAI. Science, but unstoppableImagine a world where every experiment, every data set and every discovery isn’t buried in paywalled journals or trapped in proprietary vaults but flows seamlessly across a decentralized, living network. This is the vision of DeScAI, where blockchain and AI unite to build an open, intelligent and self-sustaining ecosystem. Knowledge isn’t just stored — it breathes, evolves and connects. AI curators scour vast data sets, linking research across disciplines, uncovering hidden insights and transforming isolated findings into a shared intellectual bloodstream.Recent: DeFi can help us choose the best robots for the jobFor too long, independent researchers have struggled to access the AI tools they need for research and massive data analysis. DeScAI could rewrite this equation by turning the world into a vast, decentralized supercomputer. Every idle processor, every surplus server and every untapped resource can contribute to a global grid where computing power is not a commodity but a shared asset. Need to map the human brain or train a biodiversity model? There is no need to beg a tech giant — just tap into the collective machine. Smart incentives ensure fairness; AI optimizes distribution; and science advances at a speed never seen before.What about funding? Today’s grant system is a labyrinth of delays, favoritism and opaque decision-making. DeScAI could replace this outdated model with a marketplace of ideas where anyone — researchers, enthusiasts even curious citizens — can directly support groundbreaking projects. No elite panels, no endless bureaucracy. AI-assisted platforms analyze proposals, suggest collaborations, and help communities vote with their resources. If an idea has merit, it gets the backing it deserves — whether from one person or 10,000.Peer review, once the bedrock of scientific integrity, has become a bottleneck. Papers languish in submission queues for months, sometimes years, subjected to a process that is as unpredictable as it is biased. DeScAI can potentially turn peer review into a dynamic, real-time process. Research is uploaded to an immutable ledger, where AI immediately verifies data integrity and flags potential conflicts of interest. Expert reviewers — who are no longer anonymous gatekeepers but active, rewarded participants — provide transparent, constructive and traceable feedback. Reputations are built on contributions, not credentials. Science becomes an ongoing conversation, not a waiting game.Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of DeScAI is its ability to turn isolated curiosity into collective intelligence. What if an AI could help a marine biologist in Argentina and a quantum physicist in Germany stumble upon a connection neither would have made alone? What if an engineer working on renewable energy models could instantly access simulations run by climate scientists in a different hemisphere? DeScAI makes these moments of serendipity not just possible but inevitable.What about the raw material of modern science — data? Today, data is hoarded, exploited and sold without the consent of those who generate it. DeScAI shifts power back to the people. Data contributors retain ownership and are compensated when their information is used to train AI or develop new models. Blockchain solutions ensure privacy; smart contracts enforce fairness; and the age of data colonialism ends.Science should be borderless, but for too long, geography, institutions and economics have dictated who gets to participate. DeScAI erases those barriers. A young coder in Nairobi can collaborate with a neuroscientist in Seoul, not because an institution promotes it but because the infrastructure allows it. AI-driven translation tools dissolve language barriers, decentralized data sharing enables seamless collaboration, and research teams form organically around ideas, not affiliations.The resistance will be fierceAcademic publishers, government agencies and corporate research labs have built their influence on exclusivity. They will not willingly embrace an open system where knowledge flows freely, research is verifiable in real-time and funding no longer depends on institutional decisions. Some projects in this space will stumble, giving critics ammunition to dismiss the movement as they may argue that decentralized oversight cannot maintain the same level of quality control, and it is unrealistic to expect cohesive governance from a patchwork of tokenholders and autonomous agents. Yet the success of DeScAI does not hinge on dismantling the existing research order outright — it hinges on demonstrating superior efficiency, fairness and innovation. Ultimately, it offers a parallel ecosystem that anyone can join, building trust through open ledgers, cryptographic proofs and AI-verified methodologies. The direction is clear: Just as DeFi forced the banking sector to acknowledge new economic models, DeScAI will force research institutions to do the same.This is not a slow evolution — it is a shift in scientific power. The old system, built on secrecy and hierarchy, collides with an emerging model of openness and decentralization. The question for those still embedded in traditional academia is whether they will adapt or be left behind as knowledge production moves into a future they can no longer control.Opinion by: Sasha Shilina, PhD, founder of Episteme and researcher at Paradigm Research Institute.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Since the advent of restaking bitcoin and Babylon’s leading role in the space, restaked bitcoin protocols have exploded onto the scene with phenomenal momentum. Over the past nine months, these protocols have skyrocketed by 4,459%, showcasing a significant upward trajectory. From $69 Million to $3.1 Billion: The Meteoric Growth of Restaked Bitcoin Ecosystems Bitcoin-based decentralized […]

Bitcoin (BTC) is experiencing a notable price recovery, reclaiming the $85,000 level after a 4.3% increase in the past 24 hours. This rebound has sparked renewed optimism among investors, who are now looking for signs of further momentum in the market. However, while Bitcoin is showing signs of a potential uptrend, on-chain data suggests that market demand remains weak, which could impact the sustainability of this rally. Related Reading: Bitcoin & Altcoin Volume Fades—Investor Exhaustion Setting In? Bitcoin Demand Drops Despite Price Recovery Recent on-chain analysis by CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost has revealed that Bitcoin’s current demand is at its weakest level of the year. His research highlights a key supply-demand ratio, showing a steady decline in Bitcoin accumulation since December 2024. This lack of demand, coupled with ongoing economic and political uncertainty, may indicate that investors are exercising caution before making larger commitments. According to Darkfost’s analysis, Bitcoin demand is measured by comparing new supply entering the market to the supply that has remained inactive for over a year. When this ratio falls below zero, it indicates that fewer BTC are being actively accumulated, which can signal a negative demand shift. The weakest Bitcoin demand of the year “Demand has been weakening since December and continues to decline over time. This suggests that investors are becoming more cautious and may be shifting toward less risky assets.” – By @Darkfost_Coc Read more 👇https://t.co/0aw9CEFHPe pic.twitter.com/NRqS1k6t3g — CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) March 14, 2025 His findings suggest that investor interest in Bitcoin has been weakening for months, despite short-term price movements suggesting otherwise. The decline in demand aligns with broader economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. Investors appear to be moving towards less volatile assets, which could explain the gradual slowdown in Bitcoin’s accumulation rate, Darkfost reveals. While this does not necessarily signal a bearish outlook, it does suggest that market conditions remain fragile, and Bitcoin’s price action may be highly reactive to upcoming economic events. Key Levels and BTC Predictions Despite the concerns surrounding weaker demand, analysts remain optimistic about Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory. Javon Marks, a widely followed crypto analyst, has shared a Bitcoin price target of over $500,000. This pattern confirmation on Bitcoin suggests to get ready for All Time Highs to return because strength is still underlying in prices despite the pullbacks! A massive +36% recovery, pre-continuation, and based on the previous setup, the continuation can be massive.$BTC https://t.co/Rrlh2QHMpK pic.twitter.com/1bj1T8IJHG — JAVON⚡️MARKS (@JavonTM1) March 13, 2025 He pointed out that historical price structures indicate the possibility of a major bull phase, suggesting that BTC may be approaching its strongest bullish period yet. Additionally, another analyst, Ali, highlighted Bitcoin’s recent ascending triangle formation, a pattern that typically signals a breakout opportunity. Related Reading: Bitcoin Investors Shift To Strong Distribution As Demand Fades, Glassnode Reveals In his analysis, Ali noted that if BTC were to break past the $84,000 resistance level, a 9% price surge could follow.  As of now, BTC has already surpassed this critical level, raising the possibility of an extended rally if buying pressure sustains. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView