...Rock With You ...Rock the Night Away
If you've ever sent mobile credit to family back home or topped up a prepaid plan for international calls, you're already part of a massive global economy. Billions of people worldwide rely on mobile top-ups to stay connected across borders. What you might not know is that dozens of cryptocurrency projects have tried—and largely failed—to revolutionize this market using blockchain technology.
But what if those failures were just early attempts at something bigger? What if the real opportunity isn't just cheaper phone credits, but the foundation for a working Universal Basic Income system?
Over the past decade, numerous blockchain-based mobile top-up projects launched with ambitious promises. They'd eliminate middlemen, reduce fees, and bring financial inclusion to underserved communities. Projects with names like Electroneum, Dent, and others attracted millions in funding and thousands of users.
Most fizzled out or pivoted away from their original vision. The technology worked, technically speaking. You could track mobile purchases on a blockchain. But the business models couldn't compete with established players, and adoption never reached critical mass.
Yet the core insight remains valid: mobile phone usage creates perfect data for tracking economic activity and distributing resources fairly.
Think about it. Nearly everyone has a mobile phone. People already understand buying credit and using their phones for essential communication. The infrastructure exists globally, especially in communities that need economic support most.
Here's where it gets interesting: What if a UBI system was built on this foundation, but made sustainable through advertising revenue?
Imagine earning universal basic income by participating in a shared advertising ecosystem. When you receive your monthly mobile credit as part of UBI, you also get access to an ad-supported platform with shortened links. Every time someone uses a shortened link, the advertising revenue gets distributed back to the community. Shortening links is genuinely valuable for advertisers—it tracks engagement, saves character space, and improves user experience.
This isn't about forcing anyone to watch ads. It's about creating a voluntary, opt-in system where your participation in the digital economy generates the resources that support you.
One crucial element: UBI payments should count as work for welfare eligibility purposes. If someone receives UBI at a level that qualifies them for additional welfare benefits, that's by design, not a bug. The goal is lifting people up, not creating bureaucratic barriers.
The amount should be calibrated so that someone relying entirely on UBI would also qualify for complementary assistance programs. This creates a safety net with layers, ensuring no one falls through the cracks while they build toward greater financial stability.
People making international calls are already navigating currency exchanges, varying rates, and complex payment systems. They understand value across borders. This community could be the perfect testing ground for a UBI system that works globally, not just within one country's borders.
The failed digital currency mobile projects showed us the technology works. Now we need the right economic model—one that's sustainable, inclusive, and built on real value creation. Mobile top-ups might just be where that journey begins.
