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Industries

Data and energy are the lifeblood of any AI-driven economy but culture is still king.

Cross-cutting technologies—blockchain, AI, IoT, edge computing—are converging to create decentralized protocol infrastructure networks (DePINs). As permissionless, truth-bound protocols mature and tokenized asset ecosystems grow, increasingly innovative applications will emerge across all industries.

Evolution​

Progress through the ages has been marked by distinct industrial revolutions, each bringing new technologies and transforming the way we live and work.

EraPeriodDefining Features
Industry 1.01760-1840Mechanization, steam power, water-powered manufacturing
Industry 2.01870-1914Mass production, electricity, assembly lines
Industry 3.01970s-2000sAutomation, computers, electronics, IT systems
Industry 4.02010s-presentSmart systems, cyber-physical systems, IoT, networks
Industry 5.02020s-presentAugmented workforce, agent collaboration, decentralized identity, tokenization. Arriving now.
Industry 6.02027+Closed-loop AI and DePIN feedback systems, autonomous self-healing ecosystems, network states. Beginning.
Mantra

The future is already here but it is not evenly distributed

The Acceleration Gap​

February 2020, most people thought a virus in Wuhan was overblown. February 2026, most people think AI capability is overblown. The pattern rhymes.

AI models now have judgment, complete multi-hour tasks autonomously, and build themselves. The gap between insider knowledge and public perception IS the positioning window. By the time consensus forms, the window closes.

MindsetBeliefOutcome
Dismissive"This seems overblown"Caught flat when reality lands
Reactive"This changes everything"Scrambles without framework
Positioned"I control what I control"Builds platform while others debate

The third mindset is the only one that compounds. Not prediction. Position. See governance for why the capability gap exceeds institutional response time.

Foundations​

Industries that serve essential human needs (Te Whare Tapa Wha):

NeedIndustryDePIN Opportunity
FoodAgriculture & FoodSupply chain transparency, precision farming
ShelterReal EstateProperty tokenization, smart contracts, title management
HealthHealthcareSecure EHRs, genomics data protection, precision medicine
SecuritySecurityCrime prevention, identity verification
ConnectionEducationOur greatest capability is collaborative coordination

Culture​

Industries that shape how societies think, decide, and act:

IndustryDePIN Opportunity
GamingIn-game asset NFTs, play-to-earn, decentralized platforms
EntertainmentCreator monetization, royalty automation, digital rights
MusicDirect artist-to-fan payments, transparent royalties
Sport & FitnessFan tokens, event ticketing, athlete data ownership
TravelDecentralized booking, reputation portability, tokenized loyalty
FashionAuthenticity verification, sustainable supply chains
HospitalityReputation systems, peer-to-peer booking
tip

Crypto is a Cultural Movement

Frontier​

Where science becomes economics. High uncertainty, high ABCD opportunity, asymmetric returns for those who position early.

IndustryScience FoundationDePIN OpportunityThree Flows Application
RoboticsAI + Mechanical EngineeringMobile agents, task completionIntent → Path AI → Robot → Settle
SpacePhysics + AerospaceOrbital infrastructure, satellitesIntent → Ground station → Satellite → Settle
MaterialsChemistry + PhysicsNovel alloys, sensors, batteriesDiscovery → Process → Verify → Market
QuantumQuantum MechanicsCompute, sensing, cryptographyProblem → Quantum solver → Proof → Result

The pattern: Every mature industry was once frontier. Telecom (1900), Computing (1970), Internet (1995), Crypto (2015). Position at frontier before commoditization.

The value migration: Science discovers → Protocols standardize → Standards industrialize → Margins compress → Value moves to edges. See The Value Migration for why frontier captures discovery value while mature industries capture edge value.

The thesis: Frontier is where the 2027 thesis plays out first — AI + data entering self-reinforcing loops in greenfield territory.

Infrastructure​

The backbone systems that enable everything else:

IndustryDePIN Opportunity
EnergyPeer-to-peer trading, carbon credits, micro-grids
Mobility & TransportVehicle financing, parts tracing, autonomous fleets
Supply ChainTracking, verification, automated payments
TelecommunicationsDecentralized networks, bandwidth markets
ManufacturingIoT integration, quality verification
ConstructionProject coordination, materials provenance

Services​

IndustryDePIN Opportunity
Financial ServicesDEXs, P2P lending, automated insurance, stablecoins
GovernanceSecure voting, digital identity, public records
Legal & RegulationSmart contracts, compliance automation

The Question​

Which countries have the culture and governance to adapt fastest when AI capability exceeds institutional response time?

The Vertical Opportunity Matrix​

Use Matrix Thinking to make hidden opportunities visible. Cross industry verticals with ABCD forces:

IndustryAI OpportunityBlockchain OpportunityCrypto OpportunityDePIN Opportunity
Real EstateValuation, matchingTitle registryTokenized ownershipSensor data layer
TelecomNetwork routingSettlement layerToken incentivesDistributed infrastructure
EnergyGrid optimizationCarbon creditsP2P tradingSmart meters
HealthcareDiagnosis, researchCredential verificationPatient data ownershipWearables, IoT
RoboticsPath planning, manipulationProof of work, ownershipTask completion rewardsPhysical agents
SpaceOrbital optimizationData provenanceTokenized capacitySatellites, ground stations

Empty cells are gaps. See Idea Discovery for the forces creating friction, and Vertical Integration for the strategy to capture value once you find it.

Data Value Matrix​

The most valuable data for AI training comes from DePIN devices capturing ground truth. See Data Flow for principles.

VerticalMost Valuable DataDePIN Capture DeviceAI Training Value
HealthcareBiometrics, outcomesWearables, medical IoTVery High
Real EstateTransactions, conditionsSmart sensors, metersHigh
EnergyGeneration, consumptionSmart meters, batteriesVery High
MobilityRoutes, vehicle stateTelemetry, camerasVery High
AgricultureSoil, weather, yieldField sensors, dronesHigh
ManufacturingProcess, equipmentFactory IoT, roboticsHigh
ConstructionProgress, materialsSite sensors, dronesMedium
RoboticsTask outcomes, manipulationRobot sensors, camerasVery High
SpaceEarth observation, orbitalSatellites, ground stationsVery High

The loop: DePIN captures → Clean/Fast/Open data → AI learns → Better predictions → More value → Better devices

Build or Buy?​

Different industries have different data sovereignty requirements. See Buy or Build for the decision framework:

VerticalData SensitivitySaaS FeaturesCrypto-Enabled Opportunity
HealthcareVery High (PII, PHI)CRM, SchedulingSecure EHRs, patient-owned records
Real EstateHigh (transactions)CRM, LegalProperty tokenization, smart contracts
FinanceVery High (regulated)Analytics, BIDEXs, verifiable compliance
GamingMedium (player data)Community, LoyaltyNFT assets, play-to-earn
Supply ChainHigh (provenance)BPM, AnalyticsDePIN tracking, attestations

See Vertical RaaS for the playbook and SaaS Toolkit for feature specs.

Resources​