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Protocols

A protocol is a specific set of rules for how things interact; a standard is an agreed reference that many parties adopt so different systems can work together. In practice, many protocols themselves are formally standardized.

Protocols operationalize principles—they sequence first truths into repeatable methods. In the knowledge stack, protocols sit between primitives (what's possible) and standards (what's proven). When protocols prove reliable across contexts, they graduate to standards.

The Missing Layer: Procedural Knowledge​

Most organizations have Process Knowledge—tacit understanding that lives in heads and Slack threads. It is invisible to anyone who wasn't in the room.

To build Agentic Systems, this must be transformed into Procedural Knowledge—making the invisible visible so that Agents (who were never in the room) can follow the reasoning.

Knowledge TypeLocationFormatVisibility
Process KnowledgeHeads, Slack, ConversationsImplicitInvisible (User unaware)
Procedural KnowledgeOntologies, WorkflowsExplicitVisible (Agency enabled)

Standards are the glue that allow this transformation. They provide the shared language (Ontology) so an AI Agent can trace the reasoning (Decision Trace) behind a specific Workflow Execution. without this, Agents hit a wall—they can see what happened, but not why.

Categories​

Standards compound with each protocol that removes friction for future coordination interactions.

Mantra

Better Protocols, Better Standards, Better Outcomes, Better World

Principles​

A protocol is a defined set of rules, formats, and procedures that govern how entities communicate or interact, such as how messages are structured, sent, received, and responded to.

Compounding Effect​

Protocols → Standards → Platform → Agency

Protocols create predictable results. This is why they matter:

PROTOCOL → Expected Results → Bettable → Capital Inflow

When protocols consistently produce expected outcomes, those outcomes become predictable enough to bet on. Prediction markets price beliefs about protocol outcomes. Capital flows to accurate predictions. Futarchy uses this for governance.

Standards are protocols that have proven reliable across contexts. They graduate from "this works for us" to "this works for everyone."

Individual Protocol (e.g., "we use TypeScript")
         ↓
Standard Emerges (consistent patterns across codebase)
         ↓
Platform Strengthens (new features build on proven foundations)
         ↓
Capability Expands (what was hard becomes easy)
         ↓
Next Protocol (higher-level standards become possible)

Each protocol you adopt makes the next one more powerful. This is why mature platforms can move faster than startups—they're not faster at coding, they're faster at not coordinating.

Agentic​

AI + Crypto Rails = Autonomous Agentic Commerce

  • Agent Protocols: How AI agents communicate, transact, and coordinate
    • A2A: Agent-to-Agent communication
    • MCP: Model Context Protocol for AI tool use
    • ACP: Agent Commerce Protocol for autonomous transactions
    • PCP: Proof of Creativity for value attribution
  • IMP: Intercognitive Machine Protocol for physical AI/robotics

Productivity​

Productivity

  • Time Blocking
  • Working Memory
  • Routine Habits

Technology and Computing

Scientific Research​

  • Laboratory procedures
  • Experimental design
  • Data collection and analysis

Healthcare​

Healthcare

  • Clinical trials
  • Patient care procedures
  • Medical imaging protocols

Finance and Investing

  • Trading protocols
  • Risk management procedures
  • Financial reporting standards

Manufacturing and Engineering

  • Quality control processes
  • Safety protocols
  • Design and testing procedures

Telecommunications

  • Mobile communication standards (e.g., 5G, LTE)
  • Satellite communication protocols
  • VoIP protocols

Environmental Science

  • Environmental monitoring procedures
  • Sustainability assessment protocols
  • Climate data collection and analysis

Construction and Architecture

  • Building codes and standards
  • Project management methodologies
  • Safety and inspection protocols

Diplomacy and International Relations

  • Diplomatic protocols
  • Treaty negotiation procedures
  • International law frameworks

Education and Training

  • Curriculum development standards
  • Assessment protocols
  • Online learning frameworks

Communication

Blockchain Protocols​

Smart contracts and on-chain settlement:

Development Resources​

DePIN​

Infrastructure Protocols: Notable DePIN projects that are pioneering the future of trade and industry.

  • 375ai AI and [Real-Time Real-World Marketing
  • Baxus Direct connection between supplier and consumer
  • Helium provides decentralized wireless infrastructure.

Context​

The Loop Connection​

Protocols sit in the Control System—they encode how action happens:

    [P] PERCEIVE ← "What standards exist?"
   /           \
  /             \
[A] ----------- [Q]
ACT          QUESTION
"Follow the    "Does this protocol
 protocol"      still serve us?"

Protocols must evolve. The question isn't "do we have protocols?" but "are our protocols compounding into platform strength?"

→ Protocols compound to build Platform → Platform enables Products

The Protocol Hierarchy​

Not all protocols are equal. Some enable others:

LevelExamplesEnables
FoundationTypeScript, Git, Code standardsEverything above
CoordinationCommunication, Meetings, DocsTeam effectiveness
DeliveryCI/CD, Testing, DeploymentShip velocity
InnovationExperimentation, Learning, IterationFuture capability

Focus protocol adoption bottom-up. Foundation protocols unlock everything above.

What protocol would remove the most friction from your next thousand decisions?