A Haircut, a Conversation, and the Real Value of Pi
Yesterday, I spent more time than usual at the barber—not just getting a haircut, but explaining blockchain technology to him and his colleagues. Not crypto speculation, not moonshots—just the fundamentals of a decentralized, trustless system and why it matters.
For the first time, my barber had an aha! moment. By the end of our talk, he was convinced enough to take a leap: he started accepting Pi for haircuts. 🚀
To help him get started—since it was his first real experience with crypto—we even set up a simple exchange account, so he could begin exploring the ecosystem and understanding how things work beyond just receiving Pi.
So, naturally, we checked the Pi value at that moment, did some quick math, and rounded it (low) to 1.5 USDT per Pi. I paid 10 Pi for my cut. No fiat, no bank in between—just a direct transaction.
Then this morning, as I checked Pi’s latest value, it hit me:
💡 That same haircut today would have cost me 7 Pi.
I'm sure my barber is happier today about the deal… and I’m excited to chat with him next time I get a cut!
And that’s the point. Pi is no longer just an idea—it’s becoming a real exchange of value. The more people accept it, the more its role in daily life shifts from a "future possibility" to a functional digital economy.
Who’s next?
How much will my next haircut cost me?
😉
Solana Unveils Smart Wallets—Revolutionizing Crypto UX with Zero Gas Fees!
Solana launched Solana Smart Wallets, eliminating gas fees and private key risks. In collaboration with Crossmint and Squads Protocol, these wallets enhance security and user experience by removing transaction approval prompts. The integration also allows developers to integrate wallets with just ten lines of code, offering scalability to millions of users.
Crossmint’s Solana Smart Wallets introduce an embedded wallet system designed for security and ease of use. Unlike traditional wallets, programmable smart contracts replace seed phrases, private keys, and gas fees. Developers can build applications without facing the usual challenges of crypto transactions.
Unlike traditional embedded wallets, which typically just protect a wallet private key using social log-ins, smart wallets are a new generation of wallets built as programmable smart contracts.
They unlock major UX and security improvements compared to standard wallets.
— Crossmint (@crossmint) February 20, 2025
For enterprises, flexible custody structures allow multiple keys to control one wallet address. Users manage access through preferred non-custodial wallets like Phantom, while businesses integrate a server-side admin signer to automate transactions securely. Smart wallets streamline operations, delivering a faster and more efficient experience.
Squads Protocol powers the system, securing over $10 billion in digital assets. Strong security measures support large-scale adoption, making the technology ideal for financial institutions, gaming platforms, and AI-driven applications.
One of the biggest pain points in blockchain adoption has been gas fees and signing prompts, often discouraging new users. Solana’s gasless model removes that hurdle, making blockchain technology more appealing for everyday applications. AI-driven agents, gaming platforms, and financial services now have a smoother way to interact with users.
They're perfect for:
~ AI Agent providers: Launch fleets of non-custodial agents, with wallets controlled by the agent and owner
~ Gaming & Social: Create app-scoped wallets, without scary gas or signing prompts, for everyday users
~ Financial applications: Protect your user’s…
— Crossmint (@crossmint) February 20, 2025
For AI applications, businesses can launch non-custodial AI agents that control wallets on behalf of users. These AI-driven wallets function without human intervention, allowing for automated payments and digital asset management.
In gaming and SocialFi, app-specific wallets eliminate the need for gas fees and manual approvals, allowing players to make in-game purchases seamlessly. This new model significantly reduces friction, opening doors for blockchain-based gaming to compete with traditional mobile and console platforms.
Financial institutions have shown strong interest in integrating these wallets due to their security, scalability, and compliance-friendly architecture. By using programmable guardrails, fintech companies can offer non-custodial financial services without putting users at risk.
They're perfect for:
~ AI Agent providers: Launch fleets of non-custodial agents, with wallets controlled by the agent and owner
~ Gaming & Social: Create app-scoped wallets, without scary gas or signing prompts, for everyday users
~ Financial applications: Protect your user’s…
— Crossmint (@crossmint) February 20, 2025
One of the standout features is multi-party computation ( MPC ) and social logins, giving businesses flexibility in how they authenticate users. Unlike other wallets, there’s no vendor lock-in, allowing companies to switch providers without changing wallet addresses. This reduces dependency on a single infrastructure, making adoption more flexible and future-proof.
Solana Smart Wallets also facilitate cross-chain transactions, allowing users to buy, sell, or trade assets across different networks without dealing with multiple wallets. This shift pushes blockchain closer to mainstream financial adoption, bridging the gap between traditional banking and digital assets.
eXch platform denies laundering claims linked to $1.4B Bybit hack
eXch, a centralized exchange that does not require user KYC verification, has denied claims that it's laundering funds from the recent $1.4 billion Bybit hack, which has been linked to the North Korean hacking group Lazarus, according to The Block. The platform argues that these allegations are driven by those who are against the fungibility and on-chain privacy of decentralized cryptocurrencies.
Despite this, blockchain analysts have noted unusual ETH transfers to eXch, with a significant increase in volume: 20,000 $ETH in the past 24 hours compared to the usual 800 ETH. Meanwhile, eXch acknowledged on a forum post that an "insignificant portion" of the hacked Bybit funds did reach their platform, describing it as an "isolated case."