The Journal.
Essays, interviews and dispatches on technology, leadership and the new digital economy.
Press coverage and interviews: see Press
All news & articles.
- Jun 26, 2025
Crypto is Pointless? Alessio Vinassa on the Power of Decentralized Systems
“Crypto is pointless.”That’s the conclusion many skeptics reach after seeing headlines about hacks, meme coins, and wild speculation. On the surface, it can feel like the entire space is built on hype, not substance. But this statement misunderstands something critical: crypto is just one output of a much deeper, revolutionary idea—decentralization. This article dives into […]
Read article - Jun 25, 2025
DAOs are Chaos? Alessio Vinassa Makes the Case for Decentralized Governance
To an outsider, DAOs—Decentralized Autonomous Organizations—can seem like a recipe for disaster. No CEO, no boardroom, and decision-making by token holders? Critics call it chaos. And yet, this so-called “chaos” might just be one of the most innovative governance experiments of our time. This article explores why DAOs are often misunderstood, how they are evolving […]
Read article - Jun 24, 2025
Smart Contracts Are Flawed? Alessio Vinassa on Why Trustless Automation Still Matters
Smart contracts have often been heralded as one of blockchain’s most revolutionary features—self-executing code that operates without intermediaries. But they’ve also drawn criticism for being too rigid, prone to bugs, and difficult to update. Critics argue that smart contracts are flawed, overhyped, and unfit for real-world complexity. Yet, like all foundational technologies, their imperfections
Read article - Jun 23, 2025
Blockchain is Too Slow? Alessio Vinassa on How Scalability is Being Solved
One of the most persistent criticisms of blockchain technology is its performance—specifically, its lack of speed and low transaction throughput compared to traditional centralized systems. When Bitcoin can only handle 7 transactions per second (TPS) and Ethereum averages around 15–30 TPS, critics understandably raise eyebrows when blockchain is proposed as the foundation for the internet […]
Read article - Jun 22, 2025
DeFi is Too Risky? Alessio Vinassa Explores the Core Principles of Financial Decentralization
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) has been one of the most explosive narratives in the Web3 space. From yield farming to lending protocols and decentralized exchanges, DeFi promises a world where anyone with an internet connection can access borderless, permissionless financial tools. But with great promise comes intense scrutiny. Skeptics argue that DeFi is inherently risky. They […]
Read article - Jun 21, 2025
The Metaverse is a Gimmick? Alessio Vinassa Highlights Real Use Cases for Immersive Digital Worlds
The term “metaverse” has been tossed around with reckless abandon over the past few years. From flashy product launches to corporate rebrands, the idea of persistent virtual worlds where people live, work, and play has captured mainstream attention—only to fizzle under the weight of speculation, half-baked platforms, and cartoonish avatars. Many now see the metaverse […]
Read article - Jun 20, 2025
GameFi is a Ponzi Scheme? Alessio Vinassa Rethinks Incentives in Play-and-Earn Economies
GameFi—the fusion of gaming and decentralized finance—rose quickly, attracting millions with the promise of “play-to-earn.” Players could earn real-world value by participating in blockchain games, often through NFTs, staking, and tokenized rewards. But just as quickly, criticism flooded in. “GameFi is just another Ponzi scheme,” detractors claimed. And in many early cases, they weren’t entirely [
Read article - Jun 19, 2025
Coordination Without Command: Alessio Vinassa on the Real Value of Decentralized Systems
In a world where hierarchies have long been the default mode of organization — from governments to corporations — the idea of effective collaboration without a central authority may sound unrealistic. Yet, this is exactly what decentralized systems offer: coordination without command, and it’s a concept that is quietly transforming how we think about leadership, […]
Read article - Jun 18, 2025
Taking Back Control in the Web3 Era: Digital Sovereignty According to Alessio Vinassa
In an age where data is constantly harvested, profiles are commodified, and platforms dictate the rules of engagement, the concept of digital sovereignty has never been more relevant — or more urgent. For entrepreneurs navigating an increasingly digital and international world, control over identity, access, and data is no longer a luxury — it’s a […]
Read article - Jun 17, 2025
Trust Without Middlemen: How Web3 Rebuilds Digital Confidence with Alessio Vinassa
Trust is the invisible currency of the digital world. Every time we sign in, share data, or make a transaction online, we trust that the system will work — that our identities are protected, our data is secure, and our intentions are honored. But what happens when that trust is broken? Over the past decade, […]
Read article - Jun 16, 2025
The Philosophy of Open Source: Alessio Vinassa on Community-Led Innovation in Web3
The internet was born from collaboration — from coders, dreamers, and developers working together across borders to build a global network. But somewhere along the way, much of that open, cooperative spirit was lost to monopolies, gatekeepers, and centralized control. Web3 is bringing that spirit back — and not just as a technical model, but […]
Read article - Jun 15, 2025
Rethinking Enterprise: Alessio Vinassa on How Web3 is Reshaping Business Structures
The way we build, lead, and grow companies is undergoing a seismic shift. For more than a century, the corporate world has been shaped by traditional hierarchies: CEOs at the top, departments below, and rigid chains of command. But in an increasingly digital and interconnected world, these legacy structures are starting to show their age. […]
Read article