Bitcoin

Roam Champions Decentralized Connectivity at KBW2025

Published

2 months ago

September 24, 2025

Seoul, South Korea – September 24, 2025 –

Amid the electric atmosphere of Korea Blockchain Week (KBW2025), Roam, the pioneering Web3 DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) WiFi and eSIM platform, has emerged as a beacon for the future of global connectivity. As a proud sponsor of the flagship KBW2025: IMPACT conference, Roam is not just participating—it’s championing a vision where decentralized networks empower users to own, share, and monetize their digital lifelines. With over 61,700 attendees flocking to Seoul from September 22-28, the event has solidified its status as Asia’s premier Web3 gathering, and Roam’s presence underscores the seamless fusion of blockchain innovation with everyday telecom challenges.

KBW2025: A Global Hub for Web3 Innovation

Korea Blockchain Week, founded in 2018 by FACTBLOCK and co-hosted by Hashed, has evolved into a week-long festival blending keynotes, panels, workshops, and immersive side events. This year’s edition, themed around “IMPACT,” drew Hollywood stars like T.J. Miller, NBA champion Tristan Thompson, and blockchain luminaries such as Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson and TRON’s Justin Sun. Held at the luxurious Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts on September 23-24, the main conference sold out rapidly, attracting over 870 speakers and 300+ sponsors, including title partners like Spacecoin and DogeOS.

The event’s agenda spanned DeFi, NFTs, AI-blockchain intersections, and regulatory dialogues, with a spotlight on real-world applications. Side events, numbering over 780, turned Seoul into a vibrant ecosystem of networking and cultural fusion—think K-pop infused Web3 panels and AI-driven art installations. For Roam, KBW2025 represented more than a stage; it was a strategic launchpad to bridge Eastern and Western Web3 communities, highlighting how decentralized infrastructure can address the $600 billion telecom bottleneck.

Roam’s Decentralized Revolution: Connectivity Without Borders

At its core, Roam is redefining telecom by democratizing access to high-speed internet. Founded in 2021 by MetaBlox Labs, the platform leverages blockchain, Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), and Verifiable Credentials (VCs) to create a seamless, secure global network. Users download the Roam app to tap into over 3.5 million OpenRoaming hotspots across 190+ countries, powered by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) standards. But Roam goes further: it’s a community-owned ecosystem where participants earn $ROAM tokens for sharing unused bandwidth.

Key offerings include:

eSIM Services: Affordable data plans charging local rates in 160+ countries, slashing traveler costs by up to 80%. Payments accept everything from fiat to stablecoins and $ROAM, bridging Web2 and Web3 users effortlessly.
WiFi Routers: Devices like the Rainier MAX60 (WiFi 6 mining router) and Baker MAX30 (compact access point) allow anyone to contribute nodes, boosting coverage while generating passive rewards.
Incentivized Growth: With 6.4 million active devices and integrations like Solana’s ecosystem, Roam ranks among Messari’s top DePIN projects for node activity. Users mine points via daily check-ins, staking, or hosting miners, fostering a self-sustaining loop.

This model tackles centralized telecom’s pain points—high costs, limited access in underserved areas, and privacy risks—by empowering individuals as stakeholders. As Roam’s whitepaper notes, “Roam the World, Connect the People” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a blueprint for a transparent, user-driven wireless future.

Spotlight at KBW2025: Roam’s Vision Takes Center Stage

Roam’s sponsorship of KBW2025: IMPACT wasn’t mere branding— it was a bold statement on decentralized connectivity’s role in Web3’s next wave. At the conference, Roam unveiled demos of its AI-ready network, showcasing how tokenized incentives could scale global coverage. “We’re not building another app; we’re architecting an open wireless standard where users own the pipes,” said a Roam spokesperson during a panel on DePIN innovations. The session drew packed rooms, with attendees from Hashed and Hyperliquid exploring integrations for enterprise eSIMs and targeted Web3 advertising.

Side events amplified the buzz: Roam hosted pop-up hotspots at Itaewon venues, letting delegates experience zero-friction roaming while earning micro-rewards. Partnerships with local Web3 builders, like Superteam Korea, highlighted Korea’s potential as a DePIN hub, given its 5G prowess and blockchain-savvy population. One highlight? A live demo linking Roam’s network to Polygon executives discussing IP-blockchain synergies, proving decentralized WiFi’s edge in content delivery.

The timing couldn’t be more poignant. With Roam’s 2024 milestones—including a pilot “burning” pool for token sustainability and Binance ecosystem listings—KBW2025 marked a pivot toward Asia. “Korea isn’t just a market; it’s a proving ground for inclusive tech,” the spokesperson added. Attendees raved about the eSIM’s cost savings, with one investor noting, “This is DeFi for data—borderless and bankless.”

Why Decentralized Connectivity Matters Now

In a world where 2.6 billion people lack reliable internet, Roam’s model isn’t optional—it’s essential. Traditional carriers grapple with ballooning 5G investments amid stagnant revenues, while consumers demand affordability and privacy. Decentralized networks flip the script: peer-to-peer sharing reduces infrastructure costs, blockchain ensures tamper-proof billing, and tokenomics align incentives for growth.

At KBW2025, this narrative resonated amid broader discussions on Web3’s societal impact. Panels on asset tokenization echoed Roam’s ethos—turning idle resources (like home WiFi) into yield-bearing assets. As T.J. Miller quipped during his keynote, “Blockchain’s turning sci-fi into WiFi.” Roam’s stats back it up: millions of nodes mean lower latency (averaging 75ms globally) and higher uptime, rivaling centralized giants without the gatekeepers.

Critics might point to scalability hurdles, like regulatory silos or adoption curves, but Roam’s traction—10 million+ hotspots deployed—signals momentum. By blending OpenRoaming with DePIN, it’s not disrupting telecom; it’s evolving it into a public good.

Looking Ahead: Roam’s Global Roam

KBW2025 closes with Roam energized for expansion. Upcoming roadmaps include deeper Solana ties for faster transactions and enterprise pilots in emerging markets. “We’ve connected the unconnected; now we’re rewarding the connected,” the team affirmed.

As delegates depart Seoul, Roam’s message lingers: True decentralization starts with the signal. In an era of fragmented networks, Roam isn’t just championing connectivity—it’s making it communal, secure, and unstoppable. Download the app, join a hotspot, and own a piece of the future. The world is roaming; are you?

For more on Roam, visit weroam.xyz. KBW2025 recaps and tickets for future events available at koreablockchainweek.com.

Bitcoin

Trump Administration Explores Allowing Crypto-Backed Mortgages

Published

1 hour ago

November 12, 2025

Coin Reporter Correspondent

In a bold move to fuse digital innovation with traditional housing finance, the Trump administration is advancing policies that could allow Americans to use cryptocurrency holdings as collateral for mortgages. Issued in late June 2025, a directive from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) orders government-backed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to develop frameworks for incorporating crypto assets into single-family loan risk assessments—without requiring borrowers to liquidate their digital holdings into cash first. This initiative, championed as part of President Donald Trump’s vision to position the United States as the “crypto capital of the world,” could unlock billions in untapped wealth for homebuyers while sparking debate over financial stability.

Revolutionizing Mortgage Underwriting

The FHFA’s order, signed by Director William J. Pulte on June 25, 2025, marks a dramatic reversal from prior policies. Under the Biden administration, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac explicitly excluded cryptocurrency from income or asset considerations due to its “high level of uncertainty.” Now, these entities—which guarantee over half of U.S. mortgages—must propose adjustments to their underwriting processes, including volatility discounts and verification protocols for crypto held on regulated U.S. exchanges.

Pulte announced the directive on X, stating: “After significant studying, and in keeping with President Trump’s vision to make the United States the crypto capital of the world, today I ordered the Great Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to prepare their businesses to count cryptocurrency as an asset for a mortgage.” The proposals require board approval and FHFA sign-off, with an emphasis on risk mitigants like “adjustments for market volatility and ensuring sufficient risk-based adjustments to the share of reserves comprised of cryptocurrency.”

This shift means crypto-rich individuals—estimated at over 50 million Americans holding digital assets—could leverage Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other approved tokens to boost their loan eligibility, similar to how stocks or retirement accounts are evaluated today. Private lenders like Milo Credit have already pioneered crypto-secured mortgages since 2022, but federal backing could scale this nationwide, potentially increasing buying power without triggering capital gains taxes from sales.

Economic Boost or Risky Gamble?

Advocates hail the policy as a catalyst for economic growth, arguing it taps into the $2.5 trillion U.S. crypto market to fuel housing demand amid high interest rates and a sluggish real estate sector. “This could inject fresh liquidity into the housing market, lowering barriers for tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z buyers who view crypto as a core asset,” said Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who introduced bipartisan legislation to codify the FHFA directive into law. Industry leaders echo this sentiment, with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse praising the administration’s pro-innovation stance under Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a confirmed crypto advocate who has shaped related policies like staking guidance for exchange-traded products.

The broader context includes Trump’s January 2025 executive order establishing a Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, which has produced reports recommending crypto integration into mortgages and even 401(k)s. Bessent, in July remarks, framed these efforts as building a “Golden Age of Crypto,” rescinding prior “anti-crypto” measures and fostering a regulatory environment that aligns with Republican values of financial freedom. By November 2025, follow-up discussions suggest the policy could extend to a “strategic national digital assets stockpile,” further embedding crypto in federal finance.

Yet, critics warn of volatility’s perils. Democrats in the Senate, including those raising alarms during Lummis’s bill hearings, argue that baking crypto into the mortgage system could amplify systemic risks, reminiscent of the 2008 subprime crisis. “Lenders already struggle with crypto’s verification challenges; a market crash could leave borrowers underwater and taxpayers on the hook,” noted a Senate Banking Committee Democrat in response to the directive. Only 1% of recent homebuyers used crypto for down payments, per a National Association of Realtors survey, highlighting limited current demand but underscoring the experimental nature of the push.

Navigating Valuation, Regulation, and Inclusion

Implementation hinges on robust frameworks for crypto valuation—likely using real-time exchange data with conservative haircuts for price swings—and custody rules limiting acceptance to platform-held assets, excluding self-custodied wallets for security reasons. The FHFA’s directive mandates these details, but experts anticipate SEC oversight to ensure compliant assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum qualify first.

If enacted, the policy could enhance financial inclusion by enabling underserved crypto holders—disproportionately young and diverse demographics—to access homeownership without forced asset sales. It aligns with Trump’s privatization plans for Fannie and Freddie, potentially ending their 17-year conservatorship and injecting private capital into a crypto-friendly model. However, careful oversight is paramount: The Department of Labor’s neutral stance on crypto in 401(k)s offers a blueprint, but housing’s scale demands stress testing to avert broader contagion.

A Defining Moment for Crypto in Mainstream Finance

This FHFA directive exemplifies the Trump administration’s aggressive pivot toward crypto mainstreaming, from strategic Bitcoin reserves to ETP staking clarity. As Pulte’s order moves toward final proposals, it could redefine housing finance, stimulating economic activity while testing regulators’ mettle against innovation’s risks. For a nation grappling with affordability crises, crypto-backed mortgages promise inclusion but demand vigilance to safeguard the American Dream.

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