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Using Digital Incentives: A Strategy to Improve Global Customer Engagement and Loyalty

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Global Trade Daily

Using Digital Incentives: A Strategy to Improve Global Customer Engagement and Loyalty

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Nearly all aspects of business involve doing things digitally, including incentivizing a target audience. These powerful virtual enticers come in many forms. But what are digital incentives and what makes them so beneficial for your business and its customers?

Read also: How Employee Advocacy Enhances Brand Reputation and Engagement

In this post, you’ll learn what digital incentives are and why they are helpful for loyalty and engagement among customers. 

What Are Digital Incentives?

A digital incentive is any virtual-based reward. Companies can use such incentivization to motivate shoppers to push that “Add to Cart” button. These rewards also work to motivate customers to complete a certain action.

Examples of digital incentives:

  • Promotional codes
  • Virtual gift cards
  • Sweepstakes entries
  • Cashback rewards
  • Store credit
  • Access to premium digital content

How Digital Incentives Keep Customers Engaged and Loyal

With the basics taken care of, it’s vital to learn why rewards and incentives work so well. Here’s why digital incentives entice customers while keeping them loyal to your business.

Convenient for Customers and Companies

A cornerstone of business-related success means knowing what shoppers want. According to a 2020 poll conducted by Blackhawk Network, 72% of those surveyed prefer digital incentives over physical ones.

Because so many people work and unwind online, digital incentives are convenient for people using their computers, smartphones, or tablets. Plus, your business can instantly send rewards points, discount codes, and other incentives.

Additionally, companies don’t have to incur storage and shipping costs associated with sending out a bunch of gift cards, T-shirts, or other types of physical incentives or rewards.

Showing Customers They’re Valued

There’s no denying customers typically have plenty of shopping options. Whether your company sells to consumers or companies, recognizing their loyalty can make your business stand out from the pack. 

If you use digital incentives, you have many ways to pull off this strategy. Reward loyalty by offering:

  • Member-exclusive pre-sales
  • Exclusive content
  • VIP-exclusive sales and events
  • Access to early product or service releases

These loyalty-related perks let you offer something other businesses may not be able to match. This exclusivity can ensure your business remains more attractive to customers than a competing company.

Personalizing the Shopping Experience

According to Twilio Segment, 60% of consumers say they’d offer repeat business to companies offering personalized shopping experiences. Using digital incentives is an excellent way to provide something a sizable portion of your company’s target audience likely wants: personalized shopping.

Offering incentives is great. Letting customers choose how they want to reward themselves is even better. And, with extensive options in your incentive playbook, taking the digital route means giving your customers plenty of choices. Plus, it can help solve the problem of shoppers not using their physical rewards often or ever. 

Tips to Pull Off an Ideal Digital Incentivization Strategy

After learning the many benefits of virtual incentives, wanting to offer them is understandable. Follow the tips below to get your incentivization program prepped for a successful launch.

Learn What Your Audience Wants

Conducting research is imperative before most companies launch new products or services. The same should apply to digital incentives and rewards. While you can offer a multitude of digital-based rewards, starting with a few at a time might be best.

Unsure how to learn what your customers want? Try the following methods:

  • Utilize social listening
  • Conduct surveys
  • Ask your social media followers
  • Send an email to current or former customers

Keep an Eye on Your Incentive Campaigns

Most people don’t hit home runs their first time at bat. That’s also true in the business world. Rarely will brand-new digital incentive campaigns achieve 100% success. Fortunately, a great way to avoid poor program performance is by monitoring the analytics of your incentives and rewards.

Many digital incentive programs offer built-in analytics, letting your business know what’s working well. You can find out what offers participants prefer, which ones aren’t converting, and other vital information.

The Power of Gamification

Companies everywhere are gamifying what they offer, including their incentive programs. Gamification is more familiar than you may think. Examples of this technique include leaderboards, point systems, and achievements for added engagement.

However you do it, gamifying things taps into those neural pathways that activate when we receive rewards. Using achievements, another popular gamification method, also makes more mundane tasks enticing for people to complete.

Whether you’re new to digital incentive programs or not, they can skyrocket customer loyalty and engagement when done well. Before your next campaign launches, utilize the previously mentioned tips for a potentially successful kick-off. After a little time, effort, and adjustments, your incentives can attract customers from around the world.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News

Top 10 Best Online B2B Marketplaces In 2025 

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If you are already in the business universe, then there’s no need to say how great online marketplaces have become in 2025. Suppliers, sellers, wholesalers, retailers, exporters, importers, and buyers have brought the best in terms of opportunities due to technology and changes in needs within businesses. Hence, millions of businesses no matter large or small scale, shifting towards digital marketing. 

Read also: B2B Payments: The Next USD 38.2 Billion Market

All the praises for the transformation these technological advancements are providing. Let’s explore the blog and read all the digital ways that can boost your business internationally. 

Why Online Marketplaces?

1. Find scalable digital services that can grow with your business, allowing your business to grow on all digital platforms.

2. Quickly access a range of cloud-based services that can help streamline operations and improve efficiency.

3. Connect with businesses globally that will enhance all the best networking opportunities across different regions.

4. Engage with a community of businesses on social networking sites and build relationships that can lead to future collaborations.

Let’s just dive into the top B2B marketplaces currently making waves this year!

1. eWorldTrade

 

global trade marketplace

eWorldTrade is the world’s largest online marketplace The inventory is vast and includes many items, making it convenient and accessible meeting the demands of different scale businesses. 

What makes eWorldTrade a global choice is that no matter where the client is from, the customer support representatives are available on the lines 24/7. All they aim is to provide a pain-free buying experience for buyers and a hassle-free listing process for suppliers. 

What makes it top the list?

Universal Reach: Connect with suppliers and buyers from all over the world, opening up numerous opportunities for global trade.

Diversity of Products: Access a vast selection of products across various industries, making it easier to find exactly what you need.

Affordable Pricing: Enjoy the benefit of bulk buying at competitive prices, helping you to expand your business within the budget.

2. Alibaba

global trade marketplace

Alibaba is another giant in the B2B space that has been in existence for ages and still roaring the B2B marketplace. It connects global businesses across the world and engages buyers and sellers from every nook and corner of the world. You’ll find just about anything you need here from thousands of categories.

Moreover, what sets Alibaba apart is the massive range of products and suppliers If you want to buy anything around the world, this site can surely help you do that and has built up reliable partnerships all over the world. 

3. Amazon Business

global trade marketplace

Amazon Business is Amazon’s B2B platform for businesses. It offers a practical buy experience that caters to the needs of thousands of businesses. With Amazon Business, you can take advantage of competitive pricing and AI tools that help you with bulk orders. On top of all this, it makes buying for your entire team easy to manage the store and product listings with ease.

4. ThomasNet

 

ThomasNet is a good fit for the industrial industry. It mostly focuses on connecting businesses with manufacturers and suppliers who cover various industries. The platform stands out with its advanced database of suppliers. You will find specialized goods, and you are allowed to make the most of their tailored sourcing options.

5. Global Sources

Global Sources is great for those who need to find suppliers from Asia. It is renowned for its organic network and rich selection of goods. This website gives you exhibitions and verifies your suppliers, so you can work with trusted companies This ranges from electronics to fashion and everything trending in the market. 

6. Made-in-China

Made-in-China connects you with the manufacturers in China through its name. It’s a great option that offers a competitive price and even small businesses can afford their services.

Additionally, it has a business-friendly interface on the website, and also verification procedures for the suppliers, meaning you are sure of your purchase from a trusted company. What more do you want from an online marketplace?

7. DHgate

DHgate is an excellent platform for small and medium-sized businesses. It allows you to buy products directly from manufacturers. Here are amazing prices, and they also offer dropshipping when available, so if you don’t plan on holding inventory, this is excellent for you. 

8. Kompass

Kompass is an international business directory one can use it to search companies worldwide. It is an excellent resource tool for businesses looking for specific products or services. Their extremely inclusive company profiles and powerful search functions make the targeting of relevant suppliers with Kompass easy and hassle-free. 

9. Alibaba Cloud Marketplace

Alibaba Cloud Marketplace is Alibaba’s subsidiary which provides technical solutions to business companies targeting to improve their functioning process. There are various cloud services and tech tools here that help easily streamline your business processes in managing operations.

10. EC21 

EC2 is a fantastic B2B marketplace that’s worth considering if you’re looking to connect with global buyers and suppliers. Founded in 1997 in South Korea, it has grown into one of the largest platforms for international trade, offering a wide array of products across various industries. They deal from machinery and chemicals to textiles and consumer goods. So, a good option in 2025.

Future Trends and Considerations for Businesses Choosing Platforms in 2025

Looking towards 2025, the B2B marketplace landscape is changing as fast as Bolt. One of the major trends is of course the sustainability it has to offer to the companies. They have finally begun to understand the environmental footprint of their activities and look for partners and suppliers who share a commitment to an eco-friendly future. If you are joining a marketplace, consider one that may support its users in activities that are properly environmentally friendly or be allowed to screen suppliers based on their credentials on sustainability. This might just improve your brand image, as well as attract customers who favor activities that are safe for the environment. 2025 should be all about sustenance.

Another trend is the massive digital transformation. More businesses are investing in technology to help them streamline operations and increase efficiency. You’ll want to look for marketplaces that give you advanced tools, like AI-driven analytics, better inventory management, and enhanced user experiences. This will help you make data-driven decisions and get ahead of the game. 

But personalization is also becoming key. Customers want personalized experiences, and that should apply to B2B transactions as well. Look for platforms that can enable customized searches and recommendations based on your purchases or business needs. Finally, watch out for the rise of social commerce in B2B spaces. Businesses are starting to influence social media to interact with suppliers and customers, so being in a marketplace that represents all this may be something of a good advantage on your part.

Encouragement to Leverage These Marketplaces for Growth and Efficiency

In a fast-paced business environment, taking advantage of online B2B marketplaces can prove to be a game changer for your company. There you would not only be able to find products and services but also be able to source suppliers and partners from virtually every corner of the globe. And with such marketplaces, it is possible to advance into even higher levels of operational efficiency while pushing growth that can never be imagined.

So, instead of sitting there for hours looking for suppliers or trying to negotiate deals you can do it all on these platforms for a quick search-and-find what you need, compare prices, and read reviews. This saves hours and hours by focusing on what matters to your business. Many of these marketplaces also offer insights and analytics that help you make better decisions. Understanding trends in the market, prices, and reliability of suppliers can be key to getting any sort of competitive advantage.

In addition, many of these also offer other facilities, which might include bulk purchasing discounts and customized service options. All of these might lead to huge cost-saving benefits. If the marketplace is proper, then you will certainly be able to streamline your procurement processes, reduce overhead, and most importantly improve your cash flow.

By now, if you haven’t explored what these B2B marketplaces can do for you, it’s time. Take advantage of the opportunity to connect, negotiate, and grow. This is the world of business where the future is digital, but embracing these products will not only keep you on pace with your competitors, but it will also keep you fit and place a proper foundation under your business to ascertain long-term success. Take a plunge and see how you can work towards bettering your operations!

Summing up

So this was all about the best marketplaces. You should know that heading into each of them has its unique selling point to support your business growth and to find the right products. Keep your eyes on the changing trends in this marketplace because, sooner or later, something will work best for you. 

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Global Trade Daily, Technology

The Future of Digital Security: Protecting Your Assets in an Evolving Landscape

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As the digital world continues to expand, so do the threats that come with it. In today’s interconnected society, protecting your online presence and assets is more important than ever. From personal data to cryptocurrency, safeguarding your digital footprint has become a crucial part of navigating the modern digital landscape.

Read also: Securing the Digital Frontier: Cybersecurity in Trade and Logistics Infrastructure 

In 2024, cybersecurity is no longer just a concern for corporations—it’s essential for individuals, businesses, and governments alike. As cybercriminals adopt more advanced methods to breach security systems, understanding how to protect your digital assets is critical. Whether you’re securing sensitive information or storing cryptocurrency, the need for robust security strategies has never been greater. This article will explore the evolving cyber threats and provide practical tips for keeping your assets safe, including advice on the best place to store your crypto.

The Rise of Cybersecurity Threats in 2024

Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, and their frequency is on the rise. With more of our lives moving online—whether it’s through social media, online banking, or cryptocurrency—cybercriminals are constantly finding new vulnerabilities to exploit. Ransomware, phishing, and even AI-driven attacks are becoming more prominent, making it essential to stay informed about the risks.

Phishing Attacks: More Deceptive Than Ever

Phishing scams have been around for years, but they’re getting harder to spot. Cybercriminals are using advanced tactics, such as AI, to create highly convincing fake emails, text messages, and websites. These attacks trick individuals into providing sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers. To protect yourself, always double-check the source of any suspicious email and use two-factor authentication where possible.

Ransomware: A Growing Financial Threat

Ransomware attacks, where hackers encrypt your data and demand a ransom to restore access, are growing in both frequency and sophistication. These attacks can target individuals and businesses, often with devastating financial consequences. Preventing ransomware attacks involves regular data backups, using strong antivirus software, and being cautious when downloading files or clicking links from unknown sources.

The Importance of Cryptocurrency Security

As cryptocurrencies continue to gain popularity, they have also become a primary target for cybercriminals. Cryptocurrency users face unique security challenges, particularly because of the decentralized nature of digital currencies. While the blockchain itself is secure, the platforms and wallets used to store crypto can be vulnerable to hacking.

Best Place To Store Your Crypto

When it comes to securing your cryptocurrency, choosing the best place to store your crypto is critical. While hot wallets (those connected to the internet) offer convenience for daily transactions, they are more susceptible to cyberattacks. In contrast, cold wallets—offline storage options like hardware wallets—provide significantly better protection against hackers. By storing your cryptocurrency in a cold wallet, you minimize the risk of your assets being compromised.

To further enhance security, use strong, unique passwords for your wallet and enable two-factor authentication. Diversifying where you store your cryptocurrency can also reduce the risk of losing all your assets if one platform is breached.

Cloud Security: Protecting Your Data Online

With the growing reliance on cloud storage services for everything from personal files to business data, securing cloud environments has become increasingly important. Cloud storage is convenient and scalable, but it also introduces risks like data breaches and unauthorized access.

To protect your data in the cloud, always encrypt sensitive information before uploading it, and ensure your cloud service provider follows strict security protocols. Using a zero-trust approach—where each person or device must be verified before accessing data—can further reduce the chances of unauthorized access.

The Future of AI in Cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cybersecurity in both positive and negative ways. On one hand, AI can automate the detection of potential threats, identifying patterns that human analysts may miss. On the other hand, cybercriminals are also using AI to launch more sophisticated attacks.

AI-driven phishing attacks, for example, can tailor messages to individual targets based on publicly available data, making these scams harder to recognize. However, AI-powered security systems can help detect and respond to these threats faster than traditional methods, allowing organizations to stay one step ahead of hackers.

Securing Your Digital Future

In an era where everything from personal data to financial assets is increasingly stored online, taking proactive steps to secure your digital life is essential. Regularly updating software, using strong and unique passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication are just the basics.

For those involved in cryptocurrency, securing digital assets goes beyond just using a wallet—it’s about choosing the Best Place To Store Your Crypto. Cold wallets and enhanced security features can help protect against the rising tide of crypto-related cyberattacks. Additionally, staying informed about new cybersecurity threats and adopting the latest protection measures will ensure that you’re always ahead of the curve.

By understanding the evolving landscape of digital security and implementing these strategies, you can effectively protect your digital assets, whether they’re personal information, business data, or cryptocurrency.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, International Trade

How Traders Can Enhance Their Focus Capability?

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For traders, maintaining sharp focus and mental clarity is crucial to making quick and effective decisions. Whether you’re trading stocks, forex, or cryptocurrencies, the ability to concentrate amidst fluctuating market conditions can be the difference between success and missed opportunities. Enhancing focus can be achieved through a combination of lifestyle adjustments, strategic habits, and, for some, exploring alternative methods. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how traders can boost their focus and performance.

Read also: LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship: A Critical Decision for Traders

1. Prioritize Sleep and Rest

Adequate sleep is foundational for cognitive function, including focus, memory, and decision-making. Lack of sleep can lead to impaired concentration and increased stress, which can negatively impact trading performance.

Tips for Better Sleep:

  • Establish a Routine: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
  • Limit Screen Time: Reduce exposure to screens at least an hour before bedtime, as blue light can interfere with sleep quality.
  • Create a Relaxing Environment: Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet, and consider using white noise or calming scents like lavender to enhance relaxation.

2. Manage Stress Effectively

Trading can be a high-pressure activity, and chronic stress can severely impair focus and cognitive function. Developing effective stress management techniques can help traders stay calm and focused.

Stress Management Techniques:

  • Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like meditation can help reduce stress and improve attention. Even just a few minutes a day can make a significant difference.
  • Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing exercises can help calm the mind and reduce anxiety, making it easier to concentrate on trading tasks.
  • Physical Activity: Regular exercise, such as walking, yoga, or strength training, can help reduce stress hormones and boost mood, indirectly supporting better focus.

3. Optimize Nutrition for Cognitive Function

What you eat has a direct impact on your brain function. A balanced diet rich in nutrients can help support sustained focus and energy levels throughout the trading day.

Nutritional Tips:

  • Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseeds, are particularly beneficial for brain health.
  • Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can impair cognitive function, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  • Limit Sugar and Processed Foods: These can cause energy crashes and affect concentration. Opt for snacks like nuts, seeds, or dark chocolate for sustained energy.

4. Incorporate Breaks and Time Management

Long periods of intense focus can lead to mental fatigue, reducing your overall productivity. Incorporating regular breaks can help refresh your mind and maintain your focus over extended periods.

Tips for Effective Breaks:

  • Use the Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. This cycle helps maintain high levels of concentration without burnout.
  • Step Away from the Screen: During breaks, step away from your trading desk, stretch, or take a short walk to clear your mind.
  • Set Clear Boundaries: Define specific times for trading and breaks to avoid mental exhaustion and ensure consistent focus during trading hours.

5. Explore the Use of Delta 9 THC for Enhanced Focus

For some traders, exploring alternative methods like Mushroom Chocolate can offer potential benefits for focus and stress reduction. It may help some individuals to relax and maintain focus. Just be sure that you are choosing the right brand to buy your health product. This way you can keep yourself away from any low-quality products.

6. Set Clear Goals and Stay Organized

Having clear trading goals and a well-organized plan can significantly enhance your focus. When you know exactly what you’re aiming for, it’s easier to maintain concentration and avoid distractions.

Tips for Goal Setting and Organization:

  • Define Your Trading Plan: Outline your trading strategy, including entry and exit points, risk management, and the types of trades you’ll focus on.
  • Set Daily and Weekly Goals: Break down your overall trading objectives into smaller, manageable goals. This makes the process less overwhelming and helps keep you on track.
  • Review and Adjust: Regularly review your trading performance and make adjustments to your plan as needed. This continuous improvement process can help keep your mind sharp and focused on your goals.

7. Minimize Distractions

Distractions can derail even the most focused trader. Identifying and minimizing potential distractions can help you stay on task and maintain a high level of concentration.

Ways to Minimize Distractions:

  • Create a Dedicated Trading Space: Set up a specific area for trading that is free from common distractions like television, family members, or other unrelated activities.
  • Use Focus Tools: Consider using focus apps or browser extensions that block distracting websites during trading hours.
  • Turn Off Notifications: Silence non-essential notifications on your phone and computer to reduce interruptions.

8. Develop a Pre-Trading Routine

Having a pre-trading routine can help you mentally prepare for the trading day ahead. This routine can include reviewing market news, analyzing charts, or simply taking a few moments to set your intentions for the day.

Pre-Trading Routine Ideas:

  • Market Review: Spend some time reviewing the latest market trends, economic news, or technical indicators that may influence your trading strategy.
  • Visualization: Visualize your trading success and go through your planned trades in your mind to build confidence and clarity.
  • Calming Techniques: Engage in a brief meditation, listen to calming music, or practice deep breathing to enter the trading session with a focused and relaxed mindset.

Conclusion: Elevating Your Focus as a Trader

Enhancing focus as a trader involves a holistic approach that includes good sleep, nutrition, stress management, strategic breaks, and sometimes even exploring alternative options like Delta 9 THC. By making small adjustments to your routine and being mindful of how you manage your time and energy, you can significantly improve your focus, which is essential for trading success. Remember, what works for one trader might differ for another, so it’s important to find a personalized approach that aligns with your lifestyle and trading goals.

 

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Global Trade Daily, Technology

Protocol-Owned Liquidity: A Sustainable Path for DeFi

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In the dynamic world of decentralized finance (DeFi), the quest for liquidity is a continual focus. Liquidity enables transactions, facilitates price discovery, and supports the overall stability and functionality of DeFi protocols. Traditionally, DeFi projects have relied heavily on liquidity mining schemes to attract liquidity providers (LPs) by incentivizing them with tokens. While effective in the short term for boosting liquidity and user metrics, these schemes often lead to unsustainable outcomes, fostering dependency on external incentives and contributing to volatility in token prices. In contrast, protocol-owned liquidity presents a compelling alternative, emphasizing long-term sustainability, stability, and resilience in the DeFi space.

Read also: The Competitive Edge: Leveraging AI, Blockchain, and Analytics To Improve Supply Chain Management

The Pitfalls of Traditional Liquidity Mining

Liquidity mining has undeniably played a pivotal role in the rapid growth of DeFi platforms. By rewarding LPs with tokens to provide liquidity to pools, projects can quickly amass liquidity and achieve high trading volumes. This influx of liquidity can create the appearance of a vibrant ecosystem, attracting users and investors seeking opportunities for yield farming and trading.

However, the reliance on external incentives introduces several significant challenges. Firstly, liquidity mining programs are often costly, requiring continuous token issuance or distribution to sustain participant interest, which can strain the project’s tokenomics and governance and potentially lead to inflationary pressures or dilution of token value over time.

Secondly, the liquidity provided through mining schemes tends to be transient and highly sensitive to market conditions. LPs are incentivized primarily by short-term gains rather than a commitment to the project’s long-term success. As a result, liquidity can swiftly exit when incentives diminish or market sentiment shifts, leading to liquidity crises and increased volatility in token prices. This volatility can undermine user confidence and hinder the development of a stable and sustainable ecosystem.

Embracing Protocol-Owned Liquidity

In contrast to traditional liquidity mining, protocol-owned liquidity represents a paradigm shift towards sustainability and resilience in DeFi. Protocol-owned liquidity involves allocating a portion of the project’s treasury or reserves to provide liquidity on decentralized exchanges (DEXs). This approach enhances the project’s financial stability and aligns the protocol’s interests with its users and stakeholders.

Stability and Long-Term Commitment

By deploying protocol-owned liquidity, projects can ensure a stable and reliable liquidity base less susceptible to market fluctuations and external incentives. This stability is crucial for attracting long-term investors and users who prioritize security and predictability in their DeFi investments. Moreover, protocol-owned liquidity serves as a buffer during periods of market volatility, providing essential liquidity when external LPs may withdraw.

Governance and Decentralization

Protocol-owned liquidity also enhances governance and decentralization within DeFi ecosystems. Projects can exercise greater control over tokenomics and governance mechanisms by directly managing liquidity reserves; autonomy reduces reliance on external stakeholders and aligns incentives toward the project’s long-term vision and sustainability. Furthermore, integrating protocol-owned liquidity into governance frameworks enables stakeholders to participate in decision-making processes regarding liquidity management, fostering a more inclusive and transparent ecosystem.

Sustainability and Ecosystem Development

Beyond immediate liquidity provision, protocol-owned liquidity supports sustainable ecosystem development. Projects can strategically allocate liquidity to incentivize specific behaviors, such as providing liquidity to newly launched assets or supporting strategic partnerships. This targeted approach promotes organic growth and fosters a robust ecosystem where liquidity is allocated based on long-term strategic objectives rather than short-term incentives.

Overcoming Challenges and Implementation

Implementing protocol-owned liquidity requires careful planning and execution. Projects must balance liquidity allocation with other financial commitments and operational expenses. Transparent governance processes are essential to ensure stakeholders’ trust and participation in liquidity management decisions. Additionally, projects may explore innovative mechanisms, such as automated market makers (AMMs) and liquidity bootstrapping pools (LBPs), to optimize liquidity deployment and minimize risks.

Conclusion

As DeFi continues to evolve, the shift towards protocol-owned liquidity represents a critical step towards building sustainable and resilient financial ecosystems. Projects can mitigate the pitfalls of traditional liquidity mining schemes by prioritizing stability, long-term commitment, and decentralized governance. Protocol-owned liquidity enhances financial resilience and fosters trust and confidence among users and investors, laying the foundation for a vibrant and sustainable DeFi landscape. Embracing this paradigm shift will empower projects to navigate market uncertainties effectively and contribute to DeFi’s long-term viability.

While traditional liquidity mining schemes provide initial momentum, protocol-owned liquidity offers a strategic path toward long-lasting success in DeFi. By prioritizing sustainability and aligning incentives, DeFi projects can build a resilient foundation for the future of finance.

Author Bio

Jared Grey is the managing director of Sushi Labs, Sushi DAO’s strategy and development arm, recognized for its work on the Sushi Swap decentralized exchange. Jared’s background includes computer engineering and IT consulting, and more than eight years in the cryptocurrency industry, where he has led protocol and business development for varied projects.

 

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

A SMALL BUSINESS SURGE IN DIGITAL TRADE

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Global entrepreneurs are going online. Here’s how governments can help.

With many storefronts and offices around the world shuttered by the COVID-19 pandemic, small business owners are adopting new digital strategies and tools to keep their businesses alive.

“It’s a real challenge as companies and clients cannot buy physically from us,” observes Sasibai Kimis, Founder and CEO of Earth Heir, a Malaysian ethical lifestyle brand, which sells handcrafted heritage pieces made by women, refugees and indigenous people. She added that, “a lot of events have been canceled, including speaking engagements.”

Although the Earth Heir team can no longer build revenue and relationships from their studio, a shift to creative, online strategies is helping fill the gap. “We are focusing a lot more on increasing our digital marketing and social media reach.”

As businesses such as Earth Heir increasingly adopt a life online, governments have a critical role in enabling a robust e-commerce ecosystem that allows small businesses to keep their businesses running, their employees connected and their customers engaged. The right set of digital trade policies will be the key.

Digital lifelines for small business

Economic shutdowns have exponentially increased the need for online marketing, communication and team-building. Small businesses are using digital tools to update the public about changes in business, maintain relationships and communicate to customers how they can continue providing support.

The Elly Store, a boutique children’s bricks-and-clicks business in Singapore, experienced a significant spike in online sales immediately after the country ordered a shutdown of all non-essential businesses. Although online businesses are permitted to continue operations, founder Audrey Ng decided to stop all deliveries until the workplace measures are lifted.

While shipments are on pause, the team’s concentration is on website improvements, digital marketing and connecting with customers. “We are continuing with regular social media posts and using the month for people to get to know our wide range of products again,” said Audrey. “We have also designed marketing campaigns for when we re-open based on what we think people will be looking to buy” when they begin venturing out.

Small businesses are also using digital channels and strategies to stay connected to their own employees.

SHE Investments, a social enterprise delivering business development programs for women in Cambodia, has introduced an array of new technology tools to keep their team connected and productive. This includes Microsoft Teams for working remotely; Zoom for team meetings, webinars and online classes; and Clockify for team time sheets.

“We are using tools to create video tutorials on our laptops to help our team and our participants to learn [how to work from home],” said Celia Boyd, the Managing Director of SHE Investments.

Earth Heir shopping site

Image: Earthheir.com e-commerce site

How digital trade policies can help

Public policy can help businesses like SHE Investments, Earth Heir and the Elly Store by facilitating the flow of digital trade.

For example, Earth Heir’s digital strategy relies fundamentally on access to global services and data flows. Sasi and her team utilize social media platforms like Instagram to spread the word about the face masks they are making, YouTube videos to spotlight their refugee artisans, WhatsApp to communicate internally (and with us), payment and express delivery services to ship out their products, and Google Forms and PayPal to enable donations of PPE.

As the World Trade Organization (WTO) engages in an exercise to write new rules aimed at facilitating the use of e-commerce, stakeholders have the opportunity to emphasize the importance of clarity and improvements to the existing framework of trade rules and commitments.

Successful efforts by governments would empower businesses to sell their own products and services internationally using global online platforms, payments, communication tools and other e-commerce channels, and to improve the ability of businesses of all sizes to benefit from digital technologies.

Recognizing the particular opportunities and challenges faced by developing countries, WTO members should explore mechanisms to maximize the ability of developing countries to implement high-quality digital trade and e-commerce commitments.

Small businesses adjust to a post-pandemic world

Emerging technology startups are also stepping up to help other businesses combat the hardships presented by the COVID-19 crisis and adapt to the digital world.

Based in Nigeria, Transboxx Technologies utilizes a large network of software engineers to create digital platforms, from web portals to online payment platforms, for businesses throughout Africa.

“Many [businesses] recognize the need for digitized systems, but they don’t know how to build out their technologies,” says co-founder Obinna Ekezie. “We can create platforms that allow them to quickly automate, streamline and electronically improve their operations.”

Some companies are pivoting their focus during the pandemic. ArtGirlRising, a t-shirt business based in Malaysia with a mission to raise awareness of the under-representation of female artists through cause marketing, has transitioned from a sales focus to prioritizing community building.

The founder of ArtGirlRising, Liezel Strauss, said that the team launched paid, online classes using Zoom. The classes are “presented by industry leaders, for artists to help them move their art practice online through tips on social media, the business side of art, community building and homeschooling tips.”

Caribu, a Florida-based interactive video-calling app, is seeing demand for their services grow from individuals and families trying to cope with this new reality. To help bridge the gap created by social distancing, the business is offering free access and unlimited usage of the service.

“Kids are feeling the effects of the outbreak, but don’t always understand why grandma can’t come to visit, why the special family spring break trip may have been canceled, or why they’re out of school for weeks,” said Caribu CEO and Co-Founder Max Tuchman.

Dorsu

Image: Dorsu.org / Dorsu has suspected retail sales, selling only online, and is now making masks for wholesale orders to keep their workers employed.

Other businesses are witnessing unprecedented demands and are stepping up to fill the gap. Ordinarily, Dorsu, a Cambodia-based ethical clothing brand, crafts men’s and women’s apparel. After witnessing the gap in the market, they shifted to include the production of masks that help protect the community and keep their team employed.

“We’re servicing existing wholesale clients where possible and have temporarily re-tooled to produce face masks,” explained Hanna Guy, Co-Founder and Director of Dorsu. The team is utilizing social platforms to promote the new items, sharing on Facebook, “As the story unfolds and we begin to see advice to wear masks while leaving the house (briefly) we’ve designed, tested and released fabric face masks that are reusable, washable, fit like a glove and above all – ensure comfort.”

Sasi, of Earth Heir, similarly pivoted her business to enable her network of refugee artisans to produce and distribute “Fair Trade Personal Protective Equipment” for use by Malaysian frontline medical personnel, social workers and others, in collaboration with the World Fair Trade Organization Asia.

What governments can do

For years, small businesses have relied on an ecosystem of digital tools to operate globally. More than ever, these businesses need the right policy framework to enable their ability to access digital productivity, payments, shipping and logistics, communications, marketing and e-commerce platforms and navigate the new normal of social distancing and physical closures.

With the right set of digital trade and e-commerce policies, governments have the opportunity to not only help more small businesses move online, but also support a new era of global digital entrepreneurs.

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Jake Colvin

Jake Colvin is the Executive Director and Jamaica Gayle is Deputy Director of the National Foreign Trade Council’s Global Innovation Forum.

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, Software

The World’s First Digital Trade Database to Increase Trade Data Visibility

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The world’s first digital trade database will soon be the product of a recently announced partnership between Coriolis Technologies and
Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA). The goal of this new platform will help solve issues related to global trade visibility, risk assessment, and critical information on the growth and pace of international trade.

“We are delighted to be working with the GTPA to improve the availability of good quality trade data, through the development of a digital trade database,” added Dr. Rebecca Harding, CEO of Coriolis Technologies. “Collecting and collating data has historically proved difficult, and this problem has been further compounded by the growth in digital trade, which is far harder to track than the movement of physical goods. The Coriolis-GTPA database will allow trade originators to understand precisely where the risks and the opportunities are around the world in politics, in economics and in reputation.”

The innovative database will provide visibility into the flow of global goods, services and strategic trade for banks, governments and investment communities, ultimately enabling them for strategic decision making. The companies confirmed the database will provide insight for the
Asia-Pacific region during the first stage of development.

“The benefits of international trade are currently the subject of debate in various contexts, however, it has long been demonstrated that, even with its systemic imperfections which must be acknowledged, trade has been a powerful driver for economic value creation, inclusion and poverty reduction, as well as peace and security,” commented Lisa McAuley, CEO of Global Trade Professionals Alliance. “The GTPA is pleased to partner with Coriolis Technologies as trade and investment data collection is imperative to drive robust trade policy decisions, analysis on the implementation and success of Free Trade Agreements and more importantly data that can be used to communicate the role of trade in a countries best economic interests to the general public.”

Archives, Global Trade Daily, International Trade

The USMCA: State of Play on Internet Intermediary Liability

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Two important elements of U.S. law that protect internet intermediaries are reflected in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, signed November 30, 2018).  Under the first element, section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, online service providers are not considered “publishers” of third-party content that is posted or shared through their sites.  Under the second, the “safe harbor” provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, online service providers can take certain specified actions to protect themselves from monetary liability for copyright infringement arising from the actions of their users.  Because the USMCA reflects these principles and is likely to be used as a template for future trade agreements, it is reasonable to suppose that current U.S. law on intermediary liability is poised to make inroads around the world.

There will, however, be pushback, and it is possible that the agreement might be modified or that U.S. implementing legislation will introduce refinements.  Organizations dedicated to protecting potential victims of indecent online communication, for example, will seek to limit and/or clarify the section 230-type immunity built into the USMCA.  Similarly, digital content industries consider the incorporation of existing safe harbor provisions to be a missed opportunity to reinforce the effort against online piracy, and they will press for requiring internet intermediaries to be more proactive in policing such theft.

One cannot know at this juncture how these issues will ultimately be resolved, especially given the changeover in the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives resulting from the 2018 elections.  Nevertheless, the dynamics of the debate – explained below – are important to potentially affected companies.

The Digital Trade section of the USMCA closely tracks Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.  It provides in Article 19.17(2) that the member states shall not “adopt or maintain measures” that create civil liability for suppliers or users of “an interactive computer service as an information content provider … except to the extent the supplier or user has, in whole or in part, created, or developed the information.”  Note, however, that the agreement also grants immunity for good faith actions taken to limit access to “harmful or objectionable” content, and – in any event – the restriction on imposing liability for indecent content merely confers immunity from civil liability “as an information content provider.”  In other words, the internet service provider cannot be treated as if it supplied the content, but there remains the question of whether it can be held liable for damages under a theory of secondary liability.

Consequently, one can expect organizations dedicated to protecting potential victims of indecent online communication to seek clarification of the extent to which internet providers can be held liable for harms resulting from “knowing” or “reckless” failures to act to prevent abuses on their platforms.

Turning to digital piracy, back when the internet was in its infancy, in 1998, Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which established what is known as “notice-and-takedown.”  Under that approach, if someone uploads a work to a website, the owner of the work may send a notice of copyright infringement to the relevant internet intermediary, pointing to a specific violation and identifying the internet address of the allegedly infringing material.  Once the intermediary receives the notice, it must “expeditiously” disable access to, or remove, the material and inform the entity that posted the material of its action.  If the entity that posted the material believes it has a legal right not to be subject to takedown, it may file a counter-notification.

Upon receipt of the counter-notification, the intermediary must inform the copyright holder that it will restore the status quo ante after ten days unless the intermediary is notified that the copyright holder has “filed an action seeking a court order to restrain the [entity] from engaging in infringing activity.”  By following these and other procedures, the intermediary is shielded from copyright infringement liability for unknowingly posting infringing content.

The USMCA embraces the notice-and-takedown concept and generally requires internet service providers who have not already done so to implement such a system.  There is an exception, however, that preserves Canada’s current “notice-and-notice” system – under that approach, internet service providers are merely required to forward notice of infringement to the host of the pirated material.

Content industries have been seeking greater protection from the USMCA.  They tend to favor what is known as “notice and stay-down,” which requires a more proactive approach from the intermediary than notice-and-takedown.  Under notice and stay-down, when the intermediary receives a notice of copyright infringement, it would be required to search out and delete all copies of the material in question and block that material from being uploaded again.

Content industries believe this is necessary to address the fact that copyright-infringing material can be transferred easily from website to website, thereby putting the content producer in the position of trying to “whack-a-mole” and being forever a step behind the infringer.  As one might expect, however, internet service providers argue that notice and stay-down is overly onerous and would, if legally required, cripple the commercial exploitation of cyberspace.

The debate will go on regarding limitations on the liability of online service providers for indecent or infringing content posted on their platforms, and stakeholders are advised to pay close attention as the relevant provisions of the USMCA are debated and implementing legislation is formulated.  If those provisions are implemented as is, the USMCA would represent a move in the direction of international adoption of current U.S. principles governing the liability of intermediaries for online content.

 

Dean A. Pinkert is a partner in Hughes Hubbard’s International Trade practice. He is a former Commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission. Dean was nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2007,and was designated Vice Chairman by President Obama in 2014.