Latest news with #MattLuongo
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mezo Launches Supernormal Foundation to Accelerate BitcoinFi Innovation and Mezo Ecosystem Growth
The foundation will also see the introduction of the Mezo Alpha Builder Program and sets the stage for additional comprehensive ecosystem development initiatives. NEW YORK, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mezo, the bank-free Bitcoin finance platform built by Thesis*, today announced the launch of the Supernormal Foundation, a dedicated organization designed to build, govern, and grow the MUSD economy and the broader Mezo Network. The Foundation represents a pivotal shift toward community-powered ecosystem governance, moving away from traditional top-down approaches to enable decentralized innovation in the BitcoinFi space. The Supernormal Foundation launches with immediate support for developers through the Alpha Builder Program, providing comprehensive resources, including grants, co-marketing, networking, and hands-on integration for teams looking to build within the Mezo and MUSD economy. This inaugural initiative positions the foundation as a catalyst for BitcoinFi innovation while driving widespread MUSD adoption across the ecosystem. "The launch of the Supernormal Foundation comes at a transformative moment for the BitcoinFi ecosystem. Is the future of Bitcoin going to be driven by banks and business people, or can we build something better together?", Said Matt Luongo, CEO of Thesis* and Co-founder of Mezo. "The foundation is named after our goal for Bitcoin itself; to make using Bitcoin so normal, and such a crucial part of people's lives, that it's no longer special... it's just obvious. The Foundation's launch represents our commitment to growing and building alongside developers and users on Mezo, not just for them. Together, we'll make Bitcoin supernormal." The Alpha Builder Program is an example of providing this support. It gives developers the opportunity to access development resources, technical support, and grants for teams ready to contribute to the growing MUSD economy. Qualified development teams can access mentorship from industry experts and integration assistance to accelerate their projects from concept to deployment on Mezo. The Foundation's comprehensive approach to ecosystem development extends beyond immediate builder support. The Supernormal Foundation will serve as the launch pad for additional major initiatives planned for later this year, including partnering with the BitcoinFi Accelerator led by Boost VC, Draper Associates and Thesis —a dedicated accelerator for Bitcoin-focused projects— as well as new grant programs and hackathons, which will provide funding to builders developing innovative solutions on the Mezo network. The Supernormal Foundation will also work in concert with Tigris, Mezo's integrated incentive framework, to launch a Vote feature for users later this year. This groundwork will unlock the ability for users to guide the direction of Mezo's development, further democratizing governance and decision-making across the Mezo ecosystem. The launch of the Supernormal Foundation will also see the creation of a Bitcoin Advisory Group to accelerate ecosystem growth for projects building on Mezo and to help guide decentralization efforts for the Foundation moving forward. The advisory group will be comprised of several notable leaders in the Bitcoin space, including Arthur Hayes, crypto entrepreneur and former CIO of Maelstrom, Dan Held, a strategic growth leader at Kraken and long-time educator for the Bitcoin network, Dovey Wan, founder of Primitive Ventures and growth expert for blockchain projects, and Will Reeves, co-founder of Fold, who will provide independent guidance focused solely on Bitcoin-native finance and adoption. For more information about the Supernormal Foundation, as well as information about how developers can sign up for the Alpha Builder program, users can visit the Mezo Ecosystem page to learn more. About Mezo Mezo is a platform that lets people live off their Bitcoin without selling it. It bridges the gap between saving and spending, making it easy to pay bills, make purchases, and put Bitcoin to work as productive capital. At the heart of Mezo is MUSD, a 100% Bitcoin-backed stablecoin usable onchain and in the real world. Users can borrow MUSD against their Bitcoin collateral at rates starting as low as 1%, unlocking up to 90% of their BTC's value at a competitive cost. Learn more about Mezo's initiatives and unique features at About Thesis* Thesis* is a pioneering venture studio dedicated to building on Bitcoin. Since 2014 Thesis* has committed to building solutions focused on empowering individuals and communities through creation of market leading products including Fold, Mezo, tBTC, Acre and Taho in its core portfolio of brands. Thesis* continues to challenge traditional systems, driven by innovation and a belief in a sovereign digital future shaping the decentralized landscape one project at a time. About Supernormal Foundation The Supernormal Foundation, founded in July 2025, is a dedicated organization designed to build, govern, and grow the MUSD economy and the broader Mezo Network. The Foundation launches with immediate support for developers through the Alpha Builder Program, providing comprehensive resources, including grants, co-marketing, networking, and hands-on integration for teams looking to build within the Mezo and MUSD economy. To learn more, users can visit: Media contact: thesis@ ContactSenior Account ExecutiveAndrew HeibeckM Group Strategic Communicationsaheibeck@ Photo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mezo Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Mezo Launches Supernormal Foundation to Accelerate BitcoinFi Innovation and Mezo Ecosystem Growth
New York, New York, July 14th, 2025, Chainwire The foundation will also see the introduction of the Mezo Alpha Builder Program and sets the stage for additional comprehensive ecosystem development initiatives. Mezo, the bank-free Bitcoin finance platform built by Thesis*, today announced the launch of the Supernormal Foundation, a dedicated organization designed to build, govern, and grow the MUSD economy and the broader Mezo Network. The Foundation represents a pivotal shift toward community-powered ecosystem governance, moving away from traditional top-down approaches to enable decentralized innovation in the BitcoinFi space. The Supernormal Foundation launches with immediate support for developers through the Alpha Builder Program, providing comprehensive resources, including grants, co-marketing, networking, and hands-on integration for teams looking to build within the Mezo and MUSD economy. This inaugural initiative positions the foundation as a catalyst for BitcoinFi innovation while driving widespread MUSD adoption across the ecosystem. "The launch of the Supernormal Foundation comes at a transformative moment for the BitcoinFi ecosystem. Is the future of Bitcoin going to be driven by banks and business people, or can we build something better together?", Said Matt Luongo, CEO of Thesis* and Co-founder of Mezo. "The foundation is named after our goal for Bitcoin itself; to make using Bitcoin so normal, and such a crucial part of people's lives, that it's no longer special... it's just obvious. The Foundation's launch represents our commitment to growing and building alongside developers and users on Mezo, not just for them. Together, we'll make Bitcoin supernormal." The Alpha Builder Program is an example of providing this support. It gives developers the opportunity to access development resources, technical support, and grants for teams ready to contribute to the growing MUSD economy. Qualified development teams can access mentorship from industry experts and integration assistance to accelerate their projects from concept to deployment on Mezo. The Foundation's comprehensive approach to ecosystem development extends beyond immediate builder support. The Supernormal Foundation will serve as the launch pad for additional major initiatives planned for later this year, including partnering with the BitcoinFi Accelerator led by Boost VC, Draper Associates and Thesis —a dedicated accelerator for Bitcoin-focused projects— as well as new grant programs and hackathons, which will provide funding to builders developing innovative solutions on the Mezo network. The Supernormal Foundation will also work in concert with Tigris, Mezo's integrated incentive framework, to launch a Vote feature for users later this year. This groundwork will unlock the ability for users to guide the direction of Mezo's development, further democratizing governance and decision-making across the Mezo ecosystem. The launch of the Supernormal Foundation will also see the creation of a Bitcoin Advisory Group to accelerate ecosystem growth for projects building on Mezo and to help guide decentralization efforts for the Foundation moving forward. The advisory group will be comprised of several notable leaders in the Bitcoin space, including Arthur Hayes, crypto entrepreneur and former CIO of Maelstrom, Dan Held, a strategic growth leader at Kraken and long-time educator for the Bitcoin network, Dovey Wan, founder of Primitive Ventures and growth expert for blockchain projects, and Will Reeves, co-founder of Fold, who will provide independent guidance focused solely on Bitcoin-native finance and adoption. For more information about the Supernormal Foundation, as well as information about how developers can sign up for the Alpha Builder program, users can visit the Mezo Ecosystem page to learn more. Mezo is a platform that lets people live off their Bitcoin without selling it. It bridges the gap between saving and spending, making it easy to pay bills, make purchases, and put Bitcoin to work as productive capital. At the heart of Mezo is MUSD, a 100% Bitcoin-backed stablecoin usable onchain and in the real world. Users can borrow MUSD against their Bitcoin collateral at rates starting as low as 1%, unlocking up to 90% of their BTC's value at a competitive cost. Learn more about Mezo's initiatives and unique features at About Thesis* Thesis* is a pioneering venture studio dedicated to building on Bitcoin. Since 2014 Thesis* has committed to building solutions focused on empowering individuals and communities through creation of market leading products including Fold, Mezo, tBTC, Acre and Taho in its core portfolio of brands. Thesis* continues to challenge traditional systems, driven by innovation and a belief in a sovereign digital future shaping the decentralized landscape one project at a time. About Supernormal Foundation The Supernormal Foundation, founded in July 2025, is a dedicated organization designed to build, govern, and grow the MUSD economy and the broader Mezo Network. The Foundation launches with immediate support for developers through the Alpha Builder Program, providing comprehensive resources, including grants, co-marketing, networking, and hands-on integration for teams looking to build within the Mezo and MUSD economy. Contact Senior Account Executive Andrew Heibeck
Business Insider
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Bitcoin Venture Studio Thesis* Acquires Lolli Rewards Platform to Kick Off BTC Ecosystem Expansion
New York, New York, July 2nd, 2025, Chainwire Bitcoin Venture Studio Thesis* Acquires Lolli Rewards Platform to Kick Off BTC Ecosystem Expansion Known as one of the longest standing and most accessible crypto rewards platforms, Lolli will now join the Thesis* ecosystem alongside Fold, tBTC, and Mezo to establish a circular Bitcoin economy Thesis*, the venture studio behind Bitcoin-native successes such as Fold, Mezo, and tBTC, today announced its acquisition of Lolli, the leading Bitcoin rewards platform. This acquisition represents a strategic move to accelerate mainstream Bitcoin adoption by significantly enhancing consumer experiences through expanded rewards, faster payouts, and innovative partnerships. Matt Luongo, co-founder of Fold and CEO of Thesis, will lead Lolli into its next phase of growth. Under Luongo's leadership, Fold became the first publicly traded Bitcoin financial services company, pioneering Bitcoin rewards for everyday transactions. With this acquisition, Luongo brings that same proven vision and operational excellence to Lolli. "Having competed alongside Lolli for years, I've admired their ability to onboard users through accessible and engaging experiences," said Matt Luongo. "At Thesis, we believe Bitcoin's real growth is driven by everyday interactions—shopping, gaming, spending—not just investment portfolios. Together, we're creating the easiest and most rewarding entry point for millions to join the Bitcoin economy." What's Next for Lolli? With Luongo at the helm, the immediate roadmap for Lolli is centered on significant, user-focused improvements: An Upgraded Arcade & Daily Stack: Two of Lolli's most popular features will see a major evolution with more games, new quests, and bigger daily rewards. Preparing for Global Expansion: The mission to make bitcoin accessible to everyone doesn't stop at the U.S. border. We are actively developing our strategy for international expansion to bring Lolli to new countries and regions. A New Partnership with Fold: The two companies are already collaborating on entirely new ways for users to earn, including an expanded gift card marketplace that will bring more brands and opportunities to users globally. Simplified, Instant Payouts: Addressing one of the most requested features from the community, Lolli will roll out a new system later this year to deliver instant reward payouts and more options for redeeming earnings. Strengthening Collaboration with the Thesis* Portfolio The driving force behind this acquisition is to expand the Bitcoin consumer experience, seeking to address the long-standing fragmentation between using Bitcoin and earning on it. By uniting Lolli's rewards with the capabilities of Fold and the broader Thesis ecosystem, Luongo and his experienced team aim to close the loop between earning and using Bitcoin. Users will soon benefit from shared innovations, including expanded offerings through a new "Lolli Market," featuring more brands, higher cashback rates, and global accessibility. This integration will provide seamless opportunities to earn and spend Bitcoin in everyday life. "We are excited to join forces with Thesis to power the next phase of bitcoin adoption through rewards with Lolli," said Alex Adelman, Founder and former CEO of Lolli. "We've always aimed to make Bitcoin easy, fun, and rewarding for everyone. With Thesis' deep infrastructure expertise and shared vision, we can significantly enhance our platform and accelerate global adoption." Streamlining for Growth To deliver these ambitious enhancements, Thesis will undertake essential infrastructure upgrades, including migrating Lolli to a more robust, scalable system. Since its inception in 2018, Lolli has rewarded over 600,000 users with more than $20 million in Bitcoin through everyday shopping, gaming, and online activities. Thesis' acquisition solidifies a powerful alliance committed to expanding practical, accessible, and rewarding Bitcoin experiences worldwide. About Lolli: Lolli was founded in 2018 as the first bitcoin rewards application allowing users to earn bitcoin and cashback when they shop at 50,000+ top stores and play 1,000+ mobile games. Lolli was created with the goal of making it easy to earn, own, and share bitcoin with as many people as possible. About Thesis: Thesis is a venture studio dedicated to building on Bitcoin. Since 2014, Thesis has been committed to empowering individuals and communities through the creation of market-leading products including Fold, Mezo, tBTC, and more. Thesis is driven by innovation and a belief in a sovereign digital future. Contact Thesis*
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin Platform Mezo Debuts Mainnet to Build Circular BTC Economy
Blockchain venture studio Thesis, which is backed by Pantera Capital and Hack VC, has debuted its Bitcoin layer-2 network Mezo's mainnet. Mezo is built to be Bitcoin finance platform that enables its users to unlock practical utility in BTC and thus become their own bank, according to an emailed announcement shared with CoinDesk. The project debuted its testnet last year following a $21 million fundraising round led by Pantera. Users can use their BTC as collateral to mint and spend Mezo's native stablecoin MUSD, this creating a circular economy powered by BTC. An ongoing barrier to wider bitcoin adoption is the reticence users have to sell or spend it, which may be out of concern for losing value tied up in their holdings. This, amongst many other reasons, can explain why bitcoin has yet to fully prove itself as a form of money beyond being a store of value. "Holders haven't had many options to actually use their bitcoin without giving it up," CEO of Thesis, Matt Luongo, said. "With [Mezo}, I can park my BTC, access a credit line and live my life. This is what being your own bank was always meant to look like. It finally lets HODLers have their cake and eat it too." Mezo has teamed up with numerous crypto platforms that provide use cases such as e-commerce store Bitrefill, which offers gifts cards for MUSD, and BTC finance app Fold (FLD), which offers a cashback debit card and provides bitcoin rewards.
