Former Coinbase executive Balaji Srinivasan will turn the development of problematic forest cities into a lab for blockchain-based governance and startup society in Malaysia.
Bloomberg reported that radical experiments in crypto governance are being deployed in forest cities in Malaysia. This project explores how cryptocurrencies and shared ideologies redefine citizenship.
Network School will appear in Forest City
High-tech entrepreneurs and crypto innovators are testing whether blockchain-based countries can replace traditional territorial models. Approximately 400 students flocked to the development of this reclaimed island.
They are participating in network schools. An ambitious project led by Balaji Srinivasan, former Chief Technology Officer of Coinbasec. The program charges participants $1,500 per month for shared accommodation. Students explore decentralized governance along with longevity science.
Forest City was originally designed to accommodate millions. Currently, they only host a small portion of that population. However, this provides an ideal testing ground for Srinivasan’s vision of “startup society.” Technical beliefs rather than historical boundaries must define these communities. Furthermore, they emphasize the adoption of cryptocurrencies over traditional citizenship models.
The curriculum blends practical coding sessions and ideological seminars. Students will look into everything from Singapore’s three-dimensional technology to blockchain governance mechanisms. The morning focuses on building crypto projects. The afternoon includes discussion of theories about distributed autonomous organizations. Additionally, students will discuss the concept of digital sovereignty.
The campus reflects Silicon Valley’s health enforcement. It features a commercial-grade fitness facility and a protein-rich diet, drawing inspiration from the longevity movement. Furthermore, the environment encourages both physical and intellectual development.
Forest City, Johor Source: Wikipedia
From the Silicon Valley exit to the Malaysian experiment
The journey from venture capitalist to nation-state theorist at Srinivasan spent five years as a general partner before joining Coinbase in 2018. The speech advocated the “ultimate exit” for Silicon Valley from the United States. He argued that traditional nation-states have become an outdated barrier to innovation.
The concept of network state was fully expressed in his 2022 book of the same name. We propose that online communities combined by shared values can form new distributed states. These communities leverage cryptocurrency and digital tools. A “network state” exists in multiple geographic locations. Blockchain technology and Internet infrastructure combine them. Ultimately, they seek diplomatic awareness from existing governments.
Forest City’s appeal goes beyond low rental costs. The proximity to Singapore’s international airports makes it more convenient. Malaysian authorities are implementing various incentives to stimulate development. These include tax-free status and zero% tax rate for family offices. As a result, the environment is useful for regulatory experiments.
While students welcome the initiative as transformative and visionary, critics are concerned that it merely reflects authentic charity impulses. The success of the network school experiment could determine the viability of the blockchain governance model, suggesting practical political alternatives.
