Blockchain for Beginners Blog Series

---

 Elon Musk has publicly stated his ambition for X(Twitter) to process more than 50% of global financial transactions.

"Over time, it would become, I don't know, maybe half of the global financial system. Or some big number. I'm not sure what the number is, but pretty big. It would be by far the biggest financial institution." — Investment 

 Elon Musk has publicly stated his ambition for X(Twitter) to process more than 50% of global financial transactions.

"Over time, it would become, I don't know, maybe half of the global financial system. Or some big number. I'm not sure what the number is, but pretty big. It would be by far the biggest financial institution." — Investment News on August 2, 2023.

These aren’t just ideas—they are actionable plans Musk is actively implementing.

What if one man controlled the future of finance, the internet, and even your personal data?

Elon Musk is quietly building a financial empire that spans global transactions, satellites, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure, while also dismantling the very agencies designed to regulate him.

His companies, X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX, Tesla, and Starlink, are converging into a single, interconnected system that could dominate financial transactions, internet connectivity, and personal data in ways never seen before.

And it’s all happening right now, under the radar, with almost no oversight.

At the center of it all is the Dogecoin Foundation, not Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and a little-known technology called RadioDoge, which allows financial transactions to be completed without the internet, using radio waves and Starlink satellites.

If Musk succeeds, X won’t just be a social media platform. It will be the global financial system.

This isn’t speculation. This is happening. And here’s exactly how it all connects. Fact by fact.

RadioDoge: The Payment System That Doesn’t Need the Internet

On April 22, 2022, the Dogecoin Foundation completed a groundbreaking financial transaction.

A payment was sent over 100 miles using only radio waves, no WiFi, no cellular networks, and no traditional banking infrastructure. The transaction was finalized on the Dogecoin blockchain using a Starlink satellite.

This was the first proof-of-concept for RadioDoge, a system designed to allow global financial transactions entirely outside of traditional banking and internet systems.

Among the key members of the Dogecoin Foundation are Jared Birchall, head of Musk’s family office and Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum.

This is more than a pet project. It’s a new financial network that can operate beyond government control—and Musk controls the technology that makes it possible.

X and Visa Partnership: The Banking System Disruption

Musk’s vision for X is not just social media—it’s an all-in-one financial ecosystem.

In January 2025, X officially partnered with Visa to launch the X Money Account, which allows users to:

• Send and receive instant payments
• Connect their debit cards for seamless transactions
• Move funds between their X wallets and bank accounts

This means X is no longer just a conversation platform, it is now a financial institution in the making.

Musk has also acquired money transmitter licenses across multiple U.S. states, legally preparing for crypto integration and a full-scale banking alternative.

Meanwhile, X is already experimenting with Dogecoin payments, and with RadioDoge, Musk has the ability to create an alternative financial system completely outside of traditional banking.

In an internal meeting in October 2023, Musk further confirmed his intent:

"We're rapidly transforming the company from what it was, Twitter 1.0, to the everything app." – Elon Musk

Introducing Dogebox: Musk’s Decentralized Payment Infrastructure

As Musk pushes X deeper into the financial sector, another piece of his financial ecosystem is emerging. Dogebox, a project under the Doge Foundation, is a decentralized payment infrastructure designed to help businesses accept Dogecoin directly, without relying on banks, credit card processors, or traditional financial institutions.

Nearly 25 percent of the world’s population is unbanked, they have no access to financial services. According to the World Bank, this accounts for over 1.4 billion adults who rely entirely on cash transactions, often in regions with limited banking infrastructure. Dogebox aims to provide an alternative, allowing businesses and individuals to send and receive payments without needing a traditional bank account.

Unlike standard payment platforms, Dogebox operates through a self-hosted system, meaning businesses and individuals can run their own payment networks without third-party oversight. It enables a peer-to-peer economy where transactions are processed independently, giving users more control over their financial activity.

When combined with X Payments and RadioDoge, Dogebox expands the reach of Musk’s financial network to include areas with poor internet access. Businesses that integrate Dogebox could seamlessly connect with X’s payment system, allowing them to accept Dogecoin both online and in person.

This infrastructure is not just about increasing access to financial services. It is about creating an alternative financial system that does not rely on government regulations or traditional banking oversight. By building a payment network that operates outside of conventional financial structures, Musk is positioning X(Twitter), Starlink, Space X, Tesla, and The Doge Foundation as the foundation for a new global financial system.

DOGE Agency and Data Acquisition: The Hidden Agenda

Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has granted him unprecedented access to vast amounts of personal and financial data, including records from the Social Security Administration (SSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Medicare. While DOGE was positioned as a cost-cutting initiative designed to eliminate inefficiencies in government programs, it has also provided Musk with direct access to detailed financial records, health data, and tax information on millions of individuals.

By integrating this data into X’s AI models, Musk can refine predictive analytics, engagement strategies, and financial services, making X a dominant force in digital identity verification, financial transactions, and personalized advertising (Source: Wired). Access to IRS and Social Security records enables deep financial profiling, allowing X to offer credit-like services, prioritize high-value users, and create a new class of financial products tailored to individual risk profiles (Source: AP News).

This data also provides Musk’s companies with a competitive advantage. By analyzing consumer spending, income levels, and business financials, Musk’s enterprises can anticipate market trends, target users with financial products, and expand their dominance across multiple industries (Source: Wired). With this level of financial insight, Musk is not just building a financial ecosystem—he is controlling the data that powers it.

Musk’s financial network extends even further, targeting the unbanked population through alternative financial systems that bypass traditional banks. Dogebox, as previously detailed, is just one tool Musk is using to bypass traditional financial oversight. Combined with Starlink’s global connectivity and X’s payment infrastructure, Musk is creating a parallel financial system outside of regulatory oversight.

As privacy concerns grow, critics have raised alarms over the legal and ethical implications of DOGE’s access to sensitive government data. Lawmakers have already called for investigations, with federal courts considering emergency measures to block DOGE from accessing millions of Americans' Social Security records (Source: AP News). Despite these concerns, there is little standing in the way of Musk’s vision, as the regulatory agencies once responsible for oversight have been systematically weakened under DOGE’s restructuring efforts. This data pipeline not only feeds into X’s AI models, but also strengthens Musk’s entire ecosystem, allowing his companies to gain a strategic advantage across multiple industries.

How Each of Musk’s Companies Benefit

This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Musk’s companies benefit from this system in high-value ways.

SpaceX and Starlink are positioned as the backbone of a decentralized financial system. RadioDoge transactions rely on Starlink satellites to finalize payments, meaning financial activity within Musk’s ecosystem does not require traditional internet or banking networks. As more people adopt RadioDoge, demand for Starlink internet skyrockets, increasing revenue. With over 5,000 satellites in orbit and millions of users, Starlink is rapidly becoming the new global financial infrastructure—operating outside government control.

Tesla is poised to benefit as well. Musk already accepts Dogecoin for Tesla merchandise, and it is only a matter of time before this expands. X Payments could allow customers to buy Tesla vehicles using Dogecoin, eliminating banks and credit card processors entirely.

X itself is being positioned as the gateway to financial domination. By integrating Visa, crypto payments, Dogebox, and decentralized networks like RadioDoge, X is positioning itself as a direct competitor to PayPal, Apple Pay, and even traditional banks. Musk’s ambition for X to process more than 50 percent of global financial transactions would make him the single most powerful financial figure in the world.

By adding Dogebox into this financial loop, Musk now has a decentralized commerce system that allows businesses to accept payments directly without oversight, reinforcing his long-term strategy of building a completely independent economic system that cannot be regulated.

Musk’s Government Funding and the Regulatory Dismantling That Enables This

Musk’s companies have received substantial government funding, fueling his expansion into finance, space, and artificial intelligence. Despite his public criticisms of government intervention, Musk has leveraged taxpayer money to scale his ventures while simultaneously working to dismantle the very agencies that regulate him.

Tesla has been awarded $2.5 billion in state and local subsidies, along with $333 million in federal grants and allocated tax credits across 80 awards. Additionally, Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada benefited from a $1.287 billion incentive package, making it one of the most heavily subsidized manufacturing projects in U.S. history.

SpaceX has secured $23.3 billion in NASA and military contracts, positioning itself as one of the most government-funded aerospace companies in history. With these contracts, SpaceX has become an essential partner in national defense, satellite deployment, and space exploration, ensuring Musk’s enterprises remain deeply embedded in government operations.

Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has received at least $18.3 million in state and international funding, including aid from USAID before its dissolution. New policy changes could potentially direct an additional $10 billion to $20 billion toward Starlink under federal broadband expansion programs, solidifying Musk’s control over global internet infrastructure.

Despite receiving billions in government funding, Musk has aggressively worked to dismantle key regulatory agencies that could limit his expansion. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), responsible for preventing financial fraud, has been stripped of funding and enforcement power, allowing X Payments to operate with minimal oversight. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates communications infrastructure, has been weakened through policy shifts that benefit Starlink, reducing regulatory scrutiny on his satellite internet monopoly. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), charged with enforcing antitrust laws, has been underfunded and politically constrained, allowing Musk’s companies to vertically integrate finance, AI, satellite communications, and autonomous technology with little resistance.

By weakening these agencies, Musk has removed the last institutional barriers between him and a fully unregulated financial and technological empire. His strategy is clear—secure billions in government contracts while dismantling the oversight designed to hold him accountable.

What Happens Next?

This isn’t some far-off, hypothetical scenario. It’s already happening.

• X Payments to launch in 2025.
• RadioDoge transactions have been completed.
• Starlink is expanding daily.
• Regulatory agencies are being gutted.

The question isn’t whether Musk will control the future of digital payments.

The question is: Who will be left to stop him?

Final Thoughts

Musk isn’t just building companies, he’s building a self-contained financial system that operates beyond the reach of traditional banks, governments, and regulators.

With Starlink powering transactions, X serving as the payment hub, and regulatory agencies being dismantled, Musk is positioning himself to control the infrastructure of global finance.

Musk has quietly positioned himself at the center of global finance, communications, and artificial intelligence, creating an infrastructure that governments may soon be unable to regulate.

by Christie Russ

Sources

• Dogecoin Foundation - RadioDoge
• NASA Contracts with SpaceX ($22.6B)
• X and Visa Partnership - AP News
• Commerce to Overhaul 'Internet for All' Plan, Expanding Starlink Funding Prospects - WSJ
• Elon Musk's Ambition for X - The Verge
• InvestmentNews - Musk's 50% Financial Control Quote
• World Bank – Global Findex 2021
• Dogebox – Dogecoin Foundation
• Dogecoin | Tesla Support

 When people hear "cryptocurrency," they often picture wild price swings and speculative assets. But not all digital currencies are volatile.

Some are designed for stability. And they’re quietly powering a major shift in how money moves.

They’re called stablecoins—and they’re becoming a critical link between traditional finance and the bloc

 When people hear "cryptocurrency," they often picture wild price swings and speculative assets. But not all digital currencies are volatile.

Some are designed for stability. And they’re quietly powering a major shift in how money moves.

They’re called stablecoins—and they’re becoming a critical link between traditional finance and the blockchain-based economy.

From BlackRock to JPMorgan, the world’s largest institutions are already using them. And if you're watching where the future of money is going, this is a space to understand.

What Is a Stablecoin? A stablecoin is a digital asset built on blockchain technology that’s designed to maintain a stable value—usually pegged 1:1 to a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar or euro.

Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, stablecoins aren’t meant to rise and fall in price. They’re meant to hold their value—and make it easy to move money globally, instantly, and securely.

There are three core types:

🔹 Fiat-Backed (like USDC or USDT): Each digital coin is backed by real assets in reserve—like cash or short-term U.S. Treasuries.

🔹 Crypto-Collateralized (like DAI): These are backed by other cryptocurrencies and managed by smart contracts to maintain stability.

🔹 Algorithmic: These use software algorithms to manage supply and demand—though many have proven unstable and have lost user trust.

Today, the most widely used stablecoins are fiat-backed—and that’s where the biggest players are building.

Real-World Stablecoin Examples USDC (USD Coin) Created by Circle and governed by the Centre consortium (which includes Coinbase), USDC is a fully reserved digital dollar. It’s regularly audited and backed by U.S. Treasuries. 

🔹 Used by businesses, payment platforms, and institutions globally 

🔹 Integrated into Visa’s global payments network 

🔹 Supported by companies like Shopify and Stripe

USDT (Tether) USDT is the most traded stablecoin in the world. It was one of the first on the market and is widely used for crypto trading and transfers.

RLUSD (Real USD) A newer entrant launched by Ripple, RLUSD is designed for regulated stablecoin use on the XRP Ledger and Ethereum. 

🔹 Fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits 

🔹 Will serve as a bridge between banks, enterprises, and blockchain ecosystems 

🔹 Supports instant settlement and tokenized asset use cases

Why Stablecoins Matter 

Stablecoins are the bridge between blockchain and banking.

They allow money to move 24/7, across borders, with near-zero cost. And they remove the volatility barrier that makes some digital currencies hard to use for everyday transactions.

Here’s what they unlock:

🔹 Fast, low-cost payments — across countries, currencies, and platforms

🔹 Programmable money — send, split, or hold funds based on smart contract rules 

🔹 Access to digital finance — especially for those without full access to banks 

🔹 Liquidity in DeFi and tokenized markets — where stable assets are essential

They bring the speed of crypto with the stability of fiat.

JPMorgan, BlackRock are part of the shift in motion. This is no longer just theory. It’s already happening, and at the highest levels of finance.

JPMorgan Created its own stablecoin: JPM Coin 

🔹 Used to settle over $1 billion per day in internal transfers 

🔹 Connected to Onyx, JPMorgan’s blockchain platform 

🔹 Powers cross-border payments and tokenized securities settlement

BlackRock Launched BUIDL, a tokenized fund on Ethereum, and recently partnered with Circle (issuer of USDC). 

🔹 Larry Fink has spoken about the role of tokenization in transforming capital markets 

🔹 BlackRock now holds reserve assets backing USDC, signaling growing confidence in stablecoins as infrastructure

These aren’t small crypto startups. These are the financial giants leading the charge into digital money.

Where SWIFT Fits In 

SWIFT is the legacy messaging network used by over 11,000 banks worldwide to move money and communicate transactions.

And even they are adapting.

SWIFT has already begun integrating blockchain interoperability—allowing digital asset platforms and traditional banks to settle transactions across networks. They are actively working with Chainlink and other partners to bring stablecoins and tokenized assets into their infrastructure.

This shift shows us something critical:

🔹 Even the oldest financial institutions are preparing for a world where stablecoins and tokenized assets play a central role. 

🔹 They’re not resisting the change—they’re integrating with it.

What About DTCC? The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) is one of the most important—but often overlooked—entities in global finance.

It processes over $2 quadrillion in transactions annually and provides clearing, settlement, and information services for nearly all securities traded in the U.S.

In 2023, DTCC partnered with Chainlink and SWIFT to test tokenized asset settlements across public and private blockchains. Their goal? Seamlessly move traditional financial assets across digital platforms.

This matters because: 

🔹 DTCC is actively integrating blockchain into its infrastructure 

🔹 It signals that tokenized assets are no longer an experiment—they are becoming the next phase of market evolution

For Individuals In countries with unstable currencies, millions are turning to stablecoins like USDT or USDC to protect their savings and access digital dollars. From freelancers in Argentina to families in Lebanon, stablecoins are becoming a lifeline—offering value stability where banks fall short.

They also enable fast, low-cost remittances, allowing workers to send money home without relying on high-fee services like Western Union.

For Businesses From paying global contractors instantly to managing digital cash flow, businesses are using stablecoins to modernize operations. Platforms like Shopify, Stripe, and even Visa are integrating stablecoin payments—proving this isn’t an experiment; it’s infrastructure.

Whether it’s settling invoices in USDC or automating payroll with programmable money, stablecoins are opening up a more efficient, borderless financial system for companies of all sizes.

For Creators and Platforms Content creators, app developers, and educators are beginning to explore stablecoins for tipping, microtransactions, and subscription models. With programmable features built in, stablecoins allow for flexible monetization that traditional payment systems can’t match.

What This Means for the Future Stablecoins may be the least flashy part of crypto—but they’re becoming the most important tool in building the next financial system.

They offer the trust of traditional money, with the speed and flexibility of blockchain.

And as governments, corporations, and everyday users adopt them, they are laying the groundwork for a global financial system that runs in real time, without borders, and without friction.

If you want to understand how the future of money is being built—

Start with stablecoins.

by Christie Russ

Most of the world doesn’t realize it yet—but blockchain is quietly reshaping the systems we use every day.

Not through flashy apps or major announcements. But through invisible, foundational upgrades—similar to how the internet, cloud computing, and smartphones transformed our lives without us needing to understand how they worked.

Blockch

Most of the world doesn’t realize it yet—but blockchain is quietly reshaping the systems we use every day.

Not through flashy apps or major announcements. But through invisible, foundational upgrades—similar to how the internet, cloud computing, and smartphones transformed our lives without us needing to understand how they worked.

Blockchain isn’t something you’ll “start using” one day. It’s already working behind the scenes to make everyday systems faster, safer, and smarter. And before long, you’ll feel its presence in how you pay, verify your identity, track goods, protect data, and interact online.

You didn’t have to understand how the internet works to benefit from it. The same is true with blockchain. It’s not about becoming a tech expert—it’s about recognizing how this new layer of infrastructure is reshaping the systems around us.

You’ll benefit from blockchain without even knowing it’s there.

• Money moves instantly across borders
• Your identity can be verified without exposing personal details
• You can confirm that a product is real before buying it
• Healthcare records follow you securely between doctors
• Sensitive data becomes harder to steal or fake

Blockchain is the upgrade that quietly changes everything underneath your digital life.

Blockchain isn’t just another app. It’s rebuilding the architecture of how information, value, and identity move online. It’s solving problems we’ve been living with for years, like fraud, delays, data breaches, and lack of transparency.

Think of it like a behind-the-scenes renovation. You’ll still walk through the front door—but now the plumbing, wiring, and foundation are stronger, smarter, and more secure.

Here’s what that really means:

• You control your data: Instead of big companies storing your information, you hold it in a secure digital wallet—and decide who gets to see it.
• You don’t need middlemen: Blockchain replaces traditional gatekeepers (banks, brokers, platforms) with automated, trusted systems that work 24/7.
• You aren’t stuck in silos: Blockchain lets apps and services speak the same digital language, so you can move freely across platforms and systems.

You won’t see the tech—but you’ll feel the difference: less friction, more speed, and more control.

Every few decades, we experience a technological leap that changes how the world operates.

The internet redefined communication. Smartphones redefined convenience. Blockchain is redefining trust—in systems, transactions, identities, and ownership.

Here’s how:

• Tamper-proof data: Once information is recorded on a blockchain, it can’t be altered. That means more reliable records and fewer chances for fraud.
• Automated trust: Smart contracts allow agreements to execute automatically, removing the need to “trust” the other party.
• No single point of failure: Unlike centralized systems, blockchain is decentralized—so it’s harder to shut down, hack, or manipulate.

It’s like upgrading from a local hard drive to a global, secure network that’s always on and always working in your favor.

• Global payments: Banks like JPMorgan and Santander are using blockchain to move money faster and cheaper across borders.
• Product tracking: Walmart, LVMH, and other retailers are using blockchain to confirm that products—from groceries to handbags—are authentic and safe.
• Digital ID: Countries like Estonia and Switzerland are using blockchain to give people full control over their digital identities.
• Healthcare: Companies are testing blockchain to let patients carry their health records securely and share them instantly with doctors anywhere in the world.

You’re not waiting for the future. It’s already unfolding—quietly, powerfully, and globally.

Just like cloud computing and Wi-Fi, blockchain isn’t something most people notice until it’s everywhere.

We’re in the phase where the foundation is being built. It may still seem “techy,” but it’s being integrated into services you already use—payments, apps, government platforms, and more.

Eventually, blockchain will just be part of life—powering systems in the background, without you needing to know how it works.

Blockchain isn’t about hype or headlines. It’s a silent upgrade to how our digital world runs.

And as it continues to evolve, it will unlock a future where trust is built in, data is protected, and the systems we rely on every day become smarter, faster, and more secure.

You don’t need to understand the code behind it. You’ll simply feel the benefits in how the world starts to work better—one silent upgrade at a time.

by Christie Russ