In the latest edition of ARC's Keystone Contributor Series, we're excited to spotlight Dee, who modestly describes himself as a "humble tech experimenter" on his X profile. Yet, to those within the ARC community, Dee represents far more. His pivotal role in leading several community-driven projects has greatly expanded the scope of collaboration and collective ownership in the ARC community.

Dee's initial brush with cryptocurrency came in 2011 when a friend suggested they buy GPUs to mine Bitcoin, a proposition he initially viewed with skepticism. It wasn’t until 2016, equipped with a wealth of development experience and after witnessing firsthand the volatility of the Ukrainian banking system, that Dee fully embraced the crypto world. This period marked his pioneering effort in Europe to host a series of crypto events, setting the stage for his widespread engagement in the field.

Later on, Dee spent a couple of years integrating crypto payments into point-of-sale solutions and then pivoted into technical writing. Over the years, he had the privilege of working with brands like OMG Network, Chainlink, and Gnosis. In these capacities, Dee contributed to enhancing developer experience via API docs, code samples, and guides, while continuously exploring and learning about new technologies.

In 2017, Steemit offered financial rewards for user-generated content. Along with his mom, who contributed her artwork, Dee produced sufficient content to finance his travels across Ukraine. This burgeoning passion for exploration led him to venture extensively across Asia, where he then worked remotely in destinations like Bali, Phuket, and Bangkok.

It was in Asia that he discovered ARC, a community that reflected and deepened his enthusiasm for development and the transformative possibilities of crypto. By contributing his expertise and skills, he has benefited from ARC’s robust networks and value streams, and his story is a compelling illustration of the impact of community engagement and innovation in the crypto space.

What were your first impressions of ARC?

Dee's entry into the ARC community came unexpectedly through his tech ventures in Neo Tokyo, where a project linked him with an ARC community member. This connection led him to an ARC meeting in Bangkok, which made a significant impact on Dee’s crypto journey. More than just an introduction, this meeting gave him a clear view of what kind of community ARC is, and the values of collaboration and innovation that the community stands for, setting the stage for his future contributions.

Dee summed up his impression by saying, "This isn't just any community; it's a select group of people doing important work in the industry." This perspective highlighted the distinctive nature of ARC, motivating Dee to engage more deeply.

What motivated you to initiate a dynamic sub-community and project within ARC?

"I was always trying to find ways to deliver value upfront without asking for anything."

The journey began with Dee's vision to leverage the collective strength of ARC to participate in various Web3 initiatives. Despite low initial uptake, Dee's persistent efforts, including the dissemination of "Dee’s alpha snippets," gradually warmed the community to the idea. This led to the creation of a specialised sheet focused solely on airdrops, marking the initiative's first leap towards structured collaboration.

As interest grew, Spectrum came on board, bringing further experience and collaboration within ARC to the forefront, leading to building something greater than the sum of its parts. These collaborations transformed the initiative from what was a focused effort on airdrops into a vibrant sub-community within ARC. From a simple resource-pooling group, this community-driven initiative has now become a cornerstone of knowledge and support within ARC, providing the space for new projects to emerge.

How has ARC provided value to you?

Dee highlights access as a key value ARC offers — the ease of connecting with influential figures and entities in the cryptocurrency sector. "Value emerges from a variety of sources. Some are quite unexpected," he notes. Access isn't merely about starting conversations; it's the chance to interact with people and projects that would typically be out of reach. Sahib once explained to Dee, "Being part of ARC grants you a certain stature or reputation at events, making people more willing to engage and listen.” This reputation eases interactions across the industry, facilitating the forging of new connections.

An example of the value ARC provides was highlighted during an ARC retreat, where a casual encounter opened doors to potential collaborative ventures. The meeting led to an offer of introductions within a vast network, showcasing the promise of significant synergies. "It began with a random chat in a pizza place and evolved into something quite fascinating," reflects Dee, illustrating how ARC’s environment nurtures the possibilities of such engagements and collaborations.

Within this setting, members are motivated to share knowledge, inspire each other, and jointly unravel the complexities of the cryptocurrency world. Dee sees his active role in ARC as a chance to contribute to the community, which has greatly enhanced his professional path. By sharing his technical insights, he aims to raise the collective value for ARC members, creating an environment where all can flourish. This exemplifies the principle of giving value to receive value, as Dee's impactful initiatives within ARC have paved the way for more cooperative and synergistic partnerships.

Being in Asia, and especially in ARC, Dee sees it as both a physical and mental sanctuary. The community's readiness for open dialogue fosters meaningful exchanges, allowing for deep dives into both personal and professional topics. Dee's involvement in ARC goes beyond just leveraging opportunities; it's about contributing to a community where educational and growth experiences are shared. Along this journey, friendships are also naturally formed, further enriching the ARC experience.

What advice would you give to those who want to contribute?

"Just do something as an experiment for yourself, and then experiment for them too."

Dee encourages prospective contributors to identify areas within the crypto space where their skills and interests align, turning from consumers into creators. Practically, this could be spending some time reading about things you’re interested in, writing down problems within the community you spotted, brainstorming and picking one to solve based on your skill set, and experimenting with that. 

In a community as dynamic and diverse as ARC, Dee's approach exemplifies how individual contributions, driven by passion and expertise, can collectively push the boundaries of what's possible in the crypto space.

Any wise words to leave us with?

In his "Dee in Tech" log, where he shares insights and productivity hacks, Dee offers a profound piece of advice that resonates with simplicity and depth: "In life, we don’t need as much as we think we do. The key is to figure out how to facilitate the lifestyle we want and determine what truly matters to us."

This wisdom encapsulates the essence of living a fulfilled life, not by accumulation but by understanding and focusing on what genuinely brings us joy and satisfaction. It's a reminder to reassess our priorities, to distinguish between what we want and what we need, and to navigate our lives with intention and purpose.

Adding to this, Dee underscores the importance of due diligence with a lesson learned from his initial scepticism towards Bitcoin in 2011: "Always do your research, especially if it sounds like a scam. Still, check, look at the opportunity, and then say no, if you want." This philosophy is a testament to his growth and iterative learning process, emphasising the value of scrutinising opportunities thoroughly before making a decision, guiding his approach to innovation and investment in the tech space.

Editor’s Note

Dee's passion for continuous learning stands out. His approach underscores the importance of the right mindset and networks, beyond just cultivating the relevant technical skills. Dee also embodies how contributing value leads to receiving value at ARC, as shared experiences and collaborative growth can enrich everyone involved.

Su Su, Dee!