Carbon fiber is not just a material — it’s a revelation of strength made visible. It is the poetry of physics, the perfection of geometry, and the elegance of light woven into existence.
1. The Beauty of Visible Strength
Most materials hide their essence under paint, polish, or plastic. Carbon fiber wears its soul on its skin. Every weave, every pattern, every shimmering angle is its structure — nothing is fake, nothing is concealed.
It looks strong because it is strong. That’s honest beauty — the kind that needs no decoration.
2. The Geometry of Power
The weave of carbon fiber is mathematical perfection — diagonal patterns repeating in sacred rhythm. A 2×2 twill looks like the visual manifestation of discipline and order.
When you stare at it, you feel the symmetry of control — engineered chaos tamed into harmony. The human brain loves order; carbon fiber gives us that, but with a whisper of danger and speed.
3. The Dance of Light
Move a sheet of carbon fiber under sunlight — it moves with you. The light catches on the fibers, creating living gradients of shadow and sheen.
It’s alive, like liquid darkness. Even when still, it looks as if it’s in motion. This is what makes it addictive: it embodies kinetic beauty.
4. The Aesthetic of Performance
Carbon fiber means something. It’s the symbol of everything ultra-performance — Formula 1, hypercars, aerospace, elite bikes, and even prosthetics.
To the human psyche, carbon fiber reads as: speed, precision, dominance. It’s visual testosterone — the skin of the future.
5. The Philosophy of Carbon
At its core, carbon fiber is made of pure carbon — the element of life itself. But through fire, pressure, and engineering, it becomes something transcendental:
Lighter than aluminum.
Stronger than steel.
More beautiful than both.
It’s the perfect metaphor for human transcendence: taking the base elements of nature and forging them into god-tier materials.
Carbon fiber isn’t just a product of science — it’s a manifestation of human will.
ERIC KIM CONCLUSION
Carbon fiber is beauty because it’s honesty, geometry, and power made visible.
It’s the physical embodiment of the hyper-alpha aesthetic — pure efficiency with zero waste.
Every weave whispers the same truth:
“I am strong, light, and eternal.”
Would you like me to design this into a visual blog layout (black background, silver text, carbon-fiber texture header) for posting on erickim.com?
Unlike painted metals or hidden alloys, carbon fiber shows its internal structure. Those black-gray woven strands are the source of its strength — each fiber a thread of crystallized carbon atoms aligned like soldiers. The weave pattern itself communicates tension, directionality, and control. It looks strong because it is strong.
2.
Mathematical Geometry
Carbon fiber’s aesthetic comes from mathematical precision. The twill weave — 2×2, 3×1, 4×4 — creates repeating diagonals that feel both natural and engineered, almost like topography or DNA. It satisfies the human brain’s craving for order, symmetry, and rhythm, while its subtle variation in light gives it depth and soul.
3.
Light and Shadow Play
The fibers’ reflective properties create dynamic chiaroscuro — a dance of light and darkness. As you move, the surface comes alive with shifting gradients. This “living texture” gives carbon fiber a kinetic beauty — even when perfectly still, it feels fast.
4.
Symbol of Performance
Over decades, carbon fiber has become the visual language of speed and excellence — Formula 1, aerospace, hypercars, prosthetics, watches, and even spacecraft. It visually encodes extreme engineering, minimalism, and mastery. To the human eye, carbon fiber means elite performance.
5.
Philosophical Beauty
Carbon fiber is a paradox material — stronger than steel yet lighter than aluminum, industrial yet artisanal, futuristic yet primal (since it’s made of pure carbon — the element of life). It represents human transcendence through technology — nature’s base element, refined by fire and precision into something almost divine.
In short:
Carbon fiber is beautiful because it’s the visible skeleton of perfection — strength, geometry, and light woven into one eternal pattern.
Would you like me to write this as a short Eric Kim essay (in your hyper-alpha style, ready for your blog)?
Anisotropic sheen: The woven fibers reflect light directionally. As you move, the highlights slide across the surface in a checkerboard or diagonal flow. Your eye reads that moving pattern as lively and “high-tech.”
High contrast: Carbon is nearly black, so tiny specular highlights pop. That big dynamic range makes the weave look crisp and dimensional.
Perceived depth: Clear resin acts like a thin lens. Light passes through, bounces off the fibers, and back out, creating a subtle “under‑glass” depth rather than a flat paint look.
2) The pattern (order with just enough complexity)
Woven tows (bundles of fibers) form regular, repeating geometry—plain weave grids or the diagonal of a 2×2 twill. Our visual system loves patterns that are legible but not boring; carbon fiber hits that sweet spot of structured complexity.
3) Material honesty
With carbon fiber you’re looking at the structure itself, not a cosmetic skin. Modern design often rewards “truth to materials,” and carbon shows its skeleton proudly—beauty via function.
4) Performance cues
It signals lightness and strength (extreme stiffness-to-weight), plus associations with aerospace, cycling, and motorsport. Those performance connotations add an emotional gloss: fast, precise, elite.
5) Craft and rarity
The story—prepreg, layup schedules, vacuum bagging, autoclaves—suggests care and craftsmanship. That narrative of precision and difficulty makes it feel special before you even touch it.
Why different carbon looks different
Plain weave: Tight checkerboard; sharp, formal.
Twill (2×2, 4×4): Diagonal “flow;” the crowd-pleaser because the highlights sweep gracefully.
Unidirectional (UD): All fibers aligned; minimal pattern, very technical and sleek.
Spread‑tow: Wider, flatter tows; a crisp, tiled look with fewer print‑through ripples.
“Forged”/chopped: Random marbling from short fibers in resin—more abstract, often used for bold interior pieces.
(Note: most “colored carbon” you see is clear over colored resin or a thin colored fiber layer over real carbon; pure carbon fiber itself is black.)
If you want it to look its best
Finish: Gloss shows maximum depth and drama; satin hides fingerprints and micro-scratches while keeping detail.
Panel alignment: Rotating and matching twill directions across parts looks intentional and premium.
Lighting: Raking light (from the side) makes the weave come alive.
Protection: Use clear coats with UV inhibitors; raw epoxy can yellow or chalk over time.
In short, carbon fiber is beautiful because it literally looks like what it does: a visible pattern of strength that bends light in dynamic ways, wrapped in a story of speed and craft.
Environment & terrain: Apple recommends Vision Pro only in controlled environments and to avoid uneven terrain or places where collisions are likely. Trails are inherently uneven and uncontrolled.
Situational awareness: Vision Pro’s obstacle detection doesn’t catch everything and only detects objects at eye level, so low obstacles common on trails may not be recognized.
Not water‑resistant: Rain, fog, and moisture are a no‑go. Many hikes include changing weather, stream crossings, or sweat exposure.
Heat/cold limits: Designed to operate at 32–86°F (0–30°C); hot sun or winter conditions can dim displays, trigger thermal warnings, or stop charging.
Low light: Apple cautions that low‑light use increases collision risk—dawn/dusk and forest canopy are common on hikes.
Battery & tether: About 2 hours of general use on the external battery; longer requires being plugged into power (impractical on trail). The dangling cable/battery is also snag‑prone.
If you still choose to use it briefly (not recommended)
If you insist on momentary, stationary use (e.g., to view a map or record a quick clip at a viewpoint), minimize risk by:
Stop moving first. Use it only while standing still on flat, clear ground; don’t run or make sudden movements.
Keep immersion low. Avoid Environments; rely on passthrough and awareness features in good lighting.
Mind weather & temps. Don’t use in rain/fog; keep within 32–86°F; avoid direct sun heating.
Secure the battery/cable. Route the cable under clothing and keep the battery in a zipped pocket; carry a rigid case for transport. (Example: Pelican’s IP67 travel case for Vision Pro.)
Take breaks and listen to your body. Stop immediately if you feel dizziness, nausea, or eyestrain.
Better tools for hiking
For navigation, stats, and durability, something like Apple Watch Ultra (with proper water resistance and outdoor‑oriented features) is built for trails; pair it with an iPhone for maps/photos.
Bottom line: While you can physically wear Vision Pro outdoors, hiking with it is unsafe and outside Apple’s recommended use. If you want to capture a moment on the trail, take it out only when you’re stopped on safe, level ground—otherwise stick to gear designed for the backcountry.
Tagline: Less risk. More sovereignty. Radical transparency.
What it is: A Bitcoin treasury company that operates like a creative studio: we publish the playbook openly, we build the tooling (self‑custody, policies, proofs), and we co‑sign only when clients follow the doctrine. It’s treasury as a craft—opinionated, minimal, and verifiable.
Why it’s new:
Open‑source by default: the full Treasury Policy Manual, custody diagrams, audit recipes, and content are published free—explicitly inspired by Eric Kim’s long‑standing “open source” blogging ethos.
Via negativa risk doctrine: we focus first on what not to do (no leverage, no rehypothecation, no opaque yield), then build the smallest safe system that remains.
Skin‑in‑the‑game structure: partners’ own treasury follows the exact same policy, disclosed publicly every month.
Proof‑centric trust: every client gets live proof‑of‑reserves/controls dashboards (cryptographic attestations + third‑party audits) instead of glossy PDFs.
The Doctrine (short, opinionated, enforceable)
Self‑custody first, always multi‑sig. Standard policy: 3‑of‑5 geographically dispersed keys, spending rules and decaying timelocks (Taproot/Miniscript when possible).
Zero rehypothecation. We do not lend client BTC. No “earn” accounts.
No leverage. If clients want fiat stability, we hedge exposure (regulated venues), not collateralize treasuries.
Liquidity ring. One small, insured hot slice for ops; the rest in cold, with time‑locked emergency paths.
Public proofs. Monthly Merkle‑proof attestations, auditor letters, and policy drift reports—published, not just sent. (Merkle PoR is the minimum standard, with known caveats; we supplement with liabilities disclosure.)
Open playbook. All how‑tos, checklists, and templates live on the site under an open license—mirroring the “teach everything you know” model Eric Kim popularized in blogging.
Product Stack
1)
TreasuryOS
(SaaS)
A dashboard that verifies, not just visualizes:
Keys & policy graph: shows your multi‑sig topology, signers, locations, timelocks, and rotation health.
Attestations: one‑click Proof‑of‑Reserves (Merkle tree) and Proof‑of‑Controls reports; publishes a signed hash to an immutable log.
Ops ring: Lightning/Liquid balances for day‑to‑day spend; cold storage for reserves. (Liquid gives fast, confidential settlement and access to USDT rails where compliant.)
Access: passkeys/WebAuthn for admin auth and high‑value approvals—phishing‑resistant by design.
2)
Co‑Sign
(policy‑enforced co‑signature)
We co‑sign as a policy oracle, not a custodian: if the transaction violates your policy (limits, destinations, velocity) we hard‑refuse. Client still controls funds (2‑of‑3 without us), so we avoid full custody exposure. (We’ll tailor jurisdictional treatment; non‑custodial co‑signing can reduce money‑transmitter obligations but still needs legal review.)
3)
LSP for Treasury
(Lightning Service Provider)
If you need BTC payments, we run an LSP that rents inbound/outbound liquidity with SLAs (self‑custody preserved). Treat it as “connectivity,” not yield.
4)
Stable‑Value Over Bitcoin
Phase 1 (now): integrate USDT on Liquid for USD value while staying in the Bitcoin universe.
Phase 2 (roll‑out): adopt Taproot Assets on Lightning (stablecoins over LN) where rules permit—multi‑asset on Bitcoin, instant and low‑fee.
5)
TreasureKit
(physical)
Minimalist, “atelier‑grade” kit: 2 hardware signers, 1 air‑gapped laptop image, steel backups, printed runbooks, and a rehearsal protocol for incident response—in line with the tactile, craft‑forward spirit Eric Kim brings to his work.
Education & publishing: workshops, open books, and kits—free content fuels trust (Eric Kim’s playbook), paid for hands‑on work.
Compliance stance (built‑in, not bolted‑on)
Non‑custodial default: clients retain unilateral spending quorum (e.g., 2‑of‑3) without us.
Attestations ≠ marketing: we disclose PoR’s limits (snapshot issues, off‑chain liabilities). We add continuous proofs and independent audits.
Stable‑value rails: where Liquid USDT or Taproot‑Assets stablecoins are used, we follow local e‑money/crypto promotion rules and partner with licensed on/off‑ramps.
Brand system (Eric‑Kim‑inspired)
Voice: direct, generous, unpretentious—teach first. (Eric Kim’s blog model of publishing ideas, manuals, and philosophies openly is the template.)
Design: black/white UI, big type, no stock photos, minimal nav.
Publishing cadence:
Daily: 300–700‑word field notes (“What broke in today’s key rehearsal”).
Weekly: Open Treasury Log—hashes of proofs, policy changes, incident learnings.
Quarterly: “Via Negativa Reviews”—what we removed from the product to reduce risk.
Go‑to‑market
Founders + family offices + creator businesses that already hold BTC but lack formal policy.
Commerce platforms that want BTC acceptance with self‑custody and proofs (our LSP + POS SDK).
Public benefit enterprises that value radical transparency—PoR and open manuals as part of their reporting.
0 / 30 / 60 / 90‑day plan
Day 0–7
Register Public Benefit Corporation or equivalent.
Publish v0.1 of the Open Treasury Manual and “Via Negativa” doctrine page. (Cite and credit Eric Kim’s open‑source inspiration on the site.)
Day 8–30
Stand up TreasuryOS alpha: watch‑only wallet aggregation + policy graph + passkey login.
Run two key ceremonies (internal + design partner) for a 3‑of‑5 Taproot multisig with decaying timelocks; publish redacted diagram.
Ship PoR v1: basic Merkle attestation with third‑party auditor letter.
Day 31–60
Launch LSP for Treasury in pilot (inbound liquidity rentals, SLA, no rehypothecation language).
Integrate Liquid (L‑BTC / USDT) for fast ops flows; publish a compliance memo for target markets.
Day 61–90
Release Open Proofs Portal: public feed of signed root hashes, liabilities notes, and auditor attest links.
Publish three open e‑books (Key Ceremonies, Policy Templates, Incident Drills)—free downloads, no email gate (Eric Kim playbook).
Close five lighthouse clients; run tabletop incident drill with each.
What your clients tangibly get
A policy‑enforced self‑custody setup they actually understand and can operate.
Public, verifiable proofs that de‑risk board conversations and investor diligence.
Optional Bitcoin payments connectivity that doesn’t compromise custody.
An always‑current manual, written in plain English, because the company is a publisher first.
Competitive edge vs. “BTC funds,” custodians, and TaaS
Funds are opaque; we’re transparently verifiable. (Proofs + open policy + monthly drift report.)
Custodians create platform risk; we default to non‑custodial with co‑sign only as an enforcement layer.
TaaS chases yield; we remove failure modes first (via negativa), then add only essential capabilities.
Name directions (pick one)
Satelier (Sats + Atelier) — emphasizes craft and minimalism.
Via Treasury Co. — foregrounds the via negativa doctrine.
OpenGlass Treasury — signals public proofs and transparency.
Why this channels Eric Kim—concretely
Open‑source manuals & free books: exactly his “open source” publishing ethos applied to treasury.
Minimalism by subtraction: quarterly “what we removed” posts mirror his via negativa philosophy.
Skin in the game: partners’ own BTC treasury, same policy, publicly logged.
If you want, I can turn this into a one‑page pitch, a site outline (hero copy, policies page, proofs portal), and a first‑client key‑ceremony runbook you can run this week.
A rigid corrugated box that uses ~26–28% less fiber than a standard RSC while staying automation‑friendly.
What it is
EdgeFold™ keeps only the two major flaps (front/back) on the top and bottom, deletes the two minor flaps, and adds narrow hemmed “dust lips” on the major flaps to close the side gaps. Everything else (rectangular footprint, glue tab, tape or auto‑lock closure) stays familiar—so it drops into current Amazon-style carton erectors and tape lines with minimal change.
Why it’s better (and still strong)
Biggest waste removed: On a regular slotted container (RSC), the four top and four bottom flaps account for a lot of board. The two minor flaps contribute little to compression strength but consume roughly half of total flap area. EdgeFold removes them.
Built‑in sealing: Each major flap includes a 15 mm hemmed dust lip that folds over the side edges when you close the box, creating a labyrinth seal (dust‑resistant without full minor flaps).
Edge stiffness where it matters: The hem creates a 3‑ply edge, boosting bending stiffness along the lid edges—where tape pulls and handling loads concentrate.
No new consumables: Close with a single strip of paper tape (or use the self‑locking option below). Labels, inline print, and scanning remain unchanged.
How much material you save (with real numbers)
For typical Amazon box sizes, the blank area reduction is consistently ~26–28%.
(Assumptions: two minor flaps removed on top and bottom; each major flap gets two 15 mm dust lips.)
Internal L × W × D (mm)
Standard RSC blank area (mm²)
EdgeFold blank area (mm²)
Saved (mm²)
Saved (%)
230 × 150 × 120
229,200
169,200
60,000
26.18%
330 × 230 × 180
505,200
367,200
138,000
27.32%
450 × 300 × 250
915,000
663,000
252,000
27.54%
Rule of thumb: with a 15 mm dust lip, expect ~26–28% less corrugate vs. an RSC of the same internal dimensions.
Construction details (ready for a dieline)
Blank: one piece with standard side glue tab.
Panels: four vertical panels (L, W, L, W).
Flaps:
Top & bottom: Only the two major flaps (on the L‑panels). Each major flap depth = W/2.
Dust lips: 15 mm hem along both short edges of each major flap. The lip creases 180° and tucks down inside when closed.
Optional tear‑open: 10–12 mm paper tear strip centered across the top major flaps.
Scores & cuts:
1 × vertical glue tab (25–35 mm).
Standard vertical scores at panel edges.
Top/bottom scores at D.
Kiss‑cut ladder scores every 10–15 mm around the body (“height‑reduction ladder,” see Variants).
Closure:
Baseline: 1 strip of 48–72 mm paper tape on top; 1 strip on bottom.
Auto‑lock option: “Ω‑Lock” tabs—mirror‑image omega cut‑outs centered in the two top major flaps interlock without tape (see Variants).
Material suggestions:
Small/medium: 23–32 ECT, B or E flute, high‑RC kraft liners.
Large/heavy: 32–44 ECT B/C dual or lightweight BC doublewall for parity with RSC BCT. (Pick exact grade after BCT/stack testing.)
How to erect and pack
Erect as usual; side glue tab forms the tube.
Close bottom: fold the two bottom major flaps; hemmed lips tuck in automatically; tape center seam.
Pack product; add dunnage if needed.
Close top: fold the two top major flaps; dust lips tuck in; apply paper tape (or engage Ω‑Lock).
Apply label and ship.
Automation: Existing flap‑plowing arms for minor flaps can be disabled or removed. Tape heads remain. Case erectors see nearly identical geometry—this is a low‑friction retrofit.
Variants (choose per SKU family)
EdgeFold‑Ω (No‑Tape Top) Interlocking “Ω‑Lock” tabs in the two top major flaps. Reduces tape use, speeds opening (still add a narrow tamper band if required).
EdgeFold‑Flex (Height‑Reduction Ladder) Perimeter ladder scores every 10–15 mm on the body. Cut down to product height, fold top flaps—zero void fill and more material saved from reduced box height, without new box SKUs.
EdgeFold‑Shield (Dust‑Sensitive SKUs) Add a 20–25 mm inner dust flange on the body side panels (minimal area) that mates with the flap lips for near‑continuous closure. Use for powders or tiny parts.
Performance & testing plan
Compression/BCT parity: Because minor flaps contribute little to Box Compression Test (BCT), expect near‑parity with the equivalent RSC at the same board grade. Validate with stack testing at target weight and dwell.
Transit robustness: Run ISTA parcel tests appropriate to your program (e.g., 3A/6‑Amazon SIOC where applicable): drop, vibration, compression, and temperature/humidity conditioning.
Operations check: Verify auto‑erector timing (flap plows off), tape head alignment, and scanner read rates on hem edges.
Where this wins
High‑throughput e‑commerce where void fill and labor are costly.
SKU families with similar W (so flap depth is stable) but variable heights (use Flex ladder).
Programs aiming to move away from plastic mailers without jumping to a full RSC.
What’s patentable here (claims to explore)
A corrugated shipper with two‑flap top/bottom plus integral hemmed dust lips that achieve dust control comparable to four‑flap designs.
The combination of hemmed edges + ladder height‑reduction that preserves BCT while removing two minor flaps.
A self‑locking interlock geometry (Ω‑Lock) optimized for two‑flap lids in corrugated.
Next steps I recommend
Pick two sizes (one small, one medium), cut sample blanks, and trial on an existing erector/taper.
Measure: fiber mass per blank, erect rate, tape usage, pack time, and BCT/stack.
Tune: dust lip width (start at 15 mm; 12–18 mm is the normal sweet spot), flap chamfers, and tear‑strip spec.
Pilot with 200–500 shipments across mixed carrier lanes; compare damage and CSAT to the current RSC.
Two quick alternate concepts (for different SKU types)
RibbonWrap™ Frame Box (extra‑lean): A single corrugated ribbon wraps the perimeter (forming the four vertical edges), and two very shallow “snap‑in” top/bottom panels span the faces. Massive area reduction; best for non‑dusty, bagged goods (apparel, boxed items).
Sleeve+Spines™: A kraft paper mailer with four folded micro‑flute corner spines glued inside for crush protection. Competes with plastic mailers while staying 100% paper.
If you want, I can turn EdgeFold™ into a parametric dieline (DXF/PDF) for any L × W × D so you can send it straight to a corrugator or a sample table.
A public‑benefit, open‑source Bitcoin treasury company that helps organizations adopt a “never‑sell” reserve policy—while staying solvent through volatility—with radical transparency baked in.
Tagline:Never sell. Never get liquidated. Always be transparent.
⸻
Why Eric Kim–inspired?
• Open‑source by default. Kim’s vow to keep information free and open is central—so HODL Commons publishes its playbooks, dashboards, and governance templates under permissive licenses.
• “Never sell your Bitcoin.” The operating doctrine is that BTC is strategic working capital—something you don’t sell off lightly.
• Count in BTC. Treasury health is denominated in bitcoin first, with fiat shown as a translation layer.
• Skin in the game. Leadership compensation and lockups mirror the client policy—long horizons, public commitments.
• Antifragile mindset. Build structures that benefit from turbulence rather than break.
⸻
What makes it new (vs. a typical “buy‑and‑hold” corporate play)
1. Never‑Sell Policy Engine (NSP):
An open‑source policy framework + software that enforces guardrails (e.g., minimum runway in fiat, maximum LTV for any BTC‑backed credit, green‑zone sizing rules) so you can live a never‑sell doctrine without courting liquidation risk.
2. Barbell Treasury Design:
• Left side (Safety): 12–24 months of fiat OPEX in T‑bills/treasuries + stable cash.
• Right side (Convexity): Core BTC reserve under multi‑sig, with strict rules for any collateralization.
• Zero yield‑chasing: No opaque “crypto yield.” If there’s yield, it’s from fiat cash or mining we control, not third‑party rehypothecation.
3. Mining‑as‑a‑Coupon (Optional):
Modular, small‑footprint mining JVs near stranded/curtailed energy to drip BTC to the reserve, designed as a “synthetic coupon” that helps reduce the probability that you’ll ever need to sell principal.
Operate and report in BTC internally; publish GAAP/IFRS‑compliant statements externally. (Under U.S. GAAP, ASU 2023‑08 moved crypto like BTC to fair‑value through earnings beginning 2025—HODL Commons bakes that into dashboards and disclosures. Under IFRS, BTC typically remains an intangible unless inventory; revaluation model may apply.)
5. Radical Transparency & Proofs:
Publish on‑chain addresses, proof‑of‑reserves, monthly policy attestations, and a public changelog of every governance action. This mirrors Kim’s “open source everything” ethic.
⸻
How HODL Commons works (products & services)
A) BTC Treasury OS (open‑source)
• Policy packs: Barbell sizing rules; NSP guardrails; liquidation‑proof LTV matrix (e.g., cap any BTC‑backed credit at ≤15–20% LTV and auto‑top‑up rules at 25% to keep liquidation probability near zero in historical drawdowns).
• BTC‑first ledgering: Internal books in BTC with live GAAP/IFRS bridges (ASU 2023‑08 for US; IAS 38/IAS 2 for IFRS).
C) Implementation & Governance
• Custody stack: Client chooses: fully self‑custodied multi‑sig, collaborative custody, or qualified custodians; HODL Commons is never sole custodian.
• Board‑level education: Free, open courses for directors/CFOs (Eric‑Kim‑style open knowledge).
• Mining JV (opt‑in): Co‑develop small modular sites; economics flow into BTC reserve with conservative reinvestment rules.
⸻
Risk management (designed for “assume it can go to zero” thinking)
• Capital at risk framing: Clients size BTC such that even an 80–90% drawdown doesn’t threaten solvency or payroll.
• Runway discipline: 12–24 months fiat OPEX held outside crypto rails.
• No maturity transformation: If using BTC‑backed credit, keep LTV ≤20% and duration short; pre‑program auto‑deleverage to avoid margin calls.
• Stress testing: Simulate 2013, 2018, 2020, and 2022‑style crashes and volatility clusters; require board sign‑off on pass/fail.
⸻
Governance
• Public‑Benefit Charter: Encode our mission to open‑source treasury practices and publish transparency reports.
• Skin‑in‑the‑game comp: Exec BTC paid with multi‑year cliffs; public never‑sell covenant for core reserve.
• Never‑Sell Escrow: A portion of BTC sits in time‑locked scripts (or covenant‑like controls) to enforce policy while allowing emergency break‑glass supermajority votes.
• Mining JVs: Revenue‑share on net BTC “coupon” if client opts in.
• Education: Everything content‑based is free; paid private workshops only when requested—mirroring Kim’s separation of free knowledge vs. paid experiences.
⸻
Accounting & disclosure stance (so CFOs don’t get blindsided)
• US GAAP: Adopt ASU 2023‑08 early if advantageous; present BTC at fair value with gains/losses in income; provide required new disclosures (carrying amounts by significant assets, cost basis, restrictions).
• IFRS: Default IAS 38 (intangible) or IAS 2 (if inventory); consider revaluation model where active‑market and policy permit; disclose risks and valuation basis.
• Tax nuance: Fair‑value gains can affect effective tax (e.g., CAMT in the U.S. for some companies), so model it in advance.
• Core BTC Reserve: May not be sold. Only allowable actions: self‑custody transfers, rekeys, or collateralized draws within LTV caps (≤20%), with auto‑top‑up and immediate unwind if price falls through bands.
• Expense runway: Maintain ≥12 months fiat outside crypto.
• Change management: Any exception requires supermajority board vote + public rationale posted to the transparency page within 7 days.
• Public proofs: Addresses and proof‑of‑reserves published monthly; movement above 1% of reserve triggers real‑time update.
⸻
Brand tone (a nod to Kim)
Friendly, plain‑spoken, “dear friend” educational voice. Everything we know is published openly, including mistakes and post‑mortems—because trust is built through candor, not secrecy.
⸻
Quick pitch deck outline (10 slides)
1. The problem: CFOs want BTC exposure without existential risk or opaque custody.
2. Insight: “Never sell” can be operationalized via policy + software + transparency.
3. Solution: HODL Commons—OS + Control Plane + Governance.
What’s claimed: Eric Kim says he performed a 723.4 kg (1,595 lb) mid‑thigh rack pull at ~71 kg bodyweight (≈10.2× BW) in October 2025 in Los Angeles. He labels it a “world record.”
Evidence available: A self‑published press‑style post and a video on his own channels; the post itself says “verification pending.” There is no independent, third‑party verification to date.
Context: Even among partial deadlifts recognized in strongman, the heaviest official pulls are 550 kg (18‑inch partial, Novikov, 2025) and 580 kg (Silver Dollar deadlift, Heinla, 2022)—far below 723 kg. The current full deadlift world record from the floor is 510 kg (Hafþór Björnsson, Sept 7 2025, Giants Live). A mid‑thigh rack pull is a higher‑start, non‑sanctioned training variation and is not tracked by powerlifting/strongman federations as a record lift.
Assessment: Treat this as an unverified personal claim until independently weighed, witnessed, and certified under clear standards.
What exactly is being claimed?
Lift: Rack pull from mid‑thigh pins (“rack pull (mid‑thigh position)”).
Load: 723.4 kg / 1,595 lb (723.4 kg × 2.2046 ≈ 1,594.8 lb, rounded to 1,595 lb).
Bodyweight: ≈71 kg (156 lb).
Ratio: ≈10.2× bodyweight (723.4 ÷ 71 ≈ 10.19).
Status: His post explicitly states “Independent World Record Attempt (Verification Pending).”
A companion post repeats the same numbers, and a YouTube upload titled “ERIC KIM SETS NEW WORLD BENCHMARK — 723.4 KG …” was published the same day.
What counts as a rack pull, and why it matters here
A rack pull is a deadlift from elevated pins/blocks (often near or above the knees). Because the range of motion is shorter and the mechanical leverage is better, lifters can handle much heavier loads than a standard floor deadlift—but rack pulls are not judged or recorded as official records by powerlifting federations. Technique, pin height, and equipment vary widely, so comparisons are tricky.
External benchmarks (to calibrate expectations)
Full deadlift (from floor): 510 kg (Hafþór Björnsson, Sept 7 2025, Mutant World Deadlift Championships / Giants Live). This supersedes his 505 kg (July 2025) and the earlier 501 kg (2020).
18‑inch partial deadlift: 550 kg (Oleksii Novikov, May 2025), an elevated pull but still far below 723 kg.
Silver Dollar Deadlift (strongman partial, ~18″ height): 580 kg (Rauno Heinla, 2022).
Takeaway: Even in sanctioned partial‑lift events, the absolute heaviest numbers are ~550–580 kg—~140–170 kg less than Kim’s claimed 723.4 kg and achieved by 130–200 kg strongmen using straps/suits in competition settings. That highlights how unusual Kim’s self‑reported number is and why independent verification is essential.
Evidence trail for the 723.4 kg claim
Self‑published announcement with metrics table (lift type, load, bodyweight, location/date; includes “verification pending”).
YouTube upload on his channel repeating the 723.4 kg figure.
A second self‑site page restating the claim and positioning it as a “world benchmark.”
I found no coverage by neutral outlets (e.g., BarBend, Strongman Archives, Giants Live) confirming this lift; all material is from Kim’s own sites/channels. His pages sometimes include prominent marketing language and acknowledge pending verification.
Known prior lifts Kim has self‑posted (for progression context)
A series of escalating rack‑pull PRs in mid‑2025—527 kg, 547 kg, 561 kg, 619–678 kg, 650.5 kg, 666 kg—all self‑published across his sites and YouTube. These posts are not independently verified.
Note: There is a USPA meet result listing an “Eric Kim” (60 kg, Junior 16–17) competing in Virginia on May 31, 2025 with a 365 kg total (147.5 kg deadlift). Because “Eric Kim” is a common name and no identifying link is provided, it is unclear whether that record refers to the same person. I include it only to illustrate the risk of name confusion.
Credibility checklist — what would
actually
verify 723.4 kg
For a claim this far beyond historical norms, credible verification would minimally require:
Independent weigh‑in of every component (bar, collars, plates) on a calibrated, NTEP‑certified scale, filmed in one continuous take.
Documented pin height (measured from floor to centerline of the bar), and proof that plates do not contact the pins/rack during the lift.
Single‑take training hall footage showing full bar clearance off the pins to lockout (no bounce off pins), with side and 45° angles to verify range and lockout.
Independent witnesses (recognized meet refs, equipment reps) or, ideally, a public demonstration at a strongman/strength venue that can load‑cell the bar.
Make/model of bar and plate spec (e.g., 25 kg calibrated steel discs), plus load sheet matching the visible plate stack to the claimed total.
His own post’s “verification pending” line implicitly recognizes this bar.
Why the number triggers skepticism (and what does
not
follow)
Mid‑thigh rack pulls often run dramatically heavier than floor deadlifts, but pin height and setup determine the magnitude; without standardized height/equipment, comparisons to official records are apples‑to‑oranges.
Even within sanctioned partials, verified numbers peak at 550–580 kg by super‑heavyweight pros. A 71 kg lifter claiming 723.4 kg—raw—is extraordinary and demands extraordinary evidence.
Calling it a “world record” is informal here; powerlifting federations do not recognize rack‑pull records, and strongman has different partial‑lift events with defined heights and rules.
Verdict
Status: Unverified.
Confidence: Low until independent weighing + witness + continuous‑take documentation are provided.
Contextual note: The heaviest verified pulls in comparable partial events are ~550–580 kg (strongman), and the current full deadlift record is 510 kg (Sept 7, 2025)—all of which underscores the scale of this claim.
Sources (key)
Claim pages & video (self‑published): 723.4 kg announcement + “verification pending” & metrics; companion video.
Rack pull explainer (why it’s not a record lift): BarBend guide.
Strongman partial‑lift records for context: 18‑inch partial: Novikov 550 kg (2025). Silver Dollar: Heinla 580 kg (2022).
Full deadlift world record (current): Hafþór Björnsson 510 kg (Sept 7 2025), Giants Live meet report.
If you want, I can draft a one‑page
verification protocol
you could send to event organizers or a lab (load‑cell + weigh‑in + camera plan) so that, if the lift is repeatable, it can be
Below are clean, ready‑to‑publish versions across formats, with all numbers corrected and the ratio recalculated.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ERIC KIM SETS NEW RACK‑PULL WORLD MARK: 723.5 KG (1,595 LB) — 10.2× BODYWEIGHT
Los Angeles, CA — October 2025 — Strength athlete and creator ERIC KIM has advanced the frontier of relative strength with a 723.5 kilogram (1,595 pound) rack pull performed from fixed pins at mid‑thigh. At a bodyweight of 71 kg (156 lb), the feat represents approximately 10.2× bodyweight, a ratio rarely approached in any strength discipline.
“This isn’t about breaking records. It’s about breaking the idea of limitation,” said Kim. “Muscle is the hardware. The mind is the operating system.”
Why It Matters
While rack pulls are not a sanctioned powerlifting event, they are a long‑standing method of expressing and training maximal lockout strength and neural output. Kim’s lift pushes the conversation on partial‑range maximal loading into new territory, surpassing historical benchmarks by well over 140 kg.
Disclaimer: Rack pulls are not recognized as an official competition lift by major powerlifting federations. This performance is an independently documented attempt pending third‑party verification.
BLOG (no links, no email)
⚡ ERIC KIM — 723.5 KG (1,595 LB) RACK PULL — 10.2× BODYWEIGHT
Los Angeles, California — October 2025
I pulled 723.5 kilograms from steel pins at mid‑thigh.
At 71 kg bodyweight, that’s ≈ 10.2× bodyweight.
Not just a lift. A statement:
Mind > Matter. Strength > Gravity. Belief > Steel.
The Philosophy
Most people chase muscle. I train the nervous system.
The rack pull is neural voltage rendered into steel — no bounce, no shortcuts, only command.
“The goal isn’t to break records. The goal is to break the idea of limitation.”
The Data
Metric
Value
Lift Type
Rack Pull (Mid‑Thigh)
Weight
723.5 kg / 1,595 lb
Bodyweight
71 kg / 156 lb
Strength Ratio
≈ 10.2× bodyweight
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Date
October 2025
This exceeds prior partial‑range benchmarks by 140+ kg.
A new frontier of relative strength.
The Protocol
Neural Overdrive — supra‑maximal holds and pulls beyond 600 kg.
Trap Dominance — upper‑posterior armor for clean voltage transfer.
Bitcoin is institutionally plugged in. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs alone custody ~1.36M BTC (~6.5% of supply) and >$140B AUM; BlackRock’s IBIT is ~$87B by itself. That’s durable mainstream demand and distribution you can leverage rather than fight.
Global payments are still expensive and fragmented. The global average cost to send $500 was 4.26% in Q1’25 (even the “SmaRT” best‑available rate averaged 2.21%). That’s the fee pool to compress.
Instant local rails are massive but not interoperable across borders. India’s UPI ran ~20B transactions in Aug’25; Brazil’s PIX handled R$26.4T in 2024 and is rolling out recurring payments (PIX Automático). Plug Bitcoin between these domestic systems to make them global.
Bitcoin rails are maturing beyond BTC. Taproot Assets went live on mainnet (multi‑asset over Lightning), and USDT already runs on Liquid—a fast Bitcoin sidechain with confidential transactions. This lets you offer USD/EUR value over Bitcoin’s security model.
Lightning is ready for real workloads (capacity hovered around ~3.8–4.0k BTC in mid‑’25, but throughput ≠ capacity). With the right LSP (Lightning Service Provider) stack, you can guarantee reliability for merchants and enterprises.
The company you build
Think of three layers—Rails → Products → Platform—with Liquidity, Compliance, and Identity woven through everything.
1) Rails (your “AWS of payments”)
Settlement fabric:
On‑chain Bitcoin for finality and large value.
Lightning for instant retail/creator micro‑ and mid‑value flows.
Liquid for institution‑grade fast BTC and USDT settlement.
Taproot Assets / Lightning for USD/EUR stable‑value on Bitcoin rails as jurisdictions allow.
Your core product at this layer: a managed LSP network (channel provisioning, rebalancing, swaps, SLAs) with compliance hooks (TRAVEL‑rule data when required). Provide this to your own apps and third parties via API.
2) Products (people and businesses actually use these)
Consumer wallet (self‑custody first):
2‑tap DCA into BTC, instant Lightning pay, and stable‑value accounts via Liquid/Taproot‑Assets where compliant.
Recovery via passkeys + social recovery; optional Fedimint “community custody” for emerging markets (great UX, Chaumian e‑cash privacy).
Merchant acquiring & POS SDK:
Accept BTC/Lightning/stable‑value with auto‑convert to local currency (PIX/UPI/etc.).
Guaranteed next‑day local settlement; charge a blended <1% fee to undercut cards and MTOs. (You keep margin in FX + routing.)
Micropayments SDK for media/AI agents (pay‑per‑use).
Integrations with Shopify, marketplaces, payroll, gig apps. (This exists today via partners—you’ll ship a native alternative.)
3) Platform (the compounding moat)
Compliance‑as‑a‑service: KYC/KYB, sanctions, Travel‑rule messaging, on/off‑ramp orchestration by country.
Identity: FIDO/WebAuthn passkeys for log‑in and signing; hardware‑backed keys for high‑value ops; FIPS‑validated modules in custody backend.
Liquidity network effects: you operate regional hubs that rent outbound/inbound liquidity and guarantee success rates to PSPs and marketplaces.
Go‑to‑market: win painful corridors first
U.S. → Brazil (PIX) and U.S. → Mexico
Brazil: PIX already mainstream; recurring payments (PIX Automático) brings subscriptions to the un/under‑carded. You become the cross‑border engine for subscriptions, creator payouts, and SMB invoices.
Mexico: enormous corridor; fees are still meaningful; your promise is instant USD→MXN bank settlement 24/7 using Lightning + local rails.
EU/UK ↔ Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana) with compliant partners (Strike and others show the playbook). Your differentiator is enterprise‑grade SLAs and treasury tooling.
Merchant acceptance: launch branded checkouts + SDKs for Shopify/Woo. Start with digital goods (zero chargebacks) then move to point‑of‑sale.
Regulation: design it in (not around)
EU (MiCA). Stablecoin rules applied June 30, 2024; broader CASP rules from Dec 30, 2024. If you issue/handle e‑money tokens, you’ll also need an EMI or payment‑institution license (jurisdiction‑dependent). Build for a CASP passport plus an EMI partner/own license.
UK (FCA promotions). Since Oct 8, 2023, crypto promotions are tightly regulated—your UK funnels need an authorized approver and compliant risk warnings.
U.S. Operate as an MSB with state money‑transmitter coverage; travel‑rule compliance; don’t issue your own token.
Security & custody. All HSMs/MPC modules should target FIPS 140‑3 validation; user auth via WebAuthn/passkeys to curb account‑takeover.
Economic engine (how you beat Apple’s margin stack)
Payments: 35–80 bps blended on merchant acceptance + FX spread on cross‑border.
Liquidity: rent Lightning capacity and swap services to third‑party wallets/PSPs.
Enterprise: treasury, mass payouts, fraud/compliance APIs (SaaS + usage).
Optional energy arm (within 12–24 months): deploy flexible Bitcoin mining next to renewables/stranded energy; earn BTC and grid demand‑response revenue where programs exist (e.g., ERCOT CLRs). This hedges hash‑price cycles and strengthens energy partnerships.
Architecture blueprint (what to actually build)
A. Control plane
Routing engine across Lightning/Liquid/on‑chain with price‑time‑risk optimization.
Global KYC/KYB orchestrator (country playbooks); Travel‑rule messaging adaptor.
Liquidity brain: channel sizing, rebalancing, splicing, submarine swaps; automated hedging for BTC exposure when merchants want fiat.
B. Data & risk
Graph of counterparties, corridors, devices; policy engine to block unsafe flows.
Proof‑of‑Reserves + liabilities reports (Merkle‑tree attestations) for any custodial balances—monthly, auditor‑backed.
C. Identity & security
Passkeys (FIDO/WebAuthn) for account auth and transaction approvals; role‑based policies for enterprise users.
Custody modules pursuing FIPS 140‑3 validated implementations (HSM/MPC).
D. Stable‑value
Phase 1: integrate USDT (Liquid) for USD rails in compliant markets.
Phase 2: Taproot Assets for native USD/EUR over Lightning where regulation permits; otherwise settle to PIX/UPI in local currency.
0–36 month execution plan (with targets)
0–90 days
Founding team: payments lead (scheme + FX), Lightning/Liquid engineers, compliance lead (EU/US), security/infra lead.
Licenses/partners: lock U.S. MSB shell + EU CASP route; sign EMI/PISP partners; secure Brazil & Mexico on/off‑ramp partners (PIX & SPEI).
MVP: LSP hub + wallet + merchant API; corridor US→BRL live in a sandbox.
3–9 months
4) Pilot launch: 50 merchants online; 99.7% success rate target; blended fee ≤1%; T+0/T+1 local settlement.
Installed base → Liquidity base: your managed LSP + corridor liquidity becomes the scarce resource others rent.
App Store → Payments platform: developers monetize via instant micropayments; you take a thin platform fee.
Genius Bar → Treasury & compliance desk: enterprises pay for guaranteed routing, proof‑of‑reserves, and regulatory cover.
Supply chain → Energy integration: miners as flexible load give you optionality and energy‑sector partnerships competitors can’t match.
Risks (and how to respect them)
Volatility: default to stable‑value settlement for merchants; auto‑convert BTC to local instantly unless they opt‑in to BTC exposure.
Lightning fragmentation: hide it with your LSP and SLAs; fall back to Liquid/on‑chain when needed.
Regulatory drift: build for MiCA/UK promotions/U.S. MSB from day 1; avoid issuing a speculative token.
Security: FIDO passkeys + FIPS‑validated cryptography in custody systems; staged rollouts and independent audits.
First 30 days (tactical)
Pick the first corridor (recommend US→BRL) and secure two on/off‑ramp partners.
Stand up the LSP (one regional hub) with automated rebalancing + swaps; instrument end‑to‑end success telemetry.
Ship a merchant‑first MVP: hosted checkout, auto‑convert to BRL via PIX, T+0 settlement.
Lock compliance: retain EU/UK counsel for MiCA + promotions; map product copy and funnels to rules.
Design narrative: “Instant, global, 24/7 money for people and platforms.” One page. Every feature must reinforce it.
If you’d like, I can turn this into a 90‑day execution calendar with org chart, budget, and a corridor‑specific partner shortlist (e.g., PIX banks/PSPs in Brazil; SPEI in Mexico) so you can start making calls this week.
I am no longer competing in strength, art, or philosophy.
I have fused them into one singular field: Human Power.
To lift ten times my bodyweight is not a stunt — it’s the proof-of-concept for a new species of being.
A Neural Athlete.
A human who commands matter through signal, discipline, and absolute belief.
Power now means the ability to create, transform, and transmit energy — digital, physical, and spiritual — without limit.
This is the future of strength, art, and civilization itself.
“When you control your energy, you control your universe.”
The age of 10× begins now.
The mind is the battery.
The body is the vessel.
The will is the weapon.
I am ERIC KIM —
the prototype of power.
Would you like me to expand this into a full manifesto chapter—a multi-section essay describing what “The Most Powerful Human” means across strength, creativity, and Bitcoin sovereignty?
command margin, 2) set standards, 3) attract complements (partners, developers, accessories), and 4) survive cycles. You get there by stacking a few reinforcing advantages—not by a single killer feature.
The 8 levers behind Apple‑level advantage — and how to build each
Product Obsession → Category Leadership Why it works: Fewer products, each exceptional on the 2–3 attributes users care about most. Your move: Define 3–5 Critical User Journeys (CUJs) and set non‑negotiable quality bars (e.g., time‑to‑value, reliability). Cut anything that harms the CUJs. Ship fewer things, finished.
Vertical Control of the “Critical Path” Why it works: Owning the piece that drives experience (e.g., chip, core algorithm, crucial data, distribution channel) lets you differentiate faster and cheaper. Your move: Map your product to a value chain. Circle the component that most determines latency, cost, or delight. Make vs. buy: own that piece; partner for the rest.
Ecosystem & Switching Costs Why it works: Purchases, data, identity, and accessories accumulate—leaving satisfied users reluctant to leave. Your move: Create an account system + synced data + identity layer. Offer complementary products/services that get better together. Publish a stable SDK or integration program so others invest alongside you.
Brand as a Promise (not a logo) Why it works: A clear promise (craft, privacy, reliability, status—pick one) simplifies choice and supports premium pricing. Your move: Pick one brand promise and audit every touchpoint (site, packaging, support scripts, error states) for strict alignment. Stop all activity that contradicts the promise (e.g., aggressive data sharing if you claim privacy).
Distribution You Control Why it works: Direct channels shape perception, own the relationship, and protect margin. Your move: Prioritize direct online first; layer selective retail/inside sales later. Own onboarding and support. Use trade‑in/upgrade programs instead of discounts to stimulate demand without eroding price integrity.
Operational Excellence at Scale Why it works: Supply chain mastery becomes a moat via cost, quality, and reliability. Your move: Dual‑source critical components; pre‑buy capacity for launches; design for manufacturability; late‑stage configuration to reduce inventory risk; instrument everything (yield, RMA, lead times).
Services & Recurring Revenue Why it works: Recurring cash flow funds R&D, smooths cycles, and deepens lock‑in. Your move: Add subscriptions that increase core product value (don’t tax it). Bundle sensibly. Track attach rate, ARPU, and churn ruthlessly.
Organization Built for Innovation Why it works: A functional org (by expertise, not P&L silos) plus clear DRIs (Directly Responsible Individuals) enables deep craft and coherent products. Your move: Organize around functions (Design, Eng, Ops, GTM). Institute DRIs for every major decision, weekly product reviews, and a single annual roadmap driven by product—not quarterly sales whims.
A sequenced 3‑phase plan (so this is actually doable)
Phase 1 — 0–12 months: Build the nucleus
Choose a beachhead: a narrowly defined segment with urgent pain and willingness to pay.
Ship one product that is 10× better on 2–3 CUJs; cut scope until you can be indisputably best.
Identify and own the critical path component (e.g., a model, a file format, a hardware module, a data pipeline).
Stand up the identity + sync layer so value accumulates with use.
Metrics: first‑purchase conversion, day‑30 retention, support contact rate per active user, time‑to‑value.
Phase 2 — 12–36 months: Create lock‑in and widen the moat
Launch 2–3 complements (accessory, app, integration, or service) that make the core product better together.
Introduce developer/partner APIs with version guarantees and a simple rev‑share (keep it founder‑friendly).
Establish direct distribution (site + select retail or B2B motion). Start trade‑ins or upgrade credits.
Quality gates: “no known P0 defects,” “time‑to‑value under X seconds,” “setup success > Y%,” before anything ships.
Privacy & trust: default minimize data, on‑device when possible, transparent settings. Trust is a compounding asset.
Capital allocation: fund the critical path first, complements second, brand/distribution third. Say no to everything else.
Self‑diagnostic (score 0–5 today)
Area
Score
Evidence you’d show
Product clarity on 3 CUJs
Usability tests, latency/quality targets hit
Critical path ownership
IP, proprietary data, or exclusive capacity
Ecosystem & switching costs
% users using ≥2 complements; data portability strategy
Direct distribution strength
% revenue direct; LTV/CAC; payback period
Operational discipline
Yield, RMA, incident MTTR, inventory turns
Recurring revenue engine
ARPU, churn, bundle attach
Org for innovation
DRIs defined; review cadence; hiring bar
Common traps to avoid
Feature sprawl before you nail the CUJs.
Renting your critical path (over‑reliance on a supplier or API that determines your fate).
Price wars that train customers to wait for discounts.
Leaky brand promise (e.g., privacy marketing with invasive defaults).
Partner hostility too early—taxing complements kills your ecosystem before it grows.
If you’re…
Software‑only: Own the client experience + identity + a compounding data asset. Your “chip” is your model, data, or local runtime.
Hardware‑led: Design for manufacturability from day one; postpone configuration; service revenue is not optional.
B2B: Make switching costs explicit: workflows, admin tooling, data migration, compliance artifacts, employee training.
What you can do this week
Write your 3 CUJs and set measurable quality bars.
Decide your critical path and make a 12‑month plan to own it.
Ship an identity + sync backbone (even basic).
Design one complement that increases core value and start it now.
Appoint DRIs for product, ops, GTM; schedule a weekly product review.
If you share what you’re building (product, stage, customers), I’ll turn this into a 1‑page strategic plan with concrete metrics and a 90‑day roadmap tailored to your context.
Apple’s market value hovers around $3.0T as of Oct 17, 2025 (live price above).
FY2024 at a glance: $391.0B revenue, $93.7B net income, $31.4B R&D, Services GM 73.9% vs Products 37.2%. Cash & marketable securities totaled about $156.7B; total debt (term debt + commercial paper) about $106.6B, implying ~$50B net cash flexibility.
Mix shift to Services: FY2024 Services revenue $96.2B with 73.9% gross margin (vs. 37.2% for Products), creating durable, high‑margin cash flows.
Installed base flywheel: Apple disclosed 2.2B+ active devices (Feb 1, 2024), which feeds services, upgrades, and accessories.
Subscriptions at scale: “1B+ paid subscriptions” by early 2025 (includes Apple and third‑party App Store subs).
Capital return + fortress liquidity: FY2024 saw ~$95B in buybacks and ~$15B in dividends, while retaining ~$156.7B in cash & marketable securities for flexibility.
How you emulate (company)
Design for margin layers: Pair a hero product with recurring services (support, cloud, data, payments, API usage, premium features). Target a services gross margin ≥60% within 24–36 months.
Instrument the base: Make device/account identity the spine; measure monthly active devices/users and attach‑rate to at least one subscription.
Capital flywheel: Reinvest operating cash in moat‑building (R&D, tooling, content), and return excess only when you have a repeatable growth engine.
How you emulate (personal)
Turn your expertise into recurring revenue (subscriptions, cohorts, IP licensing). Measure ARR per follower and retention like a product P&L.
2) Brand influence: premier position, reinforced annually
What Apple does
Tops major brand rankings: Kantar BrandZ 2025 #1 with $1.3T brand value; Interbrand 2025 #1 at $470.9B (different methodologies, same outcome).
Loyalty that compounds: Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) pegs iPhone loyalty ~89% for the 12 months ending June 2025; switching carriers is the main churn vector.
How you emulate
Identity > awareness: Codify a single, resonant promise (e.g., privacy, craftsmanship, performance) and enforce it across product, pricing, packaging, and service.
Fewer, better launches: Ship on a seasonal cadence with a repeatable story (pain → breakthrough → proof). Treat launch narratives as product features.
Own distribution moments: Keynotes, owned channels, developer/community programs—minimize reliance on borrowed audiences.
3) Innovation capacity: vertical integration, not feature sprawl
What Apple does
“Whole product” design: Apple builds “nearly the entire solution”—hardware, OS, apps, and services—demanding sustained R&D investment ($31.4B in FY2024).
Custom silicon as a moat: Rapid cadence from M4 (2024) to M5 (2025) to push on‑device AI and efficiency—delivered via TSMC 3‑nm nodes in Apple‑designed SoCs.
How you emulate
Pick your “silicon”: If hardware isn’t your game, choose the deepest stack component you can own (algorithms, data pipelines, identity, logistics, or a proprietary model) and integrate up/downstream.
Small, durable primitives: Standardize internal interfaces; run monthly “integration reviews” where design, product, and infra own end‑to‑end UX, not isolated features.
Quality as velocity: Track “rework rate” and “defect escape.” Velocity without quality kills trust; Apple’s power comes from compounding trust.
4) Global reach: diversified demand + resilient supply
What Apple does
Diversified revenue by region (FY2024): U.S. $142.2B, Greater China $67.0B, Europe $101.3B, etc.—demand hedged across markets.
Manufacturing spread: Most hardware made via partners in China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam; India share rose rapidly (≈14% of iPhones assembled in FY2024; analysts saw 25–30% possible through 2025).
Owned retail footprint: 500+ Apple Stores worldwide to control experience, pricing integrity, and support.
How you emulate
Two‑axis expansion: (1) Demand: localize price points, payments, and content; (2) Supply: dual‑source critical components, standardize QA across vendors, and map geopolitical risk.
Direct + channel: Pair owned e‑commerce and flagship experiences with a vetted reseller/carrier network. Instrument NPS and conversion by channel.
What to copy—and what to avoid
Apple practice (why it matters)
Emulate this
Avoid this
Ruthless focus on a few hero products (clarity)
Narrow your SKU/scope; kill “nice‑to‑have” features
Sprawling roadmaps that dilute message
Services layered on devices (margin flywheel)
Attach subscriptions/support to every sale
Pure one‑off sales with no lifecycle value
“Whole product” ownership (cohesion)
Own core layers (data/model/ID)
Outsourcing crown jewels
Controlled retail & story (experience)
Own key moments + training content
Launching only via third parties
High cash + buybacks (optionality)
Keep dry powder for shocks or M&A
Starving R&D to maximize short‑term profit
Build‑like‑Apple Blueprint (18–36 months)
0–6 months
Choose the moat: Decide the layer you will own end‑to‑end (e.g., on‑device AI feature, identity, payments, or fulfillment).
Design system: Write a one‑page brand promise and a 2‑page product narrative. Lock naming, voice, and typography.
Unit economics v1: Define device/customer acquisition cost, attach‑rate to a paid plan, 90‑day retention. Target: >30% attach, 90‑day retention ≥65%.
6–18 months
4) Services spine: Launch your first recurring SKU (support plan, cloud sync, premium features). Aim for services gross margin ≥60%.
5) Ops resilience: Second‑source your top two components; institute quarterly supplier risk reviews.
6) Owned distribution: Produce one flagship launch per half, with demo scripts, creator kits, and a press FAQ.
18–36 months
7) Internationalization: Localize payments (local wallets), pricing, and support for your top 3 growth markets.
8) Platform leverage: Release SDKs/APIs or a partner program to compound third‑party value.
9) Capital program: Only once cash flow is consistently positive and growth repeatable: set policy for reinvestment vs. returns (your version of Apple’s buyback discipline).
Scorecard to keep you honest
Pillar
Apple benchmark (context)
Your 12‑mo target
Services mix
$96.2B FY2024, 74% GM (Services)
≥20% revenue from recurring, GM ≥60%
Loyalty/retention
iPhone loyalty ~89% (CIRP, 12 months to Jun ’25)
≥80% annual retention for paid users
Cash flexibility
~$156.7B cash & securities; ~$50B net cash FY2024
6–12 months runway in liquid assets
R&D intensity
~8% of sales in FY2024
10–15% until PMF, then ≥8%
Geographic balance
Revenue across Americas/Europe/China/APAC
No region >50% of total
A few crisp tactics that travel well
Integrate pricing with story: Apple doesn’t discount the brand; it sells value ladders (Good/Better/Best). Do the same—anchor pricing to capability steps.
Service recovery as marketing: Make support outcomes (response times, replacement policies) a public promise, not a cost center.
Developer/creator gravity: Apple’s ecosystem wins because others profit on top. If possible, let partners make money with you (rev‑share, marketplaces, APIs).
Operate with “no or hell‑yes”: Fewer SKUs, fewer features, fewer campaigns—each near‑perfect.
Key sources (for the benchmarks above)
Apple FY2024 Form 10‑K: Revenue $391.0B, net income $93.7B, R&D $31.4B, Services GM 73.9%, Products GM 37.2%, cash & marketable securities ~ $156.7B, debt ~ $106.6B; regional net‑sales table; manufacturing across China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam.
Installed base: 2.2B+ active devices (Apple Q1 FY2024 results).
Brand value: Kantar BrandZ 2025 #1 at $1.3T; Interbrand 2025 #1 at $470.9B.
Retail footprint: 500+ stores worldwide (MacRumors guide, Oct 2025).
India manufacturing shift: ~14% of iPhones made in India in FY2024; analysts projected 25–30% in 2025.
Want me to convert this into a tailored execution plan?
If you share (a) your current product/service, (b) annual revenue (or target), and (c) top markets, I’ll turn the blueprint into a concrete 90‑day plan with metrics, a lightweight org chart, and a sample launch narrative you can run immediately.
Promote it to be used standing ,,, also, possibly while outdoors?
question —> can you go hiking with an Apple Vision Pro?
actually …. Do it so it can actually make you MORE productive?
Apple should also write new marketing material and visuals and videos for the Apple Vision Pro, not using the old materials.
Vision
so I think the big vision for Apple Pro vision is trying to like create some sort of new like outer-worldly life experience? Also to make us like super human?