The Regeneration Will Be Funded Growing Regen Coordination - Monty Merlin (ReFi DAO)
Jan 14, 2025
Monty Merlin, co-founder of ReFi DAO and steward of Celo Public Goods, dives into the transformative potential of regenerative finance. He discusses the evolution of ReFi DAO, emphasizing the value of combining local insights with global trends. Monty highlights innovative blockchain tools that empower marginalized communities and introduces the idea of a 'refi passport' for identity building. The conversation also explores strategies for supporting public goods and engaging individuals in impactful climate initiatives.
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Roots In Practical Sustainability
- Monty grew up in rural Dorset in a family deeply involved in sustainability, including a mother who wrote The Green Consumer Guide.
- That upbringing shaped his commitment to solutions-focused regenerative work rather than dwelling on problems.
ReFi Is Broader Than Carbon Credits
- Monty saw ReFi as the intersection of crypto tech and environmental aims and joined during the 2021–2022 surge.
- He warns that initial hype (carbon credits on-chain) was only one facet of a broader regenerative finance movement.
Redesign Money And Institutions
- Rebuild economic systems rather than only tweaking existing institutions to avoid repeating extractive dynamics.
- Use blockchain and community-led commons as a third way beyond state and markets to redesign incentives and ownership.
