• Source:JND
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Indian-American tech visionary Balaji Srinivasan has taken a radical step toward realising his long-standing idea of a “Network State” by acquiring a private island near Singapore to serve as the base for a tech-forward experimental nation.

In a post on X, Srinivasan proudly declared, “We got an island. That’s right. Through the power of Bitcoin, we now have a beautiful island near Singapore where we’re building the Network School.” This move marks a pivotal moment in his quest to reimagine governance, education, and community-building in the digital era.

What Is Network State?

The Network State is Srinivasan's vision for a new kind of nation: one that begins as a digital community and eventually secures physical territory. His latest step, building a “Network School” on the island, is the first tangible prototype for this bold concept.

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Launched in September 2024, the Network School is a three-month residential program for aspiring startup founders and fitness enthusiasts. The school blends tech learning, physical training, and philosophical discourse in a unique, immersive environment designed to promote personal, professional, and societal transformation.

Glimpse Inside The Island School

Instagram user Nick Peterson, a participant in the program, shared his experience of living on the island. In a virtual tour, he described daily group workouts, AI-focused lectures by Srinivasan, deep conversations with fellow residents, and even a weekend-long sports tournament.

“It’s just an hour away from Singapore,” he wrote. “We get three healthy meals a day, hours of deep convos with insanely interesting people… this place feels fake in the best way possible.”

Peterson also described his first time leading a class of over 40 people and attending a field trip to the Super AI Conference in Singapore, showing how the program blends island-based learning with real-world tech engagement.

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Vision Rooted In Digital Innovation

Srinivasan, a Stanford-educated engineer with a BS, MS, and PhD in Electrical Engineering, is known for co-founding Counsyl, serving as Coinbase’s former CTO, and working as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. He has long promoted the idea of decentralised, digital-first governance.

In August 2024, he revealed via Substack that the island acquisition was made possible through Bitcoin, further emphasising the role of crypto in his future society model.