Reflecting on his time as CEO of Tonga Cable Ltd from 2018 to 2020, Edwin Liava’a recalls pivotal moments reminiscent of Robert Frost’s poem about choosing paths in a yellow wood. Initially, the company’s venture into data centers and cloud services promised growth, but was halted due to shareholder concerns about competition in the internet capacity market.
Despite this setback, Liava’a considered the unexploited resources at their disposal — three operational cable landing stations, reliable power, and under-utilized internet capacity — and envisioned a new opportunity: Bitcoin mining. He recognized that Tonga’s infrastructure could support a profitable mining operation, given its reliable power supply, secure locations, and technical expertise.
Liava’a compared Tonga’s potential to countries like El Salvador and Bhutan that embraced cryptocurrency, pointing out that Tonga missed a chance to emerge as a regional leader in blockchain innovation. He lamented that suggesting such a radical shift to the board might have been met with skepticism, highlighting the tension between innovation and conservative governance.
With Bitcoin’s rise persisting, he wondered what opportunities might have emerged had they pursued mining, acknowledging the importance of timing in leadership and innovation. His message emphasizes that even if certain opportunities do not emerge during one’s tenure, the vision of potential can inspire future leaders to recognize hidden possibilities within their resources.
This reflection serves as a hopeful reminder for companies and nations alike to reconsider their existing assets for innovative opportunities. As the landscape for digital assets evolves, it is crucial for leaders to remain open to possibilities that may initially seem improbable.
Overall, the article encourages readers to look beyond conventional boundaries, illustrating the need for adaptability and vision in the face of rapid technological change. It underscores the idea that every setback can lead to new pathways, fostering a mindset of innovation and exploration.
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