Traditionally, mentors have been the foundation of corporate success. They share their experiences, offer strategic advice and help you avoid costly mistakes. But with AI stepping up as a powerful resource, you might wonder — can it replace the personalised guidance of a human?

The importance of business mentors

A mentor has been where you are now — facing the uncertainty, challenges and excitement of building a company from the ground up. They guide you through the ups and downs by offering real-world insights no textbook or blog post can teach.

Likewise, they help you tap into insider knowledge, drawing from their experience to steer you toward smarter decisions. Whether identifying market trends, avoiding common pitfalls or brainstorming strategies, a good coach helps you confidently see the bigger picture.

Advisors are incredible for opening doors, introducing you to potential investors, partners and clients who can give your startup the boost it needs. Plus, they’re there when things get tough. In fact, 18 per cent of Southeast Asian startups fail during pre-series funding. Having a consultant to offer personalised advice during make-or-break decisions can be pivotal.

They help you stay grounded and motivated when the pressure is on. They’ve walked in your shoes and know what it takes to get through the hard days, giving you the confidence and clarity to keep moving forward.

How AI functions as a mentor

AI is like having a business assistant on call 24/7, ready to help you tackle challenges and make smarter decisions. It’s great at crunching data, spotting market trends and predicting customer behaviour faster than you ever could.

What makes this technology more appealing is how accessible and scalable it is. Unlike traditional mentors — who can only give you limited time and may take months to find — AI is available whenever you need it. Plus, budget-friendly options are available — perfect if you run a lean startup but still want reliable advice to grow your company.

Also Read: The future is here: Seizing the first-mover advantage in AI entrepreneurship

Strengths of AI as a mentor

AI’s 24/7 availability is crucial for entrepreneurs. It’s always ready to process massive amounts of information in seconds to help you make smarter, faster decisions. Whether trying to analyse customer details, spot emerging trends or forecast sales, AI can sift through complex data sets, identify patterns and give you predictive insights that keep you ahead of the competition.

Unlike humans, AI focuses solely on data-driven facts to provide clear and actionable advice. You can use it to optimise your marketing strategies, streamline operations or create personalised learning plans to up-skill your team.

Limitations of AI as a mentor

AI can give you incredible data-driven insights but lacks something crucial — emotional intelligence. It doesn’t understand your stress or the nuances of your challenges. It can’t share real-world wisdom that only comes from experience. On the other hand, a mentor knows what it’s like to be in your shoes and can guide you with intuition, empathy and advice tailored to your situation.

Plus, AI isn’t perfect — it’s only as good as the data it’s trained on, and that data can carry hidden biases. This can lead to flawed insights or unintended discrimination known as proxy bias, where the algorithm absorbs and amplifies human prejudices. That’s why you must use AI for its efficiency and data analysis, and lean on coaches for emotional support.

Blending AI and human mentorship

A hybrid approach is the smartest way to combine the strengths of AI and human mentorship. AI is your go-to for technical guidance — it can analyse market trends, optimise your business strategies and automate repetitive tasks. However, technology falls short when understanding your unique challenges, overcoming emotional roadblocks or offering real-world advice based on experience.

Also Read: How should non-tech companies approach AI?

That’s where a mentor steps in. They’ve been in your shoes and can provide the empathy, intuition and context-driven guidance no algorithm can replicate. Together, AI and human advisors can cover all your bases to give you the tools to grow your startup while staying grounded.

Take inspiration from startups in Southeast Asia, where entrepreneurs are already blending AI and mentorship for maximum impact. Digital tools help them tackle challenges like improving customer experiences, streamlining operations and enhancing research capabilities.

Pairing these technologies with mentors adds another layer of value — they can help you interpret the data AI provides. Whether refining your marketing strategy with AI analytics or deciding how to pivot during tough times with your consultant’s support, this balanced approach can give you the competitive edge you need to thrive.

Blending technology and human wisdom for business success

AI offers powerful means to analyse data, predict trends and optimise strategies. Still, it can never fully replace the empathy, intuition and real-world wisdom of a human coach. Leveraging AI to supplement traditional mentorship allows you to combine cutting-edge technology with personalised guidance for the best results in growing your company.

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Peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto trading has redefined how people exchange value, offering a decentralised alternative to traditional financial systems. More than just a trading method, P2P crypto trading represents a direct challenge to traditional banking systems. It strips away layers of bureaucracy, allowing people to trade directly with each other across borders without intermediaries dictating terms or pricing.

I interviewed August Widmer, Director of Corporate Development at Paxful, a leading P2P crypto trading platform, to dive deeper into this emerging landscape.

In this exclusive interview, Widmer shared insights into how this model reshapes financial accessibility, particularly for those traditionally left out of mainstream banking systems. Additionally, he unpacked the mechanics of P2P trading, its potential to democratise financial services, and how platforms like Paxful are creating new pathways for global value exchange.

Widmer’s transition to crypto

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of P2P crypto trading, let’s first learn about Widmer’s journey so far.

Widmer’s path to the crypto industry began with his disenchantment with traditional banking. After over a decade in investment banking and private equity, specialising in M&A and capital advisory for financial services, he grew frustrated with the inefficiencies of the system.

“The people were working for the system, and the system was not working for the people,” Widmer reflected.

Cryptocurrency first caught his attention during the rise of the Silvergate Exchange Network, but it wasn’t until 2021 that he fully embraced the space. Tokenisation became the game-changer, with projects like Goldfinch and Maple demonstrating how blockchain could bring transparency and efficiency to private credit markets.

By January 2022, Widmer had left his role as VP at a middle-market investment bank to pursue crypto full-time. He started with MakerDAO during a pivotal time, working on tokenised private credit deals, and later joined Credix, focusing on Latin American structured credit facilities. He also took on advisory roles for pre-seed companies in the stablecoin sector.

Widmer’s journey ultimately led him to Paxful, where he joined as Director of Corporate Development.

“After learning more about Paxful’s rejuvenation and plans, I was committed,” said Widmer.

At Paxful, Widmer now leads efforts in M&A, capital strategies, and corporate development, contributing to the platform’s mission of democratising financial services globally.

The flaws of traditional finance

Widmer believes that the current financial system has several critical flaws, many of which stem from a lack of control and transparency. According to him, one of the fundamental issues is the lack of true ownership over your own money.

“You don’t own your money. Your bank does,” emphasised Widmer.

Widmer had a firsthand experience of this when he attempted to consolidate investment accounts and realised that the process was virtually impossible. This prompted him to reflect on the lack of autonomy in managing financial resources. Traditional banking, in his view, strips away personal control, leaving people at the mercy of centralised institutions.

Another issue Widmer highlights is the devaluation of fiat currencies. He points out that governments continue to print money, which erodes the value of traditional currency. Widmer compares this process to theft, noting that inflation—while framed as a natural economic phenomenon—essentially diminishes the purchasing power of money.

“A US dollar from 2019 would be worth only about 80 cents today. In most other conversations, we’d call that theft, but when it’s the government, we call it “inflation.” The good news? 1 Bitcoin from 2019 is worth…1 Bitcoin today,” explained Widmer.

Beyond the currency itself, Widmer criticises the inefficiency of traditional financial transactions. Sending international bank wires involves multiple intermediaries and can take days to complete. Cryptocurrency, in contrast, offers near-instant payments between just two parties, cutting out the middlemen and saving both time and money.

Also Read: How Web3’s open-source technology will create a more equitable world

Understanding P2P trading

Peer-to-peer (P2P) trading represents a direct, frictionless way for individuals to transfer value without relying on third parties, like traditional banks or centralised exchanges. According to Widmer, the core of P2P trading is the autonomy it offers.

In a P2P model, two individuals negotiate their terms directly. Paxful simplifies this process by providing a marketplace where users can browse available offers from people across the globe. Buyers and sellers set their own prices and choose their payment methods.

For example, a seller could offer Bitcoin at an inflated price of $1 million per coin and choose PayPal as the payment method, all on their terms. The flexibility to set terms gives users complete control over their transactions—something not found in centralised exchanges, where users only get one option.

“Our work at Paxful is less about enabling trading and more about allowing the frictionless transfer of value between two individuals,” said Widmer.

Centralised exchanges, in contrast, provide a single offer for buying or selling crypto, without any negotiation room. This centralised approach limits users’ freedom, whereas P2P trading empowers them to take charge of their financial decisions.

“On a centralised exchange, you get one offer and can choose to take it or leave it. No optionality, no flexibility; they own the game. On peer-to-peer, you own your destiny,” added Widmer.

P2P trading also allows for seamless global value transfer. Widmer explains that traditional fiat currencies are siloed and do not easily communicate across borders. Cryptocurrency, however, operates globally, making it easier for individuals in any country to exchange value directly. On Paxful, users can sell cryptocurrency in exchange for local fiat through over 500 payment methods, from PayPal to bank transfers, further enhancing financial inclusivity.

The transaction process itself is simple. A seller posts an offer, a buyer accepts it, and the funds are held in escrow until payment is confirmed. Once payment is received, the crypto is released to the buyer. This straightforward, direct model is cost-effective and transparent, offering individuals control and flexibility.

For the average person, P2P trading offers significant advantages. It opens up access to crypto with a wide range of payment methods, unlike centralised exchanges, which typically only cater to a specific subset of the population. P2P trading, therefore, fosters true inclusivity, enabling anyone, anywhere, to participate in the global crypto economy.

How Paxful bridges financial gaps

Paxful focuses on serving the underbanked. Could you explain who the ‘underbanked’ are and the challenges they face? Also, how does Paxful actually solve these problems?

Widmer: If cryptocurrency is intended to help “bank the unbanked,” one of the greatest ironies is that you need to connect your bank account on a centralised exchange to buy crypto. Paxful works differently, allowing a more inclusive on-ramping experience for nearly any payment type; we are actually banking the unbanked.

Paxful is a means to on-ramp or buy into the cryptocurrency world using any possible payment method. It is all-inclusive.

Let’s imagine you are from Kenya and living in New Delhi. You want to send money back to family in Kenya, but imagine they do not have a bank account. You could buy Bitcoin on Paxful using your preferred payment method, then send them that Bitcoin on Paxful for them to sell on Paxful in exchange for payment via a method such as M-Pesa, which does not require a bank account.

That is truly inclusive global value transfer where anyone can participate. We enable everyone to have access to critical financial services.

Also Read: Why you lead will determine how well you will lead

Now, this is important. When we’re talking about people’s money, could you tell me what risks exist in P2P trading? How does Paxful protect users? What should users themselves be careful about?

Widmer: Peer-to-peer is dangerous when done incorrectly. That’s why Paxful exists. On Paxful, an escrow sits between the trade parties, locking the cryptocurrency to be sold. That cryptocurrency held in escrow is released to the seller only when the buyer sends the seller the payment. That means the seller does not need to hope and pray that the buyer sends the cryptocurrency simply, but instead, they are safeguarded by the escrow service.

The alternative to this would be for me to post on X and say, “Hey! Who wants to buy some BTC? I promise I’ll send it if you send me cash!”

You tell me which sounds safer!

Looking ahead, how do you see P2P platforms evolving? What role will they play in the future of finance? What excites you most about this space?

Widmer: Peer-to-peer has existed since the beginning of commerce, and I see it continuing forever. It’s the most straightforward, direct, human way to transfer value.

Strategically, I believe platforms like Paxful will continue to expand laterally, adding more services and features to provide a comprehensive product suite to its users.

I spend much of my time exploring potential acquisition opportunities where we can bring on new teams with new product offerings to build out our ecosystem.

The cryptocurrency, web3, and DeFi sectors are on fire with activity right now, and new inventions are going live daily. We aim to stay on the cutting edge by adopting new technology through organic growth and acquisitions while always remaining true to peer-to-peer’s core value transfer engine.

Final question – what advice would you give to someone interested in P2P trading but feeling hesitant to take the first step?

Widmer: The truth is, I bet they’ve already traded peer-to-peer.

Have you ever bought something from a friend? That’s peer-to-peer. Ever taken a taxi? That’s peer-to-peer. I sold baseball cards to kids in my middle school. That was peer-to-peer.

Paxful takes that peer-to-peer transaction flow we are accustomed to and gives it the necessary modern guardrails of KYC, compliance monitoring, and escrow service alongside a suite of in-account features to simplify your journey to financial freedom. The best way to experience this? Head over to Paxful, get involved, and own your destiny.

This article, originally published in Crypto India Magazine (CIM), is based on an interview with August Widmer. Certain sections have been adapted into a narrative format for improved readability and clarity, but no insights have been altered.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

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Image courtesy: August Widmer

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While many companies faced shutdowns and financial difficulties, the company has sustained profitability and demonstrated operational efficiency with a lean team of 100 employees.

CEO Nofi Bayu Darmawan attributes this success to a combination of factors, including a strong focus on integrated solutions and maintaining cost discipline.

Komerce offers a suite of services designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia. These include Komship for logistics, Komcards for payments, Komplace for omnichannel management, and Kompack for warehousing.

Also Read: Exclusive: Indonesia’s Komerce acquires real-time shipping cost calculation firm RajaOngkir

The company claims its “strong” cross-product synergy has allowed SMEs to streamline and expand their e-commerce operations effectively.

According Darmawan, Komerce’s success demonstrates that a focus on solving real customer problems drives sustainable growth.

Looking ahead to 2025, Komerce is placing a significant emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI). The company plans to introduce AI-powered tools to automate repetitive sales and operational tasks, especially for SMEs that rely on WhatsApp for customer communication. These tools will handle various customer interactions, from greetings to calculating shipping fees, processing orders and managing courier pickups, operating 24/7. This sales automation aims to ensure that no sales opportunities are missed, thereby providing SMEs with an efficient and reliable way to scale their operations.

Moreover, the AI-driven solutions will simplify workflows, significantly reducing manual workloads, particularly benefiting SMEs in tier-two cities that often have limited resources. Komerce believes that these AI solutions will empower SMEs to focus on growth, irrespective of their location, by saving both time and costs.

Darmawan further told e27 that Komerce is currently in talks to raise US$1 million to US$1.5 million in a pre-Series A funding round to accelerate expansion and further enhance its products. Having previously secured seed funding from investors, including Achmad Zaky, founder of Bukalapak, and 500 Global, the company aims to expand market adoption and unlock new revenue streams.

With 17 million online sellers in Indonesia, Komerce sees significant opportunities to solidify its leadership position in e-commerce enablement. By continuing its focus on profitability and leveraging AI innovations, the company aims to deliver substantial value to SMEs and foster long-term sustainable growth. Komerce’s vision is to simplify e-commerce for SMEs, empowering them to compete effectively in the digital economy.

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East Ventures, a venture capital firm in Southeast Asia, has released its market outlook for 2025. The report presents a measured yet optimistic vision for the region’s digital economy and outlines key projections that offer insights into global and regional economic trends, technological adoption, and entrepreneurial strategies.

According to the organisation, tech innovation will play a pivotal role in shaping growth. East Ventures foresees a surge in AI-first startups, with approximately 25 per cent of businesses projected to adopt Generative AI (GenAI) and AI agents by 2025.

This figure is expected to double by 2027, reflecting the rapid pace of AI integration across industries.

Global economic growth is projected to stabilise at approximately 3.1 per cent over the next five years. This marks a resilient recovery following the disruptions caused by the pandemic, supported by advancements in tech and the emergence of new industries.

However, the rise of protectionist policies in major economies could reconfigure patterns of global economic interdependence, underscoring potential challenges ahead.

Also Read: How Transparently.AI uses Artificial Intelligence to detect accounting manipulation, fraud

The digital economy in Southeast Asia is expected to expand significantly in 2025. Strong domestic consumption, a rebound in tourism, and improved investment flows are anticipated to drive this growth.

Additionally, the US Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut in September will likely provide further momentum, benefitting both businesses and consumers in the region.

Climate tech remains significant

The report also highlighted the sectors set to be popular in 2025.

In the healthcare sector, the adoption of AI is expected to accelerate, revolutionising patient care and clinical workflows. AI applications, such as real-time diagnostics and the development of personalised treatment plans, are anticipated to become standard practice.

These innovations aim to enhance accuracy in medical decision-making while reducing time and resource demands on healthcare providers.

Climate tech remains a priority for East Ventures, with significant momentum projected in areas such as renewable energy optimisation and carbon tracking. The firm emphasises the critical importance of climate tech as a means to address sustainability goals. By improving energy efficiency and providing tools to monitor and reduce emissions, this sector is expected to play a pivotal role in combating climate change.

Consumer tech, particularly e-commerce, is also undergoing rapid evolution. The rise of personalised shopping experiences and automated customer service through AI-powered chatbots signals a shift towards more tailored and efficient consumer interactions.

Also Read: Ethical implications of using AI in hiring

Additionally, businesses are expected to increasingly adopt smart solutions to streamline operations, driving productivity and cost savings in the retail sector.

Beyond the numbers, in this report, East Ventures stresses the importance of creating a “believable Southeast Asia,” positioning the region as a global economic powerhouse.

The firm urges entrepreneurs to shift their focus from following fleeting trends to addressing real-world problems and delivering tangible value. By fostering sustainable and impactful solutions, founders can navigate economic uncertainties and contribute to the region’s long-term prosperity.

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Image Credit: East Ventures

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It’s a milestone that’s been on global cryptocurrency enthusiasts’ minds for many years. Bitcoin’s recent rally to a value of US$100,000 has helped uncover Southeast Asia’s sky-high enthusiasm for crypto adoption and development.

The scale of Bitcoin’s ongoing rally is the topic of much debate, but its resonance in Asian economies appears assured regardless of the direction that the coin takes in the months ahead. 

According to the 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index, Central & Southern Asia and Oceania (CSAO) lead the world in crypto adoption with seven of the top 20 most active nations for both centralised and decentralised finance (DeFi) protocols. 

At the forefront of this growth was Indonesia, which surpassed US$30 billion (IDR 475.13 trillion) in cryptocurrency transactions between January and October 2024, representing a growth of 352.89 per cent in comparison to the same period in 2023. 

However, we’re also seeing widespread change at an institutional level, which could see significant growth in the number of cryptocurrency use cases in 2025 and beyond throughout the region. With interest in crypto reaching new levels in Southeast Asia, Bitcoin is becoming more accessible than ever before. 

Proliferation of crypto services

Bitcoin’s recent growth has brought a series of watershed moments for Asian adoption of crypto. In November, ZA Bank, Hong Kong’s first and largest digital bank, became the continent’s first institution to offer cryptocurrency trading services directly to retail investors. 

With ZA Bank’s app, it’s possible for users to frictionlessly trade cryptoucrrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum without the need for switching platforms in the process. 

In November 2024, Japanese firm AEON announced the launch of a QR code payment system on Binance’s BNB Chain with Terminus, helping to scale crypto payment accessibility in Southeast Asia. 

The tools are intended to make cryptocurrency payments a seamless experience for users and merchants, and the initiative could help leverage more offline cryptocurrency payments throughout the region. 

Cryptocurrency payments have been identified as a leading payment trend due to their flexibility and security qualities, and opening the door to making purchases with coins like Bitcoin represents a major step toward acceptance.

Opportunities in investing

We’re also seeing Asian firms making strides in expanding investment opportunities at an institutional level. 

Also Read: Embracing AI and cryptocurrency: Is Hong Kong too ambitious?

Focused on leveraging Bitcoin as a primary reserve asset to optimise financial strategies and drive stakeholder value, Sora Ventures has launched a US$150 million fund to grow Bitcoin-focused investment strategies among listed companies throughout Asia. 

Targeting companies listed on major stock exchanges throughout Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea, the move is a conscious effort to replicate the success of MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin reserve model in the United States. 

In the month following the US Presidential election which saw both Wall Street and cryptocurrency markets embark on a rally off the back of Donald Trump’s victory, Bitcoin’s 30% growth eclipsed the 14 per cent experienced by the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (MAGS), an exchange-traded fund that focuses on Wall Street’s seven largest companies by market capitalisation. 

The expansion of investment options for Southeast Asia’s largest firms can open the door to better-managed growth, and the ability to embrace the historical outperformance of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin fully. 

The world’s developer capital

It’s also important to highlight Southeast Asia’s invaluable role among crypto developers, with the continent surpassing North America in recent years to attain a strong market share. 

Since 2015, Asia’s share of global cryptocurrency developers has rallied from just 13 per cent to 32 per cent, while North America’s market share fell from 44 per cent to 25 per cent over the same period. 

While India has been a driving force in Asia’s newfound crypto dominance, nations like China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore have all helped to build a conducive infrastructure for crypto developers. 

According to Singapore-based fund manager, Anndy Lian, the emerging markets of India and Southeast Asia where traditional banking infrastructure can be less accessible, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have helped to democratise financial services to residents. 

It’s this necessity for innovation that appears to be positioning Southeast Asia at the forefront of crypto innovation, and the benefits are being reaped by retail investors and institutions alike. 

According to a recent National Thailand report, nations like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines possess high smartphone penetration rates, making cryptocurrency far more accessible during its ongoing market rally. As a result, we could see far more sustained adoption rates for crypto and DeFi services developed locally. 

Challenges remain

Despite clear indications that Southeast Asia is embracing the ongoing cryptocurrency rally more enthusiastically than ever before, a number of challenges remain. 

Cryptocurrency is famously volatile and open to exploitation among unwitting users. With Bitcoin’s historical bull runs giving way to substantial losses, both retail and institutional adopters will need to be wary of buying into crypto. 

Also Read: The rise of crypto ETFs: A new dimension in investing

Southeast Asia is also contending with cryptocurrency crime which could become more widespread as adoption grows. 

Forbes recently reported that addresses in China received more than US$37.8 million in cryptocurrency between January 2018 and April 2023, with links being made to illegal fentanyl sales being made using crypto payments on a major scale. 

This may call for regulatory oversight capable of rapidly adapting to an industry that’s famous for its unpredictability. 

Riding the crypto boom

For all its problems, Bitcoin’s recent surge beyond US$100,000 serves as a reminder of the vast potential of the cryptocurrency industry. By responsibly embracing the potential of crypto, Southeast Asia can become more prosperous, economically flexible, and accessible to all residents. 

Despite its famous volatility and concerns over misuse, the long-term potential of cryptocurrency is bright. Southeast Asia is well-positioned to become a world leader in crypto innovation as a result. 

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

Join us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn to stay connected.

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