Testing Blockchain-Based Communities: How Students Are Building the Future in Malaysia

Nearly 400 participants are experimenting with decentralized governance through an ambitious educational initiative in Malaysia’s Forest City, backed by a former Coinbase technology leader.

When Startup Philosophy Meets Real-World Campus

What began as an underdeveloped island reclamation project has transformed into an unconventional hub for blockchain projects for students and tech visionaries. Network School, launched within Forest City in Johor, Malaysia, has attracted almost 400 enrollees willing to pay $1,500 monthly for accommodation and access to a unique curriculum. The program operates on a radical premise: that shared technological values and cryptocurrency frameworks could eventually replace traditional geographic and political boundaries.

The campus environment blends technical immersion with lifestyle experimentation. Mornings dedicate time to coding and cryptocurrency project development. Afternoons shift toward theoretical discussions—examining decentralized autonomous organizations, digital sovereignty, and governance mechanisms. The educational model additionally incorporates longevity science, reflecting Silicon Valley’s emphasis on health optimization through fitness infrastructure and nutritionally structured dining.

From Theory to Practice: The Architect’s Vision

Balaji Srinivasan, former chief technology officer at Coinbase, conceptualized this experiment years before its implementation. His intellectual journey started at prestigious venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, where he served as a general partner for five years. In 2013, his Y Combinator speech provocatively suggested that Silicon Valley needed an “ultimate exit” from traditional nation-state constraints. He positioned governments as outdated barriers hindering technological progress.

This philosophy crystallized into “Network State” concept, fully detailed in his 2022 book bearing the same title. The framework proposes that communities bonded by ideology and cryptocurrency infrastructure could establish governance structures independent of territorial limitations. These entities would operate across multiple jurisdictions, unified through blockchain technology and digital networks, while simultaneously pursuing diplomatic legitimacy with existing nations.

Why Forest City Became the Testing Ground

Malaysia’s Forest City offered practical advantages beyond theoretical appeal. The location provides proximity to Singapore’s major airport hub, facilitating international accessibility. Malaysian government incentives—including duty-free privileges and zero-percent taxation for family offices—created favorable conditions for experimental governance models. The partially developed infrastructure meant that regulatory frameworks could be tested without disrupting established communities.

Students and observers recognize the initiative as visionary, though skeptics question whether genuine innovation or speculative marketing dominates. The outcome of Network School’s blockchain projects for students will likely signal whether decentralized governance models offer practical political alternatives or remain theoretical exercises.