Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Alekos of Portal, to discuss the Portal hardware device, they explore the importance of user experience, the concepts and future plans around decentralized identity, and examine the evolving role of hardware in the Bitcoin space. We explore: How decentralized identity can simplify online and offline authentication. How to transition from open source to founding a startup in the bitcoin ecosystem. The difficulties of raising funds for hardware startups in the bitcoin ecosystem. Why more startups should pursue ambitious ideas in the bitcoin ecosystem. Chapters: 01:01 Hackerspace Updates 03:27 Alekos's Journey into Bitcoin 06:27 The Evolution of Ideas and Creativity 09:17 From OpenSource to Bitcoin Startup 15:40 Innovations in NFC Technology 24:32 Expanding Functionality of Portal 29:13 Security and Authentication 37:07 Understanding the Portal Device 46:13 User Experience in Digital Security 52:27 Security and Privacy Concerns in Digital Identity 57:45 Learnings on Building Hardware 01:06:00 Future of Portal Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to trademarks and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com/?aff=PlebLab Follow Car: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠Stacker News⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab⁠ Follow PlebLab: PlebTV ⁠Stacker News Bitcoin Builders Club Primal⁠ ⁠X⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube Luma⁠ ⁠Meetup⁠