BALIOLA ADI MAHADUTA

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the world faced lockdowns, Bali’s vibrant community of painters and illustrators was hit hard. Without the ability to sell their artwork in person, going online was the only option. However, many Balinese artists faced a new problem: the unauthorized reproduction and sale of their creations as NFTs on various marketplaces. Their work was being falsified, and they lacked the means to protect their intellectual property in the digital realm.

With a deep respect for Bali’s artistic heritage, the founders launched Baliola in April 2021 as an NFT marketplace dedicated to real art, with the goal of empowering local artists to sell their work securely. Supported by the Denpasar City Government and the Creative Agency of Denpasar (BKRAF Denpasar), Baliola quickly grew, attracting over 120 artists from Bali and across Indonesia. Through education and engagement, the team introduced blockchain and NFTs to a traditionally non-digital community, offering them the tools to protect their work and reach new audiences globally.

But Baliola’s vision didn’t stop at NFTs. They introduced the concept of NFT of Everything (NOE), expanding the use of blockchain to support book authors, chocolate farmers, and artists. These creators could now leverage NFTs to reward their audiences, secure funding, and manage intellectual property in innovative ways. Through NOE, the platform facilitated the use of art not just as a commodity, but as a membership card, a funding tool, and a digital asset that empowered creators.

As the Baliola community grew, so did their understanding of blockchain’s broader potential. Partnering with BKRAF Denpasar, Baliola helped establish the Bali Blockchain Center, a laboratory dedicated to exploring how blockchain could transform industries beyond the arts. It became clear that blockchain could be the foundation for the future of digital resilience, but the challenge lay in making the technology accessible to governments, enterprises, and Web2 applications.

By July 2022, Baliola embarked on a new journey to develop a blockchain platform that could address these needs. In August 2023, they launched the Niskala Testnet, the first version of their proprietary Mandala Chain, which aimed to facilitate secure, decentralized applications for governments and enterprises. To manage and govern this public chain, Baliola also established the Mandala Chain Foundation in partnership with Republik Rupiah.

The journey reached a new milestone in March 2024, when Mandala Chain won Parachain Slot Auction #64 with a crowdloan of $1.2 million. This victory validated Baliola’s vision and paved the way for the continued development of Mandala Application Chain (MAC), an enterprise-grade blockchain designed to support large-scale digital transformation projects. Baliola is now working closely with government offices and enterprises across Indonesia, with plans to expand throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.

Today, Baliola stands at the forefront of blockchain innovation, committed to building a trustless digital ecosystemwhere data integrity is guaranteed, processes are secure, and users are empowered to control their own data. As we look toward the future, we remain dedicated to harnessing blockchain technology to drive digital transformation and create a resilient foundation for global digital collaboration.