Cryptocurrency has been involved in finance, arts, gaming, and politics. However, it seems it's also touching something very old and personal: religion. In recent years, a growing number of religious cryptocurrencies have appeared, claiming to integrate blockchain technology, religion, and ethics through a sense of charity and a strong sense of community. As unconventional as the concept may be, the use of faith-based coins is slowly gaining popularity and raising both curiosity and alarms. What are faith-based cryptocurrencies? Religious cryptocurrencies are digital money that is based on religious identity or belief systems. These cryptocurrencies might include: Participate in charitable causes related to a faith Promote ethical or 'moral' finance Establish religious communities on the blockchain Fund social or humanitarian projects Some are directly linked to major world religions, such as Christianity or Islam, while others are centered on notions of spirituality and basic morals rather than anything doctrinal. The premise: Using decentralized finance to build open, values-based financial systems that the traditional financial systems haven’t been able to provide yet. Why are faith-based coins currently gaining popularity? $human coin via Human protocol foundation 1. Distrust of the Traditional Financial Systems Religious groups may already see today’s financial systems as exploitative, opaque, and of dubious morality. By offering a transparent and decentralized alternative, the promise of crypto is very appealing to those who would like to see a banking system less centered on making a profit and charging interest. Faith-based coins offer an ethical antidote to traditional finance systems. 2. Charity and Transparency Appeal However, religious contributions are criticized for a lack of transparency. Blockchain technology rectifies this situation. Religious projects assert that: These can then be traced on-chain. Funds directly affect desired causes Intermediaries are reduced For the believers, this provides trust - at least, theoretically. 3. Community Identity in Web3 Crypto relies heavily on community. Religious cryptocurrencies leverage deeply entrenched identities and networks that already exist IRL. Blockchain is simply an additional coordination mechanism for these networks. In a community where memes and rumors reign supreme, faith-based endeavors are more closely tied to human emotions. Where the concerns begin Jesus coin via CoinGecko While the interest continues to grow, fake cryptocurrencies are a peculiar aspect of this world. Here are some of the reasons for this: 1. Exploitation of Belief Critics suggest that some projects leverage faith as a tool to gain trust and investment. Where faith acts as a marketing shield, investors feel less cautious. Thus, an environment is created where scams and ill-structured projects may flourish. Belief must not supplant due diligence. 2. A Lack of Regulation and Oversight A lot of the religion-linked cryptocurrencies lack proper governance, audit, and accountability. Statements about charity or ethical investing tend to be nebulous and lack any tangible impact. 3. Blurring Faith and Financial Risk Historically, religion stands for humility, conservatism, and stewardship. Crypto markets, on the other hand, are known to be volatile and speculative. This combination leads to contradictions in ethics, particularly if people lose money in the process. Examples of real-world faith-based crypto projects Bless coin via WEEX 1. Blessing Coin Among the most popular examples is what is advertised as the blessing coin. This project markets the coin within the context of charity or kindness. While the project has managed to gain popularity within the Christian community, experts have warned that the project fails to demonstrate charitable efforts in the form of audits. This remains an important lesson in the area of intention versus result. 2. Halal-certified tokens In regions with a history of Islamic finance, there have been projects or proposals for coins from developers seeking to ensure their offerings are Shariah-compliant. Typically, this is done in line with Islamic principles of interest or riba, as well as speculation. While there have been community coins available in regions such as Southeast Asia or the Middle East, most of these coins are still in the experimental stages. 3. Community Charity Coins Aside from specific teachings, there are community tokens that directly associate themselves with charity activities through faith expressions. Examples include: Tokens that promise a certain portion of transaction fees to food banks, coins for supporting mission trips or spiritual education, and projects where blockchain donors are linked with non-profits supporting religious values. Although these may utilize faith framing, levels of transparency concerning their impact vary. Are faith-based coins here to stay? Faith-based cryptocurrencies highlight the trend of crypto engulfing all that pertains to the human identity: culture, politics, ideology, and religion. Some projects can grow into actual instruments of transparent charity and community funding. Some will probably wither away as proven hype or failed experiments. One clear thing is that Blockchain is a concept that has moved beyond money. It has a social component, and a faith-based cryptocurrency is one of those more contentious areas. Takeaway for readers Faith-based cryptos feature trust and values but require an added level of vigilance. While religion may promote beliefs, in crypto, more attention is placed upon the importance of openness, audits, and actual tangible output. Want more crypto insights? Follow The   ScreenLight  for the latest updates and explainers.

Let’s be honest for a second. Opening Netflix or Prime these days feels like walking into a supermarket with too many options and zero energy. Everything looks “ interesting ”, everything has a trailer, everything claims to be trending, and somehow you still end up rewatching the same old comfort show. That’s the real problem with OTT now. It’s not a lack of content but decision fatigue. So instead of dumping a boring list of 15 random titles, let’s do something more useful. Let’s actually separate the noise from the good stuff. The ones that deserve your time this week and the ones you can comfortably ignore without guilt. No hype. No PR energy. Just honest picks. OTT releases to watch this week 1. Bridgerton Season 4 (Netflix) Bridgerton Season 4 via YouTube This is the main character of the week. There’s no other way to put it. Every time Bridgerton returns, it becomes the show people start casually mentioning in conversations like, “ Have you started it yet? ” And suddenly you feel behind. The drama , the romance, the looks across ballrooms, the messy emotions, it's pure escapism, and it knows it. It's not that deep. But extremely addictive. This is the kind of show you put on “ just for one episode ” and then realise it’s 2 a.m. and you’re emotionally invested in fictional aristocrats. 2. Dhurandhar (Netflix) Dhurandhar via YouTube Big star. Big action. Big drama. Dhurandhar is that classic loud Bollywood OTT release, stylish, dramatic, slightly over-the-top, and clearly made for mass entertainment. You’re watching this for the energy, the twists, the action sequences, and the full “ movie night ” feeling. It’s perfect when you want something fun without using too many brain cells. Just sit back, watch things explode, and enjoy the ride. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need. 3. Daldal Daldal via YouTube This one’s for the people who like their shows dark, serious, and a little uncomfortable. Daldal is a proper crime thriller, moody, tense, slow-burning in the best way. The kind of series where every episode ends, and you go, “ Okay, wait one more .” No flashy gimmicks. No unnecessary comedy. Just investigation, secrets, morally grey characters, and that constant feeling that something is about to go wrong. If you like thrillers, this is easily one of the strongest picks of the week. 4. Sarvam Maya Sarvam Maya via YouTube This is the quiet surprise of the week. Not aggressively marketed. Not trending everywhere. But emotionally strong and genuinely human. Sarvam Maya feels different from the usual algorithm-made content. The performances feel real, the emotions feel grounded, and it doesn’t try too hard to be “ OTT cool ”. It’s the kind of show that sneaks up on you. You start watching casually, and by the end, you’re more invested than expected. Perfect if you’re tired of formula content and want something with soul. What to skip on OTT this week (or at least postpone) 1. The 50 The 50 via YouTube This one is not bad. Let’s clear that first. It’s just not urgent . The 50 is experimental, niche, and doesn’t feel like a “ you must watch this now ” kind of show. There’s no cultural pressure, no spoilers, no fear, no conversation happening around it. It’s a classic “ watch later when you’re bored ” title. Not a “this deserves your prime weekend slot” title. And in a week, this is crowded; that’s more than enough to land it in the skip list. 2. Wheel of Fortune India Wheel of Fortune via YouTube This is background TV. The kind of thing you put on while eating, scrolling, or doing something else. It’s harmless, light, and fine, but it’s not why people subscribe to OTT platforms. You won’t hate it. You also won’t remember it. Which is basically the definition of skip. 3. Take That (Docuseries) Take That via YouTube This is extremely specific content. If you’re already a fan of the band, you’ll probably enjoy the nostalgia, the behind-the-scenes stories , and the emotional moments. But if you’re not emotionally connected to them, this will feel like watching someone else’s family album. Not bad. Just very niche. And niche content should never take priority over genuinely engaging mainstream releases. 4. Shrinking Season 3 (new episodes) Shrinking Season 3 via YouTube Here’s the truth: Shrinking is a good show. But these new episodes? They’re not a moment. Nothing massive happens. No big twists. No insane emotional payoff. It’s more like a gentle continuation. This is a binge later situation. Let the episodes stack up, then watch properly. Right now, there’s no rush at all. The real problem with OTT right now OTT is no longer about “ what’s good ”. It’s about what’s worth your time. Because every platform drops something every week. Netflix , Prime , Hotstar , Zee5 , all of them shouting “ watch me, watch me ” at the same time. And you? You’re just sitting there tired after a long day, trying not to waste your one free evening on something mid. That’s why lists like this even exist. Not to rate content. Not to sound smart. But to save you from that exact moment where you finish a show and think, “ Why did I even watch this? ” Watch the OTT titles that feel like events. Skip the ones that feel like filler. And don’t feel guilty about ignoring half your watchlist. Because the real luxury in the OTT era isn’t watching everything, it's not wasting your time. Follow The ScreenLight if you’re tired of wasting time on mid-content.

Tinder remains the largest app in the world in terms of size and income.  Hinge is fast redefining the user experience based on meaningful relationships. Both platforms are part of the same parent company, Match Group, and currently stand as two different strategies in the dating industry against each other.  Although Tinder is winning the battle of scale and speed, Hinge is winning the battle of growth, reputation, and changing user sentiment. Tinder: The Giant that built the Swipe Culture Tinder is the volume leader that cannot be challenged. It has a market share of 31.4 percent, estimated, and almost 60 million monthly active users all over the world, which gives it unmatched visibility. It has a swipe-first interface and is popular among younger users who want low-commitment interactions. Tinder earned nearly $1.94 billion in 2024, which further confirms its financial leadership in the dating ecosystem. Hinge: The App that Promised More than Matches Instead, Hinge is becoming the quickest increasing platform in the same area. Being promoted as the application that is supposed to be uninstalled , it targets the audience who wants to form long-term relationships instead of being on the app forever. In 2024, Hinge has witnessed a 38 percent growth in revenue on a year-over-year basis, with the company achieving a figure of about 550 million in revenue. Towards the end of October in 2024, it was the second most downloaded app in the United States, which is an indication of a significant change in preference. Hinge’s interface emphasizes profiles, prompts, and richer interactions designed to support more meaningful connections. Fast Swipes or Thoughtful Profiles: Two very Different Journeys The fundamental distinction is in the design of these apps. Tinder puts more emphasis on speed, images, and volume of matches, which enables users to view profiles quickly.  Hinge makes the process slower as it is concerned with prompts, comments, and personal information . This design promotes chat before connectivity, resulting in more interactive engagements. Subsequently, a lot of users claim to have better matches in Hinge, although the total pool is lower. Matching Systems and Perceived Match Quality Both sites are imbalanced in terms of gender, as there are more male users than female users. Nevertheless, the image of seriousness has made Hinge gain a relatively balanced user base. Functionalities such as "We Met" are supposed to enhance accountability and trust following the offline meetings. Although Tinder invests in safety tools, the company continues to give the impression of casual use, which influences how users treat the interactions on the app. Tinder’s swipe-based interface highlights its fast, visual approach to online dating and high-volume matching experience. Dating App Tiredness and Gen Z Stress One of the emerging problems of the two platforms is app fatigue, especially in Gen Z users. Most people complain of being fed up with the repetitive swiping and shallow interactions. This has propelled Hinge into the future, as it fits more into the demands of authenticity. Tinder, in turn, is still trying out the premium features and updates to the algorithms to keep the users interested in a highly saturated dating environment. One Company, Two Visions of Modern Dating The company’s ownership of both apps is a calculated move by Match Group. Tinder takes the market of high-volume, casual users, whereas Hinge takes users who want to achieve specific results. The  platforms are more complementary products aimed at keeping their users in the same corporate ecosystem as tastes shift, rather than direct competitors. Tinder remains the largest in terms of scale, income, and worldwide presence, which is why it is the strongest brand in the dating app market. Though Hinge is dominating the discussion on quality, growth, and long-term intent. User expectations keep on changing, the future of the sector might not rely on figures as much as it can conform to the changing social behavior through the responsiveness of the platform used. Both apps are triumphing in different aspects in that balance. Continue navigating The ScreenLight  to know about more social-related topics and stay up to date.