Cryptocurrency

Technology is meaningless unless it changes the way we behave. As many of you have pointed out, my writing is increasingly focused on blockchain, cryptocurrency, smart contracts and NFTs, decentralized finance (DeFi), Web 3.0, and the role AI and other nascent computational tools may play in the future. There's a simple reason. They are all behavior-changing technologies. At one end of the spectrum, there's the potential of an alternative, decentralized system for value exchange that challenges our understanding about the role of central governance. At the other end of the spectrum, this is nothing more than a fad which can be easily ignored. In my experience, no technology is ever "either, or." As you know, almost $8 trillion of wealth vaporized when the dot-com bubble burst in 2000. Those speculative losses didn't have anything to do with the underlying technology; it was all about the hype. With that in mind, think about this... Continue Reading →

Have you been wondering why my newsletter has been so highly focused on blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFTs, smart contracts, and the world of decentralized finance? Are you thinking, "This really doesn't apply to me or my business"? Are you saying things like, "Crypto schmypmo"? Continue Reading →

"To NFT, or not to NFT, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of FOMO, or to take arms against an OpenSea of troubles and by opposing end them." Shakespearian parody aside, the decision to enter the NFT marketplace should not be taken lightly. The usual "test, learn, modify, repeat" model does not quite apply. Here's why. Continue Reading →

The crypto market crashed yesterday! Do you care? Should you? Continue Reading →

Over the past few months, people have started using the term "NFT" interchangeably with the term "digital collectible." This is unfortunate, because while most of the digital collectibles in the news are NFTs, the technology can be used to create value in many additional ways. When thinking about fan development, which we will define (just for this article) as a collection of purpose-built tools designed to grow communities of interest, perhaps the most obvious use for an NFT is as a ticket to an event. Let’s review some of the benefits you might expect from combining a ticket, some unique digital assets, and a smart contract. Continue Reading →

REvil, the ransomware gang that attacked meat supplier JBS Foods this spring and a major IT software vendor this month, has mysteriously gone dark. Its websites are gone and there has been no word from their spokespeople. Continue Reading →

For anyone who invested at the top of the crypto hype cycle over the past few weeks, today is a reprise of "Black Tuesday." Continue Reading →

Bitcoin crashed hard this weekend, and the selloff doesn't seem to be turning around too quickly this morning. The crypto markets have been unusually volatile recently, and a contributing factor may be the Chinese government's serious crackdown on bitcoin mining operations. Continue Reading →

The top global standard setter for banking regulation -- The Basel Committee for Banking Supervision, a group of global central bankers and regulators -- proposed a strict new rule that would require banks to set aside a dollar in capital for every dollar of bitcoin or other crypto assets they own. Stablecoins (cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional assets) would be subject to lower capital requirements. Continue Reading →

The crypto markets got hammered over fears that the FBI had recovered the ransom Colonial Pipeline paid in bitcoin (true), and, therefore, all crypto can be easily hacked (false). The FUD is still rampant, and the depth and breath of misinformation and misunderstanding about the hackability of cryptocurrency is profound. Continue Reading →