Cryptocurrency

Mike Novogratz has a good reason to believe that crypto is valuable. In March 2021, he revealed that cryptocurrencies made up nearly 85% ($4.8 billion) of his $5.65 billion net worth. But is crypto useful? Continue Reading →

The moment comes when you realize there's real money in your crypto wallet and you start wondering about hackers and ransomware and all kinds of bad stuff. If you've set up a digital wallet, bought some crypto, and collected a few NFTs and you're starting to trade across a range of marketplaces and exchanges, you are starting to experience the exceptional financial freedom the world of DeFi has to offer. Of course, there's a catch… Now, you're also in charge of guarding the treasury. Continue Reading →

China's latest bitcoin ban is not a particularly new policy. The country banned bitcoin in 2013 and made ICOs illegal in 2017. This new warning is different because some of China's biggest bitcoin mining operations were immediately impacted. Continue Reading →

Just about everyone seems interested in getting into cryptocurrency. Is it too late? Shelly Palmer talks with Bianca Peters and Robert Moses about the technology, as well as his newest book: Blockchain - Cryptocurrency, NFTs & Smart Contracts: An executive guide to the world of decentralized finance. Continue Reading →

For crypto speculators, newbies, and "get rich quick" thrillseekers, last week was tough. The Chinese government re-signaled its displeasure with bitcoin and all things crypto, the IRS announced it is going to do what it can to tax every possible crypto transaction, and Elon tweeted, scaring the hell out of people who pay attention to him. Panic ensued. When it was over, Wednesday's crypto crash vaporized about $1 trillion of market value. The currency may be virtual, but for those who sold at a loss, the losses were real. And while it came back a bit after the crash, this rollercoaster ride is getting even more extreme. Which is why it is no surprise that so many well-respected businesspeople and financial experts chose this past week to declare that crypto is "valueless," or "nutso," or "dead." But think about this... Continue Reading →

Thinking about getting into cryptocurrency? Lots of people are. Shelly Palmer talks with Bianca Peters and Robert Moses about what to know before you get started. Continue Reading →

Dfinity launched Internet Computer last week, and ICP, its cryptocurrency, already has a market cap of over $30 billion. This article is not about the value of owning ICP or how or why you may or may not want to trade crypto. I'm not going to offer any financial advice here. What interests me is how strongly Dfinity's vision aligns with my essay Tales from under the Merkle Tree. In the essay, I ask you to imagine a world powered by decentralized apps (Dapps), where currencies are traded on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), and people transact business on distributed ledgers (aka blockchains). I also suggested that the future I asked you to envision "is literally just months away." I was wrong. It's happening right now. Or is it? Continue Reading →

You'll read a lot today about the $5 million in cryptocurrency that Colonial Pipeline paid to its ransomware hackers. You'll read a lot today about how the FBI discourages ransomware victims from paying their hackers. You'll read a lot today about how fragile and vulnerable our infrastructure is. Pay close attention, and do your best to separate out the facts from the fear-mongering. Continue Reading →

As she approached the entrance to the club, she gave the frame of her new prescription AR glasses a gentle squeeze. When she got to the door, it appeared to turn green, indicating recognition that she was over 21 years of age. Then, a message appeared along with a friendly voice asking for the 5 ADA cover charge. She shook her head yes. A moment later, the door opened, which indicated that the transaction had cleared. And so begins a story about life in a trustless, decentralized world − a tale from under the Merkle tree. Continue Reading →

Every profession is a conspiracy against the laity, and the world of crypto is no exception. It is in that spirit, I offer this glossary of terms that will make you sound as if you are completely informed and up-to-date when discussing your next crypto project. Continue Reading →