Blockchain

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Internet Computer

Internet Computer (Dfinity)
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 →
Merkle Tree
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 →
I am pleased to announce a new Mark Cuban company that, once again, is both on trend and perfectly timed. NBA Low Shot, which you will find at nbalowshot.com, offers GIFs of the worst moments from NBA history as fake NFTs that you can pretend to own. Importantly, a GIF you download from NBA Low Shot is indistinguishable from a GIF you'd download that is tied to an NFT. Continue Reading →

How dangerous is crypto?

A Turkish crypto exchange boss has gone missing and, according to reports, he took $2 billion of investors’ funds with him (details below). It will be hard to prove he stole the crypto, and it is unlikely to be found or returned. So... how dangerous is crypto? Continue Reading →
Crypto Coins
Crypto prices and NFTs are hogging the headlines, but they are just the most visible components of a rapidly growing decentralized financial system (DeFi) that has the potential to significantly challenge how we buy, sell, and trade just about everything. Blockchain and cryptocurrency may seem like a new thing, but they have been around for over 10 years. The problem is that the world of crypto can be very confusing with all the jargon, acronyms, and other unfamiliar words. This brief overview will introduce you to some of the basic areas through a series of links to the most prominent organizations, platforms, and toolsets. Continue Reading →
Coinbase is the largest cryptocurrency exchange. It trades under the ticker symbol COIN. It makes most of its money on trades involving Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), but also lets you exchange about 50 other cryptocurrencies. Almost everyone you know who has a substantial amount of BTC or ETH has done at least a few trades on Coinbase. Continue Reading →

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