3.6 Million Websites Went Offline Due to a Fire: How #Decentralized #Cloud Would’ve Prevented It | Hacker Noon
▻https://hackernoon.com/36-million-websites-went-offline-due-to-a-fire-how-decentralized-cloud-w
3.6 Million Websites Went Offline Due to a Fire: How #Decentralized #Cloud Would’ve Prevented It | Hacker Noon
▻https://hackernoon.com/36-million-websites-went-offline-due-to-a-fire-how-decentralized-cloud-w
V Systems — Decentralized #blockchain Databse and DApp Platform for the New Digital Economy
▻https://hackernoon.com/v-systems-decentralized-blockchain-databse-and-dapp-platform-for-the-new
A Decentralized Blockchain Database and DApp Platform for the New Digital EconomyBitcoin was originally ideated as a peer-to-peer electronic decentralized payment system, based on a public ledger or blockchain. Developers soon realized that the scope of blockchain extended much beyond a modest payment service. Vitalik Buterin viewed it as a platform on which decentralized applications (DApps) could be written using smart contracts, and brought Ethereum to life, which ushered in a new era of blockchain projects. Another application of blockchain technology that has gained ground recently is as distributed data systems. Just like we use centralized data systems like Google Cloud and Amazon AWS, with some optimization, blockchain can be used as a decentralized database. V Systems is a (...)
Decentralised Freelance Platforms are Coming After the Large Incumbents
▻https://hackernoon.com/decentralised-freelance-platforms-are-coming-after-the-large-incumbents-
Well, here we are in 2019. The world economy is still chugging along, the internal combustion engine still powers our daily lives, and fiat currencies are still the most popular means of asset exchange. (In another 10 years these observations may need updating).Do not get me wrong, the world is changing, and its changing fast! The way people interact and use technology is shifting at an alarming rate, but probably what is more profound is technology has changed how we live our lives.The globalisation of the service economy, powered by traffic-driven platforms, has changed everything.There is a platform for everything!The food we eat at home is now delivered via gig-economy platforms (Uber Eats). Where we eat-out is now determined by review platforms (Yelp). How we travel for our (...)
#freelancing #best-freelance-platforms #cryptocurrency #unbanked #decentralized-platform
#cryptocurrency Exchange: A DEX Offering The Complete Solution
▻https://hackernoon.com/cryptocurrency-exchange-a-dex-offering-the-complete-solution-6b7386a8c07
In centralized cryptocurrency exchanges, orders and trades are recorded off-chain on a private database. While this solution is used in the mainstream financial world, it creates, in the cryptocurrency market, counterparty and operational risks such as hacks and thefts (i.e. Mt. Gox and Bitfinex scandals).Also, centralized exchanges are more vulnerable to government censorship. Exchanges can easily have their operating licenses revoked and their funds seized. There have been several instances in the past, such as in India and China, where governments have banned and forced exchanges to shut down.Having control of user’s assets also means that they can impose their own terms on block users assets or accounts without notice. Not to mention manipulating trading orders and wash trading (...)
#decentralized-exchange #cryptocurrency-exchange #privacy #bitcoin
Combining #blockchain and File Storage Might Just Decentralize the Internet
▻https://hackernoon.com/combining-blockchain-and-file-storage-might-just-decentralize-the-intern
Eric Wang is a co-founder at the Archon Cloud, a blockchain-based file storage system, where he leads research and other efforts.TL;DR: This article describes the emergence and potential impact of file storage systems based on blockchain technology. Blockchain-based File Storage (BFS) is a promising alternative to both centralized storage and non-incentivized P2P file systems. If BFS can overcome the many usability and technological challenges it faces, it can potentially become the de facto storage infrastructure, catalyzing a decentralized internet.IntroductionThere is recent focus on decentralized systems because they promise new classes of applications free from intermediaries, create new economies of scale and offer unprecedented user control of data. Smart contract functionality (...)
#hackernoon-top-story #cryptocurrency #decentralized-internet #blockchain-file-storage
Decentralized Exchanges : Explaining #makers, Takers, and the missing piece
▻https://hackernoon.com/decentralized-exchanges-explaining-makers-takers-and-the-missing-piece-6
By: Kush PatelCo-Founder & Solutions ArchitectThis week we would like to showcase a series of guest posts from fellow Co-Founder and resident Solutions Architect here at BlockX Labs. Kush Patel has been a consultant for some of Canada’s top banks. His experience spans from developing financial products to scaling complex technical architectures. Kush has also built and maintained Exchanges which transferred approximately $1bn worth of assets on a daily basis. Nowadays, he is focused on working with our clients to build decentralized exchanges.Part I of this Guest Series includes an in-depth explanation of the Maker and Taker concept and the distrust that happens in Decentralized exchanges. Part II will cover part of the blog we will explore available solutions and limitations of (...)
#decentralized-exchange #blockchain-technology #blockx-labs #blockchain
dWeb : The #decentralized Web
▻https://hackernoon.com/dweb-the-decentralized-web-a0e9c6a5c0ec?source=rss----3a8144eabfe3---4
The decentralized web has become famous due to HBO’s Silicon Valley TV show; which highlights the hilarious comedy and grilling drama of nerds coding out the future of the internet.But for all of us who are not programmers, what does ‘decentralized web’ mean? What’s the difference between that and the other thing?The difference is living at home and being treated like a kid, and living on your own and being an adult.Using centralized websites, like Google, YouTube, Facebook, etc. is like living at home. You always have somebody watching over you, whether you like it or not.This comes with benefits though. If you forgot your keys or got locked out of the house, they can open the door for you. But as you might guess, if they are able to open the door, then they are also able to go into your (...)
The future of blockchain #privacy : zero-knowledge proofs in decentralised exchanges
▻https://hackernoon.com/the-future-of-blockchain-privacy-zero-knowledge-proofs-in-decentralised-
Source: geraltZero knowledge proofs, such as those incorporated in ZK SNARKS, are becoming the go-to privacy technology sought in blockchains at present. This is for good reason — they allow for true “zerocoin” transactions, meaning that coins transferred have no transaction history which can be tracked through the blockchain, and even the amounts are obscured from outside parties. Users transacting with these currencies can rest assured that their identity or use of funds will not be ascertained by any third party, regardless of their resources — an extremely powerful idea. However, problems will occur when they seek to exchange these currencies for a non-privacy equipped token, and even more so when they attempt to buy in or cash out with fiat. Of course, they can exchange their privacy (...)
A state of the art of decentralized web — Part 4
▻https://hackernoon.com/a-state-of-the-art-of-decentralized-web-part-4-212732f74894?source=rss--
A state of the art of decentralized web — Part 44. DatabasesThis is the fourth and last chapter of a series about web decentralization. As we have seen in the previous chapter, the #blockchain and smart contracts are great to store records for some specific use cases (like financial transactions), but they are not going to replace your whole #database. Here we are going to focus on distributed and decentralized databases: What are the current candidates and how do they compare each other. Then we will conclude this series and step back on what we have learned.SQL, that good old friend!Series articlesIntroductionFile storageBlockchain and smart contractsDatabasesIntroductionFor once, let’s start with a theorem — the CAP theorem:The CAP theorem states that it is impossible for a distributed (...)
#distributed-database #decentralized-database #decentralized-web
This Game Lets You Grow #cannabis — On the #blockchain
▻https://hackernoon.com/this-game-lets-you-grow-cannabis-on-the-blockchain-a27b8edb305a?source=r
This Game Lets You Grow Cannabis — On the BlockchainFarming games have existed throughout the history of gaming, but just as mechanization changed the face of real agriculture, blockchain is promising to change the way we play farming games, starting with cannabis cultivation.Flowerpatch is a beautiful isometric game world where users can purchase, trade and grow cannabis collectables on the blockchain.Whilst it takes a whole load of effort to be a real farmer (hats off to them), with farming games, you get all the warm fuzzy feelings associated with a bumper harvest, without waking up before sunrise to defrost your tractor. Bored of tending those fava beans? Don’t want to milk the cows? Save and log off, and you’re done for the night — perfect.Farming games are fun, because unlike other (...)
Practical Applications of Decentralized Prediction Markets
▻https://hackernoon.com/practical-applications-of-decentralized-prediction-markets-cac0bcbd117?s
How cryptocurrency-powered markets could disrupt betting, finance, forecasting, scientific research, and governanceIntroductionIn early 2016, I speculated that decentralized prediction markets could give us the power to easily “Google” the probability of any imaginable event occurring.¹ Now that the first market has been running for seven months, it’s time to re-evaluate the potential of what was at the time a theoretical and unproven technology.Prediction markets allow users to buy and sell shares in the outcome of specific events. After the event occurs, users holding shares of accurate event outcomes are rewarded while users holding the inaccurate ones lose their money. Share prices fluctuate between 0 and 1 based on supply and demand from traders until the event’s outcome is (...)
#decentralized-market #ethereum #practical-application #blockchain #predictions
Understanding Tradeoffs: Decentralization vs. Usability
▻https://hackernoon.com/understanding-tradeoffs-decentralization-vs-usability-c537ba612a5e?sourc
Blockchains have unlocked a new design space for computing with the advent of trustless computing. In a world of increasing centralization (a la, the Big Four), increasing control and exploitation (a la, Facebook), and increasing censorship (a la, the State). The promise of a decentralized, self sovereign, censorship resistant protocol is exactly what the world wants/needs. You need not look any further than the ICO boom that seeded 2000+ new projects from in the span of 18 months to see there is a desire to build a new internet, devoid of the systemic challenges we are faced with today.Enter Web 3.0: the intersection of the three pillars of the decentralized movement, and the foundation on which the next era of innovation will be built. Except, even with hundreds of billions of (...)
#blockchain #crypto #cryptocurrency #decentralized-usability #ethereum
The Role of Cross-Chain #technology in Powering a #decentralized #internet
▻https://hackernoon.com/the-role-of-cross-chain-technology-in-powering-a-decentralized-internet-
Blockchain is described as the technology to drive the next generation of the internet. Yet there are significant challenges to be overcome in regards to interoperability and scalability. One part of the solution is cross-chain technology.Image by 151676781@N07What is Centralization?The internet as we know it today is centralized. Centralization refers to a structure where one or a small number of entities control an entire network. At the moment, a small number of very powerful technology companies exert the most control over the internet. These few companies are known as the FAANGs (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google, with other companies like Microsoft and Twitter also in the oligopoly). These companies are powerful enough to set the terms for industry standards. Smaller (...)
The Exciting Possibilities of a Society with Decentralized Identities
▻https://hackernoon.com/the-exciting-possibilities-of-a-society-with-decentralized-identities-16
Our societies have been so indoctrinated by the concept of #identity given by our respective governments that many people are incapable or are unwilling to think outside the box of what we think identity means. Social security numbers, passports, drivers licenses, credit scores, etc., are usually what comes into mind when we think of the word “identification.” Don’t get me wrong — government identities were (and are) absolutely necessary to prevent fraud, confusion, and straight-up chaos. But in the midst of our attempt at organization and somewhat accurate file-keeping, we have lost the true meaning of the word. Sadly, we now see identity as a way for governments, institutions, schools, banks, and hospitals to determine who we are, what we’ve done, and what we own. What’s even more sad is (...)
#decentralization #decentralized-apps #cryptocurrency #blockchain
Payments of Tomorrow: Decentralized Recurring Billing
▻https://hackernoon.com/payments-of-tomorrow-decentralized-recurring-billing-47d126d895fd?source
Internet services that provide utilities charge your bank account in pre-determined intervals, generally monthly. This is a well-established practice and quite a common merchant-customer relationship these days. However, technically, nothing prevents your bank or payment provider from charging you more than you owe, except moral and legal obligations. In this article, we are going to unveil how to set up recurring billing on top of a decentralized data platform in order to practically guarantee and enforce the billing rules on which both parties agreed.Blockchain and Distributed Ledger TechnologyDespite the fact that #blockchain is facing a lot of adoption and regulation difficulties in 2018, it’s a kind of technology which is here to stay, whether it’s blockchain, hashgraph, tempo or any (...)
#decentralized-billing #token #recurring-billing #cryptocurrency
A stable currency on top of a scalable and decentralized #dlt: can it work?
▻https://hackernoon.com/a-stable-currency-on-top-of-a-scalable-and-decentralized-dlt-can-it-work
Radix is not a #blockchain. Radix is trustless and decentralized. Radix supports smart contracts. Radix has a low volatility currency.I have no vested interest in Radix, I am just fascinated by the project.Radix is a speedy and scalable alternative to Blockchains and DAGs. Is the result of 6 years of research and development and is the solution to the problems of scalability and decentralization. Please read my article “Is Radix the Coolest Thing Happening in Crypto Right Now?” if you want to know about the Radix tech.For sure it’s a very ambitious project, not only because the Radix team want to deliver a truly decentralized and scalable DLT but also because on top of this platform they want to create a low volatility token, the Rad (XRD), that will be algorithmically minted and burnt to (...)
The Future of #data: A Decentralized Graph Database
▻https://hackernoon.com/the-future-of-data-a-decentralized-graph-database-bbb668715bd1?source=rs
Photo by Ander Burdain on UnsplashA paradigm shift is happening that will change the way companies store, compute and transmit data. This shift will give birth to a plethora of new opportunities, including solutions to the most persistent problems faced by big tech companies and users alike. This article will explore one such opportunity — the creation of the first truly decentralized graph database. In addition to being scalable, cost-effective, and secure, this technology will allow users to manipulate and retrieve their data in a trustless, permissionless way.This is not another story complaining about large technology companies violating data ethics. Rather it seeks to empathize with both users and companies and understand why they act the way they do, from economical, social and (...)
#hackernoon-top-story #decentralized-database #graph-database #fog-computing
What are the Requirements for Decentralized Exchanges to Achieve High Liquidity?
▻https://hackernoon.com/what-are-the-requirements-for-decentralized-exchanges-to-achieve-high-li
Even if all centralized exchanges are closed, leaving us with no option but the decentralized ones (DEXs), can these platforms handle the high liquidity that Binance, Coinbase, or Bithumb are facing today?We’re going to take a deeper look into this question and identify the requirements for DEXs to achieve high liquidity, while at the same time try to spot the potential candidates that can bring a workable solution to the table.Liquidity is a challenge for the entire cryptocurrency marketIn the cryptocurrency market, liquidity refers to the difficulty of an asset to be bought and sold at a fair price. Lower liquidity creates a more volatile market, where prices change substantially in a shorter period of time. Higher liquidity makes for a stable, less volatile market where prices do not (...)
#decentralized-exchange #crypto-exchange #exchange-high-liquidity #crypto-exchange-liquidity #blockchain
The Path to #decentralization
▻https://hackernoon.com/the-path-to-decentralization-c16f49e012c7?source=rss----3a8144eabfe3---4
It’s a long road…January 18, 2019, D KleineThe black boxIn a classic episode from one of my favorite TV series, The IT Crowd (if you haven’t seen it, seriously, add it to your list on Netflix asap), the main characters, working in the dark and dingy basement of a dysfunctional corporation’s highrise in downtown London, attempt to rid themselves of their newly appointed boss. Their plot is to embarrass the incompetently ignorant new IT manager by encouraging her to introduce a simple black box to her colleagues at her first speaking presentation. This simple black box, they tell her, is… THE INTERNET.APstockAs the main characters snicker and guffaw at the back row of the presentation, they are dismayed to realize that not a single colleague in attendance joins in the laughter, instead awed by (...)
#decentralized-path #bitcoin #cryptocurrency-mining #path-to-decentralization
Why Consumers Will Love the Decentralized #web
▻https://hackernoon.com/why-consumers-will-love-the-decentralized-web-3ab60ab474a9?source=rss---
Many people haven’t heard of the decentralized web yet, but it brings with it a huge shift in how internet companies will be built, and one day, we’ll all be using it. But even among the decentralized web’s most ardent supporters, many people don’t understand why we’ll all be using it. Supporters will tout “censorship resistance”, “controlling your data” or “freedom” as the big advantages. As I’ll explain, the real reason #decentralization will win is simply #economics. It changes who owns the “inventory” of a marketplace from any particular company to all companies (ie. a common data backbone), which will lead to more competition, and naturally create better products and lower prices that consumers will love. A “decentralized Airbnb” might only be able to take 1% instead of 15%. A “decentralized (...)
Real-life Governance Use Cases in Traditional and Blockchain Industries
▻https://hackernoon.com/real-life-governance-use-cases-in-traditional-and-blockchain-industries-
Blockchain governance is a critical issue as the technology gains wider use across industries. It attracted close attention after the Ethereum DAO incident, where a token holder exploited a bug to funnel about one third of the total value in the network into their own account. (The bug was later fixed via a “forking” algorithm, but the issue remains an open question.) More recently, the heist of more than half a billion dollars’ worth of digital currency from the Coincheck exchange in Japan was largely due to a weak governance structure, which in turn was because of lack of standardization to enable timely action.Governance is about who makes the rules and who enforces them. It is not only about the control of the blockchain; it identifies resolution mechanisms to deal with technological (...)
#decentralized-governance #ecommerce #blockchain-governance #insurance #oath-protocol
A Comprehensive Guide to Decentralized Stablecoins
▻https://hackernoon.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-decentralized-stablecoins-22f66553c807?source=r
Types of Stablecoins:A few popular stablecoin tracking sites have their own unique approaches to categorizing the various types of stablecoins, but for this article I’m going to use my own approach to classifying stablecoins.Most decentralized stablecoin monetary systems fall into one of two design categories: collateralized and non-collateralized economies. But if we want to gain a better understanding of how these non-fiat backed stablecoins actually work we can divide them into 4primary sub-types: elastic supply, bond-redemption, collateralized debt position and self-collateralized stablecoins. The following diagram is a non-exhaustive list of decentralized stablecoin projects based on the types of stabilization mechanisms they have adopted:Elastic Supply Coins:The majority of (...)
#cryptocurrency #blockchain-technology #decentralized-stablecoins #stable-coin #blockchain
#DeFi vs. #Fintech
▻https://hackernoon.com/defi-vs-fintech-6e9346605362?source=rss----3a8144eabfe3---4
…or Wall St. meets blockchainDespite the ongoing boom in decentralized solutions, the realm of finance is still pretty much centrally governed by banks and other financial institutions that are in full control of people’s assets while making decisions about investment on industrial scale. #DeFi has recently emerged as a viable alternative that leverages a set of more progressive agile tools to the status-quo claiming to hand over the control over to the hands of users. What are these bespoke tools and mechanisms, and how are they more competitive vs. their fintech counterparts?Essentially, #defi is advantageous compared to its fintech predecessor mostly because it provides some extra functionality and fewer operational risks thanks to its decentralized nature of minimizing trust at the (...)
#defi-vs-fintech #decentralized-finance #wall-st-blockchain #blockchain
Decentralised #storage Systems — Offering Optimum Security and Efficiency
▻https://hackernoon.com/decentralised-storage-systems-offering-optimum-security-and-efficiency-5
Decentralized Storage Systems — Offering Optimum Security and EfficiencyRepresenting decentralised cloud storageThe advancement in the digital realm has certainly streamlined and improved the way people received services. Presently, common masses have access to vast information and services on the go. However, data security and efficiency have been a critical challenge that companies across the globe are continuously dealing with. While present cloud storage options offer vast space, there are challenges that keep enterprises from completely relying on centralised data storage systems.Challenges of Existing Data Storage SystemsBelow are the fundamental setbacks of conventional data storage options:-Privacy and Security IssuesInternet privacy threats such as identity thefts, tracking, (...)
#decentralization #blockchain #cloud-computing #decentralized-storage
Decentralized trade finance and hard-to-trade assets
▻https://hackernoon.com/decentralized-trade-finance-and-hard-to-trade-assets-dfb35c57c27d?source
Decentralized Trade Finance and Hard-to-Trade AssetsConverging crypto use-cases with capital flows and the commodity supercycle + the quest for the uniquely-enabled appIMPORTANT NOTICE: This document is intended for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this document are not, and should not be construed as, investment advice or recommendations. Recipients of this document should do their own due diligence, taking into account their specific financial circumstances, investment objectives and risk tolerance (which are not considered in this document) before investing. This document is not an offer, nor the solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell any of the assets mentioned herein.Adjectives are important — Killer vs Uniquely EnabledIn the search for value in a bear market, (...)
#trade-finance #decentralized-trade #hard-to-trade-assets #blockchain #decentralization