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Esports tournaments have come a long way since their inception, and with the advent of technologies, the industry is set to undergo a major transformation. Web3 By leveraging the power of blockchain, smart contracts, and other Web3 tools, organizers, players, sponsors, and fans are poised to unlock a range of benefits that promise to enhance transparency, engagement, and monetization. Let’s explore the potential benefits to each of the stakeholders and how we are building our new platform to embrace this journey. Benefits to Organizers: Increased Transparency: Web3 technologies, powered by blockchain, introduce a transparent ecosystem where every aspect of an esports tournament, from match results to prize distribution, can be recorded on an immutable ledger. This ensures that organizers maintain the integrity of the competition and build trust with participants and sponsors. Streamlined Operations: Smart contracts automate tournament processes such as player registrations, match schedules, and prize payouts. With Web3, organizers can reduce administrative burdens, minimize human errors, and streamline operations, allowing them to focus more on delivering an exceptional tournament experience. Decentralized Governance: Web3 empowers organizers to adopt decentralized governance models, enabling community participation in decision-making processes. This inclusive approach allows stakeholders to have a say in shaping tournament rules, formats, and other key aspects, fostering a sense of ownership and community engagement. An uplifted way to monetize: With smart-contract and Oracle data, escrow accounts (vault) can be created easily allowing organizers to receive entry fees from players and most importantly sponsorship money trustlessly. This was made possible since the escrow smart-contract vault can automatically determine the actual payout based on actual deliveries such as a player’s final stand in a tournament or actual brand exposure for sponsors. Benefits to Players: Secure Ownership of Digital Assets: Web3 and blockchain provide players with true ownership and control over their in-game assets, including skins, virtual items, and collectibles. These assets can be tokenized, ensuring authenticity and enabling players to trade or monetize them beyond the confines of a single game. Reliable and Immutable Player Profiles: Blockchain-based player profiles offer a secure and verified identity for participants. This ensures fair competition, prevents identity fraud, and allows players to showcase their achievements and skills across different esports platforms, creating a portable and reputable esports profile. A career in esports: With credentials and profiles being on-chain, a player's ability would be able to expose to a wide range of audiences, including professional teams recruitment, and game studios which would increase their chances of being advanced in competitive gaming. Faster and Transparent Prize Payouts: Through the use of smart contracts, prize payouts can be automated, ensuring prompt and transparent distribution of winnings to players. This eliminates the need for manual processes, reduces delays, and increases trust between players and organizers. Benefits to Sponsors: Targeted and Authentic Brand Exposure: Web3 technologies enable sponsors to engage with the esports community in a more targeted and authentic manner. By leveraging blockchain-based platforms, sponsors can reach a highly engaged audience, align their brand with specific tournaments or teams, and establish lasting connections. Traceable and Measurable Sponsorship Impact: Blockchain allows for transparent tracking of sponsorships, providing real-time data on impressions, engagements, and conversions. Sponsors can assess the effectiveness of their investment, make data-driven decisions, and maximize the value they derive from esports partnerships. Pay as you go: With all data being transparent and feeding into a smart contract, sponsorship payment can be made super efficiently where sponsors only pay for what was delivered according to pre-defined KPIs. The trustless nature of blockchain allows sponsors to put the money in a sponsor vault and get a refund for the undelivered promises. Innovative Fan Engagement Opportunities: Web3 unlocks unique fan engagement possibilities through tokenized rewards, gamification, and fan-driven initiatives. Sponsors can leverage these features to create captivating experiences that encourage fan participation, boost brand loyalty, and generate a deeper emotional connection with the audience. Benefits to Fans: Enhanced Fan Experiences: Web3 technologies bring immersive fan experiences to the forefront. Through blockchain-based platforms, fans can access exclusive content, participate in interactive elements, and have a direct impact on esports tournaments, such as voting for match formats, contributing to prize pools, or predicting match outcomes. Ownership of Fan Tokens and Rewards: Web3 allows fans to own and trade fan tokens, which represent their support for teams, players, or tournaments. These tokens can unlock special privileges, unique merchandise, or even voting rights, enabling fans to become more invested in the esports ecosystem. Fan-Driven Funding and Crowdfunding: Web3 technologies facilitate fan-driven funding models, such as crowdfunding, where fans can financially support their favorite teams, players, or tournaments. Through blockchain-based platforms, fans can contribute directly to prize pools or sponsor specific events, allowing them to actively participate in the growth and success of esports. Build and Build In the early days of web3, my imagination can be short, but it’s definitely super exciting to start building in this direction. My team and I have started building in this direction for almost a year on targeting local/small esports organizers and mainstream gamers. an esports tournament and social platform We have gone through numerous market-fit tests and user feedback which are being fine-tuned and reflected in our . closed beta To date, we have our beta product serving live production for 2 major offline tournaments, each with more than 120 teams of 5 in in Vietnam. Arena of Valor We are also in talks with professional esports teams to explore various ideas for driving fan engagement and loyalty via our platforms, using web3 technologies. But most importantly, an area we are working days and nights are the onboarding experiences for the mass. Our idea to is to have our users using our platform without knowing they are on a web3 engine. Specifically, that would mean gasless transactions and a keyless non-custody approach. We believe this UX is key to onboarding the next million players onto web3 and making it truly meaningful. We are still very early, but I am very excited to see what the future may hold for esports and web3 and how our team can be a part of this journey.

Web3 x Esports: Potential Benefits for Organizers, Players, Sponsors, and Fans

Most recently, I talked to the community about Account Abstraction. In this article, we'll figure out what it is and try to cover the topic in detail. The format of the article is answers to questions that were sent to me on the website, as well as questions that I asked speakers on the podcast. Newton.so 101 Account Abstraction Account Abstraction is not just another chat topic. It's something that will allow crypto to go from geek love to mass use. When the Internet first appeared, to create an account on a site you had to ask a moderator to create a login-password record in a database. A little later people thought of doing this automatically, then there were emails and the opportunity to reset the password if you forgot it. The same development can be seen in Web 3.0. In this article, I'll try to get different people's theses about Account Abstraction (AA). Newton is a web3 Stack Overflow. As a dev there, I asked questions about AA to the community. We aired with pioneers who are implementing AA: Julien, co-founder of ArgentX, representatives of StarkNet, zkSync, and the owner of security company Ginger Labs. We asked them many different questions about AA. What is AA in one sentence? Abstraction means every account is a smart contract that can contain logic and implement flow, such as Social Recovery, Fraud Monitoring, Multi-calls, and so on. So really every account is a smart contract. Julien Nisel (Co-founder at Argent) To me, it's about moving user authentication from the network to the smart contract and letting wallet designers decide how to authenticate their users. Henri (Dev Advocate at StarkWare) For me, this is simply the future of blockchain and what will bring mass adoption. For me, account abstraction is the greatest thing that happened to crypto since smart contracts, and I really do believe it. Gershon Ballas (Founder at Ginger Security) What is an abstract account? Account abstraction is a new paradigm to make blockchain accounts programmable. To first understand AA, you need to understand how things work today. Then I will explain what’s unique and new about account abstraction. The Status Quo Today there are two account types on Ethereum: Contract Accounts and Externally Owned Accounts (EOA, basically that last one is regular user accounts). For anything to happen on-chain a transaction must be initiated and paid for by an EOA. The way you control an EOA is through its private key. You use this private key to create a signature that proves to the blockchain it’s your account. Why it doesn’t work In this setup, your private key makes you vulnerable. If you lose it, you lose your account and all your funds. Recently, a friend of mine inadvertently uploaded his main private key to a public GitHub. A instantly picked it up and drained his account of all his savings. $15,000 worth of tokens. scanning bot The main issue is that the system is rigid and hard-coded. You can implement multi-signature smart contract wallets like , but the default is this: you get an account with a key and if you lose your key, you're screwed. Gnosis Safe The alternative of custodial accounts like Coinbase is not ideal. If they get hacked, you have the same problem. It's even worse than when many credit card numbers are exposed after a hack. Because you cannot implement maximum transaction amounts on a classic EOA account, the hacker could drain all your funds in one transaction. It's a single point of failure and makes it super easy for governments to seize or freeze all your money arbitrarily, like Canada's Justin Trudeau recently did by . cutting protestors he didn't like out of the financial system How does AA improve everything? Account Abstraction unifies Contract Accounts and EOAs. It makes user accounts more ‘programmable’. You remove the logic of signing transactions from the account, and you “abstract” it out, hence account abstraction. This unlocks much more flexibility, you could code an account for multi-sig, 2-factor authentications, withdrawal limits, and expiration on keys… It is a bit similar to what brought to credit cards. Revolut Virtual Cards This is very very exciting because it allows the non-custodial blockchain UX to scale. (Can you really imagine the security risk of letting your parents manage their private keys when their email password is “Miami1973”, they always forget it, and wrote it in on a desk post-it?) Victor Forissier, Founder at Newton How do abstract account wallets interact with private keys? Account abstraction is a paradigm for blockchain systems where assets are held by smart contracts exclusively, not by externally-owned accounts (EOAs). As such, any kind of account contract can be coded, and your question may have as many answers as there are account contract implementations. There are a few key questions about key storage in a new "Account Abstraction" paradigm: A properly generated key cannot be recovered if it is lost. However, your smart contract can implement specific logic in case you lose it. For example, it could be set up to allow another key to take over if the original key does not interact with the contract for a certain period of time. Can I recover my key if I lose it? If you can find a way to authenticate the user safely without using a key, you can implement it in your smart contract. Communal wallets, where anyone can perform any action, are also possible with this paradigm. Can I have a keyless wallet? Yes, it is possible to easily create new wallets with only a single seed phrase, similar to the "Add Account" feature in Metamask. Can I easily create new wallets like in Metamask's "Add Account" feature with only one seed phrase? This information is based on the answers from the . thread Why do we talk about Account Abstraction right now? Well, we've been talking about it for the past five years. But more seriously, I think the reason is that it is gaining momentum and traction now. Blockchain is a technology that is still under development and is constantly evolving. You need to have a solid foundation, and you want that technology to support a large number of users. So we've really been focused on the core technology and scaling. And of course, if you look at the narrative of Ethereum, it has been about proof of stake and scaling for the past two years. Now it is clear that billions of users need to use the blockchain. The next question is, "OK, but how are users going to interact with that blockchain?" The current model of interacting with the blockchain relies on EOAs, which means that users need to protect a password. It's never going to scale, and that is something we realized four or five years ago. Right now, the ecosystem is reaching that point. We've solved the scaling problem, so the next problem is, "OK, now we can on board people, but they are realizing that there needs to be a paradigm shift and that we need to find different ways for users to manage their self-custody." Something I usually say in my talks about account abstraction is that account abstraction is really about scaling the UX of self-custody. Finally, we are at the stage where Account Abstraction is the next technological challenge on our road to bringing this technology to billions of users. Julien Nisel (Argent) What are great examples of our account abstraction in the enterprise world? I think it opens up so many possibilities. For example, imagine Netflix or Disney Plus where you can have an account for your family and sub-accounts within your account where you have larger control. This can be easily done with account abstraction, where you have the permission to configure the sub-accounts and determine what they are allowed to watch. This concept can also be applied to the physical world. Imagine a family going to a theme park, where everyone has their own account and the parent can control which attractions the children are allowed to go to. I think account abstraction really opens up a lot of incredible possibilities for bringing blockchain technology to a larger-scale use case. Right now, in the current bear market, people are not just talking about making more money. It's opened up space to discuss more interesting things, more innovations, and how we can build something that will get us to a bull market again. I think enterprise applications are one of the things that will really help us achieve large-scale adoption. Ramon Canales (Product at zkSync) Why do companies such as StarkNet support Account Abstraction? We're standing on the shoulders of giants. You know, account abstraction is not a very new idea. As Julien said, they've been working on it for a few years now. The thing is, like a lot of things in the blockchain space, once a network is deployed, it is hard to evolve and maintain backward compatibility. Introducing something like account abstraction years after launching is much harder than introducing it from the beginning. So, we took advantage of coming after established networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum and implemented account abstraction from the start. Hopefully, we'll make some contributions to the space and, in a few years, when a new network arrives, they'll build on our shoulders too. Henri (Dev Advocate at StarkNet) What’s the difference between zkSync and StarkNet regarding Account Abstraction? I think the main difference is that zkSync is EVM-compatible, meaning it is tailored for developers to build with Solidity code. This is one major difference for sure, and there are probably many other smaller ones. The single implementations are different, and so are the underlying apps. For example, the language used is Solidity in zkSync vs Cairo in StarkNet. But the main concept, that every smart contract or EOA is a smart contract account, is similar. I think this is the most important thing for developers to understand, and the ability for any kind of account to initiate transactions is the coolest thing about account abstraction, in my opinion. Ramon Canales (Product at zkSync) Is it secure to use Account Abstraction? In terms of the security benefits of account abstraction, we are working on a project in the ideation phase that does not want to follow FTX. They want their users to know their funds are secure and to self-custody them, but they also want to have an easy sign-up process like that of a CEX. In short, they want the ease of use of centralized exchanges with the security of a DEX. They asked for possible solutions, and we discussed different options. But I think what they need is account abstraction. With this, a person could sign up for an exchange using their email or any other method, and the exchange could be made custodial but provable in such a way that, when the user wants full custody of their funds, they could simply do it and have it implemented over account abstraction in a provable manner. This is just a very simple use case that I saw from my work this week, but it shows how account abstraction is already leading to advancements in security. I think this is especially relevant right now, as we are hopefully moving from centralized crypto CEXs to real decentralized crypto. With the advances in account abstraction and UX, this will hopefully become possible. Gershon, Founder at Ginger Security Additional resources about Account Abstraction 101 Account Abstraction: answers to dev and non-dev questions Account Abstraction Panel | Devcon Bogotá Why Account Abstraction is a Game-Changer for Dapps | Devcon Bogotá Julien Niset - Why account abstraction on L2 matters Julien Niset: WTF is Account Abstraction: , , Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Can you explain what is Abstract Account? Does Account Abstraction work on Mobile? What’s the difference between Account Abstraction (AA) and Externally Owned Accounts (EOA)? How will work an account abstraction wallet with the key? Newtonso thread about Account Abstraction About projects – a cryptocurrency smart-contract wallet that allows users to securely store, manage, and interact with their digital assets. It is designed to be user-friendly and it is one of the first wallets which has native support for Account Abstraction Argent – Short for zero-knowledge (zk), it is an EVM-compatible Layer 2 scaling solution (ZK-Rollup) on Ethereum that offers low gas and fast transactions, without compromising on security zkSync – StarkNet is a permissionless decentralized Validity-Rollup (often referred to as ZK-Rollup). It operates as an L2 network over Ethereum, enabling any dApp to achieve unlimited scale for its computation – without compromising Ethereum's composability and security StarkNet – white-hat web3 security company providing security advisory, end-to-end penetration testing, and smart contract audits Ginger Security – The place to share knowledge. A tokenized platform to ask and answer questions about blockchain and web3 where you can put bounties for your questions and improve the speed of software development Newton About the author Aleksandr Malyshev is a software engineer and entrepreneur, who specializes in backend development and growth hacking. He is an experienced lead at Open Innovations who hosts and organizes well-known Eastern Europe software competitions. Aleksandr is the former Executive Officer at Steinbeis Consulting Center AI (STAI) in Stuttgart. Currently, he is working in Web3 and is involved in researching new technologies.

What is Account Abstraction and Why is Everyone Talking About It?

The demand for electromechanical products continues to rise as businesses and homeowners realize that combining innovative electronics with traditional mechanical locks can offer much better flexibility and security. Significant variations of these locks exist. Each type of lock is better suited to particular kinds of applications. A quick look at the options out there and their suggested uses will direct you to the deadbolt lock for your needs. best electronic keyless Why is a Keyless Deadbolt Lock a Must-Have Item? When it comes to everyday annoyances, a mechanical keyless deadbolt lock can be among the best problem solvers. Here are some examples how electromechanics makes better security and better flexibility coexist: You can unlock the door and get in, even if you’ve forgotten your keys. You can remotely unlock the door for a friend to come into your home to take care of your pets or plants or for whatever reason while you are away. You can remotely let the internet service provider or utility service man into your house when he arrives. There’s no need to take off work and wait around for someone to show up when you have an electronic keyless deadbolt. You can lock the doors while in bed if you’re not sure whether or not they’re locked. If you own a business, you can let the cleaning service person in and out, being assured that nobody leaves your business doors unlocked. How Smart Locks Work Smart locks work by electromechanics. Electromechanics use some processes and procedures from both electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. The result is that an electrical signal creates mechanical movement. A mechanical movement can also send an electrical signal. Like a traditional lock, you need a lock and a key. When operating a keyless deadbolt lock, you send instructions on an authorized electronic device, such as a special key fob or smartphone. A cryptographic key, which is a piece of information, executes the process. To grant one-time access to a third party, you send that person a virtual key to their smart phone or in email or by SMS. The key only works for the time period that you specify. Besides locking and unlocking a door, a smart lock that is connected to wi-fi allows you to receive notifications of access and/or video of the person wanting access. Some smart locks are connected to a smart doorbell which lets you see who and when somebody rings the doorbell at the monitored door. How to Choose the Best Smart Lock for Your Home You’ll need to consider the following things when you choose an electromechanical lock for your home: A need for a lock to retrofit instead of replace the current deadbolt Scheduling and user code limits What’s Available for Particular Needs Need a Retrofit Smart Door Lock – If you live in an apartment and you are not allowed to mess with a door’s current deadbolt, you can get a smart lock that has a retrofit feature. An August Smart Lock Pro and Connect or the third generation of the August Smart Lock and Connect would have the retrofit feature you need. Both of these bundles have the Connect Wi-Fi module plus a DoorSense open/close door sensor. Want a Simple Setup for a Home – A Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt does not offer Home-Kit compatibility, Z-wave devices, a Zigbee hub or a Wi-Fi module. You won’t get more than 100 user codes either. What you will get is built-in Wi-Fi that you link through an app to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. You can also connect it to Amazon Key if you expect a package. Have a Large Business - If you are a large business that expects you’ll have to install request-to-exit devices, door contacts, electrified strikes and/or reader devices, you might want to consider getting an IDH MAX. Instead of dealing with separate installations, wiring and controlling of all of these various things, you would only have the IDH MAX to deal with. It comes in mortise or cylindrical lock applications. Tips Remember that a smart lock’s primary purpose is security. Use a PIN code if you use a voice command unlock feature. Give access only to people whom you trust. Enable the auto relock feature so the door will always lock behind you. Realize that if such as smart locks are connected to the internet, they become part of “the internet of things.” Some people like this notion. Others don’t, partly because that entire system can be compromised. smart home devices You might want to use a lock that works with your Wi-Fi network or adapter if you don’t use hubs and your smart home uses voice assistants. Conclusion Business owners, home owners, apartment dwellers and others can find a smart lock that will suit their security wants and needs. Today, businesses don’t have to put up with various types of door security devices because they can get one lock system that does it all. And homeowners don’t have to bother with complex smart lock systems – they can get a simple lock that gives them just what they need and no more. Apartments are known to have multiple people, whether past tenants, maintenance workers, office employees or tradesmen in possession of a key to them. Any time several people have a key to one’s habitation, there is a high probability that place will be robbed more than once. In rental situations where a rental agreement forbids the changing out of locks, the ability to retrofit the existing lock brings peace of mind. Always be smart when it comes to security. Know whom you can trust. Don’t give out more security passwords or any other security-related information than is needed. You can read more about smart locks and keyless entry systems here: https://propertyguardmaster.com/best-electronic-keyless-deadbolt-reviewed/

All About Smart Door Locks

There has been a resounding expectation by a lot of experts in the crypto community about the opportunities and gains that blockchain adoption could yield in the near future. In this post, we are going to take a look at what has changed so far in industries that have adopted it. Although it has disrupted nearly all , there are five of them where this process was the most successful by this date. These are supply chain management, healthcare, banking, voting systems, and cybersecurity. major industries Supply Chain Management Supply chain management for retail, logistics, and e-tail sectors has always appeared to be a more likely candidate for blockchain disruption from the get-go. This could be because of the many parties that are involved in the chain of supply — manufacturer, exporter, retailer, and the end user. Getting rid of the middlemen is one of the fundamental reasons why blockchain technology was invented. Due to the complexities of the trade, it is crucial that the parties involved can keep track of the freight, and blockchain provides a perfect solution for that. This technology allows them to keep a close track and manage the distribution channel. Moreover, due to the digital signatures, tampering with records or inaccurate labeling has been rendered nearly impossible. Currently, a number of startups are already using or offering blockchain solutions for supply chain management. These include Skuchain, Blockfreight, Clause, Maersk, Walmart, and IBM. Maersk, the world’s leading shipping company, has already adopted blockchain technology from IBM to track shipping containers. Walmart uses the same technology to track 1.1 million items’ journey from manufacturers to shelves. Healthcare Industry Medical records require safe storage, access-only security, and controlled sharing due to their sensitive nature. Guardtime, a cybersecurity company, uses blockchain technology to create a keyless entry system. . The country uses it to protect all of its patients’ medical records and appears to be the first to adopt a blockchain-based system in the health industry on a large scale. Estonia quickly adopted this system This has created lots of possibilities not just for Estonia but for many other countries across the globe to adopt blockchain in this sector. In the United States, Gem does the same thing. It partnered with CDC to experiment the use of blockchain technology to monitor infectious diseases. The main goal was to give patients control over their medical records and genomic data. Banking When the the blockchain disruptions first hit the banking industry, experts said that this was just the beginning. Guess what! They were correct. From a macro perspective, we can see why this was the case given that banks act as a critical transfer hub and storehouse of value. Blockchain’s secure, digitized, and tamper-proof ledger can serve the same function but with better efficiency and accuracy in information sharing for the entire financial service ecosystem. It would be interesting to note that some major banks around the world have swiftly moved to the blockchain-based way of transacting business. Some notable examples include the Royal Bank of Canada, Deutsche Bank, Swiss bank UBS, and UK-based Barclays. These are experimenting with blockchain as a way to expedite back office functions and settlement. According to experts, this adoption could eliminate the costs of the middleman by $20 billion. Startup R3 is already working with more than 80 consortia of banks, regulators, and technology partners. It wants to develop Corda — a blockchain platform that is designed to be the new operating system for financial markets. Voting Why blockchain adoption in voting? Elections in the past have always been marred with the lack of transparency and rigging, both of which have led to disgruntled voters. It is pivotal that elections are provided with reliable voter identification, record keeping, vote tracking, and tallying system. Blockchain seems to be a more capable candidate for such a task because it could serve as a foundational infrastructure for the vote casting, tracking, and counting. Therefore, it could potentially eliminate the need for vote recount by eliminating frauds. Typical examples of startups that are working towards achieving the blockchain voting system include Follow My Vote, Voatz, and Democracy Earth. In particular, Follow My Vote released the alpha version of its stake-weighted end-to-end blockchain voting solution. Cybersecurity and Cloud Infrastructure The traditional internet infrastructure has been privy to constant threat from hackers, especially when considering the Internet of Things. What’s more, there is a greater risk to the civil society due to the power plants and transportation systems being equipped with connected sensors. Luckily, the adoption of blockchain innovation could help avert such risks as seen with companies such as Xage Security. Xage Security adopted blockchain-based tamper-proof ledgers for safe and secure data sharing across industrial device networks. Wrapping Up The blockchain ledger can be made public, but what makes it a hack-proof solution is that it can send communication through advanced cryptographic technology. This ensures that data is intercepted in the interim. As a result, worldwide adoption of blockchain could eliminate the probability of hacking. In terms of development, the present state of the blockchain technology could be compared to where the internet was 20 years ago. According to the infographic below, with the rapid rate of adoption, it could bring about a major disruption sooner than projected. Hopefully, all companies will board the blockchain ride or face rejection. Infographic URL: https://bitfortune.net/blockchain-disruptions-infographic/

Blockchain: Disruptions And Opportunities

10 Years in: The creation of commons and the replacement of platform monopolies It’s been 10 years since Satoshi published his paper that would change the world into the crypto-craze that we see before us today. After ten years with massive popularity, controversion and hype around the blockchain, what real world effects have we seen? And what will happen in the future when the technology gets more widely adopted, becomes more tried and tested and crawls out of the tech hype cycle’s ‘trough of disillusionment’? A ramp-up and analysis of past and impending disruption and impact from technologies. A story of fixing for trust, and cutting out the middle men in favor of the commons. blockchain The real life impact and change we’ve seen so far People in the crypto community most often boast the potential and hypothetical merits and benefits from widespread adoption of blockchain technology at some indefinite point in the future. Critics point to a lack of documented, meaningful change in the real world today. Let’s see what has really changed up til now, apart from a couple of people becoming millionaires almost overnight, others losing their homes and a few ferraris getting new owners. Although blockchain initiatives have been deployed for and associated with pretty much all sectors you could imagine – from finance and security to entertainment, media and – there are four areas where we’ve seen the most impactful change thus far. Financial and stock markets aside, here we’ll cover banking, land titling, supply chain management and medical records. even porn **Banking vs. Fintech**Let’s get the obvious out of the way. The financial sector was the first that was obviously seriously at risk of being thrown upside down thanks to blockchain . Likely logically frightened by the success of the Bitcoin and other block chain-based digital currencies, large private banks worldwide have already deployed their own blockchain integrations. Or started to bet on , often in consortia. technology their own cryptocurrencies According to some a beautiful development, according to others an attempt by the powerful and unreliable giants to maintain their power and position. Meanwhile, central banks worldwide are also waking up to smell the roses, and more than one have begun their experiments in this atmosphere. – the enterprise blockchain solution for global payments – has secured a good few . In mid-November 2017, it announced a deal with American Express and Banco Santander whereby American Express customers in the U.S. could send noncard payments to U.K. Santander accounts via AmEx’s FX International Payment network and have them ultimately process through Ripple’s blockchain. Point in case: Ripple partnerships Ripple major financial partnerships A little more recently, in January this year, Ripple and money transfer service MoneyGram International partnered on a cross-border payment project designed to use Ripple’s XRP coins. But it doesn’t stop there: even two central banks have already tested the waters with Ripple as well. Ripple partnered with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority — the central bank for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — to test instant cross-border payments over blockchain among domestic banks in the region. In 2017, Ripple successfully completed a proof of concept with the Bank of England. **Land titling in Sweden**Land titling is still a low-tech affair in most countries and the transactions are susceptible to forgeries and counterfeit. Often the process involves heavy paperwork, leaving room for error or counterfeit. To reduce irregularities and counterfeits and increase transparency, with blockchain to put its land registries on. The country started its experiments in June 2016, and to date it has successfully completed several stages of experimentation. Sweden is expected to have their blockchain land registry system in place by 2019. Sweden started experimenting This development is not limited to Sweden: to improve transparency and decrease property disputes, the government of Southeastern state Andhra Pradesh has already successfully recorded more than land records using the blockchain technology. Estonia is also well underway with a comparable blockchain land registry. Land titling in India and Estonia 100,000 From the get-go, supply chain management (SCM) for the logistics, retail and e-tail sectors looked like a prime candidate for disruption by blockchain technologies. Many parties are involved in shipping: from the manufacturer, exporter, and consumer to customs departments of different countries, stores and end customers. Supply chain management: Maersk, IBM and Walmart Tracking of freight loads and packages is crucial to the parties involved. Blockchain would allow parties to closely manage the distribution system, and the digital signatures used in the freight tracking would make it difficult to label inaccurately or to tamper with records. However, for disruption of supply chain management the problem lay in creating a business case for a ledger that is not necessarily owned by any one partner. How would anyone be able to obtain a positive ROI from investing in a blockchain solution for SCM? In the meantime, the world’s largest shipping company, Maersk, has already adopted blockchain technology from to track shipping containers. Walmart uses the same technology to track 1.1 million items’ journey from manufacturer to shelf. IBM If there’s anything you’d want to have stored, accessed and shared in a safe, trusted and controllable way, it’s medical records. Recently, cybersecurity company Guardtime has created a keyless entry system based on blockchain technology. It was adopted first in Estonia. Medical records in Estonia & for the American CDC Guardtime’s invention has created a cybersecurity wave that is now being used to protect all of Estonia’s medical records. It’s proven to be one of the first uses of — and is, likely, far from the last. blockchain for health Stateside, there’s also the example of . With the goal of giving patients control over their medical records and genomic data by using a blockchain solution, Gem has partnered with the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention to experiment with using blockchain to monitor infectious diseases. Gem More examples of blockchain innovation Far from giving you an extensive list here, I just wanted to show the four sectors that have seen the most real world effect up until now. If you want more examples of blockchain disruption, check out this compilation by Bernard Marr: _When many people think of blockchain technology, the first thing that comes to mind is Bitcoin. But in the last several…_www.forbes.com 30+ Real Examples Of Blockchain Technology In Practice Disruption expected soon What kind of disruption can we expect to see soon? First, it’s important we acknowledge that after the hype, the boom and relative bust, soon we can expect to see more and more signals of real, meaningful change and positive value being brought at macro level, as a consequence of blockchain implementation and adoption. In the Gartner hype cycle, last year, blockchain was depicted as heading head first into the trough of disillusionment: Gartner hype cycle, 2017 What this basically shows is the hype is over, and now we’re likely to start seeing the true value blockchain technologies can add to the world. And then as almost a loose illustration to that, what value they will bring financially. But what are the spaces where we can expect to see the first and the most of this positive impact and financial value? Identity management, healthcare, hybrid cloud and e-commerce/logistics Blockchain is expected to be a market by 2030 (up from 2.5 Billion USD last year). Greater global and market-wide emphasis on security, decentralization, efficiency, and personalization are helping to drive that opportunity. 2 Trillion Beyond fintech, numerous start-ups are building applications to leverage blockchain technology in healthcare and supply-chain management as we have seen above. There are also ample examples of blockchain in insurance, advertising, autonomous vehicles and transportation, IoT, clean energy, content creation and distribution, and more. John Licata uses data from to show in which industries we can expect to see most financial growth from blockchain applications: Statista Read more from John here: _Expected Industry Growth Over the Next Decade May Lead to Greater Blockchain Business Value to Take Note Of_medium.com For Wall Street, there’s big opportunity beyond Fintech Redistribution of the profits from data In my personal view, and as I have argued before in my extensive analysis ‘ ’, blockhain technology offers two often overlooked essential and new capabilities for humans to organize their world: a new way to back our belief in a currency, and a way to make centralized and privately owned platforms for the distribution of information redundant. Becoming Blockchain Batman: Getting Rich and Saving the World The thing that these two capabilities have in common is the following: Blockchain is about a new way to organize trust: away from centralized institutions and toward global peer-to-peer systems. Being as we’re living in a highly digitized world where data can be considered the new gold (dust, not necessarily bars), and considering blockchain technology was built for and on top of a digital environment, it stands to reason that the main value society will be seeing in the short to middle term is a redistribution of the profits from collecting, analyzing and distributing data and information. Two areas where we might be seeing some serious value growth, both financial and intrinsic, are blockchain-based identity management and social media platforms. **Blokchain for Identity management**How many username and password combinations do you use on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? How many private companies and public institutions collect, store, use and sell your personal data? Now what if all of this could be turned around? As ZFort group writes , in The Startup: here “In a nutshell, using blockchain as an identity management solution allows the user to take control of their own data. By controlling and tracking how their information is distributed, citizens are able to pick and choose who they opt to provide their information to.” A great example of blockchain identiy management seems to me to be Civic. From cryptomorrow: “Civic , a […] digital identity management platform works by collecting various user identifying information and passes them through a government agency or third party identity verification service depending on the country the user is located in or hails from. The system then collects a cryptographic hash and stores it in the blockchain while erasing other personal data from the servers. Users can utilize the hashed information to authenticate in order to use another service. […] Once the hashed data is stored, even hackers or intruders cannot get the data unless if there was a way to decrypt the data.” Find more examples here: _Security, privacy, and usability of data and information are at the core of concern in a data-driven world. Whether you…_www.cryptomorrow.com 10 Projects in Blockchain-based Identity Management A lot of people have been writing about , myself included. About how we might be witnessing the “dematerialized” world economy now being decentralized, as Harvard Business Review reports . Blockchain for Social media how Blockchain technology may affect the attention economy here But if the monetizing of attention is mostly done via social media platforms; are we witnessing the start of the disruption of that pillar-become-scourge of our everyday modern lives, social media?In this space, keep an eye out for Synereo and Steemit: _Disrupting social media and the attention economy_medium.com Synereo vs Steemit The rise of the commons What we can expect to see in the future, in essence, is this: Blockchain mainly povides an opportunity for the creation of commons and the replacement of platform monopolies with collectively owned, decentralized solutions, as Alex Tabarrok argues and as Vitalik Buterin has been saying on many occasion. here Ultimately, in a few decades we will look back and be able to see that many of the services that used to be privately owned but were geared toward a public use, will be managed by decentralized organizations we know now as ‘commons’. Bye-bye centralized Googles, Facebooks, AirBnBs and Ubers but also Nation, State and Municipal services for land registries, identity and medical records as we know them. Possibly, also bye-bye to centralized governing and political decision making. And maybe even to centralized financial and monetary decision making. And hello to commons. I greatly value and thank you for your attention. That’s why I try to bring value. I mainly write about and at the Life Beyond . I’d love it if you would let me know how you valued this article, by clapping or in the comments below. Finally, if you know anyone who you think this article might be valuable for, please share it.

Real life examples of blockchain disruption and what to expect next

And a Simple Solution Yesterday, the a new internet company, , and its interesting, new-economy business model (which, for the time being, operates only in Seattle): New York Times trumpeted Loftium , as long as they are willing to continuously list an extra bedroom on Airbnb for one to three years and share most of the income with Loftium over that time. Loftium will provide prospective homebuyers with up to $50,000 for a down payment At first glance, the arrangement between and participating homebuyers might like a loan. (Indeed, the Times even describes it as such .) But upon a closer look, the arrangement that Loftium contemplates with homebuyers is not a loan. First of all, Loftium ; rather, according to Loftium, the down payment assistance it provides to homebuyers is lasting . Second, and more important, the arrangement between Loftium and homebuyers has none of the . There is no “principal” amount that the homebuyer is required to repay in a set period of time, and Loftium does not charge the homeowner any “interest.” In fact, the homebuyer is required to make _any_payments to Loftium in return for the company’s cash (unless the homeowner and stops renting on Airbnb before the term expires). Loftium sound in an infographic clearly says it is not a loan “a part of a services agreement” 12–36 months characteristics of a traditional (term) loan not breaches the parties’ agreement All the homebuyer must do in exchange for Loftium’s money is (i.e., ) and ( .) If, at the end of the term, Loftium has not been repaid its initial investment, . Hence, if renting out the homeowner’s spare room is not profitable during the term of the parties’ agreement, (1) list her spare room on Airbnb continuously through the term of her agreement with Loftium, (2) be a decent host “not be[] rude to guests” (3) split her Airbnb rental revenue with Loftium with two-thirds going to the company the homeowner is not required to repay Loftium’s initial contribution “Loftium takes full responsibility for that loss.” Of course, Loftium expects that the total income from renting out a homeowner’s spare room will greatly exceed the amount that it originally provided to the homebuyer, so that both will profit. If Loftium makes more in rental income than it pays towards the homeowner’s down payment, Loftium will make a profit. Further, by all appearances, there is on Loftium’s potential profit is its business arrangement with homebuyers. In fact, Loftium makes clear that it wants to maximize the income that it splits with homebuyers: Loftium promises that it will work with them “ To that end, Loftium provides homebuyers with for their spare bedroom (and a keyless entry lock), access to , and . no cap to increase monthly bookings as much as possible, so can benefit from the additional income.” both sides some start-up supplies advice and know-how regarding how to rent an Airbnb room online tools to help maximize their rental income So, if the business arrangement between Loftium and homeowners is a loan, what it? It is almost certainly a (i.e., a “joint venture”). not is general partnership for a term What is a Partnership? Both the original Uniform Partnership Act (UPA) (adopted uniformly by almost every state, but now in effect in only around 13 states) and its successor, (variations of which have been adopted by perhaps 37 states) define a partnership as an “association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit.” UPA § 6(a); RUPA § 202. the revised Uniform Partnership Act (RUPA) Hence, creation of a partnership has four elements: (1) an association of two or more (2) persons; (3) who carry on as co-owners; a (4) for-profit business. The Easy Elements There can be no doubt that Loftium and the homebuyer are legal persons under the statute. UPA § 2 (defining “person” to include corporations like Loftium). Further, it is clear that leasing an Airbnb apartment year-round is a for-profit business. (Indeed, Loftium from the city of .) See advises homebuyers that they must obtain a business license Seattle As a result, the only elements in question are (1) whether the parties have voluntarily “associated” and (2) whether they are “co-owners” of the for-profit business of renting out the homeowner’s spare room on Airbnb. The Element of “Co-Ownership” It might seem, since the homebuyer owns the spare room and Loftium does not, that the two are not “ -owners.” However, the relevant question is not whether the two are co-owners of used to operate the business, but rather, whether the two are co-owners of It is quite common for a partnership to operate a business using the real property of only one partner. Lupien v. Malsbenden, 477 A.2d 746 (Me. 1984); Peed v. Peed, 325 S.E.2d 275 (N.C. Ct. App. 1985). Indeed, absent express contrary intention, RUPA presumes that personal property of a partner which she allows the partnership to use for the business remains property, and is contributed to the partnership. RUPA § 204(d). co the property the Airbnb business. See, e.g., her own not See UPA and RUPA also provide some guidance for courts in assessing whether persons who operate a business are “owners” of that business. First, both statutes effectively that anyone who of a business is an owner of — and thus, a partner in — the business. UPA § 7(4) & RUPA § 202(c). However, that presumption has an important caveat: Receiving a share of the profits of a business is presumed to make one a partner in that business if “the profits were received in payment … of a debt by installments or otherwise … or of interest … on a loan, even if the amount of payment varies with the profits of the business.” RUPA § 202(c)(1)(i) & (v); UPA § 7(4)(a) & (d). Hence, if Loftium shared the profits of each homeowner’s Airbnb rental business as repayment of a loan to the homeowner, the law would presume that Loftium was a co-owner of (and partner in) the homeowner’s business. presume shares the profits See not accord not Yet here, not only has Loftium that it is lending money to homebuyers, its arrangement with homebuyers looks a traditional loan. Accordingly, if Loftium were to argue that it was not a homebuyer’s partner because it simply loaned the homebuyer money for the homebuyer’s business, a court would probably reject that argument. Lupien, (holding that an alleged “banker” who took over the business of his “borrower,” and whose “loan” to the business “carried no interest and no fixed payments, but was to be repaid only” out of revenues from the business, was in fact a partner). explicitly denied nothing like See, e.g., supra Admittedly, Loftium and a homeowner do not exactly split “profits” of their Airbnb rental business; rather, they each contribute different things to the partnership and then split the revenues. The homeowner contributes some labor, plus the use of her spare room, furnishings and bathroom; Loftium puts in cash, some supplies, its know-how about renting on Airbnb, and other online resources. Yet, it is not uncommon for one partner to contribute property (or the use thereof) to the partnership while another partner contributes something else to the partnership — and both partners split the partnership’s revenues. For example, it is common for one partner to provide capital (and sometimes, agree to accept all capital losses) and the other partner to provide labor and/or expertise. Accordingly, Loftium and each homebuyer are undoubtedly sharing “profits” of the partnership, not the “gross” (which _does not_lead to a presumption of partnership, UPA §7(3)). Although they do not share the profits (or the losses) from the business , that is not required of partners (although it is the default rule in the absence of a contrary agreement). RUPA § 401 cmt. 3. (the “money partner”) (the “service partner”) see equally See In addition, if one stops to consider the statutes deem sharing profits as a critical gauge of co-ownership, one realizes that sharing profits — i.e., revenues net expenses — means sharing in the of the business. Unlike a lender, who is paid “off the top,” an equity owner who is paid from the “net” shares the risk that the business’s expenses will exceed its revenues. However, also unlike a lender, an equity owner shares in any profit that occurs if revenues exceed expenses. why fully risks and rewards Hence, in assessing whether one co-owns a business and therefore is a partner in it, courts often consider whether she shares fully or only superficially in the risks of the business. In re KeyTronics, 274 Neb. 936 (2008) (describing co-ownership as whether the parties “share the benefits, risks…of the enterprise” such that they “subjectively view themselves as members of the business rather than as outsiders contracting with it”). Here, there can be no doubt that Loftium is a co-owner of each homeowner’s Airbnb rental business because — as Loftium freely admits — . If, upon expiration of the term, the Airbnb rental has made no money, the owner owes nothing to Loftium and gets her spare room back; Loftium, by contrast, loses its entire investment. Further, Loftium’s marketing materials make clear that the company This stands in stark contrast to a lender who only cares whether the business makes enough money to repay its principal with interest (which come “off the top”). See it takes on of the risks all intends to maximize the Airbnb revenues that it shares with the homeowner Finally, in assessing whether one is co-owner a business — and as such, is a partner in that business — courts also consider whether the person in question has a right to the business. UPA § 6 cmt. (“To state that partners are co-owners of a business is to state that they each have the power of ultimate control.”). Loftium satisfies this requirement in spades. While the owner furnishes and takes care of the premises (and can, if she decides, ), Loftium plays a critical role in managing the business by for the homeowner’s spare room on Airbnb. Further, as described above, Loftium provides some supplies (like the keyless entry lock) and advice for hosting on Airbnb; Loftium also . Moreover, while the homeowner sets rules for the apartment on Airbnb, manage Cf. clean it herself setting (and constantly adjusting, to suit market conditions) the price requires homeowners to provide its guests with certain amenities Loftium can veto the rules if it considers them “overly restrictive.” Yet, even if Loftium had in managing the Airbnb business, that would not prevent it from being a partner. The history of “silent” partners in a real estate ventures who merely provide funds (and share profits), but allow another partner to manage the business is a venerable one. , Meinhard v. Salmon, 249 N.Y. 458 (1928) (Cardozo, J.) (perhaps the most famous case in partnership law) (silent partner in New York’s Hotel Bristol provided cash; managing partner operated the business and functioned as its sole public “face”). Back when he actually built buildings, but after he nearly went bankrupt, he sold 70% of his interest in Riverside South to partners from Hong Kong; while The Donald built, operated and was the public face of these buildings, his partners put in the money. (Ironically, while he oversaw development, he left himself with no control over key important aspects of the business, including its sale. But I digress.) no role See, e.g. Donald Trump himself has been involved in similar partnerships (albeit a limited partnership): real In sum, since Loftium and the homebuyers to whom it provides down payment cash are co-owners of a for-profit business, they undoubtedly are partners. The Element of “Association” Yet, what of the final element, “association”? It means that the parties must partner . Gangl v. Gangl, 281 N.W.2d 574 (N.D., 1979) (explaining that “association” element “connotes…voluntariness.”). voluntarily See At first glance, this element seems easily satisfied, because on its website, Loftium to rent out their spare room on Airbnb. This is a red herring, though. Business people often use the term “partner” colloquially, so labeling oneself a partner in a business does not automatically make one a partner in that business. , Gangl, . Or, as one Texas court famously put it when holding that two people were not partners simply because they described themselves as such: “a duck which is called a horse does not become a horse; a duck is a duck.” City of Corpus Christi v. Bayfront Assocs., Ltd., 814 S.W.2d 98 (Tex. App. — Corpus Christi 1991). repeatedly describes itself as “partnering” with homebuyers See, e.g. supra Digging deeper, one discovers that, contrary to Loftium’s careless use of the word “partner” on its website, the company actually has attempted from being deemed a partner with homebuyers by contract. According to the : to protect itself “terms of service” that governs the arrangement between Loftium and homebuyers No agency, partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship is created…, and neither party has any authority of any kind to bind the other in any respect. In short, Loftium and homebuyers will by contract that their arrangement is a partnership. Although judges often write that the parties’ “intent” is critical to the formation of a partnership, this language is misleading because it does not specify the precise subject of the parties’ intent. That is to say, this language fails to state in order to be partners. agree not exactly what the parties must intend Disclaimers of Partnership According to the settled law, the relevant question is whether the parties intended , not whether they intended Byker v. Mannes, 641 N.W.2d 210 (Mich. 2002) (explaining that, if the parties “associated to ‘carry on’ as co-owners a business for profit, they will be deemed to have formed a partnership relationship regardless of their subjective intent to form such a legal relationship”; and that “the statute does not require partners to be aware of their status as ‘partners’ in order to have a legal partnership …. [In ascertaining the existence of a partnership, the proper focus is on whether the parties intended to…’carry on as co-owners a business for profit’ and not on whether the parties subjectively intended to form a partnership.”); Heck & Paetow Claim Service, Inc. v. Heck, 93 Wis.2d 349 (1980)(“The ultimate and controlling test as to the existence of a partnership is the parties’ intention of carrying on a definite businessas co–owners.”); Bass v. Bass, 814 S.W.2d 38, 41 (Tenn. 1991) (“It is the intent to do the things which constitute a partnership that determines whether individuals are partners, regardless if it is their purpose to create or avoid the relationship.“) to be co–owners of a for-profit business to form a relationship known as a “partnership.” See In short, not only is it possible for two people to form a partnership to do so, it is possible for two people to form a partnership despite that they to do so. RUPA § 202, cmt. 1 (“[A] partnership is created by the association of persons whose intent is to carry on as co-owners a business for profit, regardless of their subjective intention to be “partners.” Indeed, they may inadvertently create a partnership despite their expressed subjective intention not to do so.”). without any intent intend not See For this reason, courts have long held — particularly in cases involving claims by third parties against one or more partners (but, as I intend to argue in a subsequent article, also in claims between partners) — disclaimers of partnership if contrary to the facts. As the New York Court of Appeals explained, in a celebrated case: are not dispositive Mere words will not blind us to realities. Statements that no partnership is intended are not conclusive. If as a whole a contract contemplates as association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit, a partnership there is. Martin v. Peyton, 246 N.Y. 213, 217–18 (1927) (Andrews, J.) Although some cases hold (wrongly, I believe) that parties may define their own relationship by contract, there is little doubt that (which involved a claim made by a creditor against alleged partners) is the rule in lawsuits by third parties. Martin In sum, even if a court were to decide, in a lawsuit , that the disclaimer of partnership in Loftium’s terms of service precludes formation of a partnership between Loftium and the homeowner, a court would nonetheless be likely to deem the disclaimer ineffective . So, for example, if an Airbnb renter who slips and falls in a homebuyer’s spare room (and whose claim exceeds ) could probably obtain damages from Loftium. UPA § 13(a) & 15(a) (partners are liable for the negligence of another). by the homeowner in a lawsuit by a third party Airbnb’s $1 million liability insurance policy for its subscribers See A Simple Solution Although this possibility of liability to third parties (and, if my interpretation of partnership law is correct, to homebuyers) may come as a shock to Loftium, the problem actually has an easy solution. With respect to third parties, Loftium could substantially limit its potential liability by forming a limited liability company (LLC) with each homebuyer. A member of (i.e., one with an ownership interest in) an LLC is liable to third parties for debts of the LLC. , Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 101.114. While this would not allow Loftium to escape liability for misconduct (or, if its disclaimers of partnership are ineffective as to homeowners, for lawsuits by homeowners), it would substantially reduce Loftium’s risk of being held liable to a third party for a homeowner’s torts or contractual debts. not See, e.g. its own Note: This post is solely for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. It was originally published on Unincorporated Business Entites Law blog .

Loftium Unwittingly Forms General Partnerships with Homebuyers

A lone boy stood, staring at the star-speckled sky, his mind drawn to the girl just a few feet from where he lay. She was a beauty, that one. He couldn’t believe she was his. Every single thing she did screamed Art. The way she linked her fingers together, the way she smiled. The one girl who knew so much about him, yet… she didn’t shy away from his questionable past. As the emotions threatened to pull him under, he shook his head to clear his thoughts and face what was before him. “A shooting star!” She screamed in excitement as she pointed at that far-off speck in the sky, becoming larger and larger by the second. “That is no shooting star.” He managed to say, fear clogging his throat. He took in the lush grass swaying in the night wind, the beauty of the stars that more or less blotted out the sky. Then, he turned to look at the girl on the ground a few feet away. She was sitting up by then, fear morphing her once beautiful features into something unspeakable. “What is that?” Her voice quaked as she asked, and he closed his eyes momentarily to stop the bile from going up his throat. “Our death.” He said, not mincing words. His throat bobbed with unspoken words and something else underlying. “I’ve always loved you. I just- I just wanted you to know. This once.” He squeezed the words out of his mouth, wrangling them like one would do to a piece of wet cloth. “You? I’ve always seen you as just a friend.” She turned towards him then, his eyes red from tears. But he was grateful for that moment. He got her to look at him finally. And her eyes shone with regret. The screams came first as the she saw earlier was big enough to blot out the stars in the sky. And the heat. God, the heat. He felt as though he was being cooked from the inside out. shooting star The sky boiled like a cauldron; giant drops of fire rained down from the clouds, turning the lush green grass into something out of Hades’s fantasy. Blades of grass crumbled before his eyes. Withering without as much as a touch from him and fizzing out of existence, flames taking its place. The greenery is overtaken by the force that darkened the universe and turned rivers into lakes of fire. She screamed the most. He didn’t. He just watched the shooting star fall and gave a small smile. She was never his to own anyway. * Darren. That was his name. The man-boy with the power to manipulate space at his whims. He was a prodigy even among his peers in Earth 75. They had hoverboards to trapeze through space. That’s right, hoverboards. Fuelled with nothing more than gravel and sand. “Gloating again? That’s not very of you.” He rolled his eyes at the voice that came from just behind him. Glenna. His childhood friend. If you can count a hundred years as childhood. Before they settled—before the metamorphosis, they never grew older than the teenage age. But, after settling for five years and being a pain in the butt for half of those he called his cadre, he realized that he was ready for metamorphosis. But then, Glenna wasn’t. Hence, he had to stop halfway and wait for her to be. ladylike “I’m not a lady, for crying out loud. This is argument number what? Five thousand and seven?” He groaned, using flawless fingers to massage his forehead. Glenna just laughed as she walked towards him. Or, more like, she glided. She had more interest in the hoverboards than he did. The room was no larger than two children’s playroom, yet it had enough space due to his meticulousness. Not a strand of space is out of place, exactly how he wanted it to be. “Number five thousand and eight. You missed one.” She laughed, planting a wet kiss on his skin. He would have gone as red as beetroot if she didn’t deftly move the conversation elsewhere. “So, I need to weave a new dress. You’ve been called a genius for so long that it has become music to my ears. I need a strand of space to weave into a cloak I’m almost done making.” She tendered her request before him, and he took in her presence. She was young, after refusing the metamorphosis for the third time. Yet.. she had eyes of peace. The brown of her irises reminded him of worlds he hadn’t dared to touch for fear of breaking them apart. He’d seen them in his wakings. They were peaceful and oh, so beautiful. The serenity in them was what drew him to them at first. “Okay, I will. But why just a strand? Why not a whole chunk?” He asked as she raised her eyebrows at him, and he almost melted into the chair he sat on. If you can call it sitting. It was a haphazard view, an upturned table, yet he was upright. The world he’d come to know extended universes and eternities. It was a world of madness, but at least it was his. “One sec.” He said, raising his hand in mock surrender. Then, everything stopped. As his concentration cleared the level of the primordial beings, he tore a portal through the world. It was a red wiggly thing struggling to close, but he held it open with sheer willpower alone. When he found out that portals were alive, he decided to lord over them one way or another. They didn’t make it easy for him, though. While it wiggled, he stretched a hand into the portal and drew a strand out of that limitless vastness, loping it through his fingers like a struggling worm. It shimmered in and out of existence, blue like the untold skies, red as fiery dragons and demons of worlds he’d only read about. “Got you.” He smiled as he held a strand. Then, the world went to hell. Before he could remove his hand from the portal, it yawned like a gaping chasm and swallowed him whole. He was screaming, but Glenna was still in timeless mode. She wouldn’t know what happened. That is mercy. That has to be. Then, the world shut itself as the portal consumed the world he’d known all of his existence and winked out of reality. The screams didn’t come. Nothing did. * Carrion. That was his name. His name. His name. He tried to hold on to it, but it slipped out of his grasp like an eel, and he followed after it, crawling after his name with it on the tip of his tongue. What was his name again? Ca.. Ca what? What was his name? The man with scars lining his body like the universe's stars was lost. He tried to think. He tried to remember where he was. Yes. He was fighting Archanoid—the mother of spiders. One could even call her a deity. He dodged an incoming web made of madness and silk, woven with anger and hate. She was large, towering above him like he was a pesky fly. He hated that. He was the warrior who battled nightmares and abominations. He had to win. But then, what was his name? His name.. what was it again? He flew out of the way as an incubator shattered where he stood one second earlier. She wasn’t playing. “Foolish mortal. Do you think you can harm me? It doesn’t matter who you are, World Walker. You can’t escape from me.” She spoke, venom dripping out of those pincer-like things. They made a clanging sound as he swallowed, looking into those red eyes that had intelligence to them, something beyond the years. “One last chance. I will give it to you. Remember, pride and ego cannot win this war. Maybe you and the others can.” And then, before he could ask what she meant.. a scary sharp finger elongated from her finger, and she him out like a fly. flicked There was screaming. And then, there was nothing. * He woke up with a groan. There were several groans across him, and he was shocked to realize that he wasn’t dead. He wasn’t scorched. But he didn’t remember what his name was. He remembered her, recognized the girl who took him as a friend before the world became a sea of fire. Why, then, was he unhurt? The others stood on shaky feet, an otherworldly feel to them. There was something he just couldn’t place. They wore things he’d never heard of, or perhaps the dark skins rippling with fire and the darkness of the deep. Maybe it was the blades of darkness in the place where teeth were meant to be, but there was something.. out of place. One of them wore nightmares on his skin; he could see death. Death rippled with muscles and scars that seemed to blot out the skin. But strangely, he didn’t feel fear. “So, an explanation is in order?” He said to no one in particular. Even the being who looked as though he was 25 and 15 at the same time. As though the world couldn’t decide on his age and let him be both instead. He noticed that this being wasn’t standing on his two feet. He was.. hovering. “We’ll see soon enough.” A boy his age spoke, and he stared at him in wonderment, wondering how alike they were. The way the boy squinted made it glaring that he used glasses to see. Same with him. Even though he didn’t even know their names, they were about ten. Some had hands for feet, and others weren’t even walking on the bare ground. They just.. existed. There was no way to explain their existence, so he didn’t bother. “An explanation.. for this. All of this.” Another boy spoke, and he didn’t balk this time. He just waited. “Here it comes.” The boy who spoke was already running. “Here, what comes? What?” He asked, but everybody else had cleared out of that barren field. The world he was in was empty. There is no sign of green. No sign of brown either. It was as though the world was drained out of colour, and no matter where he looked, despair loomed. He felt them before he saw them. He knew who they were before they spoke. And even without an introduction, he knew everything about them. The Destroyers Of Worlds. They smiled; one hovered just like that man-boy. One had skin with uncountable scars. And then, he saw himself. That cruel smile, that deadly presence. He felt a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. Someone dragged him by the scruff of his hood, and he felt.. everything. There was no other way to describe what happened. Then, he turned to stare at the other him with a cruel smile as that being let out an inferno where he was standing a moment before. It was… hot. But strangely, he wasn’t burning. He wasn’t even singed. He was.. okay. The man-boy dropped him on the ground unceremoniously, and he muttered his thanks, but the others just raised their eyebrows, staring at the beings beyond them. Beings with their faces. Beings with enough power to destroy universes. It was them. Ageless. Timeless. With a snap of a finger, they were gone like they didn’t just lay waste to a large expanse of space. “I think I know what’s going on…” A tenacious finger went up, and the squinted boy was allowed to speak. “That is us. Timeless us. And.. we destroyed our universes. Now.. we have to fight against the us that are world destroyers.” “We don’t have a choice to decline?” The man-boy asked. “We have doomed worlds. This.. is penance.” The boy spoke again, his eyes filled with trepidation and resignation. “So, we were summoned here to kill our future selves? That’s a sick sense of humor.” “This world is sick, and when the Arachnoid told me, I didn’t believe it.” The man with the scars spoke, and his scars seemed alive, melding with his body. “Can you tell us what an Arachnoid is?” Another asked. So, he told them. Everything. “Pride and ego, huh?” A guy spoke, and they finally understood what they had to do. “This is depraved. All of this. Depraved. What the hell?” He spoke, shaking with anger. “Hell doesn’t exist, apparently. Future us made sure the world became it.” A brittle laughter from the man-boy. “This is it, then? We die in a land of no name? Our names were stolen from us. I can’t dredge up a single memory.” The scarred man said, eyes smouldering. I could tell he was pissed off. “This is our penance.” The squinting boy said again, and I was tempted to throw him out of the universe. Such a goody two shoes. “I don’t care. Whatever I have to do, I will do it. And it doesn’t matter who’s on the line. I have to go back home. Also, you can’t fight fire with water. Not in my world, anyway. It takes a monster to kill another. We will take the unorthodox approach. Did they want to seclude us and destroy us? World Walkers, indeed. Bastards more likely. I won’t take that. Neither should any of you. We have the power. Can’t you feel it? We can change things.” The man-boy spoke fervently, his eyes filled with loss, anger, and something else. “That’s right. We won’t let them decide for us. If we have to die, we might as well raise hell before we do. Now, we need a name.” The hooded boy spoke, and the others nodded in approval. “How does sound?” There were hoots of approval, some going as far as clapping. Then, they stared at the sky at once. Drained of colour. But then, the World between Worlds had always been a resting place for World Walkers. The Restorer of Worlds They had to fight. And this time, they had to fight themselves. Their memories returned, and they could see themselves in the past, present, and future—the Destroyer of Worlds. No more. They decided not to make the same mistakes. Not again. This time, they’d restore all they destroyed. As the squinty-eyed kid said, it was penance.

PENANCE 

What if historical figures lived today? Imagine, if you will, a world where Julius Caesar wasn’t just conquering lands but also the trending page, or Cleopatra wasn’t merely ruling Egypt but also the YouTube beauty community. I’ve reimagined some of the historical figures as today’s top influencers. Julius Caesar: The Empire Builder Instagram and Clubhouse Platforms: @TheRealEmperor Brand name: “From Senate to Start-up,” where he spills the tea on leadership skills. “From Gaul to Glory” — weekly adversity tales that rival the most dramatic telenovelas. Plus, tutorials on staying sharp in a toga. Topics: Limited edition gold-leaf Caesar crowns paired with a trendy beginner’s guide to Latin. Online course: “From Foe to Friend: The Caesar Charm School” because who said old-world charm is dead? And for the fitness fanatics, a workout plan with the catchphrase: “Conquer your workouts like you would Gaul.” Products: #JuliusJourneys #TogaTrends #GaulGains Hashtags: Cleopatra: The Original Queen Bee YouTube and Snapchat Platforms: @CleopatraCouture Brand name: Dive into queenly beauty hacks from the Nile that even the Kardashians would be jealous of. Weekly diplomacy diva sessions where Cleo drops truth bombs and gripping snakebite survival stories (move over, Bear Grylls). Topics: Adorn your desk with Cleopatra’s jewel-encrusted keyboard collection. DIY milk bath kits — “Soak Like a Queen” because self-care is always in. And, of course, an online summit: “From Pyramids to Platforms: Branding Like a Pharaoh.” Products: #QueenOfTheNile #CleoGlowUp #PharaohFabulous Hashtags: Sun Tzu: Your Strategy Guy Podcast and TikTok Platforms: @StrategistSun Brand name: Weekly “Art of War” business blitzes that make regular strategy sessions look like child’s play. “Mind Over Melee” mental challenges to train your brain. Plus, peace-time power play sessions for when you want to conquer, but keep it chill. Topics: Start your day right with the “Be the General of your Day” morning routine box. Plan your empire with the “War Room Wisdom” monthly planners and, of course, stealth-branded hoodies to awaken the ninja. Products: Hashtags: #WarriorWisdom #SunSessions #TzuTactics Socrates: The OG Question Master Medium and Twitter Platforms: @QuestionThisLife Brand name: Daily brain-twisting questions designed to elevate your existence and turn your morning coffee contemplative. Dive into “Plato’s Playlist,” a curated list of ageless wisdom from the ancient world. Plus, interactive, hemlock-free debate zones. Topics: “Think Deep, Drink Deep” philosophy over wine glasses. Subscribe to a box of monthly mind-benders because who needs Sudoku? Plus, “Dialogues with Socrates” mentorship webinars for the thousand true fans. Products: #SocraticQueries #DeepDiveDaily #PonderWithPlato Hashtags: Joan of Arc: The Fearless Femme LinkedIn and IGTV Platforms: @JoanJolts Brand name: Weekly “Armor in the Boardroom” sessions — being female, fearless, and breaking glass ceilings (with a sword). “Visionary Vibes”: Turn your midnight dreams into world-changing realities. And chill fireside chats (literal fire not included for safety reasons). Topics: Collaboration with Alicia Keys — “She’s on Fire” motivational cassette. Visionary leadership webinars (and, for an extra fee, real armour for those tough board meetings). Plus, a Saint Joan medallion because we all need a little divine on our side. Products: #ArmorAndAmbition #JoanJams #FearlessFemale Hashtags: Leonardo da Vinci: The Genius Pinterest, YouTube, and Skillshare Platforms: @LeosLounge Brand name: Dive into “Renaissance Routines” tailored for the modern creator. Bi-weekly chopper talks where Da Vinci muses on flying machines. And a revamped “Vitruvian Man” series for the 21st-century human, exploring the intersection of art, science, and the human body. Topics: DaVinci doodle drawing kits that make stick figures a thing of the past. “Mona Lisa Smile” morning affirmation cards to start your day with mystery and allure. And workshops titled “Unleashing your Inner Polymath” because why master one field when you can master them all? Products: #DaVinciDesigns #MonaMagic #PolymathPaths Hashtags: Queen Elizabeth II: The Monarch of Modern Times Instagram Live and Pinterest Boards Platforms: @LizTwoTrue Brand name: A window into “Windsor Whispers”: candid moments from Buckingham to Balmoral. Discover “Crown & Country,” a series showcasing the balance of tradition and progress. And for fashionistas, dive into “Hats & Handbags,” where timeless elegance meets modern flair. Topics: Elevate your style with the “Regal Radiance” accessory line, featuring brooches and scarves inspired by Her Majesty’s iconic looks. Dive into “Palace Protocols,” an online etiquette masterclass. And, for dog lovers, follow the “Corgi Chronicles” — an IG account, dishing on the royal pups’ adventures. Products: #LizLives #CrownChronicles #CorgyLife Hashtags: Confucius: The Sage of Social Media TikTok and In-Person Workshops Platforms: @ConfuciusClips Brand name: Start your day with “Wise Up With Confucius” daily bytes, offering bite-sized wisdom in between your cat videos. Dive deep into “Harmonize Your Hustle,” ancient strategies adapted for the 9–5 grind. Topics: Need advice? Introducing the “Ancestors’ Answer” oracle cards. Get your hands on harmony-at-home kits for that perfect Feng Shui living space. And don’t miss out on the “Family First” online workshop series — because if there’s one thing more complex than office politics, it’s family! Products: #ConfuciusConfessions #HarmonyHustle #NoodleNotes Hashtags: Marcus Aurelius: The Tim Ferriss of The Past Spotify and Patreon Platforms: @StoicStudio Brand name: Deep dive into modern stoicism tailored for the weekend warrior with “Meditative Musings for Metro Lives.” Sip on some candid “Coffee Thoughts” episodes. Let’s not forget the “Biohack Your Productivity Into Better Psychodelic Trip.” Topics: “Empire State of Mind” audio journaling prompts. Join “The Stoic Start-Up” online boot camp — resilience training with a touch of Roman flair. And jot down your daily reflections on “Meditations” themed notepads — old world charm, new world insights. Products: #MarcusMentions #StoicSips #EmpireEssentials Hashtags: Winston Churchill: The Bulldog of Branding Instagram Live and Podcasts Platforms: @ChurchillCharisma Brand name: Catch “Churchill Chats,” where Winston spills tea (or rather, whisky) on leading during tumultuous times and his candid takes on modern politics. Dive into “War Room Whispers,” a segment where he dishes on secrets from the historic bunkers. And don’t miss “Cigar Sessions” — smoky, insightful tales on diplomacy, decisions, and daring. Topics: Elevate your office with the “Churchill Choice” — a curated monthly box of Winston’s favourite cigars paired with tasting notes. Hungry for some leadership finesse? Sign up for “Victory Vignettes,” an online course on triumphing over adversity. If you’re feeling particularly cheeky, snag a limited edition “Winston’s Witticisms” calendar, keeping you chuckling and charged all year long. Products: #ChurchillChuckles #BulldogBranding #VictoryVibes Hashtags: Marie Curie: Radioactive Radiance Instagram Stories and TED Talks Platforms: @SassyScientist Brand name: Tune into “Curie’s Lab Chronicles,” where she demystifies the magic behind her glowing discoveries. Marie’s “Periodic Pointers” break down complex science into bite-sized, easy-to-digest content for budding chemists. And for those who appreciate a touch of drama, enjoy “Luminous Legacies” — candid stories of trials, triumphs, and the constant quest for knowledge. Topics: Grab the “Curie Kit” — a monthly science box with experiments you can conduct at home. Hungry for more? Join a masterclass: “From Pitchblende to Nobel Prizes.” And for those looking to add some sparkle to their wardrobe, check out the limited edition “Glow with Curie” line of luminescent jewellery. Products: #GlowGetter #CurieCraze #ScienceSass Hashtags: Jesus: The “Compassionate” Catalyst Instagram Live & Podcasts Platforms: @MiracleMentor Brand name: Dive deep with “Parable Perspectives,” where Jesus uses modern analogies to shine a light on age-old wisdom. “Mount Talks” are weekly heart-to-heart sessions where he delves into questions of faith, love, and transformation. And don’t miss out on “Miracle Moments” — astonishing real-life stories from followers who’ve found hope and healing. Topics: Elevate your spiritual journey with the “Blessed & Grateful” journal, designed to nurture gratitude and mindfulness. Craving deeper connections? Enrol in the “Walking on Water” meditation workshop series. Explore the “Nazareth Nurtured” collection: handcrafted sandals made in the very heart of where it all began. Products: #BlessedBeyondBelief #HealingHugs #ParablePerspectives Hashtags: Concluding The Digital Time Travel And there we have it — a peek into a world where history’s luminaries trade their traditional tools for smartphones. In all seriousness, we’re reminded that every age has its icons, its mediums, and its messages. The platforms may change, and the methods may evolve, but the quest to inspire (and sell) remains timeless. So, if you’re an influencer in the making, remember that the key to lasting influence isn’t just about trending — it’s about transcending. P.S. Who would you follow? Also published . here

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