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EUGENICS AND LOVE

explored how VeChain has established the most impressive partnerships of just about any project out there and is poised to make a huge entrance into the Chinese market in mid-2018. Part 1 of this series Blockchain Part 2 will investigate how Vechain could work to create value and reduce costs in the Chinese economy and how this will influence the market capitalization of VET at the start of 2019 and beyond. https://coinmarketcap.com/all/views/all/ How Valuable is Trust? The current (as of 14th February 2018) is $400,000,000,000 and is likely, in my opinion, to top $2–3 trillion by the end of this year. A market cap at this level implies value creation, or future discounted value creation, of the same amount. This begs the question, where is all this value coming from? market cap of all currencies Does , with a market cap of $600m really create that much value? Where is the value proposition? Dogecoin a parody cryptocurrency http://dogecoin.com/ The primary source of value creation with blockchain technology is as a mechanism for establishing trust between different parties at negligible marginal cost, with The Economist touting Blockchain as — this article is referred to several times in VeChain documantation. VeChain will be the ultimate trust machine, providing to many of the largest organizations on the planet. The trust machine Blockchain-as-a-service https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21677198-technology-behind-bitcoin-could-transform-how-economy-works-trust-machine We briefly discussed how VeChain is likely to extract value or create trust with it’s various partners. Several examples are given in the released in 2015. in part1 VeChain Development Plan (none white paper) These include , one of VeChain’s main partners, that estimates that food fraud is an estimated $40bn global problem, with other sources suggesting that . Billions of dollars of trust were lost by the Mengniu Corporation due to the . a 2016 report by PwC upto 30% of all alcohol in China is fake infant milk scandal in 2008 https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/insights/us/articles/3712_Tech-Trends2017-Blockchain/figures/Tech-Trends-2017_Blockchain_Fig1.png The government is one of the main benefactors of reducing the cost of trust, with tax evasion . The Development Plan estimates that processes such as commodity inspection by customs officers could improve efficiency by upto 80%. This example is likely to apply to many other areas of government bureaucracy. estimated to cost trillions of yuan per year Individuals (such as doctors, engineers, graduates and their employers) that require documents to be verified by a notary could access this information information via a public blockchain. Notary no longer required. Other examples include the car industry, in which owners do not own the user data, causing costs related to information collection and verification for insurance companies and other service providers. Essentially, any enterprise in the business of establishing trust (such as notaries) or acting as a source of centralized trust (such as banks) will need to adapt quickly or be crushed by the productivity gains of users or competitors adopting blockchain. Similarly, any /blockchain network that does not create value and have the partnerships to dominate market share of that space will likely go to zero. cryptocurrency Calculating the Market Capitalization of VeChain in China in 2019 [ : The following train of thought may contain substantial logical fallacies] warning The amount of thought that went into this price prediction It has been observed that the Chinese economy has a . I believe it reasonable to suggest that the creation of cheap and immutable trust might extract an additional 1.5% of value from that already being created within the economy. fundamentally low level of trust between participants With the , that would mean the value creation (or profit) from improving trust would be around $200bn for that year. If we then treated Blockchain as a business or industry, and , then this would make the current value of the Blockchain technology industry somewhere around $1 trillion. GDP of China around $13.5tn in 2019 used a profit multiplier of 5 Looking at VeChain and the partnerships it has established, how much of the pie would you expect this project to scoop up? Whilst there are some other competitors and Blockchain contenders in China (which will be discussed in part 3), I judge a market share of 30% in 2019 would be reasonable, if not conservative. This would make the value extracted by the VeChain Thor Blockchain to be worth around $300bn. If we assume companies might be prepared to pay 50 cents on the dollar for these gains, use of the VeChain Thor Blockchain could be estimated to be worth $150bn, with the value represented by the total market capitalization for the coins in circulation. This would indicate a price per VET of $300 (assuming current price of $4 and market cap of $2bn), 75x it’s current price. This valuation comes several (potentially unrealistic) assumptions: The market capitalization of VET is equal to the value created by use of the VeChain Thor Power Blockchain. In reality, the market capitalization is likely to be primarily based on demand for VET from initial investments by key partners in establishing nodes (Thrudheim Authority Nodes, Mjolnir Nodes, Thunder Nodes, and Strength Nodes), the value created through use of the blockchain by users and service providers, and speculation. Of which speculation will play a considerable part in the early stages. For such a new technology there is no established framework for calculating a realistic market cap. It could also be the case that if Blockchain based currencies become a primary means of transferring value in China (as oppose to the RMB), then this market capitalization would be many multiples higher. Blockchain technology will increase economic efficiency in China by 1.5% per year. I believe this is an extreme under estimate. Nobody can know for sure but I think 5–15% would be fairer. A profit multiplier of 5 to calculate the total value of Blockchain based on the value extracted in a single year. Market share of 30% for VET. The price companies are prepared to pay per dollar saved by implementing Blockchain. This doesn’t take into account the significant investments required by companies to implement the technology and adapt their current systems. Clearly the estimate of VET at $300 by the end of 2018 has a number of limitations. However, I believe the approximations used have some validity in identifying a fair market price. Comment below if and why you think this is or is not a fair market price and why. You might be wondering, if VeChain only dominates 30% of the Blockchain industry in China pie, then which other projects will gobble up the remaining 70%? Part 3 will discuss other projects that are ready to explode in 2018. I am not your financial advisor. This is not financial advice. I hold some VEN/VET but am not affiliated with VeChain in any way. Do your own research. If you thirst for more in depth speculation about the future of Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies then follow me on Medium ( )and Twitter ( ). Bare Shylls https://twitter.com/BareShylls If you enjoyed this article then hold the claps button below until it reaches 50 and share the article on Social Media.

China on The Blockchain, Part 2: A Trillion Dollars of Trust

Web3 growth hacking has emerged as a transformative force driving the scalability of innovative projects within the realm of With its disruptive strategies, it revolutionizes how blockchain ventures scale and flourish. blockchain technology. But what exactly is Web3 growth hacking, and how does it set itself apart from traditional growth hacking practices? What Is Growth Hacking in Web3? In the realm of Web3, growth hacking transcends conventional marketing tactics. It encompasses a multidimensional approach that synergizes data-driven experimentation, community engagement, and innovative strategies, all aimed at expediting user acquisition and propelling project growth. Just like the CEO of said, "Growth hacking has emerged as a critical component for cryptocurrency platforms to achieve rapid and sustained growth in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrencies, where innovation and competition are widespread." 3block In contrast to its predecessors, growth hacking in Web3 goes beyond traditional approaches. It strategically focuses on leveraging decentralized networks and fostering network effects to unlock new levels of success. Identifying Target Audiences and User Acquisition To identify your target audience in , understand its unique characteristics and diverse mix of enthusiasts, adopters, developers, and stakeholders. Dive into their motivations, pain points, and aspirations to align your project's offerings with their needs. Web3 Conduct thorough market research, leveraging analytics, surveys, and social listening for valuable audience insights. Create detailed user personas and refine your targeting strategy based on trends, preferences, and user behavior in the Web3 space. Web3 thrives on specialized communities and decentralized networks. Identify niche communities aligned with your project's vision. Engage, learn their needs, and tailor messaging to resonate. Establish thought leadership with educational, inspiring content like blog posts, videos, and podcasts. This positions your project as a trusted authority and cultivates a loyal following. Forge partnerships with projects, influencers, and communities to extend your reach and tap into their user base. Collaborate on joint campaigns, cross-promotions, and content creation to amplify visibility and attract users. Iterate user acquisition through data analysis, tracking conversion rates, gathering feedback, and A/B testing. Stay agile to adapt strategies to changing market dynamics. Optimizing User Onboarding and Engagement To make a lasting impression, prioritize simplicity and clarity in your user interface. Streamline registration processes, provide clear instructions, and offer interactive tutorials to guide users through your platform. By eliminating barriers to entry and minimizing confusion, you lay the foundation for a positive user onboarding experience. Tailor the user experience to meet individual needs and preferences. Implement personalized recommendations, customizable settings, and adaptive features. Empower users to define their journey within your blockchain project, creating a sense of ownership and deeper engagement. Inject an element of fun and excitement into your onboarding process. Incorporate gamification elements like progress bars, badges, and levels to create a sense of achievement and progression. Furthermore, leverage token incentives and rewards to motivate and retain users, enticing them to explore and actively participate in your ecosystem. Forge connections among your users by fostering a strong community spirit. Implement chat systems, forums, and social media integration to facilitate interaction and collaboration. Encourage users to share their experiences, ideas, and accomplishments, transforming your project into a vibrant and engaging ecosystem. Education is key to empowering users in the Web3 space. Provide comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and user support channels to help users navigate your platform confidently. Stay proactive in addressing user queries and concerns, ensuring a smooth onboarding process and sustained engagement. Leveraging Social Proof and Network Effects Social proof, the psychological phenomenon where people rely on the actions and opinions of others to guide their own decisions plays a significant role in the success of blockchain projects. Here's how you can leverage it: Highlight the endorsements, testimonials, and positive experiences of early adopters and influential figures within the Web3 community to build credibility and trust. Building Credibility: Demonstrate the growing number of users and partners actively engaging with your project to attract new participants. Showcasing Adoption: Displaying active user counts, transaction volumes, and other key metrics can effectively communicate the popularity and value of your blockchain solution. Encourage users to share their positive experiences and success stories with your project. Authentic user testimonials can inspire trust and serve as social proof for potential users. Encouraging User Testimonials: Fostering Network Effects: Network effects occur when the value of a product or service increases as more users join and engage with it. Here's how you can foster network effects for your blockchain project: Embrace interoperability with other projects and protocols, allowing users to leverage multiple platforms simultaneously. By integrating with complementary projects, you can create a broader network that amplifies the benefits and value for all participants. Seamless Interoperability: Forge strategic partnerships with other blockchain projects, dApps, and industry influencers to expand your network and tap into new user bases. Collaborative efforts can drive mutual growth and create a powerful network effect. Collaboration and Partnerships: Nurture an engaged and active community around your project. Foster interactions, discussions, and knowledge sharing among users. Community Engagement: A vibrant and supportive community creates a strong network effect, attracting more users and encouraging ongoing participation. Synergizing Social Proof and Network Effects: By combining the power of social proof and network effects, your blockchain project can experience an accelerated growth trajectory. Here's how you can synergize these forces: Collaborate with influential figures within the Web3 space to showcase their participation and endorsement of your project. Their involvement serves as social proof while also helping expand your network through their existing followers and connections. Leveraging Influencers: Incentivize existing users to refer new participants to your project. and the referred user, creating a positive feedback loop that drives network growth while leveraging social proof from trusted connections. User Referral Programs: Reward both the referrer Encourage users to share their experiences, insights, and creations related to your project. User-generated content promotes social proof and contributes to expanding your network by attracting new users who are inspired by existing participants. Cultivating User-Generated Content: Conclusion Exploring Web3 growth hacking strategies is crucial for scaling blockchain projects successfully. By leveraging innovative techniques and embracing the decentralized nature of Web3, developers can drive adoption, attract users, and create sustainable growth. It is essential to prioritize user-centric approaches, foster community engagement, and continuously adapt to the evolving landscape of blockchain technology. With the right strategies in place, blockchain projects can harness the power of Web3 to drive scalability and achieve their goals in the decentralized world.

Exploring Web3 Growth Hacking: Strategies for Scaling Blockchain Projects

What is Happening? In order to give gamers easy access to crypto assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and DeFiChain, has announced the beginning of a collaboration with , backed by . By allowing Razer Silver consumers to trade in their Razer Silver for Cake DeFi certificates via the Razer Silver Rewards catalogue, the two companies will provide industry-leading value to gamers and cryptocurrency clients. The new rewards exchange program will let gamers and consumers enter the universe of decentralised finance (DeFi). Cake DeFi Razer Silver Razer Inc https://twitter.com/cakedefi/status/1550088775765614593?cxt=HHwWgoCjnezhgoMrAAAA : Vested Interest Disclosure The author is an independent contributor publishing via our . Be it through direct compensation, media partnerships, or networking. The author has a vested interest in the company/ies mentioned in this story. HackerNoon has reviewed the story for quality, but the claims hereon belong to the author. This article is not investment, taxation or legal advice. #DYOR brand-as-author program What is Cake DeFi? Cake DeFi is managed and registered in Singapore and complies with the Monetary Authority of Singapore regulatory requirements (MAS). It is a transparent  and regulated fintech platform that provides access to decentralized financial services and apps by allowing users to create returns from their crypto and digital assets. Cake DeFi intends to educate and teach people all over the globe about crypto and DeFi in a straightforward, clear, and uncomplicated way. The company has awarded its consumers a record $317 million in incentives as of the end of the first quarter of 2022. Understanding the Impact of Razer Silver Partnership on the Blockchain and Video Game Industry Razer Gold rewards program lets players earn and redeem Razer Silver points for a range of hardware and digital prizes, including Steam games and discount coupons due to which Razer continues to be a household favourite brand among gamers worldwide. Razer's triple-headed snake emblem is one of the most recognisable in the gaming and esports communities worldwide. With a fan base spanning every continent, the firm has created and constructed the world's biggest hardware, software, and services ecosystem for gamers. Razer was founded in 2005 and has offices in Irvine (California) and Singapore, with regional offices in Hamburg and Shanghai. Razer has 19 offices throughout the globe and is the #1 gaming brand in the United States, Europe, and China. Razer's award-winning gear includes Blade gaming laptops and high-performance gaming peripherals. With over 175 million users, Razer's software platform consists of Razer Synapse (an Internet of Things platform), Razer Chroma RGB (a proprietary RGB lighting technology system that supports thousands of devices and hundreds of games/apps), and Razer Cortex (a game optimizer and launcher). Additionally, Razer provides payment services for gamers, millennials and Generation Z. Razer Gold is one of the biggest gaming payment systems in the world. The partnership between Razer Silver and Cake DeFi is going to introduce gamers to the crypto assets industry. With more than 175 million users, the partnership can introduce millions of gamers to DeFi and GameFi which is critical for supporting the growth of the blockchain industry. Bringing Gamers to the World of DeFi The partnership between CakeDeFi and Razer Silver, will allow Cake DeFi to be featured and promoted on the Razer Silver website. By clicking the link, Razer Silver players will be able to trade their loyalty points for Cake DeFi vouchers, providing them access to Bitcoin, Ethereum and DeFiChain through Cake DeFi's crypto-finance platform - the partnership allows for millions of gamers to test the waters with DeFi and crypto. Further, it is critical to note that existing Razer gamers who have not yet joined Cake DeFi may use the promo code "RAZER" to get an amazing welcome bonus when making their first investment. The welcome bonus will consist of DFI (the native digital currency of DeFiChain) and extra Razer Silver, which will be credited to the users' Razer Silver accounts. All coupons redeemed on Cake DeFi are going to be instantaneously converted to DFI cryptocurrency at the current market rate. The DFI can be assigned to Cake DeFi's staking program. Since there is no lockup time, users may also opt to withdraw the DFI which allow gamers to swap their coupons for crypto assets ~ Imagine 100 million gamers swapping their coupons and holding crypto assets as a result of it! Final Thoughts on the Cake DEFI and Razor Silver Global Partnership Cake DeFi’s collaboration with a prominent gaming brand such as Razer has decreased the barrier of entry into the crypto ecosystem. Keeping in view a significant link between gamers and crypto aficionados, Cake Defi is going to focus on crypto education and literacy for gamers, particularly for industry beginners. During an economic slowdown, this move is set to bring millions of gamers to the crypto industry! Don’t forget to like and share the story! Image credits: , Resul Kaya and . Anton Maksimov 5642.su Brooke Lark

Cake DeFi Partners with Gaming Giant Razer to Bring Millions of Gamers to DeFi 

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

Startupbootcamp Singapore Announces Partnerships with Thomson Reuters and Accreditation@IDA FinTech Singapore, 25 January, 2016 — FinTech, a global accelerator focused on financial innovation has made back to back announcements of two new partnerships to start off 2016. Startupbootcamp Startupbootcamp FinTech Singapore program collaborates with Accreditation@IDA to support the growth of FinTech startups by providing startups assistance on their technical architecture, which comprises of in-depth product testing and financial advisory, including financial modelling and fund raising. These tools will not only complement Startupbootcamp’s mentoring efforts but are tailored to the startups’ growth stage and needs. With this collaboration, startups selected for the 2016 accelerator program will gain support from Accreditation@IDA. These startups will be offered essential tools such as comprehensive technical product testing and evaluations to ensure their product is robust and financial advisory to facilitate sustainable growth. Eligible startups from Startupbootcamp FinTech may be subsequently evaluated for the award of IDA’s accreditation status. “We are thrilled to work with Startupbootcamp FinTech to have FinTech startups hit the ground running,” said Steve Leonard, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, Executive Deputy Chairman. “Accreditation@IDA helps startups build better companies through comprehensive technical, business, finance and IP evaluation. Having helped strengthened more than 30 products in the past year, we are providing tried and tested tools and models to complement the accelerator and improve the quality of startups. Being involved at the accelerator stage will also enable IDA early engagement opportunities with innovative and promising startups.” The Thomson Reuters partnership brings technology, market data access and mentoring to FinTech startups in Singapore. Thomson Reuters will be involved in the evaluation process and mentorship for the program as well as gaining access to innovative and promising startups at their early stages. Sanjeev Chatrath, Managing Director, Financial & Risk, Asia Pacific, Thomson Reuters, said, “The financial services firms of the future will be more connected, data driven, flexible, mobile and digital. Asia is a hot bed of FinTech talent — the new partnership with Startupbootcamp reinforces our commitment to creating an open environment and promoting cooperation within the FinTech ecosystem in the region. By partnering with Thomson Reuters, startups can make connections that they, with little or no operational history, might otherwise find hard to achieve.” Steven Tong, Managing Director of Startupbootcamp FinTech, said, “These two new partnerships support the growth of the FinTech ecosystem in Asia and fosters change in the financial industry. Our new partners bring unique and high value capabilities to startups participating in the Startupbootcamp accelerator program. Coupled with the strengths of our existing partners, this makes us the leading FinTech accelerator offering a programme that is unparalleled in Asia.” Startupbootcamp FinTech is a global accelerator focused on financial innovation, providing FinTech startups with funding, mentorship and guidance from leading financial services industry partners. To date, Startupbootcamp FinTech Singapore has accelerated 11 teams that have achieved milestone growth since Demo Day last July 2015. Startups like Toast and Kashmi have closed pre-series A funding rounds. Startups having received mentorship and practical guidance from over 200 entrepreneurs, investors, industry participants and partners as well as access to international markets. Applications for the 2016 Startupbootcamp FinTech Accelerator program remain open until . 7th of February 2016 The program is open to all early stage startups in FinTech across Asia. Interested startups can apply for Startupbootcamp FinTech Accelerator Programme in Singapore here: http://www.startupbootcamp.org/accelerator/fintech-singapore.html is how hackers start their afternoons. We’re a part of the family. We are now and happy to opportunities. Hacker Noon @AMI accepting submissions discuss advertising &sponsorship To learn more, , , or simply, read our about page like/message us on Facebook tweet/DM @HackerNoon. If you enjoyed this story, we recommend reading our and . Until next time, don’t take the realities of the world for granted! latest tech stories trending tech stories

Startupbootcamp FinTech Singapore Announces Partnerships with Thomson Reuters and Accreditation@IDA

The R&D funding arm of the US spy community, IARPA, is looking for “information on methodologies to assess Foreign Malign Influence” while assuring it doesn’t intend to use it on the US population. While not yet an official research program, the US Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) has put out a request for information (RFI) for Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence (FMI). “Respondents are encouraged to describe research approaches that involve foreign malign influence activities against foreign (non-US) populations*. IARPA does not intend to apply assessment methodologies to the US population”*
IARPA, Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence According to the RFI: “FMI includes subversive, undeclared (including covert and clandestine), coercive or criminal activities by foreign governments, non-state actors, or their proxies to affect another nation’s popular or political attitudes, perceptions, or behaviors to advance their interests. “This can include efforts to sow division, undermine democratic processes and institutions, or steer policy and regulatory decisions in favor of the foreign actor’s strategic objectives.” NEW RFI: What methodologies have you and your team used to assess foreign malign influence activities and risks? IARPA would love to hear from you. Check out the details in our latest RFI: https://t.co/WCKStDec0lpic.twitter.com/E38YDtj40X
— IARPA (@IARPAnews) June 6, 2024 “Respondents are encouraged to specify the FMI activities (what, how, where, and against whom) for which assessment methodologies are applicable”
IARPA, Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence So, what types of assessment methodologies are the US spy community looking for? For starters, “IARPA is not interested in research on FMI detection, attribution, or mitigation.” Instead, they are “interested in characterization of research on methodologies to assess FMI activities and risks.” “Risk” is then defined as: A measure of the extent to which an entity is threatened by a potential circumstanceor event, and typically is a function of: the adverse impact, or magnitude of harm, that would arise if the circumstance or event occurs
the likelihood of occurrence “Has social network analysis been used to assess Foreign Malign Influence? If so, how?”
IARPA, Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence Elections are a major target for Foreign Malign Influence campaigns that involve the response of multiple government agencies. For example, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has a dedicated Foreign Malign Influence Center (FMIC), which also houses the Election Threats Executive (ETE). The ETE “serves as the IC’s [Intelligence Community’s] coordinating and integrating authority on all election security activities, initiatives, and programs. “In this role, FMIC leads the IC’s efforts to identify and assess foreign malign influence and interference in US elections.” https://youtu.be/GShP7epdvZ0?embedable=true Another government agency involved in assessing and countering FMI is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). “Since at least 2016, we have seen foreign malign influence campaigns specifically promote messaging that undermines public confidence in the security and integrity of the American elections process and exacerbate partisan tensions,” reads one CISA report from April, 2024. The FBI, too, has its own response to foreign malign influence. The FBI website states that “In the fall of 2017, Director Christopher Wray established the Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF) to identify and counteract malign foreign influence operations targeting the United States.” Members of the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force “work closely with other US government agencies and international partners concerned about foreign influence efforts aimed at their countries.” The latest RFI from IARPA says it not interested in FMI detection or mitigation because those tasks have already been assigned within the FMIC, the FITF, and elsewhere. Going forward, IARPA is looking for better ways to more efficiently assess the activities and risks that have already been identified. And while IARPA says that it “does not intend to apply assessment methodologies to the US population,” the RFI doesn’t say anything about handing over its findings to intelligence partners in the Five Eyes network, which could potentially apply the methodologies to US citizens. Last year, the Economic Times reported the the Five Eyes network, which consists of the intelligence agencies of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, “has been accused of wrong-doings, mainly for spying on citizens of each other to evade responsibilities imposed by the local law.” At the end of the day, the latest IARPA RFI is looking for research methodologies “that involve foreign malign influence activities against foreign (non-US) populations.” Tim Hinchliffe, Editor, The Sociable The R&D funding arm of the US spy community, IARPA , is looking for “information on methodologies to assess Foreign Malign Influence” while assuring it doesn’t intend to use it on the US population. IARPA While not yet an official research program, the US Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) has put out a request for information (RFI) for Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence (FMI). Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity “Respondents are encouraged to describe research approaches that involve foreign malign influence activities against foreign (non-US) populations*. IARPA does not intend to apply assessment methodologies to the US population”* IARPA, Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence “Respondents are encouraged to describe research approaches that involve foreign malign influence activities against foreign (non-US) populations *. IARPA does not intend to apply assessment methodologies to the US population” * “Respondents are encouraged to describe research approaches that involve foreign malign influence activities against foreign (non-US) populations “Respondents are encouraged to describe research approaches that involve foreign malign influence activities against foreign (non-US) populations IARPA does not intend to apply assessment methodologies to the US population” IARPA, Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence According to the RFI : the RFI “FMI includes subversive, undeclared (including covert and clandestine), coercive or criminal activities by foreign governments, non-state actors, or their proxies to affect another nation’s popular or political attitudes, perceptions, or behaviors to advance their interests. “FMI includes subversive, undeclared (including covert and clandestine), coercive or criminal activities by foreign governments, non-state actors, or their proxies to affect another nation’s popular or political attitudes, perceptions, or behaviors to advance their interests. “FMI includes subversive, undeclared (including covert and clandestine), coercive or criminal activities by foreign governments, non-state actors, or their proxies to affect another nation’s popular or political attitudes, perceptions, or behaviors to advance their interests. “This can include efforts to sow division, undermine democratic processes and institutions, or steer policy and regulatory decisions in favor of the foreign actor’s strategic objectives.” “This can include efforts to sow division, undermine democratic processes and institutions, or steer policy and regulatory decisions in favor of the foreign actor’s strategic objectives.” “This can include efforts to sow division, undermine democratic processes and institutions, or steer policy and regulatory decisions in favor of the foreign actor’s strategic objectives.” NEW RFI: What methodologies have you and your team used to assess foreign malign influence activities and risks? IARPA would love to hear from you. Check out the details in our latest RFI: https://t.co/WCKStDec0lpic.twitter.com/E38YDtj40X — IARPA (@IARPAnews) June 6, 2024 NEW RFI: What methodologies have you and your team used to assess foreign malign influence activities and risks? IARPA would love to hear from you. Check out the details in our latest RFI: https://t.co/WCKStDec0l pic.twitter.com/E38YDtj40X https://t.co/WCKStDec0l pic.twitter.com/E38YDtj40X — IARPA (@IARPAnews) June 6, 2024 June 6, 2024 “Respondents are encouraged to specify the FMI activities (what, how, where, and against whom) for which assessment methodologies are applicable” IARPA, Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence “Respondents are encouraged to specify the FMI activities (what, how, where, and against whom) for which assessment methodologies are applicable” “Respondents are encouraged to specify the FMI activities (what, how, where, and against whom) for which assessment methodologies are applicable” “Respondents are encouraged to specify the FMI activities (what, how, where, and against whom) for which assessment methodologies are applicable” IARPA, Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence So, what types of assessment methodologies are the US spy community looking for? For starters, “ IARPA is not interested in research on FMI detection, attribution, or mitigation .” IARPA is not interested in research on FMI detection, attribution, or mitigation IARPA is not interested in research on FMI detection, attribution, or mitigation Instead, they are “interested in characterization of research on methodologies to assess FMI activities and risks .” activities and risks activities and risks “Risk” is then defined as: A measure of the extent to which an entity is threatened by a potential circumstance or event, and typically is a function of: the adverse impact, or magnitude of harm, that would arise if the circumstance or event occurs the likelihood of occurrence the adverse impact, or magnitude of harm, that would arise if the circumstance or event occurs the likelihood of occurrence “Has social network analysis been used to assess Foreign Malign Influence? If so, how?” IARPA, Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence “Has social network analysis been used to assess Foreign Malign Influence? If so, how?” “Has social network analysis been used to assess Foreign Malign Influence? If so, how?” “Has social network analysis been used to assess Foreign Malign Influence? If so, how?” IARPA, Methodologies To Assess Foreign Malign Influence Elections are a major target for Foreign Malign Influence campaigns that involve the response of multiple government agencies. For example, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has a dedicated Foreign Malign Influence Center (FMIC), which also houses the Election Threats Executive (ETE). Election Threats Executive The ETE “serves as the IC’s [Intelligence Community’s] coordinating and integrating authority on all election security activities, initiatives, and programs. “ In this role, FMIC leads the IC’s efforts to identify and assess foreign malign influence and interference in US elections .” In this role, FMIC leads the IC’s efforts to identify and assess foreign malign influence and interference in US elections In this role, FMIC leads the IC’s efforts to identify and assess foreign malign influence and interference in US elections https://youtu.be/GShP7epdvZ0?embedable=true https://youtu.be/GShP7epdvZ0?embedable=true Another government agency involved in assessing and countering FMI is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ). Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA “ Since at least 2016, we have seen foreign malign influence campaigns specifically promote messaging that undermines public confidence in the security and integrity of the American elections process and exacerbate partisan tensions ,” reads one CISA report from April, 2024. Since at least 2016, we have seen foreign malign influence campaigns specifically promote messaging that undermines public confidence in the security and integrity of the American elections process and exacerbate partisan tensions Since at least 2016, we have seen foreign malign influence campaigns specifically promote messaging that undermines public confidence in the security and integrity of the American elections process and exacerbate partisan tensions CISA report The FBI, too, has its own response to foreign malign influence. The FBI website states that “ In the fall of 2017, Director Christopher Wray established the Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF) to identify and counteract malign foreign influence operations targeting the United States .” FBI website In the fall of 2017, Director Christopher Wray established the Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF) to identify and counteract malign foreign influence operations targeting the United States In the fall of 2017, Director Christopher Wray established the Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF) to identify and counteract malign foreign influence operations targeting the United States Members of the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force “ work closely with other US government agencies and international partners concerned about foreign influence efforts aimed at their countries .” work closely with other US government agencies and international partners concerned about foreign influence efforts aimed at their countries work closely with other US government agencies and international partners concerned about foreign influence efforts aimed at their countries The latest RFI from IARPA says it not interested in FMI detection or mitigation because those tasks have already been assigned within the FMIC, the FITF, and elsewhere. Going forward, IARPA is looking for better ways to more efficiently assess the activities and risks that have already been identified. And while IARPA says that it “ does not intend to apply assessment methodologies to the US population ,” the RFI doesn’t say anything about handing over its findings to intelligence partners in the Five Eyes network, which could potentially apply the methodologies to US citizens. does not intend to apply assessment methodologies to the US population does not intend to apply assessment methodologies to the US population Last year, the Economic Times reported the the Five Eyes network, which consists of the intelligence agencies of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, “ has been accused of wrong-doings, mainly for spying on citizens of each other to evade responsibilities imposed by the local law .” Economic Times Economic Times has been accused of wrong-doings, mainly for spying on citizens of each other to evade responsibilities imposed by the local law has been accused of wrong-doings, mainly for spying on citizens of each other to evade responsibilities imposed by the local law At the end of the day, the latest IARPA RFI is looking for research methodologies “that involve foreign malign influence activities against foreign (non-US) populations .” “that involve foreign malign influence activities against foreign (non-US) populations “that involve foreign malign influence activities against foreign (non-US) populations Tim Hinchliffe, Editor, The Sociable Tim Hinchliffe, Editor, The Sociable Tim Hinchliffe , Editor, The Sociable Tim Hinchliffe

IARPA Seeks to Measure Foreign Malign Influence Ahead of US Elections, Excludes Domestic Population

IARPA মার্কিন নির্বাচনের আগে বিদেশী ক্ষতিকারক প্রভাব পরিমাপ করতে চায়, দেশীয় জনসংখ্যা বাদ দেয়

IARPA will vor den US-Wahlen bösartigen Einfluss aus dem Ausland messen, berücksichtigt dabei aber nicht die einheimische Bevölkerung

IARPA busca medir la influencia maligna extranjera antes de las elecciones estadounidenses, excluye a la población nacional

L'IARPA cherche à mesurer l'influence étrangère malveillante avant les élections américaines et exclut la population nationale

IARPA अमेरिकी चुनावों से पहले विदेशी दुर्भावनापूर्ण प्रभाव को मापने का प्रयास करता है, घरेलू आबादी को शामिल नहीं करता

IARPA、米国選挙を前に外国の悪意ある影響の測定を目指す、国内人口は除外

IARPA, 미국 선거를 앞두고 국내 인구를 제외한 외국의 악의적 영향력 측정 모색

IARPA busca medir a influência maligna estrangeira antes das eleições nos EUA, exclui a população doméstica

IARPA стремится измерить внешнее вредоносное влияние в преддверии выборов в США, исключая местное население

IARPA, ABD Seçimleri Öncesinde Yabancı Malign Etkiyi Ölçmeyi Amaçlıyor, Yerli Nüfusu Hariç Tutuyor

IARPA tìm cách đo lường ảnh hưởng ác ý của nước ngoài trước cuộc bầu cử ở Hoa Kỳ, không bao gồm người dân trong nước

情报高级研究计划局 (IARPA) 试图在美国大选前衡量外国恶意影响，但不包括国内人口

For some, blockchain technology is many things rolled into one, while for others, it is simply a complex, over-hyped technology that needs to be abstracted away into the background. Neither of these theses is totally wrong. Meanwhile, readers will be well advised to remember that when it comes to blockchain technology, there is only a thin line between reality and hype. This article focuses on the reality of blockchain as an emerging technology, a silent disruptor, and a potential catalyst for transformation in human society. Blockchain technology, often the subject of headlines due to its association with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, is quietly weaving its magic into a tapestry far more intricate than just digital coins. At its core, blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that offers a secure, transparent, and decentralized way of recording and tracking data. How is this unique set of features fundamentally changing the way we interact with information and conduct transactions across a diverse range of industries? Let’s find out! Financial Transformation: Cutting Out the Middleman The traditional financial system is built on a third-party custodial model, which allows financial institutions like banks to act as custodians of your money and other valuable assets. As third-party intermediaries, they manage your accounts, facilitate transactions, and provide financial services. While this system offers some advantages such as security and convenience, its setbacks include high transaction costs, limited control, and limited access. The emergence of blockchain technology has disrupted this model by facilitating peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions without the need for a central authority. Do you remember the last time you received money from a friend or relative who lives in another country? As you might be aware, this process typically involves an international wire transfer, a high transaction fee, and usually takes days to complete. Blockchain cuts out the middlemen by enabling peer-to-peer transactions on a blockchain network. The transaction is recorded on a public ledger, accessible to all participants, ensuring transparency and immutability. This eliminates the need for intermediaries, reduces costs significantly, and speeds up the entire process. In a 2022 report, Accenture found that RippleNet can potentially save financial institutions an average of 70% on cross-border payments. This not only benefits banks but also opens up financial services to unbanked populations who previously lacked access to traditional banking systems. Supply Chain: Tracking The Dots The supply chain industry continues to grapple with certain setbacks emanating from the movement of goods through complex and demanding logistics. In most cases, this process is fraught with errors, fraud, and inefficiency. Blockchain addresses this problem through a tamper-proof record of every step a product takes, from its origin to its final destination. Picture this: a coffee business seeking to ensure the sourcing of its coffee beans. Traditionally, authenticating the source could pose a significant challenge, leaving room for doubt and exploitation. Leveraging blockchain can help track the journey of this produce from the point of harvesting to the time of its processing, packaging, and transporting, with each process stored on a shared public ledger. Example: Tracking Diamonds The diamond industry, known to be historically opaque, has benefited from blockchain technology. Everledger, a diamond company, estimated that its platform has tracked more than 4 million diamonds throughout the supply chain leveraging blockchain technology. It does so by assigning each diamond a unique digital identity linked to its origin, characteristics, and ownership history, allowing consumers to verify the authenticity and ethical sourcing of their diamonds. Decentralized Video Streaming Decentralized Video Streaming (DVS) is a major disruptor in the traditional video streaming landscape. Let's explore this disruption using Replay as a case study. Traditional video streaming relies on centralized servers owned by companies like Netflix or Hulu. This model has its advantages, like content curation and ease of use. However, it also comes with drawbacks such as centralized control, censorship and geoblocking, and profit sharing. Traditionally, it is extremely difficult to ensure that the music is not pirated and the musician receives royalties whenever it is played. Leveraging blockchain, the musician can tokenize their album and create a unique digital token for each copy. These tokens can be tracked and monitored, ensuring the musician receives a fair compensation. Replay As a Case Study Replay is a decentralized video streaming platform that uses blockchain technology to address the challenges of video licensing and tracking in the current streaming landscape. It proposes a solution to ensure transparency and efficiency for all stakeholders, including creators, viewers, and partners. Creators can upload content and receive compensation for views.
Viewers can earn rewards by watching content and engaging with the platform.
Partners can leverage Replay's technology to distribute their content. Rewarded.TV is the first streaming service built on Replay's technology. Identity Management: From Passwords to Portable Identities Blockchain has the capacity to revolutionize identity management by creating a secure, seamless, and portable digital identity. This digital identity would be stored on a blockchain network, accessible only by the user with a private key. It usually contains verifiable information about the individual, such as name, date of birth, and educational qualifications. Picture this: a world where you don't need to remember countless passwords or fill out lengthy forms every time you sign up for a new service. With blockchain-based digital identity, you could grant access to specific pieces of your information to different entities. This eliminates the need for centralized databases of personal information and reduces the risk of identity theft. Example: Estonia's Blockchain Identity System Estonia, a small nation in Europe, has been experimenting with a blockchain-based digital identity system since 2016, making it a pioneer in this field. Estonian citizens can use their digital ID to access various government services, sign documents electronically, and even vote online. This system has been hailed for its security, convenience, and efficiency. The success of Estonia's program demonstrates the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize identity management on a global scale. By providing individuals with control over their data and streamlining verification processes, blockchain can usher in a new era of secure and user-centric identity management systems. Blockchain Voting: Enhancing Trust and Security The integrity of elections is paramount in a thriving democracy. However, traditional voting systems can be vulnerable to fraud, rigging, and technical difficulties. Blockchain's secure and transparent nature makes it a potential game-changer for voting systems around the world. Imagine a secure online voting platform built on blockchain technology. Voters could cast their ballots electronically, with the entire process recorded on a public ledger. This would ensure the immutability of votes and provide a verifiable audit system. Moreover, blockchain can eliminate the need for physical polling stations, potentially increasing voter turnout and making the voting process more accessible. Example: West Virginia's Pioneering Blockchain Voting Program West Virginia conducted the first-ever public blockchain voting pilot program in the United States in 2020. Although limited in scope, the program allowed overseas military personnel to cast their votes securely through blockchain technology. The program highlighted the potential of blockchain to enhance the security and accessibility of elections. Conclusion Blockchain technology is still in its early stages of development, but its disruptive potential is vast. As the technology advances with various use cases, we can expect to see even more far-reaching changes across various industries. The key to harnessing the power of blockchain lies in its ability to foster trust and transparency. By eliminating the need for intermediaries, streamlining processes, and empowering individuals with control over their data, blockchain promises to usher in a more efficient, secure, and inclusive future. Finally, it is crucial to develop robust regulations and ensure equitable access to this transformative technology. For some, blockchain technology is many things rolled into one, while for others, it is simply a complex, over-hyped technology that needs to be abstracted away into the background. Neither of these theses is totally wrong. Meanwhile, readers will be well advised to remember that when it comes to blockchain technology, there is only a thin line between reality and hype. This article focuses on the reality of blockchain as an emerging technology, a silent disruptor, and a potential catalyst for transformation in human society. Blockchain technology, often the subject of headlines due to its association with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, is quietly weaving its magic into a tapestry far more intricate than just digital coins. At its core, blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that offers a secure, transparent, and decentralized way of recording and tracking data. How is this unique set of features fundamentally changing the way we interact with information and conduct transactions across a diverse range of industries? Let’s find out! Financial Transformation: Cutting Out the Middleman The traditional financial system is built on a third-party custodial model, which allows financial institutions like banks to act as custodians of your money and other valuable assets. As third-party intermediaries, they manage your accounts, facilitate transactions, and provide financial services. While this system offers some advantages such as security and convenience, its setbacks include high transaction costs, limited control, and limited access. The emergence of blockchain technology has disrupted this model by facilitating peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions without the need for a central authority. Do you remember the last time you received money from a friend or relative who lives in another country? As you might be aware, this process typically involves an international wire transfer, a high transaction fee, and usually takes days to complete. Blockchain cuts out the middlemen by enabling peer-to-peer transactions on a blockchain network. The transaction is recorded on a public ledger, accessible to all participants, ensuring transparency and immutability. This eliminates the need for intermediaries, reduces costs significantly, and speeds up the entire process. In a 2022 report, Accenture found that RippleNet can potentially save financial institutions an average of 70% on cross-border payments. This not only benefits banks but also opens up financial services to unbanked populations who previously lacked access to traditional banking systems. Supply Chain: Tracking The Dots The supply chain industry continues to grapple with certain setbacks emanating from the movement of goods through complex and demanding logistics. In most cases, this process is fraught with errors, fraud, and inefficiency. Blockchain addresses this problem through a tamper-proof record of every step a product takes, from its origin to its final destination. Picture this: a coffee business seeking to ensure the sourcing of its coffee beans. Traditionally, authenticating the source could pose a significant challenge, leaving room for doubt and exploitation. Leveraging blockchain can help track the journey of this produce from the point of harvesting to the time of its processing, packaging, and transporting, with each process stored on a shared public ledger. Example: Tracking Diamonds Example: Tracking Diamonds The diamond industry, known to be historically opaque, has benefited from blockchain technology. Everledger, a diamond company, estimated that its platform has tracked more than 4 million diamonds throughout the supply chain leveraging blockchain technology. It does so by assigning each diamond a unique digital identity linked to its origin, characteristics, and ownership history, allowing consumers to verify the authenticity and ethical sourcing of their diamonds. Decentralized Video Streaming Decentralized Video Streaming (DVS) is a major disruptor in the traditional video streaming landscape. Let's explore this disruption using Replay as a case study. Traditional video streaming relies on centralized servers owned by companies like Netflix or Hulu. This model has its advantages, like content curation and ease of use. However, it also comes with drawbacks such as centralized control, censorship and geoblocking, and profit sharing. Traditionally, it is extremely difficult to ensure that the music is not pirated and the musician receives royalties whenever it is played. Leveraging blockchain, the musician can tokenize their album and create a unique digital token for each copy. These tokens can be tracked and monitored, ensuring the musician receives a fair compensation. Replay As a Case Study Replay is a decentralized video streaming platform that uses blockchain technology to address the challenges of video licensing and tracking in the current streaming landscape. It proposes a solution to ensure transparency and efficiency for all stakeholders, including creators, viewers, and partners. Creators can upload content and receive compensation for views. Viewers can earn rewards by watching content and engaging with the platform. Partners can leverage Replay's technology to distribute their content. Creators can upload content and receive compensation for views. Viewers can earn rewards by watching content and engaging with the platform. Partners can leverage Replay's technology to distribute their content. Rewarded.TV is the first streaming service built on Replay's technology. Identity Management: From Passwords to Portable Identities Blockchain has the capacity to revolutionize identity management by creating a secure, seamless, and portable digital identity. This digital identity would be stored on a blockchain network, accessible only by the user with a private key. It usually contains verifiable information about the individual, such as name, date of birth, and educational qualifications. Picture this: a world where you don't need to remember countless passwords or fill out lengthy forms every time you sign up for a new service. With blockchain-based digital identity, you could grant access to specific pieces of your information to different entities. This eliminates the need for centralized databases of personal information and reduces the risk of identity theft. Example: Estonia's Blockchain Identity System Example: Estonia's Blockchain Identity System Estonia, a small nation in Europe, has been experimenting with a blockchain-based digital identity system since 2016, making it a pioneer in this field. Estonian citizens can use their digital ID to access various government services, sign documents electronically, and even vote online. This system has been hailed for its security, convenience, and efficiency. The success of Estonia's program demonstrates the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize identity management on a global scale. By providing individuals with control over their data and streamlining verification processes, blockchain can usher in a new era of secure and user-centric identity management systems. Blockchain Voting: Enhancing Trust and Security The integrity of elections is paramount in a thriving democracy. However, traditional voting systems can be vulnerable to fraud, rigging, and technical difficulties. Blockchain's secure and transparent nature makes it a potential game-changer for voting systems around the world. Imagine a secure online voting platform built on blockchain technology. Voters could cast their ballots electronically, with the entire process recorded on a public ledger. This would ensure the immutability of votes and provide a verifiable audit system. Moreover, blockchain can eliminate the need for physical polling stations, potentially increasing voter turnout and making the voting process more accessible. Example: West Virginia's Pioneering Blockchain Voting Program Example: West Virginia's Pioneering Blockchain Voting Program West Virginia conducted the first-ever public blockchain voting pilot program in the United States in 2020. Although limited in scope, the program allowed overseas military personnel to cast their votes securely through blockchain technology. The program highlighted the potential of blockchain to enhance the security and accessibility of elections. Conclusion Blockchain technology is still in its early stages of development, but its disruptive potential is vast. As the technology advances with various use cases, we can expect to see even more far-reaching changes across various industries. The key to harnessing the power of blockchain lies in its ability to foster trust and transparency. By eliminating the need for intermediaries, streamlining processes, and empowering individuals with control over their data, blockchain promises to usher in a more efficient, secure, and inclusive future. Finally, it is crucial to develop robust regulations and ensure equitable access to this transformative technology.

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