Oops! You must provide an email address to create a Roar account When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see ...

'I’ve taken a different persona': The changing face of Cheika - and why Los Pumas needed him to 'evolve'

When Gary O'Neil first looked at this game on the schedule, he would have seen it coming and thought he had to go back and make sure he got a result. Knowing Gary as I do from when he was a player, he is very competitive,

'O'Neil returns with a much-different aura'

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are reportedly "divided" over the idea of returning to the UK. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been disagreeing over whether or not they should raise their two ...

Inside Meghan and Harry's five different homes as they struggle to settle in one area

Coleen Rooney recalled the moment her husband Wayne was arrested in 2017 and described the "sickening" ordeal at length, explaining that the former Manchester United footballer was a "different ...

Coleen Rooney says Wayne is a 'different person' when drunk and recalls 'sickening' arrest

Optical illusions are visual images that are created so that they can fool our brains. They are also called visual illusions and are often used as simple intelligence tests in pop culture.

Only the most attentive eyes can spot the different umbrella in the picture in 5 seconds!

As one of the few remaining triple-A credit-rated governments in the world, bonds and bills that the Singapore government issues are naturally highly sought after, particularly during a volatile and high-interest rate environment. There are a few different ...

Complete Guide To Understanding The Different Types Of Singapore Government Securities

Avengers: Endgame delivered some of the most iconic moments in cinematic history, with the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Infinity Saga seeing nearly all of its heroes emerge in ...

Avengers: Endgame Portals Scene Was Originally Completely Different (Exclusive)

My neighbor recently lamented that Halloween doesn’t seem as spooky or scary as it once was. As I pondered this thought, I realized that Halloween, a holiday that has endured many changes in its ...

Halloween still scary, but definitely different

Jordan Henderson was cheered by England fans on Tuesday after Gareth Southgate asked supporters to back the midfielder. Henderson came on in the 69th minute of England's crucial Euro 2024 ...

England fans listen to Gareth Southgate plea after very different Jordan Henderson response

Sky News contributor Kosha Gada says she thinks the Labor government will continue with its Voice agenda taking a “different shape or form”. Ms Gada said she doesn’t think the agenda has ...

‘Taking a different shape’: Labor will ‘continue’ with Voice agenda

DifferentAU

differentau

Differentially Private Data Science - What, Why And How?

Pretty Slow / Ugly Fast: How to Optimize your Code in 19 Different Ways

Before starting to seriously write about my role as a leader in the Software space, I thought I should right about the frequently used terminology around being a technical lead in the tech world. Below, I’ll delve in to the different levels and types of leadership that I’ve seen and that I will write about. Most job titles are open to interpretation and can mean different things in different companies, so I’ll try and just define them in the most common way as I’ve seen them. I won’t go In to leadership styles in post as that is a very different subject and requires an entire post series of it’s own at some point in the future. What is a leader? I bet you didn’t think I’d go this far back to basics, did you! leadernoun [ C ]leader noun [C] (CONTROLLING)
a person in control of a group, country, or situation: a religious leader“He’s a natural leader”.“She was elected as leader of the campaign group.“Oxford English Dictionary The Oxford English Dictionary defines a leader as: “a person in control of a group, country, or situation”. This is a very clinical definition devoid of nuance. When a definition of a leader uses the word “control” it is often (quite rightly) derided. There are many different camps when it comes to leadership, but I’ll just choose two for comparison here: Leading by strict direction and a singular vision. Essentially autocracy using authority.


Leading by example and using consensus. There’s essentially having people work with you or for you. I realise that there is a broad spectrum of types of leaders, so I definitely don’t want to define it down to just these two forms. I just want to highlight these two as they will become pertinent later in this post. I’m more of a fan of the Harvard Business Reviews definition of a leader: Leadership is the accomplishment of a goal through the direction of human assistants.
Harvard Business review So, a tech lead can either lead by authority or without or authority. Let’s take a look through some of the job titles and leadership roles in the Software Engineering space. Senior Software Engineer as a Tech Lead Whilst you can certainly be a leader as a Junior, generally the SSE is the earliest form of tech leadership. The SSE is probably the largest category of software engineer. When I started working in the industry, the general consensus was that when you’d hit five years of commercial experience, you could feel comfortable calling yourself a senior software engineer. In my current place of work, I think the definition is anyone with three years or more experience. You are a senior software engineer much longer in general than you would be a junior. Not all engineers want to rise through the corporate ladder beyond this as they like writing code. SSE is the highest population of workers in Software Engineering. Leadership without authority is essentially what you have to do as a senior software engineer. You infrequently would get a position of direct authority in this role where you would have reports, but in no way does that mean you can’t be a leader. Many of the people I picture as leaders during my years have been SSE’s. I listened to them and took instruction because they earned it. Leading without authority requires that you gain the respect from your peers. You colleagues needs to see you being extremely competent and leading by example. With these virtues being shown, leadership without authority is not only possible but tend to organically happen. Leadership here tends to come in the form of mentoring more junior (that could still mean other SSEs) colleagues in both product and technical term. An SSE may choose the framework or language for a particular service or piece of code and be able to get this through consensus without the power to tell, but with the power to convince people it’s the right thing to do. Scrum Master as a Tech Lead In order to stick to the topic of tech leadership, I’m going to talk about a scrum master here in the terms of an Engineer who remains technical but takes on scrum master duties, not a purely non technical scrum master. In some teams, a scrum master is a non directive leadership role whereby one is in charge of running the sprint ceremonies and ensuring your work tracking tool of choice is up to date. Other companies however see the role of scrum master as all of the above plus an element of people leadership. I’ve not known of scrum masters who have engineers directly report to them, but I certainly do know scrum masters who decide on what work goes to which person, has the authority to tell someone to stop working on a task if priorities change and chase people when their work may be late. Scrum Master is a leadership role when it’s allowed to be. Technical Lead as A Tech Lead A Technical Lead has to fall in the tech leadership list, the clue is very much in the name. A Tech Lead has ownership and authority of all things technical within a team. They choose which language to use, which frameworks to use, which patterns to follow, what the architecture will look like etc. Tech Leads seldom do people management, they are generally the career progression next step for SSEs. The leadership aspect here is pretty obvious, it’s leading the teams technical identity and agenda. Software Engineering Team Lead Here’s where things get fuzzy. I’m sure that there are many people who have fixed definitions of this role and the next role I’ll define (Software Engineering Manager), but to me they can mean different things in different organisations. I’m going to write here based on my experiences (which is all I will ever do). Without wishing to define the definition by restating the problem, a Software Engineering Team lead leads software engineering teams. Well done me. The reason this is quite hard to define, is that a SETL has to wear many hats and those hats can depend on the organisation in which they work. Some of the more common hats they may need to wear: Mentor


Technical Lead


Product


Business Analyst


Scrum Master


Communicator


Team Cheerleader


People management


Project Manager


Problem Solver As you can see, the list is long and varied. I’ve been a SETL in three different companies and the roles all looked totally different. The roles you have to play will depend on the size of the company and the ability for that company to have dedicated people to fulfil those roles i.e. Product, BA, PM etc. If I had to boil down the definition to one sentence it would be: A Software Engineering Team Lead does whatever is required to get the team to deliver the project. Software Engineering Manager Depending on the size of the organisation and the organisation itself, the roles of Team Leads Managers can overlap. For instance, in a smaller company, the Software Engineering Manager may also still write code. I’ve worked in a company where that was true. This SEM also was accountable for most of the other roles that I’ve listed above in the SETL section. In larger organisations however, there is a slightly bigger differentiator. Managers are usually more involved in the long term strategical vision for the team(s) that they run. Generally a team lead would report in to a Manager, so the manager would be a step removed from the actual code. Some companies only hire managers that were at some point In their careers engineers, others seem to worry less about the ability to write code and more about the ability to effectively integrate with the business plan and manage people. Some managers would have engineers directly reporting to them, sometime there’s a rung in the middle in the form of a team leader. Technical Manger This is where things get fuzzy for me. I’m going to define a TM as someone who could either run a team of software engineers, an infrastructure team or both. I’ve technically held this title, but it was the shortest role of my career as it involved procurement and other hardware related items which didn’t really interest me. What is my job title? I’ve held all of the above tech leadership titles throughout my career. My role at the moment is somewhere between a Software Engineering Team lead and a Software Engineer Manager. My companies somewhat conflates the two roles even though I myself do report to a Software Engineering Manager. The predominant reason for this post is to show that tech leadership can be displayed at all levels of an engineers career. Even if you are a life long SSE that has no interest in people management, you can be a leader. As a scrum master that may not have any direct reports, you can lead and direct the team. Leadership without authority can be attained at any level as long as you display the characteristics that draw others to trusting your instructions and decisions. As always, I’d love to get feedback on this post, so please contact me with any thoughts. Before starting to seriously write about my role as a leader in the Software space, I thought I should right about the frequently used terminology around being a technical lead in the tech world. Below, I’ll delve in to the different levels and types of leadership that I’ve seen and that I will write about. Most job titles are open to interpretation and can mean different things in different companies, so I’ll try and just define them in the most common way as I’ve seen them. I won’t go In to leadership styles in post as that is a very different subject and requires an entire post series of it’s own at some point in the future. What is a leader? I bet you didn’t think I’d go this far back to basics, did you! leadernoun [ C ] leader noun [C] (CONTROLLING) a person in control of a group, country, or situation: a religious leader“He’s a natural leader”.“She was elected as leader of the campaign group.“ Oxford English Dictionary leader noun [ C ] noun noun [ C ] leader noun [C] (CONTROLLING) noun a person in control of a group, country, or situation: a religious leader “ He’s a natural leader”. “ She was elected as leader of the campaign group. “ a religious leader He’s a natural leader”. She was elected as leader of the campaign group. of Oxford English Dictionary Oxford English Dictionary The Oxford English Dictionary defines a leader as: “a person in control of a group, country, or situation” . This is a very clinical definition devoid of nuance. When a definition of a leader uses the word “control” it is often (quite rightly) derided. There are many different camps when it comes to leadership, but I’ll just choose two for comparison here: “a person in control of a group, country, or situation” Leading by strict direction and a singular vision. Essentially autocracy using authority. Leading by example and using consensus. Leading by strict direction and a singular vision. Essentially autocracy using authority. Leading by strict direction and a singular vision. Essentially autocracy using authority. Leading by example and using consensus. Leading by example and using consensus. There’s essentially having people work with you or for you. I realise that there is a broad spectrum of types of leaders, so I definitely don’t want to define it down to just these two forms. I just want to highlight these two as they will become pertinent later in this post. I’m more of a fan of the Harvard Business Reviews definition of a leader: Harvard Business Reviews Leadership is the accomplishment of a goal through the direction of human assistants. Harvard Business review Leadership is the accomplishment of a goal through the direction of human assistants . Leadership is the accomplishment of a goal through the direction of human assistants Harvard Business review Harvard Business review So, a tech lead can either lead by authority or without or authority. Let’s take a look through some of the job titles and leadership roles in the Software Engineering space. Senior Software Engineer as a Tech Lead Whilst you can certainly be a leader as a Junior, generally the SSE is the earliest form of tech leadership. The SSE is probably the largest category of software engineer. When I started working in the industry, the general consensus was that when you’d hit five years of commercial experience, you could feel comfortable calling yourself a senior software engineer. In my current place of work, I think the definition is anyone with three years or more experience. You are a senior software engineer much longer in general than you would be a junior. Not all engineers want to rise through the corporate ladder beyond this as they like writing code. SSE is the highest population of workers in Software Engineering. Leadership without authority is essentially what you have to do as a senior software engineer. You infrequently would get a position of direct authority in this role where you would have reports, but in no way does that mean you can’t be a leader. Many of the people I picture as leaders during my years have been SSE’s. I listened to them and took instruction because they earned it. Leading without authority requires that you gain the respect from your peers. You colleagues needs to see you being extremely competent and leading by example. With these virtues being shown, leadership without authority is not only possible but tend to organically happen. Leadership here tends to come in the form of mentoring more junior (that could still mean other SSEs) colleagues in both product and technical term. An SSE may choose the framework or language for a particular service or piece of code and be able to get this through consensus without the power to tell, but with the power to convince people it’s the right thing to do. Scrum Master as a Tech Lead In order to stick to the topic of tech leadership, I’m going to talk about a scrum master here in the terms of an Engineer who remains technical but takes on scrum master duties, not a purely non technical scrum master. In some teams, a scrum master is a non directive leadership role whereby one is in charge of running the sprint ceremonies and ensuring your work tracking tool of choice is up to date. Other companies however see the role of scrum master as all of the above plus an element of people leadership. I’ve not known of scrum masters who have engineers directly report to them, but I certainly do know scrum masters who decide on what work goes to which person, has the authority to tell someone to stop working on a task if priorities change and chase people when their work may be late. Scrum Master is a leadership role when it’s allowed to be. Technical Lead as A Tech Lead A Technical Lead has to fall in the tech leadership list, the clue is very much in the name. A Tech Lead has ownership and authority of all things technical within a team. They choose which language to use, which frameworks to use, which patterns to follow, what the architecture will look like etc. Tech Leads seldom do people management, they are generally the career progression next step for SSEs. The leadership aspect here is pretty obvious, it’s leading the teams technical identity and agenda. Software Engineering Team Lead Here’s where things get fuzzy. I’m sure that there are many people who have fixed definitions of this role and the next role I’ll define (Software Engineering Manager), but to me they can mean different things in different organisations. I’m going to write here based on my experiences (which is all I will ever do). Without wishing to define the definition by restating the problem, a Software Engineering Team lead leads software engineering teams. Well done me. The reason this is quite hard to define, is that a SETL has to wear many hats and those hats can depend on the organisation in which they work. Some of the more common hats they may need to wear: Mentor Technical Lead Product Business Analyst Scrum Master Communicator Team Cheerleader People management Project Manager Problem Solver Mentor Mentor Technical Lead Technical Lead Product Product Business Analyst Business Analyst Scrum Master Scrum Master Communicator Communicator Team Cheerleader Team Cheerleader People management People management Project Manager Project Manager Problem Solver Problem Solver As you can see, the list is long and varied. I’ve been a SETL in three different companies and the roles all looked totally different. The roles you have to play will depend on the size of the company and the ability for that company to have dedicated people to fulfil those roles i.e. Product, BA, PM etc. If I had to boil down the definition to one sentence it would be: A Software Engineering Team Lead does whatever is required to get the team to deliver the project. A Software Engineering Team Lead does whatever is required to get the team to deliver the project. Software Engineering Manager Depending on the size of the organisation and the organisation itself, the roles of Team Leads Managers can overlap. For instance, in a smaller company, the Software Engineering Manager may also still write code. I’ve worked in a company where that was true. This SEM also was accountable for most of the other roles that I’ve listed above in the SETL section. In larger organisations however, there is a slightly bigger differentiator. Managers are usually more involved in the long term strategical vision for the team(s) that they run. Generally a team lead would report in to a Manager, so the manager would be a step removed from the actual code. Some companies only hire managers that were at some point In their careers engineers, others seem to worry less about the ability to write code and more about the ability to effectively integrate with the business plan and manage people. Some managers would have engineers directly reporting to them, sometime there’s a rung in the middle in the form of a team leader. Technical Manger This is where things get fuzzy for me. I’m going to define a TM as someone who could either run a team of software engineers, an infrastructure team or both. I’ve technically held this title, but it was the shortest role of my career as it involved procurement and other hardware related items which didn’t really interest me. What is my job title? I’ve held all of the above tech leadership titles throughout my career. My role at the moment is somewhere between a Software Engineering Team lead and a Software Engineer Manager. My companies somewhat conflates the two roles even though I myself do report to a Software Engineering Manager. The predominant reason for this post is to show that tech leadership can be displayed at all levels of an engineers career. Even if you are a life long SSE that has no interest in people management, you can be a leader. As a scrum master that may not have any direct reports, you can lead and direct the team. Leadership without authority can be attained at any level as long as you display the characteristics that draw others to trusting your instructions and decisions. As always, I’d love to get feedback on this post, so please contact me with any thoughts. contact me

The Different Levels of Tech Leadership in Software Engineering

Sometimes, transferring cryptocurrency funds or using certain applications could have a steep learning curve. That’s partly because there aren’t only one or three cryptocurrencies around these days, but thousands of them. Besides, it isn’t uncommon anymore to handle funds across several crypto platforms, using different coins. That’s why all crypto users need to know the difference between networks, tokens, and coins before sending or locking money into the wrong address. Another solid reason to try and use different platforms is for the involved fees. Using the same token in one network may be cheaper and faster than in another, so learning how to choose the most convenient option doesn’t hurt.  Let’s check how that works. Networks, Ledgers, or Chains Maybe the first thing that comes to your mind when trading cryptocurrencies is that you’re using X currency (namely BTC, ETH, GBYTE, etc.), and that’s it. But actually, that’s not it. There’s a layer beneath what you can see: the infrastructure in which that coin, token, or contract inhabit and whose rules that transaction can’t but obey. That’s the network, distributed ledger, or chain involved. A crypto network, distributed ledger, or chain refers to a decentralized system that securely records transactions across multiple computers and has its own set of rules and features. The terms aren’t equivalent in all contexts, but for final users, they all describe the same underlying technology. The fundamental layer, or the system (rules and fees included) you’re using to transact, and that’s different from the coin you selected. Let’s use an example here with the stablecoin USD Coin (USDC). Originally, this was a token that worked on Ethereum only (the network, not the ETH coin), but nowit’s available in at least 16 more chains, including Avalanche, Celo, Flow, Polygon, and Obyte. Each one of these networks has its own version of USDC with its own address type. This occurs because USDC aims to be interoperable instead of working on just one network, and ledgers don’t natively connect with each other. Besides, trading USDC on Ethereum is different from trading USDC on Obyte, for instance. Same token, but different networks, which implies different rules and costs. Ethereum average transaction fee (for ETH and all tokens) is currently at around $3.4. On the other hand, a transaction on Obyte often costs $0.00001. Therefore, in that case, trading USDC on Obyte would be cheaper than on Ethereum. Because again, same token, but different ledgers. Tokens vs. Native Coins The main distinction between these two types of coins is simple enough. Native coins, like ETH or GBYTE, are necessary for the respective network’s (Ethereum or Obyte) operation, while tokens are not. Native coins depend on the network and the network depends on them too, while for tokens, like the aforementioned USDC, the dependence is one-sided: they depend on the network, but not the other way around. Usability is another factor. So, for instance, on Ethereum and similar networks, sending a native coin to a contract immediately triggers contract execution. However, to achieve the same effect with tokens, users first have to approve the contract to spend their tokens, then call the contract. That's two steps — a bit complicated. On the contrary, in Obyte, sending both native coins and tokens to an Autonomous Agent (AA) triggers its execution. Always one step and the same flow for both native coins and tokens. This is an exception among networks and not the rule, though. Other than the mentioned differences, ‘native coins’ and ‘tokens’ can be identical things: coins built with cryptography within a distributed network. However, how a certain asset is perceived in the crypto world could be important for its value and trading methods. Tokens, like stablecoins, are considered the same across different networks because they represent the same underlying value or asset, no matter where they are issued. For instance, a stablecoin like USDC on Ethereum and USDC on TRON both represent the same thing: a token backed by the U.S. dollar with the same price and purpose. These tokens are created following specific standards, which makes them function similarly across different networks, even though they exist in separate environments. Native coins, like ETH on Ethereum or BTC on Bitcoin, are deeply tied to their respective chains, and their functionality is specific to that network. Its value also comes from that network and its features, and not from an external asset or platform. When these native coins are used on a different network, they become "wrapped" versions (like Wrapped ETH or Wrapped BTC). This means the original coin is locked in a contract, and a tokenized version is created on another network. Wrapped tokens act as placeholders, but they aren’t the actual native asset—they’re representations of them. That’s why they’re treated differently, and traded separately on exchanges. Non-native tokens can also be wrapped to port them into different networks, but they’re often still treated and traded as the same thing, as we mentioned before. Cross-chain Bridges These are handy tools that allow users to transfer assets and data between different crypto networks. They work by locking assets on one chain and minting equivalent assets on another, enabling users to interact with multiple ecosystems seamlessly. This way you could, for instance, exchange USDC on the Ethereum network for the same amount on the Obyte network. We have the Counterstake Bridge for that. In any case, if you’re using a token, remember to pick the network wisely. Fees and features will change accordingly. If you’re using a native coin, you may be already on their network, or explicitly using a wrapped version of it –and its ticker may give you a good clue (WBTC, for example). There are numerous multi-chain wallets, such as MetaMask, that will allow you to handle a diverse portfolio. Featured Vector Image by Freepik Sometimes, transferring cryptocurrency funds or using certain applications could have a steep learning curve. That’s partly because there aren’t only one or three cryptocurrencies around these days, but thousands of them. Besides, it isn’t uncommon anymore to handle funds across several crypto platforms, using different coins. That’s why all crypto users need to know the difference between networks, tokens, and coins before sending or locking money into the wrong address. Another solid reason to try and use different platforms is for the involved fees. Using the same token in one network may be cheaper and faster than in another, so learning how to choose the most convenient option doesn’t hurt.  Let’s check how that works. Networks, Ledgers, or Chains Maybe the first thing that comes to your mind when trading cryptocurrencies is that you’re using X currency (namely BTC, ETH, GBYTE, etc.), and that’s it. But actually, that’s not it. There’s a layer beneath what you can see: the infrastructure in which that coin, token, or contract inhabit and whose rules that transaction can’t but obey. That’s the network, distributed ledger, or chain involved. A crypto network, distributed ledger, or chain refers to a decentralized system that securely records transactions across multiple computers and has its own set of rules and features. The terms aren’t equivalent in all contexts, but for final users, they all describe the same underlying technology. The fundamental layer, or the system (rules and fees included) you’re using to transact, and that’s different from the coin you selected. A crypto network, distributed ledger, or chain refers to a decentralized system that securely records transactions across multiple computers and has its own set of rules and features. Let’s use an example here with the stablecoin USD Coin (USDC). Originally, this was a token that worked on Ethereum only (the network, not the ETH coin), but now it’s available in at least 16 more chains, including Avalanche, Celo, Flow, Polygon, and Obyte . Each one of these networks has its own version of USDC with its own address type. This occurs because USDC aims to be interoperable instead of working on just one network, and ledgers don’t natively connect with each other. it’s available it’s available Obyte Obyte Besides, trading USDC on Ethereum is different from trading USDC on Obyte, for instance. Same token, but different networks, which implies different rules and costs. Ethereum average transaction fee (for ETH and all tokens) is currently at around $3.4. On the other hand, a transaction on Obyte often costs $0.00001. Therefore, in that case, trading USDC on Obyte would be cheaper than on Ethereum. Because again, same token, but different ledgers. is currently is currently Tokens vs. Native Coins The main distinction between these two types of coins is simple enough . Native coins, like ETH or GBYTE, are necessary for the respective network’s (Ethereum or Obyte) operation, while tokens are not. Native coins depend on the network and the network depends on them too, while for tokens, like the aforementioned USDC, the dependence is one-sided: they depend on the network, but not the other way around. simple enough simple enough Native coins, like ETH or GBYTE, are necessary for the respective network’s (Ethereum or Obyte) operation, while tokens are not. Usability is another factor. So, for instance, on Ethereum and similar networks, sending a native coin to a contract immediately triggers contract execution. However, to achieve the same effect with tokens, users first have to approve the contract to spend their tokens, then call the contract. That's two steps — a bit complicated. On the contrary, in Obyte , sending both native coins and tokens to an Autonomous Agent (AA) triggers its execution. Always one step and the same flow for both native coins and tokens. This is an exception among networks and not the rule, though. in Obyte Other than the mentioned differences, ‘native coins’ and ‘tokens’ can be identical things: coins built with cryptography within a distributed network. However, how a certain asset is perceived in the crypto world could be important for its value and trading methods. Tokens, like stablecoins, are considered the same across different networks because they represent the same underlying value or asset, no matter where they are issued. For instance, a stablecoin like USDC on Ethereum and USDC on TRON both represent the same thing: a token backed by the U.S. dollar with the same price and purpose. These tokens are created following specific standards, which makes them function similarly across different networks, even though they exist in separate environments. Tokens, like stablecoins, are considered the same across different networks because they represent the same underlying value or asset, no matter where they are issued. Native coins, like ETH on Ethereum or BTC on Bitcoin, are deeply tied to their respective chains, and their functionality is specific to that network. Its value also comes from that network and its features, and not from an external asset or platform. When these native coins are used on a different network, they become "wrapped" versions (like Wrapped ETH or Wrapped BTC). This means the original coin is locked in a contract, and a tokenized version is created on another network. Wrapped tokens act as placeholders, but they aren’t the actual native asset—they’re representations of them. That’s why they’re treated differently, and traded separately on exchanges. Non-native tokens can also be wrapped to port them into different networks, but they’re often still treated and traded as the same thing, as we mentioned before. Cross-chain Bridges These are handy tools that allow users to transfer assets and data between different crypto networks. They work by locking assets on one chain and minting equivalent assets on another, enabling users to interact with multiple ecosystems seamlessly. This way you could, for instance, exchange USDC on the Ethereum network for the same amount on the Obyte network. We have the Counterstake Bridge for that. They work by locking assets on one chain and minting equivalent assets on another, enabling users to interact with multiple ecosystems seamlessly. Counterstake Bridge Counterstake Bridge In any case, if you’re using a token, remember to pick the network wisely. Fees and features will change accordingly. If you’re using a native coin, you may be already on their network, or explicitly using a wrapped version of it –and its ticker may give you a good clue (WBTC, for example). There are numerous multi-chain wallets, such as MetaMask, that will allow you to handle a diverse portfolio. Featured Vector Image by Freepik Featured Vector Image by Freepik Freepik Freepik

Educational Byte: Using Coins and Tokens in Different Crypto Networks

Навучальны байт: выкарыстанне манет і токенаў у розных крыптасетках

Vzdělávací bajt: Používání mincí a tokenů v různých krypto sítích

Byte educativo: uso de monedas y tokens en diferentes redes criptográficas

Byte éducatif : Utilisation des pièces et des jetons dans différents réseaux cryptographiques

Byte educativo: Usando moedas e fichas en diferentes redes criptográficas

教育バイト: さまざまな暗号ネットワークでのコインとトークンの使用

Боловсролын байт: Төрөл бүрийн крипто сүлжээнд зоос ба жетон ашиглах

शैक्षिक बाइट: विभिन्न क्रिप्टो नेटवर्कहरूमा सिक्का र टोकनहरू प्रयोग गर्दै

Байти таълимӣ: Истифодаи тангаҳо ва токенҳо дар шабакаҳои гуногуни крипто

Навчальний байт: використання монет і токенів у різних криптомережах

تعلیمی بائٹ: مختلف کرپٹو نیٹ ورکس میں سکے اور ٹوکن کا استعمال

Ta'lim bayti: turli kripto tarmoqlarida tangalar va tokenlardan foydalanish

The Generative AI industry has exploded, thanks to no small part to the release of ChatGPT in the fall of 2022, which took the world by storm. There has been a lot of hand-wrangling on the importance of model safety and data security, with the possibility of further AI regulations. As per IBM, around 70% of their survey respondents say that innovation is more important than security, which contrasts with 82% of the respondents accepting that security in AI is essential to their business. Unsurprisingly, only 24% of the projects polled in the IBM survey have components meant to secure the initiative. Security is not an add-on to thoroughly flushed-out Generative AI infrastructure. It should be weaved in and through the entire infrastructure rather than slapped on top of it to pass regulations and compliance. The immense power of Generative AI brings with it vast responsibilities. This article aims to convince readers of the importance of security in AI and provide them with the knowledge and talking points to become security champions in their organizations. Objective The objective of GenAI security should be to secure the entire infrastructure from end to end. As security champions, we must secure data ingestion infrastructure, ensuring data legitimacy, data manipulation operations, model deployment, and user interactions. For the last year, people have been complaining about the degrading quality of answers provided by ChatGPT, whereas OpenAI has refuted such claims. While it is true that the quality of responses can deteriorate over time, it is entirely possible that an internally deployed model can be modified in an unauthorized manner by bad actors. Such responses can be indistinguishable from the typical quality degradation we expect. It goes without saying that customer data, which consists of their prompt history and responses, should be considered critical data, and we need to examine any risks that might seriously compromise users' trust. While the conversations are between a human and a machine, the personal nature of such discussions should be treated just like human-to-human conversations and secured as such. Risks There is no limit to the kind of risks one has to deal with when working on GenAI infrastructure. While we are looking into the typical security best practices from traditional security paradigms, there are AI-specific steps we need to take to ensure that we achieve a reasonable security posture. Data Poisoning: We have heard the old adage of garbage-in-garbage-out. If malicious actors manage to introduce malicious data into the corpus, the responses might not be what we expect. Imagine your company analyzes data and signals intelligence for your customers. If the data was poisoned by modification, deletion, or addition, then the results are going to be far from accurate. In fact, properly crafted training data can lead to wrong responses from the AI model. Model Manipulation: While this sounds far-fetched, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has outlined how different types of cyberattacks manipulate the behavior of AI systems, focusing on evasion and privacy attacks. Model manipulation is closely tied to data poisoning; in practice, it’s hard to differentiate one from the other. Prompt Injection Attacks: This attack vector is unique to Generation AI and is not in traditional cybersecurity practices. While a lot of research has gone into understanding the reasoning pathway of the models, for all practical purposes, they do remain a black box. Attackers can bypass safety controls by specially crafting input prompts, which lead to unauthorized responses. These responses can contain confidential information or reveal some inner workings in the worst case. These attacks work because they exploit the very nature of Generative AI models, which deal with understanding natural languages. Supply Chain Attacks: Generative AI is nascent and involves integrating various software components, sometimes with little regard to security, to beat the competitors in the field of innovation. Each third-party library or component introduces another point of attack. Even malicious or modified data can fit under the umbrella of supply chain attacks. Refer to Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) LLM05: Supply Chain Vulnerabilities for more information. Approaches There isn’t a single way to handle security in the Generative AI space. Any attempts at creating a formal process run afoul of the dreaded checklist-based security compliance processes. At its core, security is not about processes and technology but a mindset and the culture that promotes it. Fundamentally, to secure Generative AI infrastructure, one needs a secure-by-design architecture. This might include, but is not limited to, access control, the least privilege model, encryption at rest and transit, and threat/anomaly detection systems. The architecture keeps evolving based on new research and changing business needs. Changes to architecture can increase the attack surface. To avoid this, there should be some form of operational review and annual security overview. One needs to have a culture where people are proactive about reviewing the changes and bold enough to discuss the possible threats. Supply chain threats are more complex to prevent, but digitally signing all components and pieces and validation before deployment can be a good start. A little more involved process may be using Software Bill of Materials tracking, which is recommended by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Conclusion The job of a CISO is becoming increasingly complex and involved. Apart from the increased DDoS attacks as reported by Cloudflare, which is 20% year-over-year, the addition of Generative AI to the broader organization infrastructure adds more moving parts to an already complex setup. While moving ahead with innovation and sidelining security might look tempting at first, it is equivalent to playing with fire. One wrong move can result in disastrous results, whether lost customer trust, personal data leak, or government-imposed penalties. An individual must be someone other than a CISO to push for a culture shift. Often, executives rely on people reporting to them to give them advice, which in turn is asked down the reporting chain. If Engineers or program Managers can make themselves security champions, they have a high chance of shining and access to opportunities for bigger responsibilities and a career boost. The future of Generative AI hinges on our ability and willingness to secure it. Organizations that recognize this fact and act proactively will be best positioned to thrive and overcome dangers and regulatory hurdles. The Generative AI industry has exploded, thanks to no small part to the release of ChatGPT in the fall of 2022, which took the world by storm. There has been a lot of hand-wrangling on the importance of model safety and data security, with the possibility of further AI regulations . further AI regulations further AI regulations As per IBM, around 70% of their survey respondents say that innovation is more important than security, which contrasts with 82% of the respondents accepting that security in AI is essential to their business. Unsurprisingly, only 24% of the projects polled in the IBM survey have components meant to secure the initiative. Security is not an add-on to thoroughly flushed-out Generative AI infrastructure. It should be weaved in and through the entire infrastructure rather than slapped on top of it to pass regulations and compliance. The immense power of Generative AI brings with it vast responsibilities. This article aims to convince readers of the importance of security in AI and provide them with the knowledge and talking points to become security champions in their organizations. Objective The objective of GenAI security should be to secure the entire infrastructure from end to end. As security champions, we must secure data ingestion infrastructure, ensuring data legitimacy, data manipulation operations, model deployment, and user interactions. For the last year, people have been complaining about the degrading quality of answers provided by ChatGPT , whereas OpenAI has refuted such claims. While it is true that the quality of responses can deteriorate over time , it is entirely possible that an internally deployed model can be modified in an unauthorized manner by bad actors. Such responses can be indistinguishable from the typical quality degradation we expect. degrading quality of answers provided by ChatGPT degrading quality of answers provided by ChatGPT quality of responses can deteriorate over time quality of responses can deteriorate over time It goes without saying that customer data, which consists of their prompt history and responses, should be considered critical data, and we need to examine any risks that might seriously compromise users' trust. While the conversations are between a human and a machine, the personal nature of such discussions should be treated just like human-to-human conversations and secured as such. Risks There is no limit to the kind of risks one has to deal with when working on GenAI infrastructure. While we are looking into the typical security best practices from traditional security paradigms, there are AI-specific steps we need to take to ensure that we achieve a reasonable security posture. Data Poisoning : We have heard the old adage of garbage-in-garbage-out. If malicious actors manage to introduce malicious data into the corpus, the responses might not be what we expect. Imagine your company analyzes data and signals intelligence for your customers. If the data was poisoned by modification, deletion, or addition, then the results are going to be far from accurate. In fact, properly crafted training data can lead to wrong responses from the AI model. Data Poisoning Model Manipulation : While this sounds far-fetched, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has outlined how different types of cyberattacks manipulate the behavior of AI systems , focusing on evasion and privacy attacks. Model manipulation is closely tied to data poisoning; in practice, it’s hard to differentiate one from the other. Model Manipulation different types of cyberattacks manipulate the behavior of AI systems different types of cyberattacks manipulate the behavior of AI systems Prompt Injection Attacks : This attack vector is unique to Generation AI and is not in traditional cybersecurity practices. While a lot of research has gone into understanding the reasoning pathway of the models, for all practical purposes, they do remain a black box. Attackers can bypass safety controls by specially crafting input prompts , which lead to unauthorized responses. Prompt Injection Attacks specially crafting input prompts specially crafting input prompts These responses can contain confidential information or reveal some inner workings in the worst case. These attacks work because they exploit the very nature of Generative AI models, which deal with understanding natural languages. Supply Chain Attacks : Generative AI is nascent and involves integrating various software components, sometimes with little regard to security, to beat the competitors in the field of innovation. Each third-party library or component introduces another point of attack. Supply Chain Attacks Even malicious or modified data can fit under the umbrella of supply chain attacks. Refer to Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) LLM05: Supply Chain Vulnerabilities for more information. Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) LLM05: Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) LLM05: Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Approaches There isn’t a single way to handle security in the Generative AI space. Any attempts at creating a formal process run afoul of the dreaded checklist-based security compliance processes. At its core, security is not about processes and technology but a mindset and the culture that promotes it. Fundamentally, to secure Generative AI infrastructure, one needs a secure-by-design architecture. This might include, but is not limited to, access control, the least privilege model, encryption at rest and transit, and threat/anomaly detection systems. The architecture keeps evolving based on new research and changing business needs. Changes to architecture can increase the attack surface. To avoid this, there should be some form of operational review and annual security overview. One needs to have a culture where people are proactive about reviewing the changes and bold enough to discuss the possible threats. Supply chain threats are more complex to prevent, but digitally signing all components and pieces and validation before deployment can be a good start. A little more involved process may be using Software Bill of Materials tracking, which is recommended by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommended by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommended by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Conclusion The job of a CISO is becoming increasingly complex and involved. Apart from the increased DDoS attacks as reported by Cloudflare , which is 20% year-over-year, the addition of Generative AI to the broader organization infrastructure adds more moving parts to an already complex setup. While moving ahead with innovation and sidelining security might look tempting at first, it is equivalent to playing with fire. One wrong move can result in disastrous results, whether lost customer trust, personal data leak, or government-imposed penalties. reported by Cloudflare reported by Cloudflare An individual must be someone other than a CISO to push for a culture shift. Often, executives rely on people reporting to them to give them advice, which in turn is asked down the reporting chain. If Engineers or program Managers can make themselves security champions, they have a high chance of shining and access to opportunities for bigger responsibilities and a career boost. The future of Generative AI hinges on our ability and willingness to secure it. Organizations that recognize this fact and act proactively will be best positioned to thrive and overcome dangers and regulatory hurdles.

Security in Generative AI Infrastructure Is of Critical Importance

In a world where decentralized finance and digital nomadism are redesigning ways of life, "crypto nomads" could well be the newest breed that depends on blockchain and digital cryptocurrency to live and work in any part of the world. These pioneering spirits are part of fully decentralized structures, working on projects across borders without barriers, and again defining financial freedom. Who Are Crypto Nomads? Crypto nomads, a term derived from the combination of cryptocurrency enthusiasts and digital nomads, are individuals who work remotely but are financially supported by crypto assets, DeFi investments, or blockchain-based income. Crypto nomads work remotely, but for them, cryptocurrency and blockchain are the backbones of their professional and financial activities. Most of the time, one will be dealing in professions related to blockchain development, cryptocurrency trading, consultancy, and even project management by utilizing digital assets and DeFi. Besides traditional digital nomads who work remotely though bound through centralized financial systems, crypto nomads depend on decentralized systems through which they manage finances and pursue opportunities anywhere with ease in the world. Key Features of Crypto Nomadism Include: Borderless Work: This gives them, in turn, the evasion of national border or financial regulations, making global transactions and collaborations seemingly so much easier. Financial Independence: They are confident above all in cryptocurrencies, sidestepping banks, and systems of traditional money transfer. This decreases fees and simultaneously simplifies international payments. Decentralized Communities: Crypto nomads unite through DAOs, which is a way for them to work on projects flexibly and co-creatively. The growing significance of DAOs is that they are often touted as the future of work. Co-creation Within The Crypto Nomad Lifestyle Co-creation is integral to the crypto-nomad community. Co-creation, in a nutshell, is a process of collaboration and innovation by people or organizations through decentralized networks and DAOs rather than business hierarchies. In the crypto space, this means shared ownership and community-driven project development. One quintessential example is the DAOs, which allow participants to make collective decisions, contribute to skill-based decisions, and get rewarded via governance tokens. Key Benefits of Co-creation For Crypto Nomads: Collaborative Innovation: Participating in DAOs would mean crypto nomads are able to work on blockchain projects without any central body, hence facilitating cross-border innovation. Financial Inclusion: Through the use of the blockchain, they get involved in low-cost peer-to-peer transactions, hence getting involved with projects around the world and reducing their dependence on conventional systems of finance. How Crypto Nomads Are Redefining Work And Income. The crypto nomad lifestyle seeks to reshape work and income by leveraging decentralized systems outside of the traditional models of work and employment. By this, professionals are allowed to work across borders, manage finances independently, and take up project-based jobs through DAOs. Unlike conventional jobs, which are generally confined to specific geography and corporate hierarchies, crypto nomads have been able to enjoy flexibility and freedom in work. The newly redefined work structure includes: Cross-border transaction: It eliminates the need for wire transfers and currency conversion. It therefore makes international financial transactions easier. Investment and financial independence: Crypto nomads can lend, borrow, and invest directly in DeFi solutions without any intermediaries; thus, it allows full control over one's finances. Fluid involvement in projects within DAOs: The crypto-nomads are allowed to work on projects in the DAO on flexible terms and get paid with governance tokens that are reward-enabling, carrying the extra value of decision-making on the future of the project. Impact on Local Economies and Community Building Cryptonomads add value, both economically and socially, to the communities they belong to by building digital nomad communities in Bali, Lisbon, and Dubai. Finally, coworking spaces, a strong internet connection, and visa-friendly environments make these hubs a core of economic activities: their presence boosts local hospitality, tourism, and technology industries, opening new possibilities for local businesses and society in general. Local Effects of Crypto Nomadism: Local economic boost: Crypto nomads pay for local services, boosting hospitality and tourism, and driving tech entrepreneurship. Cultural Exchange and Innovation: Diverse ideas and skills moved forward by nomads enrich the cultures of residents and encourage innovation due to higher receptiveness to novelty. Some governments, like Estonia, go so far as to offer special visas for digital nomads with the goal of attracting them as a resource for local economic growth. The Role of Crypto Nomad Communities and DAOs in Global Collaboration Crypto nomads build a community based on shared interests, values, and blockchain-based interactions. In this line, DAOs have become powerful ways of belonging and mutual support since members of such organizations can contribute anytime and from any part of the world. As opposed to traditional concepts of community, crypto nomad groups represent the principles of inclusiveness, trust, and co-ownership, hence fostering collaboration across projects and countries. Other Benefits of These Communities Include: Equitable Collaboration: Blockchain's transparency and permissionless design create the grounds for trusting, peer-to-peer collaboration. Social Contribution: The majority of crypto nomads are purpose-driven individuals ecologically seeking opportunities for volunteering and community engagements in the destinations they travel to. Crypto Nomadism: Its Challenges and the Way Forward While a decentralized, borderless lifestyle is romantic, crypto nomadism faces difficulties regarding regulatory uncertainties, fluctuating crypto values, and the instability of decentralized economies. Other common challenges are navigating complicated rules for visas, accessing consistent healthcare, and finding reliable connections to the internet. The future trends entail: Regulatory Developments: Accompanying increased mainstream adoption of crypto is that governments might also begin to adopt friendlier policies towards crypto nomads. Improved Security, Speed, and Innovation in Blockchain Products: Advances in blockchain technology could make blockchain networks more resistant to hacking and faster and more advanced financial products developed on the blockchain. The development of decentralized finance could be stabilized by such a development and, therefore, support the growth of the crypto nomad lifestyle. Conclusion: Crypto nomads rethink notions of work, community, and financial freedom through blockchain and decentralized finance to operate without borders. They also collaborate on international projects through DAOs, enabling a co-creative culture to support shared ownership in furthering innovation and financial inclusion. Crypto nomads have contributed culturally and economically to the communities in which they set up hubs in Bali, Lisbon, and elsewhere. Indeed, this somewhat strange marriage between global collaboration and local impact is what makes this lifestyle so different from most other modern prototypes. In a world where decentralized finance and digital nomadism are redesigning ways of life, "crypto nomads" could well be the newest breed that depends on blockchain and digital cryptocurrency to live and work in any part of the world. These pioneering spirits are part of fully decentralized structures, working on projects across borders without barriers, and again defining financial freedom. Who Are Crypto Nomads? Crypto nomads, a term derived from the combination of cryptocurrency enthusiasts and digital nomads, are individuals who work remotely but are financially supported by crypto assets, DeFi investments, or blockchain-based income. Crypto nomads work remotely, but for them, cryptocurrency and blockchain are the backbones of their professional and financial activities. Most of the time, one will be dealing in professions related to blockchain development, cryptocurrency trading, consultancy, and even project management by utilizing digital assets and DeFi. Besides traditional digital nomads who work remotely though bound through centralized financial systems, crypto nomads depend on decentralized systems through which they manage finances and pursue opportunities anywhere with ease in the world. Key Features of Crypto Nomadism Include: Borderless Work: This gives them, in turn, the evasion of national border or financial regulations, making global transactions and collaborations seemingly so much easier. Borderless Work: Financial Independence: T hey are confident above all in cryptocurrencies, sidestepping banks, and systems of traditional money transfer. This decreases fees and simultaneously simplifies international payments. Financial Independence: T Decentralized Communities: Crypto nomads unite through DAOs, which is a way for them to work on projects flexibly and co-creatively. The growing significance of DAOs is that they are often touted as the future of work. Decentralized Communities: Co-creation Within The Crypto Nomad Lifestyle Co-creation is integral to the crypto-nomad community. Co-creation, in a nutshell, is a process of collaboration and innovation by people or organizations through decentralized networks and DAOs rather than business hierarchies. In the crypto space, this means shared ownership and community-driven project development. One quintessential example is the DAOs, which allow participants to make collective decisions, contribute to skill-based decisions, and get rewarded via governance tokens. Key Benefits of Co-creation For Crypto Nomads: Collaborative Innovation: Collaborative Innovation: Participating in DAOs would mean crypto nomads are able to work on blockchain projects without any central body, hence facilitating cross-border innovation. Financial Inclusion: Financial Inclusion: Through the use of the blockchain, they get involved in low-cost peer-to-peer transactions, hence getting involved with projects around the world and reducing their dependence on conventional systems of finance. How Crypto Nomads Are Redefining Work And Income. How Crypto Nomads Are Redefining Work And Income. The crypto nomad lifestyle seeks to reshape work and income by leveraging decentralized systems outside of the traditional models of work and employment. By this, professionals are allowed to work across borders, manage finances independently, and take up project-based jobs through DAOs. Unlike conventional jobs, which are generally confined to specific geography and corporate hierarchies, crypto nomads have been able to enjoy flexibility and freedom in work. The newly redefined work structure includes: Cross-border transaction: Cross-border transaction: It eliminates the need for wire transfers and currency conversion. It therefore makes international financial transactions easier. Investment and financial independence: Investment and financial independence: Crypto nomads can lend, borrow, and invest directly in DeFi solutions without any intermediaries; thus, it allows full control over one's finances. Fluid involvement in projects within DAOs: Fluid involvement in projects within DAOs: The crypto-nomads are allowed to work on projects in the DAO on flexible terms and get paid with governance tokens that are reward-enabling, carrying the extra value of decision-making on the future of the project. Impact on Local Economies and Community Building Cryptonomads add value, both economically and socially, to the communities they belong to by building digital nomad communities in Bali, Lisbon, and Dubai. Finally, coworking spaces, a strong internet connection, and visa-friendly environments make these hubs a core of economic activities: their presence boosts local hospitality, tourism, and technology industries, opening new possibilities for local businesses and society in general. Local Effects of Crypto Nomadism: Local economic boost: Local economic boost: Crypto nomads pay for local services, boosting hospitality and tourism, and driving tech entrepreneurship. Cultural Exchange and Innovation: Cultural Exchange and Innovation: Diverse ideas and skills moved forward by nomads enrich the cultures of residents and encourage innovation due to higher receptiveness to novelty. Some governments, like Estonia, go so far as to offer special visas for digital nomads with the goal of attracting them as a resource for local economic growth. The Role of Crypto Nomad Communities and DAOs in Global Collaboration Crypto nomads build a community based on shared interests, values, and blockchain-based interactions. In this line, DAOs have become powerful ways of belonging and mutual support since members of such organizations can contribute anytime and from any part of the world. As opposed to traditional concepts of community, crypto nomad groups represent the principles of inclusiveness, trust, and co-ownership, hence fostering collaboration across projects and countries. Other Benefits of These Communities Include: Equitable Collaboration: Equitable Collaboration: Blockchain's transparency and permissionless design create the grounds for trusting, peer-to-peer collaboration. Social Contribution: Social Contribution: The majority of crypto nomads are purpose-driven individuals ecologically seeking opportunities for volunteering and community engagements in the destinations they travel to. Crypto Nomadism: Its Challenges and the Way Forward While a decentralized, borderless lifestyle is romantic, crypto nomadism faces difficulties regarding regulatory uncertainties, fluctuating crypto values, and the instability of decentralized economies. Other common challenges are navigating complicated rules for visas, accessing consistent healthcare, and finding reliable connections to the internet. The future trends entail: The future trends entail: Regulatory Developments: Regulatory Developments: Accompanying increased mainstream adoption of crypto is that governments might also begin to adopt friendlier policies towards crypto nomads. Improved Security, Speed, and Innovation in Blockchain Products: Improved Security, Speed, and Innovation in Blockchain Products: Advances in blockchain technology could make blockchain networks more resistant to hacking and faster and more advanced financial products developed on the blockchain. The development of decentralized finance could be stabilized by such a development and, therefore, support the growth of the crypto nomad lifestyle. Conclusion: Crypto nomads rethink notions of work, community, and financial freedom through blockchain and decentralized finance to operate without borders. They also collaborate on international projects through DAOs, enabling a co-creative culture to support shared ownership in furthering innovation and financial inclusion. Crypto nomads have contributed culturally and economically to the communities in which they set up hubs in Bali, Lisbon, and elsewhere. Indeed, this somewhat strange marriage between global collaboration and local impact is what makes this lifestyle so different from most other modern prototypes.

Stories, News & Mentions about DIFFERENTAU

Differentau’s Stories on HackerNoon

Differentau's News & Mentions