In this city, the downturn was a non-event. Prices never went backwards. Since the pandemic boom started, they’ve only gone up.

How Adelaide became Australia’s unstoppable property market

Asia Web3 Alliance Japan (AWAJ) announces its official launch, welcoming a new era of Web3 innovation, collaboration, and investment. The new General Incorporation Association headquartered […]

Launch of Asia Web3 Alliance Japan to Drive Web3 Adoption Across the Globe, Announces New Board Members

As American-based tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon begin to chase the seemingly unstoppable tidal wave of generative AI, Chinese company Alibaba wants in on the action too. The e-commerce giant is reportedly readying to release its own large language model that will compete with Microsoft and Amazon.

Alibaba Soups Up Its AI to Stick It To Microsoft and Amazon

Markmonitor has developed relationships with the most prominent NFT domain providers and other Web3 security partners – such as BitGo and MetaMask Institutional (MMI) – to provide a broad range of NFT domain solutions catered to corporate brands and their needs in the Web3 space.

Markmonitor Launches Next-Generation Enterprise Web3 Solutions

Unstoppable is the largest Web3 domain provider, with 3.9 million registered domains, including .nft, .crypto, .wallet, .x, .zil, .dao, .bitcoin, .polygon, .888, .blockchain, and more. They are the only provider with the goal of simplifying all web3 functionality for domains in a simple one stop shop.

Unstoppable Domains getting into the .com namespace

Get your daily, bite-sized digest of cryptoasset and blockchain-related news – investigating the stories flying under the radar of today’s crypto news.

Today in Crypto: Unstoppable Domains Users Can Now Get ‘.com’ Addresses, Ledger Reveals 2nd Season of Metaverse Game

The number of electric cars will jump almost tenfold by the end of the decade as China continues to drive both production and adoption

Number of EVs to ‘jump tenfold’ by 2030, Cruise driverless cabs banned from San Francisco

South by Southwest Conference and Festivals on Tuesday unveiled its initial keynote and the second round of featured speakers for its 38th edition, taking place March 8-16, 2024 in Austin. The keynote and featured speakers include chair and CEO of AMD Lisa Su;

SXSW Sets Initial Keynote And Second Round Of Featured Speakers For 2024 Edition; Chuck D, Sanjay Gupta, Dylan Mulvaney On List

South by Southwest Conference and Festivals on Tuesday unveiled its initial keynote and the second round of featured speakers for its 38th edition, taking place March 8-16, 2024 in Austin.  The

South by Southwest Conference and Festivals announced its initial Keynote and the second round of Featured Speakers for the 38th edition of its annual Conference of technology, film, television, and music.

SXSW Announces Initial Keynote And Second Round Of Featured Speakers; Chair And CEO Of AMD Lisa Su Announced As Keynote Speaker

Unstoppable Domains

unstoppable-domains

Somnia, a blockchain solutions company, and Unstoppable Domains, a provider of blockchain-based domain names, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding digital identity options in the Web3 space. The collaboration, revealed on [insert date], centers on the introduction of the .Dream domain within Somnia's ecosystem. This partnership marks a significant development in the ongoing effort to streamline and secure online identities across decentralized platforms. By leveraging blockchain technology, the two companies seek to offer users a new way to establish and manage their digital presence across various applications, games, and metaverse environments. Features of .Dream Domains The .Dream domain is designed to offer several key features: Cross-Platform Username: The domain will function as a unique identifier across over 865 apps, games, and metaverses within the Unstoppable Domains ecosystem, with plans for integration into Somnia's platform.


Community Engagement: Domain owners will become part of a community of Web3 enthusiasts. The partnership introduces a badge system based on the number of .Dream domains owned, potentially offering access to exclusive community features.


Simplified Cryptocurrency Transactions: The domain aims to simplify blockchain transactions by replacing complex wallet addresses with human-readable names, supporting over 200 cryptocurrencies. Sandy Carter, COO of Unstoppable Domains, provided insight into the broader vision for the .Dream domain: "We're offering more than just a domain; we're providing a digital home for aspirations and big ideas." Carter also revealed plans to collaborate with Somnia on an application for the upcoming ICANN gTLD (generic Top-Level Domain) process, which could further expand the domain's capabilities and integration into the broader internet ecosystem. Availability and Pricing Following an initial giveaway of 1,200 free domains, .Dream domains will be available for purchase starting at $2. This pricing strategy appears aimed at encouraging widespread adoption within the Somnia community. Somnia describes itself as a high-throughput EVM Layer 1 blockchain with interoperability protocols. The company's goal is to unify various Web3 elements, including metaverses, gaming, NFTs, and social platforms, into what they term a "Virtual Society." Unstoppable Domains is known for its blockchain-based domain name services, which aim to simplify cryptocurrency transactions and digital identity management in the Web3 space. Looking Ahead As the Web3 landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this between infrastructure providers and identity services could play a crucial role in shaping user experiences and interactions in digital spaces. However, the success of such initiatives will likely depend on factors such as user adoption, technological integration, and the overall development of the Web3 ecosystem. Industry observers will be watching closely to see how this partnership unfolds and whether the .Dream domain can achieve significant traction in the competitive world of digital identity solutions. Don’t forget to like and share the story! Vested Interest Disclosure: This author is an independent contributor publishing via our business blogging program. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR Somnia , a blockchain solutions company, and Unstoppable Domains, a provider of blockchain-based domain names, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding digital identity options in the Web3 space. The collaboration, revealed on [insert date], centers on the introduction of the .Dream domain within Somnia's ecosystem. Somnia This partnership marks a significant development in the ongoing effort to streamline and secure online identities across decentralized platforms. By leveraging blockchain technology, the two companies seek to offer users a new way to establish and manage their digital presence across various applications, games, and metaverse environments. Features of .Dream Domains The .Dream domain is designed to offer several key features: Cross-Platform Username: The domain will function as a unique identifier across over 865 apps, games, and metaverses within the Unstoppable Domains ecosystem, with plans for integration into Somnia's platform. Community Engagement: Domain owners will become part of a community of Web3 enthusiasts. The partnership introduces a badge system based on the number of .Dream domains owned, potentially offering access to exclusive community features. Simplified Cryptocurrency Transactions: The domain aims to simplify blockchain transactions by replacing complex wallet addresses with human-readable names, supporting over 200 cryptocurrencies. Cross-Platform Username: The domain will function as a unique identifier across over 865 apps, games, and metaverses within the Unstoppable Domains ecosystem, with plans for integration into Somnia's platform. Cross-Platform Username : The domain will function as a unique identifier across over 865 apps, games, and metaverses within the Unstoppable Domains ecosystem, with plans for integration into Somnia's platform. Cross-Platform Username Community Engagement: Domain owners will become part of a community of Web3 enthusiasts. The partnership introduces a badge system based on the number of .Dream domains owned, potentially offering access to exclusive community features. Community Engagement : Domain owners will become part of a community of Web3 enthusiasts. The partnership introduces a badge system based on the number of .Dream domains owned, potentially offering access to exclusive community features. Community Engagement Simplified Cryptocurrency Transactions: The domain aims to simplify blockchain transactions by replacing complex wallet addresses with human-readable names, supporting over 200 cryptocurrencies. Simplified Cryptocurrency Transactions : The domain aims to simplify blockchain transactions by replacing complex wallet addresses with human-readable names, supporting over 200 cryptocurrencies. Simplified Cryptocurrency Transactions Sandy Carter, COO of Unstoppable Domains, provided insight into the broader vision for the .Dream domain: "We're offering more than just a domain; we're providing a digital home for aspirations and big ideas." Carter also revealed plans to collaborate with Somnia on an application for the upcoming ICANN gTLD (generic Top-Level Domain) process, which could further expand the domain's capabilities and integration into the broader internet ecosystem. Availability and Pricing Following an initial giveaway of 1,200 free domains, .Dream domains will be available for purchase starting at $2. This pricing strategy appears aimed at encouraging widespread adoption within the Somnia community. Somnia describes itself as a high-throughput EVM Layer 1 blockchain with interoperability protocols. The company's goal is to unify various Web3 elements, including metaverses, gaming, NFTs, and social platforms, into what they term a "Virtual Society." Unstoppable Domains is known for its blockchain-based domain name services, which aim to simplify cryptocurrency transactions and digital identity management in the Web3 space. Looking Ahead As the Web3 landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this between infrastructure providers and identity services could play a crucial role in shaping user experiences and interactions in digital spaces. However, the success of such initiatives will likely depend on factors such as user adoption, technological integration, and the overall development of the Web3 ecosystem. Industry observers will be watching closely to see how this partnership unfolds and whether the .Dream domain can achieve significant traction in the competitive world of digital identity solutions. Don’t forget to like and share the story! Vested Interest Disclosure: This author is an independent contributor publishing via our business blogging program. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR Vested Interest Disclosure: This author is an independent contributor publishing via our business blogging program . HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR Vested Interest Disclosure: business blogging program business blogging program

Somnia and Unstoppable Domains Launch .Dream: A New Era for Web3 Identity

Somnia və Dayanılmaz Domenlər işə salındı. Xəyal: Web3 Identity üçün Yeni Era

Somnia и Unstoppable Domains стартират .Dream: Нова ера за идентичността на Web3

Somnia i nezaustavljivi domeni lansiraju .Dream: Nova era za Web3 identitet

Somnia y Unstoppable Domains lanzan .Dream: una nueva era para la identidad Web3

Somnia i Unstoppable Domains lansiraju .Dream: Nova era za Web3 identitet

A Somnia and Unstoppable Domains elindítja a .Dream: A Web3 Identity új korszakát

סומניה ודומיינים בלתי ניתנים לעצירה משיקים את .Dream: עידן חדש עבור Web3 Identity

Somnia と Unstoppable Domains が .Dream を立ち上げ: Web3 アイデンティティの新時代

Somnia და შეუჩერებელი დომენების გაშვება. ოცნება: ახალი ერა Web3 იდენტობისთვის

सोम्निया र अनस्टप्पेबल डोमेन लन्च। सपना: Web3 पहिचानको लागि नयाँ युग

Se lansează Somnia și Unstoppable Domains .Dream: O nouă eră pentru identitatea Web3

Somnia та Unstoppable Domains запускають .Dream: нова ера для Web3 Identity

Opera will integrate Unstoppable Domains domain into their android version of their mobile browser, allowing users to create and access decentralized websites. ".crypto" Decentralized, blockchain based websites are coming to more than 232 million users through Opera web browser and their partnership with blockchain domain supplier Unstoppable Domains. Users will be able to view blockchain-based websites by typing .crypto domains into Opera Browser just like they would a .com domain. Opera’s integration is the first time a major web browser has supported a domain name that is not part of the traditional Domain Name System (DNS) that is managed by ICANN. This move signals a shift towards more decentralized systems and another step towards Web 3.0 through distributed domain name management and web hosting. Unlike traditional domains, blockchain domains are stored by the owner inside a special wallet, instead of being stored by a domain registrar company like GoDaddy. Decentralized website are stored and hosted using Peer to Peer (P2P) networks like IPFS instead of cloud services like Amazon Web Services (AWS). co-founder, Brad Kam, commented: Unstoppable Domains “We believe that tools like Ethereum and IPFS will create a better internet than what exists with DNS and ICANN. It’s just beginning, but this system could replace the old internet entirely. Our partnership with Opera means that users can now view a .crypto website just as easily as a .com website.” Opera’s integration with Unstoppable Domains is now live in Opera’s Android mobile app. The following products have already integrated Unstoppable Domains .crypto domain. myetherwallet.crypto (wallet) coinomi.crypto (wallet) kyber.crypto (dex) pomp.crypto (podcast) Currently this blockchain domain integration is only live on the Android version of the Opera browser. What is Opera Browser? Opera is a free, Chromium based web browser for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. The browser is notable for it's unique user interface and in 2019 they added for their iOS and Android browser apps. a built-in cryptocurrency wallet Opera browser is the 7th most popular web browser and since 2019 they have over According to Netmarketshare 232 million active monthly mobile users. If blockchain domains are integrated into their iOS and Desktop browsers, this will further increase the reach of decentralized websites. What is Unstoppable Domains? is an Ethereum Decentralized Application (DApp) and software company which sells blockchain domain names. Unstoppable Domains Blockchain domains can be used in the following ways: As a domain name for a decentralized website As a personalised wallet name for multiple cryptocurrencies, instead of long, hard to remember, alphanumeric digits. Unstoppable Domains are backed by venture capital firms Draper Associates and Boost VC who in their Series A funding round. invested $4 Million They have also received grants of $40,000 from The Zilliqa Foundation and $25,000 from The Ethereum Foundation to help towards building out their blockchain domain platform. To date, more than 200,000 blockchain domain names have been registered through Unstoppable Domains. Blockchain Domains - Wallets When you buy a blockchain domain you can use it instead as a wallet address instead of a long alphanumeric string of characters. Currently users can only buy .crypto and .zil domains and they can add multiple cryptocurrency addresses to their purchased domain. For example, if you purchased the domain "cool.crypto", you can add your Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC) and Zilliqa (ZIL) addresses to your blockchain domain. So anytime some wants to send you BTC or ETH for example, they just send it to your blockchain domain, cool.crypto and the cryptocurrency will be sent to it's corresponding address. This is more user friendly and convenient way than sending it to an address like 16ftSEQ4ctQFDtVZiUBusQUjRrGhM3JYwe. Imagine telling your friend to send you some Bitcoin during a train journey. I doubt anyone can pronounce a Bitcoin address so you would have to copy, paste and send the address to your friend and hope they carefully copy and paste the address too. With a blockchain domain you can just say, "I need some BTC, can you send it cool.crypto for me?". Whether your friend actually wants to send you some BTC or not, that's between the two of you. Blockchain Domains - Decentralized Websites When you buy a blockchain domain, your domain is stored in your own wallet. If you want to create a decentralized website you will need a decentralized storage network to store and serve your website files to visitors. The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is new alternative protocol to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http/https), as well as a peer-to-peer file storage network. “IPFS is a decentralized network where users make files available among each other. If a website uses IPFS, it is served by a 'swarm' of people, much like BitTorrent users do when a file is shared. The advantage of this system is that websites can become completely decentralized.” Since the IPFS network distributes your website files, there is no single entity who has the control to remove, change or take down your website. Decentralized file storage and serving combined with a decentralized blockchain domain is what makes blockchain websites free from censorship. To wrap it all up, the .crypto domain extension can be used both for cryptocurrency payments and decentralized websites. Final thoughts Opera and are taking the next steps towards a decentralized internet, with a blockchain domain that can receive cryptocurrency and act as a web address for decentralized websites. Unstoppable Domains The Opera Android browser will now give millions of users access to decentralized websites, it'll be interesting to see what the internet looks like in the next 10 years. If you want your own, decentralized .crypto domain name for your wallet or website, you can get yours from Unstoppable Domains. I hope you enjoyed this story, feel free to check out the useful resources below Download Brave Browser free and earn BAT for every ad notification You can buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, Chainlink/LINK, Litecoin, Cardano, NEO, BAT, IOTA, OmiseGo, EOS, TRON/TRX, Bitcoin Cash, Tezos, Monero, and many more from anywhere in Europe using . BitPanda You can buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP/Ripple, Litecoin, Ontology, ATOM, GAS, TRON/TRX, NEO, Stellar/XLM and more from anywhere in the world using CEX. You can also keep up with me on . Twitter

Unstoppable Domains: Opera Browser Integrates .Crypto Domain Extension for Android App #Zilliqa

It is no more news that decentralization is fast becoming the standard solution for several of the recurring issues plaguing various industries. That said, this concept is slowly finding its way into the cybersecurity scene. Several startups and established firms are introducing tools based on blockchain technologies that would give internet users autonomy over their data. While many companies are content with this, a handful has gone the extra mile to include censorship and geoblocking as part of the issues, which their solutions must eliminate. For these entities, internet freedom is nothing but a farce if centralized service providers remain at the helm of the internet food chain. Hence, they have opted for a less subtle approach to overhaul the current structures enabling the common ills relating to privacy, freedom, and security. In this guide, we will review three projects proposing a complete overhaul of centralized internet protocols or VPNs and introducing a decentralized infrastructure in its place. These projects are Tachyon, Unstoppable Domains, and Substratum. 1. Tachyon: The Brainchild of Two Technology-Savvy Companies is a collaborative project between two existing platforms. One is , the popular VPN service provider that boasts over 50 million users, while the other is , a blockchain solution offering developers a platform to launch their Dapps. Together, these two companies have analyzed the failings of the current VPN and internet architecture, and they have come up with an idea that could win the prize. Tachyon X-VPN V SYSTEMS What Is Tachyon Proposing? Tachyon believes that a complete overhaul of the internet protocol is due. Therefore, they intend to replace it with a new one that promises faster speed, reliable security, flexibility, and privacy. To this end, the startup has come up with an alternative protocol that will advertently bring about the right ecosystem to establish a decentralized VPN. Note that the existing TCP/IP internet protocol suite, widely used by VPN providers, comprises an internet layer, a transport layer, a data link layer, and an application layer. As for Tachyon’s protocol, it partly obeys the layering found in the TCP/IP, albeit with two or more tweaks that would give theirs more threat maneuvering capacity. Hence, there is the inclusion of a unique security protocol, Distribution Hash Table (DHT), cryptographic encryption, and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). All in all, Tachyon argues that their design would preserve users' privacy better than the unencrypted HTTP and shaky IP address format utilized in current internet architecture. Now that you have a little idea of what Tachyon is trying to achieve, it is important to note that it is but one of the many solutions utilizing blockchain technology to create a decentralized VPN or internet platform. The Underlying Technologies of Tachyon’s Protocol Tachyon Booster UDP (TBU) Tachyon claims that its TBU, the transport layer that implements blockchain technology, DHT, and UDP, is 200% to 1000% faster than conventional protocol suites. It enables a 90% connection rate on a weak network with 95% stability, regardless of how complex the network environment is. Tachyon Security Protocol This protocol offers ECDHE-ECDSA end-to-end encryption simulation to protect the personal data of users. To do this, it inputs random data to hide the content of messages from prying eyes. Similarly, this protocol executes some of blockchain’s security features, like the use of public and private keys for decrypting information. Tachyon Anti-Analysis This feature preserves the anonymity of users by introducing multi-path routing. This is another way of saying that a piece of information is segregated into different IP packets and then sent in multiple paths. It also implements multi-relay forwarding to circumvent man-in-the-middle attacks. Potential Problems Having perused the of Tachyon’s network, it is clear that the startup has done commendably well in infusing different security features for prospective users. However, I could not help but wonder how much technical prowess a project of such magnitude entails, and if Tachyon can rely only on the expertise of X-VPN and V SYSTEMS to succeed. Both are relatively new to their respective markets, and it will take a lot of ingenuity on their part to go toe to toe with established firms. functionalities There is also the issue regarding the nascent status of blockchain technology and the security frailties that it is currently susceptible to. Hackers can simply take control of a certain percentage of nodes to automatically gain the capacity to cripple its efficacy. Don’t forget that Tachyon’s choice to enter the data security conversation will inadvertently cause data regulators to scrutinize its legality. It would be interesting to see how the project handles the plethora of regulations popping up. Nonetheless, there is enough reason to believe that Tachyon will put up a good fight. Substratum: A Self-Governing Internet Similar to Tachyon, the idea powering the network stems from the need for a decentralized internet where users can benefit from internet freedom. As regards the issue of privacy and net neutrality, the team behind this novel project has introduced encryptions to eliminate the influence of internet service providers and governments. Likewise, instead of fully overhauling existing internet infrastructures, this network simply integrates the functionalities of blockchain into the existing ones. This approach should contribute to the ease-of-use and adoption of the Substratum ecosystem. Substratum Here, the network relies on a distributed node model for security and scalability. Each node serves as a routing point for content between the website’s host and the web users. As such, the architecture eliminates the need for VPN or Tor, when accessing content from websites hosted on Substratum. The Key Components of Substratum Substratum Host Substratum host allows users to deploy, run, and manage their website resources on the network. These resources include the domain name and databases. Website owners can pay for hosting as well, albeit in a more convenient and cost-efficient way. Owners pay nodes transmitting their contents to visitors through a pay per click format. Needless to say, this payment option beats the monthly subscription model, which centralized hosting platforms utilize. Substratum Nodes These entities serve as the link between website visitors and the hosts. In other words, nodes deliver the content of the website hosted on the network to users, and they get paid for it. To run a node, all you need to do is to own a mid-end CPU and RAM. Multi-Routing To guarantee security, the network has a function that splits the content of a message between multiple nodes. This feature will make it impossible for attackers to have full visibility of the data in transit, even after successfully taking control of one or two nodes. One-Click Software With this feature, it becomes easy to navigate the substratum network, as users do not have to acquire programming skills before accessing or utilizing the network AI-Enabled Router Substratum introduces an AI system to identify the closest nodes, through which content can reach web users faster. Custom-Developed Compression Technology Regarding the issue of latency, substratum implements a custom-developed technology to ease up congestion. SDK and API Substratum simplifies the process of deploying applications on its network by offering developers a Software development kit (SDK) and API. Possible Problems As novel as substratum’s solution looks, some believe that it is yet to meet the expectations that trailed its launch. However, it is yet unknown if the concerns raised were directed towards Substratum's token unimpressive price performance. Like Tachyon, the data storage capacity of the network makes it susceptible to regulatory scrutiny. Moreover, it is unclear if the platform has in place a system that will prevent the centralization of nodes. Implementing such a system is another way of ensuring that the platform is safe from attacks. Unstoppable Domains: The Blockchain-Based Domain Solution takes a different path to achieve internet freedom, security, and privacy. For this startup, the viable way to help users circumvent the drawbacks of today’s web is to provide a Domain Name System DNS on a blockchain ecosystem. As such, this will make it impossible for entities to block or censor such domains. Similarly, this project offers crypto holders readable names to serve as alternatives to cryptocurrency addresses. This feature mitigates the perceived difficulty that holders encounter as a result of the complex nature of crypto addresses. Unstoppable Domains Hence, users simply need to create a readable name, instead of trying to remember their address or using the less efficient QR code. Unstoppable Domain runs on the Zilliqa blockchain, therefore, its blockchain domain is .zil. For example, a user looking to adopt this technology can replace his or her address with a domain name like “Fastbender.zil”. All payments directed to this domain will automatically find its way to the appropriate wallet. More impressive is the fact that the domain names support cryptocurrencies apart from the Zilliqa coin. Combining the two functionalities of Unstoppable Domains makes it possible for users to host censorship-resistant websites. In other words, no third-party entity can block or restrict the activities of the sites. Features of Unstoppable Domains Unstoppable Domains implements many of blockchain technology’s functionalities in its internet solution. Private Keys First, there is a need for users to create a private key to manage and access their domains. To create one, a user needs to enter their strong password, which will trigger the generation of a key. This key ceases to exist on the browser’s memory as soon as the user’s session has ended. The development team has ensured that the private keys function on multiple blockchains. Therefore, users can use them to access their domains on various blockchains networks. Smart Escrow The smart escrow ensures that the user’s activities on the browser trigger the private key verification. Also, it looks to eliminate the consequences of losing one’s private key. As such, the smart escrow creates a backup key, which the user can use as a substitute whenever he or she misplaces the private key. Potential drawbacks Unstoppable Domains is a sound project. However, I couldn’t help but worry that the sale of premium domains, as the company is planning to do, might truncate the efficacy of the project. Also, the censorship-resistant status of the domains means that it is difficult to track and stop illegal activities like terrorism. The question is: Is there a mechanism in place that will monitor nefarious operations while upholding users’ privacy and security? Parting Thoughts The blockchain and WEB 3.0 space is beaming with projects dedicated to privacy and cybersecurity issues. For example, offers a P2P network where users can sell unused bandwidth. Then, there is , which promises internet freedom through a decentralized network based on layered VPN protocols. Or amazing WEB 3.0 social network , that is all about making users' dreams come true by creating a network where they can empower their aspirations. Privatix Mysterium Dreamr That said, the three mentioned in this article have proposed unconventional methods to utilize blockchain technology to decentralize the internet. While this is true for the three, the path each has chosen presents new opportunities as well as poses new questions regarding the efficacy of blockchain as a viable response to problems that come with surfing the net. Nonetheless, from what we have learned so far, it is safe to say that the blockchain space is making progress. Disclaimer: I do not have any vested interest in any of the mentioned projects.

Overview of 3 Web 3.0 Projects: Tachyon, Substratum, and Unstoppable Domains

I recently spoke with Sajjad Rehman, the VP of Revenue at . Sajjad has many years of experience building teams and businesses in Fintech, SoC, B2B SaaS, Gaming, Live Streaming, and now Web3. In our conversation, we discussed Web3’s security challenges, bridging the demand-supply gap for security expertise, and his advice for others building in the space right now. Immunefi Web3 Hello, Sajjad. Thanks for making the time to have this conversation. To start, can you please tell us a bit about yourself? Sure, of course. Thanks for having me. Can’t wait to dive deep into Web3 security, Immunefi, and more. I’m Sajjad Rehman, a design engineer turned venture builder and GTM leader. That’s how I like to see myself after 15+ years of building and managing 50+ teams across multiple industries, functions, and continents. I got an MS degree in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Cambridge. But to be honest, most of what I’ve learned came from working with industry leaders like Amazon, Twitch, Jagex, Unstoppable Domains, and now Immunefi. Joining Immunefi came at the back of some deep personal transformations, though, about which I’ve written on social media. It not only made me a better leader, but also increased my ability to contribute in the way of making Web3—the world’s digital future—more resilient and secure. So, yeah—that’s me. Given your work to make Web3 more secure for projects and end-users, can you shed some light on the current state of the industry? Web3 has a major security challenge to overcome. Let’s face it upfront so we can make choices to solve the issue. There’s no point in sugarcoating this fact. has been lost to 292+ , scams, and frauds in 2023 so far. More than $22.1 million of this amount was in October alone. The figures for September and July are even higher, crossing $340 million and $320 million, respectively. Over $1.4 billion Web3 hacks In October, specifically, 73.7% of the attacks were hacks, while 26.3% were frauds. And almost 100% of these attacks targeted DeFi protocols. Looking into these nuances is very important. They help us see the areas that need focus from a security perspective. It’s the best way for the industry to carve its way forward, as we are already witnessing with the increasing number of projects launching bug bounties and engaging whitehats on Immunefi. Overall, I’d say the focus is steadily shifting towards baking in security from the get-go, unlike the trends we saw during the last DeFi Summer. We’re becoming more sensible, as you’d expect from any industry that’s moving from hype obsession to maturity. Things are great overall, and I’m very bullish. . Now, coming to Immunefi, please tell us about the key problems you’re solving and how. I’d also love to hear about your latest innovation, Vaults Immunefi is positioned as a leading bug bounty platform. From that vantage point, the biggest problem we solve is that of persistent security through a project's lifecycle. That’s fairly obvious. But in my view, what is more important to note is how we approach this mammoth task. On the one hand, you have Web3 projects facing a limbo when it comes to finding security researchers who are in the know of the industry’s trends and also have a vast skill set. The challenge here is that most white hat hackers have a legacy mindset and aren’t 100% efficient in discovering Web3-native threats that are becoming increasingly complex by the day. On the other hand, there are highly skilled Web3-native security researchers who, before Immunefi, didn’t have a dedicated platform to discover projects that would properly value and reward their efforts. They also faced various issues with payment disbursal and reliability, besides the lack of incentives to hunt on emerging projects. So, in all, you can say we’re solving a classic demand-supply matching problem for the Web3 security landscape. And in doing so, we’ve built to improve our value proposition 10/20/30x. It’s basically a smart contract wallet that projects can use to pay security researchers directly without doing it manually for each report or payout. Vaults Vaults will unlock a cutting-edge Proof-of-Funds mechanism, making bug bounties on Immunefi faster, more transparent, and hassle-free. Last but not least, we solve for building white hat communities around new projects. When new projects launch with nuanced tech, they won’t have eyes on code at the outset. This is not an easy problem to solve. It involves not just creating the right incentives but disseminating education the right way to build an informed white hat community around a project’s code that protects it. The launch of our bounty-boosting product is the first step of many in that direction. How can someone check out Vaults if they want to? Also, given your focus on the sales and revenue side of things, how do you see the ecosystem panning out now that we are hopefully recovering from a year-long winter? Setting up your Vault is super easy. Any Ethereum-based project can do it in under 10 minutes. They can simply head over to our and get started. The best part: it’s totally free. sign-up page Okay, now for the revenues, I think the good times are coming back. They never really left, actually. The solid projects, with strong foundations and clear goals, continued to receive support from investors of all kinds, retail and institutional. Of course, there wasn’t all the pomp and show about it, as you’d expect in a bear market. With BTC breaching the $34K mark, the buzz of a bull market is returning. It’s a good sign, overall, since more money will start flowing into the industry and help projects scale their efforts. But to consider things with more nuance, one must realize that the industry has been recovering steadily since the past quarter or so, with the number of daily Unique Active Wallets (dUAWs) in Q3 2023. reaching 2.2 million Moreover, though it’s counterintuitive, a rise in the number of hacks or fraud attempts is actually a sign of a better revenue influx. One mustn’t undermine our adversaries, especially when it comes to seeking out opportunities to make profits. It’s an uncomfortable but necessary truth. So, from now on, if you see a rise in malicious activities in any industry, understand that more money is flowing into that space, which the attackers are chasing. Of course, you’ll do whatever it takes to win the race, which is why platforms like Immunefi and a prolific, driven community of security researchers exist. Before we conclude this discussion, what’s your best advice for projects and teams building in the Web3 space right now? I’d say two things. One, focus on building a strong foundation: robust security, genuine utility, rich UX, etc. These are the aspects that’ll ultimately float your boat, no matter if the markets are up or down. Your customers or community will choose you to get their problems solved. Disappoint them, and they’re gone forever. But even if your token’s price stays low for a few quarters, it can go right back up again. Two, be ready to play the long-term game. It’s not about surfing the short waves alone, even if you make tons of money in the process, especially if your goal is to build a future-proof business capable of making ripples and becoming a pioneer. Web3 is an emerging industry that needs leaders who set examples and build standards. Not inheritors of legacy wealth or influence but real, driven, action-oriented entities. Make sure you fit the bill if you want a chance to succeed and dominate your industry five to ten years down the line. And if you don’t, someone else will—it’s about time.

Setting Standards in Web3 Security: A Discussion with Immunefi’s VP of Revenue, Sajjad Rehman

NEAR its transformation into the Blockchain Operating System (BOS), a decentralized UI and frontend for crypto applications. It will give users a seamless experience exploring all the capabilities of web3 while giving developers an easy way to create new through Lego-like interfaces. announced dApps Instead of competing with other blockchains, Protocol is building a decentralized internet by leveraging the strengths of its native blockchain. These include low transaction fees, sharding, high throughput, and robust security. NEAR The BOS will support any blockchain network and Web2 backend, allowing users to switch between blockchains and applications in a breeze via a single-step onboarding process. This will improve user efficiency and convenience while eliminating pain points such as the need to create separate accounts for each activity. For instance, users will be able to make payments with the same wallet over different blockchains, use decentralized applications, and access any public or private network without leaving the platform. It’s like being able to use a universal remote to control all your media devices – instead of having to switch between a bunch of different remotes, you now have a single, simple-to-use remote that can control them all. The BOS will allow developers to use smart contracts and blockchain as a decentralized backend and frontend. It will also make their apps highly accessible and secure with high reliability due to its trustless nature. This is similar to the way that the industrial revolution unlocked the potential for productivity and growth. Through mass production and automation, it provided an efficient and quick way to make products. By dispensing with centralized infrastructure, the BOS is revolutionizing crypto application development, maintenance, and scaling. Here's how technology evolved to reach this point The Blockchain Operating System is based on the technology of rendering a frontend directly from smart contracts. Combining smart contract code with the frontend and blending the frontend and backend logic into one application was how the guys took this technology to the next level. Up to this point, NEAR Social, a social data protocol built on top of NEAR Protocol, has been the most prominent application of the technology. One of the biggest breakthroughs is that it’s now possible to run Ethereum Smart Contracts on the Blockchain Operating System. For example, you can take the source code of Lido and launch it with frontend and backend on Near Protocol. It's as simple as taking the source code, creating a component, forking it, and you're done. On top of the system, developers can build decentralized and composable frontends. In this way, they can add built-in features to different components and pieces with no separate hosting needed. As an example, they can develop components for , or for SocialFi, or they can combine both. DeFi In other words, developers have the ability to create custom dApps with a wide range of functionalities and complex chain interactions between dApps or smart contracts, all while streamlining the development process. The next step will be the development of plug-ins for existing browsers and perhaps even standalone browsers, à la Brave. Decentralized domain services like the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) and will be used instead of traditional domain name system (DNS) providers. The result will be a permissionless, decentralized internet. Unstoppable Domains The first entry point to blockchain-based decentralized internet The BOS is similar to Android and iOS in the sense that when they first came out, there were few apps available, but they had SDKs, app-writing guides, and a lot of room for new apps, so mobile development flourished, opening up an enormous market for mobile apps and games. Over time, this created a vast library of available apps, with unique features and capabilities, revolutionizing the ways we use our devices today. They were initially limited in functionality, but no one doubted they would become the future. In a similar vein, the BOS is on a trajectory to become a major platform for developers, creating a burgeoning marketplace and unlocking even more growth potential. The success of this system depends on how it is embraced by developers and the community that will sustain and grow it. What's more important is how users will adopt it. There is perhaps no greater concern as to why users might want to switch from web2 to web3. Utility-wise, web3 doesn't differ much from web2. There are basically the same products, but only the form is different. At the time when Android and iOS were nascent, they provided an entirely unique experience in terms of mobile access and internet use. For users, the Blockchain Operating System may not be as exciting as it is for developers. In other words, it is about end users embracing the crypto's ethos – whether the ability to own and control their data in the decentralized internet is worthwhile enough for them to give up some comfort until web3 matures. This is similar to switching from a horse and buggy to a car – the newfound sense of speed and possibilities is exciting, but it also requires a learning curve to utilize its full potential.

NEAR's Blockchain Operating System: A Beacon of Hope for a Democratic Digital Future?

Personal branding is essential for success in any field, and it's no different in the world of Web3. As more and more people enter the decentralized world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, building a strong personal brand can help you stand out from the crowd and achieve your goals. Many tech-savvy people in web3, blockchain and related fields want to build their personal brands to promote their businesses or to become more desired employees, especially during the bear market. The competition is too high! Also, if you’re just entering this field, you may want to become more popular and attractive to the community. My name is . I’m a Business Advisor, Brand Marketing & Communications Expert for web3 and blockchain products. In this article, I’ll advise you to earn a reputation in web3. Daria Volkova Useful tips for implementing in your personal branding Building a reputation in Web3 can take time and effort, but it's achievable. Usually, mastering a particular profession and forming the desired image for a personal brand takes six months to a year. Web3 technologies are still in the early stages of development and can be technically complex and difficult to use, particularly for non-technical users. You must be patient and persistent to build your brand in the web3 community. 1. First, you must about blockchain, decentralized finances, cryptocurrencies, AR, VR and metaverses, web3 gaming, and artificial intelligence. Follow industry news, read blogs, watch videos, and attend events to stay up-to-date. learn as much as possible Almost every day, I read Twitter and Linkedin news, connect with people on Discord, follow projects that impact the web3 community, watch shows like , listen to by a16z, read some articles on HackerNoon and Mirror, and much more. This industry is moving so fast! Sometimes I feel FOMO about this 😅 Bankless Web3 Podcast Of course, you don’t need to know all, but you have to be updated on the main things happening in web3. 2. Defining your niche is essential with so many new technologies and platforms emerging in Web3. What are your specific interests and skills? Are you an expert in a particular blockchain or cryptocurrency? By narrowing down your focus, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your area of expertise. It’s important to define your niche. For example, I’m focusing on talking about business aspects, marketing and communications in Web3. I’m experienced in this, and I can share valuable information. And you need to find your positioning. You don’t need to pretend to be someone you're not. Analyze your expertise and background to understand what you can give your audience. 3. After defining your niche, it’s crucial to You can create your own project and showcase it to the community. This can help you gain recognition and build a portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills and knowledge. contribute to community projects and create content. It can be a software product, podcast, art project in metaverse, educational program, and other valuable work and content. For example, I a YouTube channel - Daria’s Strategy - about business and marketing on Web3. run via blog posts or public speaking can help you establish yourself as a thought leader and gain recognition for your work. Social networks friendly to web3 projects are: 4. Sharing your knowledge Twitter Linkedin Discord Telegram Reddit Steemit Also, decentralized social networks on the blockchain are actively developing, for example: Mastodon Bluesky Social Amino CounterSocial Do you want to go further and make your personal brand stronger in Web3? If you want to go further and build a , you should find the following tips helpful: more advanced brand in web3 You can buy NFT or replace your own and . This will make you stand out from the crowd and highlight your interest and awareness of Web3. put it on your Twitter avatar Using blockchain technology, you can prove ownership of your content, including intellectual property such as artwork, music, or writing. So, It also can give an understanding of your awareness of the web3. you can create something and put it on the chain using the NFT format. One more use case of NFTs is to buy them to For example, the famous project Bored Ape Yacht Club works this way. You can purchase the membership if you have enough money and want to join the community. enter closed social clubs. If you’re ready to create your personal website, it would be better to Unstoppable Domains allow you to buy domains like crypto, blockchain, x, dao and others. It’s a simple but effective way to show your belonging to the web3 industry. have a Web3 domain. And last but not least, advice - you can A hoodie or t-shirt is a perfect item to put some branded images. It doesn't cost much, but it can make an impression. create branded merch with AR effect or a QR code to your NFT or CV for participating in events. Conclusion The simplest but most valuable advice I can give you - be authentic. Authenticity is more important than ever in a world where so much is automated. Be genuine and transparent with your audience; don't be afraid to share your personal experiences and insights. This will help you build trust and establish a loyal following. By implementing these tips, you can build a strong personal brand in Web3 today. Building a personal brand takes time and effort, so stay consistent and keep pushing forward. If you like this article, you can follow me on , Twitter or . LinkedIn YouTube

Personal Branding in the Age of Web3: Tips to Stay Ahead of the Curve

The world of NFTs may sound like its chock full of only overpriced digital art to some, but these crypto collectibles are changing the game in ways you wouldn’t believe. From social proof to virtual fashion and engaged communities, NFTs are revolutionizing the way we do business and creating unique and unforeseen business opportunities. If you need a basic introduction to NFTs, read . this In the next decade, most digital assets being traded peer-to-peer (or B2B) will be NFTs according to Kaufman @ Chainstack. So, let’s dive into the real-world businesses that are using NFTs to shake things up. Real-World Businesses Shaking Things Up With NFTs Social proof Have you seen someone sporting a or BoredApe jpeg as their profile pic on social media? Not only does it give them instant credibility, but it also shows that even during the crypto winter, these once-free, digital assets are trading for millions of dollars. If I am dealing with someone with a fake Punk image, it tells me a lot about that person too, and that’s probably someone I wouldn’t do business with. Cryptopunk Finance, Politics & Entertainment With tokens from ICOs over-flooding the market, even finance is betting big on the NFT game. Borrowers can use NFTs as collateral with and earn interest by staking and lending. Political campaigns ( ) and films ( ) have raised funds using NFTs. Conversation campaigns ( ) have taken this a step further bringing utility to the NFTs by allowing them to track the health of forests or as IMPT did by converting carbon credits into tradeable NFTs. Hip Hop artist sold NFTs to his fans that gave them rights to share in the royalty income from his music, creating a sense of loyalty and connection. NFTFi Datavault Calladita Gain Forest Nas As NFT tech use cases became clear, venture capital started flowing in. started in 2021 and has already invested in 57 NFT-related projects. Shima Capital Gaming Before NFTs, there really wasn’t a good way to prove ownership of digital assets. Now, NFTs offer a unique and tamper-proof way to do so. This made Gaming a whole lot cooler. In , players can trade in-game assets like a magical sword, an avatar, or a minion, as NFTs on the blockchain affording them true ownership as opposed to items in a game like Fortnite which can be turned off by the developer/studio. In the Metaverse, you can also show off your unique fashion sense in Decentraland and with NFT-powered $4,500 , virtual clothing, and tattoos, perhaps even on land that you bought from a broker, like Metaverse Properties, to start a museum or a club. Alien Worlds Sandbox Gucci handbags Marketplaces As NFTs grew in popularity, public marketplaces like sprung up to meet the needs of people wanting to trade them. Game-specific ones like Immutable opened up new ways for gamers to monetize their time and efforts by converting NFTs they earned in-game through months of grinding and playing, into cash or crypto. Opensea , an Australian startup, become a ~$3.5 billion business in 4 years by building an entire Gaming platform around NFTs and web3 gaming. Immutable So, what makes NFTs so valuable? First and foremost, NFTs offer a unique and tamper-proof way of verifying ownership and provenance of digital assets. With NFTs, you can ensure that your digital artwork, in-game item, collectible, or even real-world asset is one-of-a-kind and authentic. This opens up a world of possibilities for luxury goods sellers, artists, gamers, financiers, brokers, fitness coaches, and many others. Identification Since a single NFT can store all your in the form of tokens. This gives you the option to select only the data (tokens) that you want to share with a platform. For instance, a Gameswift ID is a Unique Gaming Profile with all their player’s gaming achievements, statistics, and assets (including other NFTs), regardless of the chain or the platform from which they originate. identity data Provenance NFTs can be used to track ownership history from origin proving not only that you currently own the object but also a history of owners right from the day it was produced (or tracked!). How much more valuable is a guitar that was owned by Taylor Swift when it can be verified on the blockchain rather than trust the claims of a dodgy dealer? This has applications for pharmaceuticals, antique cars, and seafood industries where end-to-end tracking of the goods through the and ownership history is essential information. The Californian car and boat registry now allows you to transfer ownership of cars via the Tezos platform. supply chain DMV Dynamic NFTs However, many items change over time, giving rise to dynamic NFTs (ERC-1155) which can update their metadata. So, for an airline’s loyalty program, when the members’ frequent flyer points change, the dNFT can be updated. has applied this to an electric vehicle by creating a dNFT, which has the ability to adapt in real-time in response to external data like mileage, oil, and engine health. ITM Governance In Web3, greedy corporations are out and DAOs (Decentralised Autonomous Organizations) are the way forward. innovation here is that they are the world’s first DAO where voting is done via NFTs. They believe that projects, where voting is determined by the quantity of token, are easily hijacked by speculators or bad actors. Mintable’s Besides, self-governance, self-custody is an important feature of Web3. provides Web3 Domains (like .com or .eth) launched as smart contracts on public blockchains. Web3 Domains are stored in a wallet by the owner, much like a cryptocurrency, and no third party like a government entity can take them away. Unstoppable Domains Communities An active, engaged community is the heart of Web3. turned around its NFT-hating members, including one of its own founders, and successfully monetized its loyal membership base. Its launch did not mention the word “NFT” and it onboarded 2.5 million users with crypto wallets (calling them vaults) and quickly overtook even Opensea in the total number of members. Members can be further incentivized by giving them access to clubs, exclusive content, or with perks like app that gives members entry into their Costa Rica plantation. Many businesses are sitting on a membership base that could be incentivized and monetized via the use of a good Tokenomics model. Reddit Starbucks’ Odyssey Support Services Of course, this is all too new and confusing, so companies like Tokenomics DAO have created an education platform & consulting service focused on finding unique ways to use a combination of a businesses’ existing revenue streams, NFTs, and tokens to incentivize & monetize their community. What’s in it for me? After seeing how others have created entire businesses around NFTs, the question is what business could you start up? While this depends on your core skills, here’s an idea: one of the most popular website-building companies is Wix.com. It has no NFT-related app that its customers could add to their website. 1 million website owners may be searching for an app to perhaps convert their products into NFTs that are easily convertible to/from currency/fiat/crypto. You could be the one to solve that problem for them. Conclusion NFT technology is more than just a trend. It’s a revolution in the way we think about digital assets and the potential they have to change the world. So, buckle up and get ready for a wild ride, because the NFT revolution is just getting started! Also published here.

How NFTs Fuel Innovative Businesses 

The traditional domain name system used by Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 is a hierarchical, centralized system that maps human-readable domain names, such as google.com, to IP addresses that are used to identify devices on the Internet. It has a number of drawbacks, including security, scalability, and privacy concerns. To get a domain, a user has to buy it from a registrar. But once purchased, the domain does not become its property: its lease must be renewed regularly and, if a dispute arises, the domain name can be blocked or even taken away by court order. It turns out that the whole Internet is controlled by several centralized organizations. For example, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ( ) alone has complete control over the process of granting permission for new extensions (.com, .net, .org, and others). ICANN The Era of Blockchain Domains Until recently it was only possible to get a domain name through accredited registrars (or their resellers), directly or indirectly under the authority of ICANN and the national registries. But a few years ago, decentralized blockchain-based domains emerged. A decentralized system has no central authority controlling the system, which means it is more secure and resilient to attack and disruption. The Web 3.0 domain system is based on blockchain technology, the same technology that underpins cryptocurrencies such as and . Bitcoin Ethereum The Web 3.0 domain system provides increased security. In the traditional DNS system, domain names and IP addresses are stored on centralized servers that can be vulnerable to hacking and other types of cyberattacks. In a decentralized system, domain name information is stored on a distributed network of nodes, making it much more difficult for a single attacker to compromise the system. Another advantage of a Web 3.0 domain system is increased scalability. In a decentralized system, anyone can register a domain name and add it to the network, making the process much faster and more efficient. Finally, the Web 3.0 domain system provides greater privacy for users. In the traditional DNS, information about domain names is often stored on central servers that can be accessed by governments, ISPs, and other organizations. In a decentralized system, domain name information is encrypted and stored on a distributed network of nodes, making access to this information much more difficult. The main differences between blockchain domains and regular domains A blockchain domain is more like a separate domain asset on a blockchain. The owner of this asset is fully responsible for accessing it - the same principle as blockchain wallets applies here - if he loses the private key to the domain, access is also lost; the owner of the blockchain domain has complete control over it and can manage it unilaterally. This effectively eliminates the possibility of external censorship and greatly increases security. Only the owner of the domain can delete it, block access to it, or change something about it; in a decentralized internet, there is no central management body - domains are stored in a public, decentralized registry Main types of blockchain domains HNS (Handshake domains) A coin system is used to register Handshake domains. Currently, Namecheap is the only domain registrar through which it is possible to register a domain in the Handshake system. More importantly, Handshake domains do not work through a web browser, which means that you will have to use a VPN, browser extension, or Handshake software to access Handshake websites. This is a serious limitation that certainly hinders the growth of Handshake domains. Handshake domains are currently suffering from limited access. At this point, they are more of a working demonstration model than a working tool. ENS (Ethereum domains) The concept of ENS is very similar to dynamic DNS, which maps website names to their IP addresses. ENS takes a similar approach, seeking to map a crypto-address to a website URL, making them easier to share and read. The Ethereum Name Service relies on two smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain: Resolver and the ENS registry. The latter is a database of all domain names, while the former resolves domain names, turning them into readable addresses. Unlike Handshake domains, several major browsers are capable of resolving ENS domains. Browsers such as Brave, Opera, Puma, and MetaMask Mobile are currently supported. Safari and Chrome are not yet supported. Unstoppable domains These domains can be bought, sold, or donated like traditional NFTs. In contrast to traditional domain names, there is a one-time cost to buy an Unstoppable domain, not every year. Functionally, Unstoppable domains can be used for address resolution, for sending and receiving cryptocurrency, and as a unique username. Finally The Web 3.0 domain system offers several significant improvements over the traditional DNS system. It offers improved security, enhanced scalability, and greater privacy for users, which will play a critical role in shaping the future of the Internet. The adoption of the Web 3.0 domain system is still in its early stages, but it is likely to become increasingly popular as the technology matures and more people become aware of its benefits. The listed blockchain domain name systems are likely to carve out a niche for themselves in the Web 3.0 era.

An Overview of Blockchain Domains and How They Differ From Conventional Domains

The world of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets, such as NFTs, has evolved significantly in the past few years. With asset diversity and high market volumes comes the need for more transparency, security, and usability of digital assets solutions. What excites me the most about this space is the ability of current market players to adapt to users’ feedback and regulatory rules promptly. One of my favorite technological advancements that cater to tech-savvy consumers is customizable wallet names, provided by services like and . Ethereum Name Service Unstoppable Domains Wallet name services Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is the most widely used domain name service for wallets with 2.17 million registered names. It integrates with a number of wallets and browsers, and allows users to register a “.ETH” address, or import their DNS names into ENS, for an annual fee. This integration is meant to streamline receiving cryptocurrencies, tokens, and NFTs into different wallets linked to a simple and easy-to-read address. Another such service is called Unstoppable Domains. Their users have full control and ownership over their domains through a one-time registration fee, without requiring any minting and renewal fees. Linking many services into one universal domain helps simplify the digital identity of Web3 users. Integration with KYC and AML I find it very valuable to integrate such name customization with Anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) checking, not only because it brings transparency and security, but also helps streamline compliance processes. Let’s take Unstoppable Domains as an example. Their team developed a KYC feature called Humanity Check, which essentially informs counterparties of the user’s identity verification, without revealing personal information. Going through this identity authentication results in a “Humanity Check verified” badge on their Unstoppable Domain profile. This feature is a huge enhancement for the KYC process and experience of Web3 users. Whilst this is certainly a firm movement towards better customer verification and more secure wallet management, there could be another extra step for catering to AML purposes. I would see wallet history and risk level check as the ultimate solution to incorporating transparency in customized wallet adoption. As a user, I would simply be able to provide my unique wallet address with a KYC-verification badge and allow my counterparties to utilize KYC solutions to verify that my wallet hasn’t been used for illicit purposes. This can help me build trust with my counterparties. Final thoughts I look forward to seeing more development in this unique area of Web3 adoption. A simple thing as a wallet address opens the door to a number of both, potential compliance issues, and KYC and AML process enhancements. The one thing I believe is right to keep doing is to watch this space closely, observe major changes, and promptly react to them.

How to Get Customized Wallet Names and Wallet Security

Earlier this year, investors warned startups to "prepare for the worst." Due to the global financial crisis, the looming recession, and the war in Ukraine, no one expected to see large rounds. And yet, startups continue to innovate and even manage to support their Ukrainian friends, who found themselves in the worst of the crisis. With support from the international community, Ukrainian-founded startups keep raising money, keep winning grants, and bring their ideas to all corners of the world. Among Ukraine supporters, there’s New York-based firm . It launched a $50 million fund to specifically support startups founded in Ukraine. Amazon Web Services has recently provided 52 Ukrainian startups with nearly $1 million worth of credits for using its cloud-computing services. More than 30 Ukraine-founded startups have received up to $75,000 from Google’s $5 million fund created in March to support Ukraine. ffVC The war was supposed to sever ties between Ukrainian entrepreneurs and the international startup community — many Ukrainians cannot even leave the country because of martial law. However, Ukrainian allies took care of this: they provide online consultations for Ukrainian techies and give free tickets to tech conferences to those who can travel abroad. Thanks to all this, dozens of startups with Ukrainian founders managed to raise funding and continue working on their Next Big Thing. Here’s my pick of 10 of them. Unstoppable Domains — $65 million Blockchain startup raised $65 million in a Series A round in July. The startup was valued at $1 billion. This round brought its external funding to a total of $72 million. Unstoppable Domains In total, 17 investors participated in the round led by Pantera Capital. Among them, there are Polygon, Rainfall Capital, Mayfield, Alchemy Ventures, and OKG Investments. Unstoppable Domains allows its users to register a crypto domain name on the Ethereum blockchain and turn them into NFTs. This gives the owners broader control and ownership and allows them to shorten their long crypto-wallet addresses. The startup has already registered over 2.5 million domains, generating over $80 million in sales. The most popular domains include .crypto, .nft, .wallet, and .bitcoin. The company employs 80 people and has offices in San Francisco and Kyiv. It was founded in 2018 by Matthew Gould, Braden Pezeshki, Bradley Kam, and Ukrainian . Bogdan Gusiev AirSlate — $51.5 million Workflow automation startup raised $51.5 million in a Series B round in June. The startup was valued at $1.25 billion. This round brought its external funding to a total of $181.5 million. AirSlate Chicago-based G Squared led the round with participation from UiPath Ventures. AirSlate provides its users with no-code tools for automating business processes, including PDF editing and e-signature workflow. The startup boasts more than 900,000 customers and 100 million users worldwide. Founded in 2008 and formerly named PDFfiller, AirSlate employs over 900 people. It has offices in Boston, Wroclaw and Kyiv. The company used to have an office in Saint Petersburg but, in July, it would be shutting it down. announced Its founders are and Ukrainian-born . Borya Shakhnovich Vadim Yasinovsky Preply — $50 million Tutoring platform raised $50 million in a Series C round in July, not disclosing its valuation. This round brought its external funding to $101.1 million. Preply In total, eight investors participated in the round led by Owl Ventures, which focuses on education. Among other investors, there are Educapital, Evli Growth Partners, Hoxton Ventures, and Diligent Capital. Preply develops a platform that allows tutors to teach 50 languages, including English, German, Arabic, French, Polish, and Ukrainian. It uses AI to find teachers depending on students’ schedules and learning goals. The startup says it has from 190 countries. 32,000 tutors Preply was founded in 2012 by three Ukrainian entrepreneurs — , , and . The startup employs over 400 people and has offices in Barcelona, New York and Kyiv. Dmytro Voloshyn Kirill Bigai Sergey Lukyanov Spin Technology — $16 million Data protection software developer raised $16 million in a Series A round in August, bringing its funding to $18 million. The company was valued at $55 million. Spin Technology The money came from Santa Barbara Venture Partners, Blu Venture Investors, and Blueprint Equity (lead investor). Spin Technology is a SaaS data protection company defending enterprises against ransomware, human error, and other cloud threats. Its software acts like an antivirus program, detecting ransomware across platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365. It can automatically assess risks and make backups if needed. The startup caters to enterprise clients. It has partnered with over 1,600 companies, including Outbrain, Autodoc, Miller and Toyota. Founded in 2016 by Odesa-born , the company now has four offices: in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Odesa, and Kyiv. It employs about 80 people. Dmitry Dontov ATLANT 3D — $15 million Nanotechnology startup raised $15 million in a Series A round in September, bringing its total funding to $17.2 million. It didn't disclose the valuation at which it closed the round. ATLANT 3D British VC West Hill Capital led the round, but other investors haven’t been disclosed. ATLANT 3D is a deep-tech startup that works on a tech that enables the manufacturing of materials and electronics at the atom level. “(We are) revolutionizing electronics of tomorrow atom by atom,” reads its motto. According to its website, it works — among other organizations — with STMicroelectronics, Sony, and NASA. Although the startup is based in Copenhagen, it was co-founded in 2018 by Ukrainian , who now leads the company as CEO. The ATLANT 3D’s website lists 10 employees, half of them PhDs Maksym Plakhotnyuk Fintech Farm — $7.4 million In the company’s first Seed round in January, raised $7.4 million, not disclosing its valuation. Fintech Farm Flyer One Ventures and Solid led the round; four other investors are AVentures Capital, TA Ventures, u.ventures, and Jiji. Dmytro Dubilet, the co-founder of U.K.-based Fintech Farm, was one of the founders of Ukraine’s neobank Monobank, which now has about 4.5 million users. Now, Fintech Farm is going to use the raised money to launch a similar product for the Nigerian market. Its name is . Fibo The company was co-founded by , , and serial entrepreneur . The company employs around 200 people and has two offices — in Dnipro and Kyiv. Alexander Vityaz Mykola Bezkrovnyy Dmytro Dubilet Salto X — €5.2 million Web3 startup raised €5.2 million in a Seed round in July, not disclosing its valuation. Salto X The round was led by Copenhagen-based venture fund byFounders and Frankfurt-based Blockwall. Box Group, crypto fintech 3Commas, and angels such as Liu Jiang and Alex Gluchkowski also participated in it (in total, six investors). Salto X uses blockchain to develop a remote-friendly alternative to stock options for European companies. Contributors receive NFT certificates for the cliff period. According to the startup, “it gives transparent access to equity compensation to contributors regardless of geography.” The startup was founded in 2021 by Estonians and , Latvian , and Ukrainian . Registered in Tallinn, the company doesn’t have a physical presence, with its 16 employees working remotely from Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine. Ragnar Sass Elise Sass Krists Avots Tanya Chaikovska PromoRepublic — €2 million SaaS startup raised €2 million in a Pre-Series A round in June, not disclosing its valuation. This round brought its external funding to $3.9 million. PromoRepublic Ukraine-based fund NetSolid Investments put €200,000 into the startup in this round. The names of other investors have not been disclosed. The Ukraine-Finnish-U.S. startup develops a social media marketing platform, catering to enterprises, marketing agencies, and SMBs. According to its website, the company has over 50,000 clients, including Curves International, doTERRA, Expedia Group Mannatech, and EZCORP. Founded back in 2014 by trio , , and , the company now employs over 50 people (contractors included). It has offices in Helsinki, London, New York, and Kyiv. Max Pecherskyi Mike Baranovskyi Val Grabko Cargofy — $2 million Freight-tech startup raised $2 million in a Seed round in February. The startup did not disclose its valuation, but according to , the company was valued at $10-15 million. Cargofy Forbes JKR Investment Group led the round, which also saw participation from Flyer One Ventures, Fair East Labs, and two angel investors — Murat Abdrakhmanov and Hannu Turunen. Dubbed Uber for truck drivers, Cargofy develops an AI-driven digital logistics platform that helps link up truck owners with people seeking to ship goods in Eastern Europe, India, and the U.S. Over the last three years up to February, the company had organized about 46,000 deliveries. Founded in 2014 by , , and , Cargofy now employs about 60 people. It’s based in Cedar Rapids in eastern Iowa. Overall, it has three offices in two countries, but the company’s website doesn’t specify where. Dimitri Alexiou Alex Kovalchuk Stakh Vozniak Choice QR — €1.5 million FoodTech startup raised €1.5 million in a Seed round in July, bringing its external funding to €2.4 million. The company did not disclose its valuation in the latest round. Choice QR Five investors participated in the round: Seedcamp, Reflex Capital, Purple Ventures, J&T Ventures, and Presto Ventures (lead investor). Choice QR develops a restaurant payment app. Using it, hospitality businesses can create a website for pick up and delivery, as well as digital menus, which allow their guests to order food and pay through QR codes. Over 7,000 businesses use the service, according to the Choice website. The company was founded in Kyiv by two Ukrainians — and — in 2021. Now it is based in the Czech Republic but still has an office in Ukraine. Alex Ilyash Vladimir Olyanitsky Originally published . here

Stories, News & Mentions about UNSTOPPABLE-DOMAINS

Unstoppable-domains’s Stories on HackerNoon

Unstoppable-domains's News & Mentions