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Solidity for Beginners: A Guide to Getting Started

Solidity is a pristine programming language formulated explicitly for developing smart contracts for the Ethereum blockchain.  The newly developed language has gained a significant role under Ethereum’s contracts framework that is of great importance in blockchain technology; in fact, you will be required to learn the language in order to code Ethereum Dapps (Decentralized Applications). The developers created this language with an aim to showcase the real potential of the system of smart contracts in the realm of digital exchanges. 

This article will provide you with a detailed understanding of smart contract systems, solidity language, functionality, and solidity basics. These fundamentals will lend you basic knowledge about the subject to help you in getting started.

Table of Content

  • What are smart contacts?
  • What is Solidity?
  • Solidity basics for beginners. 
  • How is compiling and testing of smart contact done?
  • An overview: Solidity flow of execution
  • Closing Thoughts.

What Are Smart Contracts?

The term smart contracts have gained a ton of publicity since its formulation; it’s been at the center of attention just like other popular terms like AI (artificial intelligence),  Machine Learning, Blockchain, etc. Smart contracts, also known as crypto-contracts, are automatic computer programs that empower currency tradings, digital asset exchanges, and other kinds of businesses. These exchanges are secured by a predefined set of rules summoned as a smart contract system. Thus, smart contracts not just guarantee that both the parties are adhering to the principles and regulations of the smart contract but also automatically implement the contract obligations.

What is Solidity?

Solidity is the principal programming language for assembling smart contracts utilized in the Ethereum blockchain. It is a contract-based language, which implies that smart contracts are liable for putting away the entirety of the programming reasoning on which the Ethereum blockchain runs. It is statically formulated to uphold essential elements like libraries, legacy and that’s just the beginning! 

Solidity is an easy language purposely made for an oversimplified way to provide genuine solutions for the issues of real-world use cases. The language has been implemented on the Ethereum platform, a Virtual Machine carrying out the blockchain network to foster decentralized public records to make smart contract frameworks. This programming language has similar functions as JavaScript and C++. Moreover, the language upholds state factors such as value types, data types and programming capacities. 

However, the language still deals with constant updates and modifications across the platform. Subsequently, an aspiring SOLIDITY DEVELOPER should be aware of the updates through forums of the Ethereum platform, chat rooms, and websites. Currently, Ethereum and Solidity are both going through visionary growth. 

Solidity Basics for beginners 

Solidity language supports the following general  value types:

  • Booleans: It returns a true or false value. 
  • Integers: The int/unit for both unsigned and signed integers are supported by Solidity.   
  • Address: An address can carry up to a 20-byte value. 
  • String Literals: String literals are depicted using either double or single quotes.  They imply trailing value zeroes. 
  • Modifier:  Modifiers ensure the fulfillment of the predefined conditions before code execution.
  • Mappings: Mappings return values related to a given storage site. 

These generic value types can be further integrated to develop complex data types.

How is the compiling and testing of smart contract done?

Once you have created a smart contract using Solidity on a local system, install an easy-to-use test environment that accepts simple Truffle commands. The compiler transforms the source code into the Ethereum Virtual Machine code, allowing you to test your code without needing to pay Ether coins.

An overview: Solidity flow of execution  

The syntactical consonance of Solidity with another programming language, JavaScript, has extensively improved the system’s usability. As a beginner, you must have a clear idea of the execution process under a solidity programming language command:

The Ethereum format documentation draws out an instruction text size of 32-byte containing a stack and memory model. The EVM generates a program stack that monitors the registries under information storage and program counter. To keep a successive stream to control the program, the program counter loops/jumps.

Additionally, the virtual memory lends short memory for information distribution that is expandable to some degree compared to a permanent storage allowance provided by the nodes of the blockchain.

The aim of creating solidity language for Ethereum is to maintain the determinism and accuracy of smart contracts. The node executes programming tools and smart contracts within the connected blocks in the Ethereum for creating a new block. 

This implies the code being executed is enrolled based on the sequence of the block.

While entering the new stage of the execution process, the program phase gets shifted to new storage exchanges. At first, these exchanges are performed at the miner’s location. After execution, the new block is dissipated to different working nodes within the blockchain.

To confirm the credibility of the framework of smart contracts, every node autonomously checks the block by correlating the state changes by using any local copy of the block. In cases where the state changes are deterministic, nodes of the blockchain accept the exchanges. Similarly, in a circumstance where the nodes could not reach an agreement, the execution of the block stops, and the network may end.

Closing Thoughts

Solidity is the language that has the power to develop the frameworks of contracts with robust functionality. Smart contracts have generated ample opportunities for further blockchain developments and multiple sectors of online business. Hopefully, you learned the fundamentals of solidity programming language to use while creating your smart contract.

Learn more about blockchain technology under the guidance of a highly qualified Ethereum expert at the BLOCKCHAIN COUNCIL.

Solidity for Beginners: A Guide to Getting Started

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50,000 electric vehicle charging stations in Europe to offer crypto payments

Two payments firms have partnered to roll out crypto payments across 50,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Europe.

The partnership is between Irish e-commerce and mobile payment solutions firm HIPS Payment Group Ltd and Vourity, a Swedish firm that specializes in unattended payment facilities such as EV charging stations.

The integration of crypto payments with charging stations will occur over the next three years starting from November 2021.

The firms haven’t revealed which cryptocurrencies will be supported yet, but Vourity has dropped a pretty strong hint that Ethereum is likely to be among the first after it released an image of a payment terminal with an ETH logo on it. Ethereum is moving to the much more energy efficient Proof-of Stake consensus mechanism in the next year, which could mitigate any backlash among environmentally conscious EV drivers.

“We are currently evaluating what cryptos/coins we will support. It will be converted to fiat,” stated Hans Nottehed, the CEO of Vourity.

Vourity payment terminal, with an ETH logo

Crypto payments will be integrated with Vourity’s EV charging stations by connecting to the blockchain via Hips Merchant Protocol’s native protocol token Merchant Token.

Back in May, HIPS Payment Group launched the HIPS Merchant Protocol, the HIPS Merchant Protocol Gateway, and its governing Merchant Token.

The protocol was built on Ethereum and Solana in May 2021 and plans to expand support to Cardano in the future.

“With near real-time transaction speeds, in addition, the Hips Merchant Blockchain is designed for merchant transactions regardless if they are mobile, instore or e-commerce and utilizes the interchange concept from the payment card industry,” HIPS noted in May.

Related: Blockchain-based EV charging trial gets $1M from Canadian government

EV crypto innovation

Tesla famously did a U-turn on accepting Bitcoin (BTC) payments for vehicles, with Elon Musk noting the firm won’t change course until the mining sector is at least 50% powered by clean energy. Other EV-focused firms have sought ways to innovate using  “clean” crypto mining and adoption.

At the beginning of this month, Canadian light EV manufacturer Daymak announced an upcoming EV set for 2023, that is fitted with a crypto mining rig that can mine Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies while it’s charging or parked.

In March, Stellantis, the parent company of European car manufacturer Fiat, partnered with Kiri Technologies, to promote an “eco-driving style,” by rewarding Fiat EV drivers in cryptocurrency via Kiri Technologies’ KiriCoin.

In that same month, Volkswagen Group Innovation, the research department of German car Volkswagen, announced a partnership with Energy Web, a non-profit organization focused on open source energy transition.

The duo teamed up to research methods of using EV’s and charging stations as part of the power grid using blockchain.

Jesse Morris, the chief commercial officer of Energy Web, spoke with Cointelegraph and emphasized the benefits of tracking the integration between EVs, charging stations, and power grids using blockchain.

Morris mentioned that during times of local grid congestion, Volkswagen drivers could be incentivized not to charge by being paid out in crypto or fiat. Additionally, utility providers could pay EV drivers to store energy during times of excess generation on the power grid.

50,000 electric vehicle charging stations in Europe to offer crypto payments

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How Polygon’s proposal to implement EIP-1559 will affect its network

Polygon (MATIC) is a crypto coin that experienced a rise of nearly 6962% in early 2021. Since then It has marked its name in the list of the top 20 crypto coins in the worldwide spectrum. Now, It is looking forward to implementing EIP-1559, which can significantly improve its network. 

Recently, Polygon’s development team offered a proposal for the enactment of EIP-1559 on Polygon’s network after its implementation on the Ethereum blockchain under the London Network Upgrade.

Initially, Polygon MATIC was being marketed at 1.12 dollars at the time of writing and faced a significant rate dip on June 21. Nonetheless, it recovered quickly and upheld its dignity as the week’s Top crypto coin, preceded merely by Bitcoin.

What will change with the implementation of the EIP-1559?

As the development team of Polygon Matic announced that once their proposal is implemented in the upcoming London upgrade, they will enforce a revised edition of an Ethereum Improvement Plan-1559/(EIP-1559) on their network, the observers have anticipated that this move will greatly improve quality of polygon.

At present, EIP-1559 on the Ethereum platform charges a base fee to be burnt with every transaction and provides a priority fee that offers incentives to miners to carry out each transaction. However, On the polygon network, no burning base fee will be needed to implement the EIP-1559 since MATIC has a limited supply. 

The development team said that rather than burning the base fee, Polygon’s DAO would allow the community to deal with the issue. For this, the core contract account will be in action.

As summarized by the Polygon’s development team, the procedure of laying funds within the new contract is comparable to the future fee strategies for validators. Besides, any kind of deflationary tool would imply realignment of the payouts,  allowing DAOs to use up some money for the improvement and maintenance of the network. The polygon team asserts that the practice will attract benefits for all validators for an extended period in the future.

Another improvement that we’ll see with EIP-1559 on Polygon is in regards to changing the present auction method of Ethreum’s transaction fees. The fee will now be decided using the method established by the algorithm instead of charging the standardized fee for the whole network.

The issuance limit on MATIC tokens is assigned at 10 billion MATIC. Thus, the limited supply of polygon MATIC that allows fee burns for each trade will theoretically be thanks making it is critical to reconsider the procedure of paying compensation. 

Conclusion 

Despite the recent decline in the gas taxes on Ethereum, people prefer to use the Polygon MATIC network. Based on recent data, the top 10 Decentralized Finance apps on the Polygon network enticed more than 242,000 different functional wallets, while Ethereum acquired merely 100,000 distinct active wallets in the past week.

How Polygon’s proposal to implement EIP-1559 will affect its network

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Hedge fund that shorted GameStop closes as $1.13B GME stock offer completes

One of the hedge funds badly burned in the infamous GME social media driven short squeeze is closing down, while GameStop itself has just completed its $1.13 billion equity offering.

According the Financial Times, London-based White Square Capital operated by Florian Kronawitter has closed its main fund and will return capital to investors.

White Square Capital reportedly had $440 million in assets under management (AUM) at its peak. The hedge fund was one of many that suffered double digit percentage losses from short positions in January, when the Wall Street Bets subreddit helped pump GME’s price from $21 on Jan. 12 to around $345 on Jan. 27.

However the FT reported a source as saying the fund’s closure was unrelated to its GameStop misadventure. In a letter to investors, co-founder Kronawitter cited the traditional equity long-short model was being “challenged” in the current financial climate, as there are “way too many fish in the pond” that operate with the same long-short strategy.

“The traditional edge is being arbed away [eroded by other investors], there’s an oversupply of capital,” Kronawitter said.

The co-founder also highlighted that the hedge fund’s opportunities for arbitrage have “diminished” due to the “onslaught of capital caused by central bank monetary interventions.”

These factors are also accompanied by the relative ease of access to information and cheaper investment alternatives, with Kronawitter asserting that it brings it to question how the management fees from hedge funds can be justified in the current market.

In a Reddit thread discussing the news on the r/wallstreetbets subreddit, members of the group shared their delight, with user “turtleduck77” likening hedge funds that shorted GME to dominoes falling, noting that its “Time to invest in dominoes! The game not the pizza.”

Related: New decentralized crypto exchange is inspired by r/Wallstreetbets

GameStop completes ATM offering

Yesterday GameStop announced the completion of an at-the-market (ATM) equity offering, with the company selling five million shares of common stock generating almost $1.3 billion before commissions and offering expenses.

“GameStop will use net proceeds from the ATM Offering for general corporate purposes as well as for investing in growth initiatives and maintaining a strong balance sheet,” the announcement read.

One of the growth initiatives likely to be funded is GameStop’s NFT marketplace set to be launched on Ethereum.

While details are sparse at this stage, the firm’s blockchain division is reportedly headed by the former business operations leader of Ethereum and Loopring DEX, Matt Finestone.

The smart contract platform is based on the ERC-721 NFT standard and was created by foobar, a developer who has worked on wrapper solutions for the classic version of Crypto Punks, HD Mooncats, and MooncatHelper NFT projects in the past.

While top crypto assets and memecoins have been in a major down trend since May 12, GME’s meme stock has increased 36.6% within that time frame, increasing from $161 on May 12, to $220 as of today, according to TradingView.

In comparison, data from CoinGecko shows that crypto’s nearest equivalent in meme coin Dogecoin has cooled down, has dropped 64% — declining from a price range of $0.50 on May 12, to $0.18 today.

Hedge fund that shorted GameStop closes as $1.13B GME stock offer completes

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3 reasons why Ethereum may underperform Bitcoin in the short-term

Ether (ETH) price outperformed Bitcoin (BTC) by 173% from March 28 to May 15. The incredible bull caused the token to reach a $4,380 all-time high. However, as cryptocurrency markets initiated a sharp drop on May 12, the trend started to reverse, and since then, Ether has underperformed by 25%.

Some might say it is a technical adjustment after a strong rally. While this partially explains the move, it excludes some critical factors, including the fast advance of smart-contract network competitors and Bitcoin being adopted as an official currency for the first time.

Ether / Bitcoin price at Binance. Source: TradingView

Notice how the ETH/BTC ratio rallied again on June 8, reaching 0.77 despite Ether’s price remaining 36% below its all-time high and ranging near $2,800. To understand what could have been driving the ratio, analysts need to analyze Ether and Bitcoin price drivers separately.

Mike Novogratz may have been misinterpreted in his interview

Ether’s bull run potentially got an extra leg due to intense praise from institutional investors. Traders could have picked up a sense of urgency, known as FOMO, and promptly shifted their Bitcoin exposure towards the leading altcoin.

On May 13, New Yorker magazine published an interview with Mike Novogratz, the founder, and CEO of Galaxy Digital. In the conversation, Novogratz said:

“All of a sudden, you have decentralized finance and NFTs both on Ethereum at the same time roughly, with wild accelerating growth.”

Novogratz was then questioned on how much higher Ether could reach, to which he answered:

“You know, it’s dangerous to give predictions on the highs. But could it get to $5,000? Of course it could.”

While an Ethereum holder might have interpreted it as a prediction, others could have understood it as a wild guess, likely depending on general crypto market conditions.

However, roughly a week later, a report from Goldman Sachs revealed the global investment bank believed that Ether had a “high chance of overtaking Bitcoin as a dominant store of value.” Interestingly, one of the main quotes in the report was directly from Novogratz’s interview with the New Yorker.

At its peak, Binance Chain controlled 40% of DEX volume

While Ethereum has kept its 80% dominance on net value locked in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, Binance Smart Chain (BSC) has reached a 40% market share on DEX exchanges.

PancakeSwap DEX daily volume vs. top 10. Source: DeBank

The successful growth of the DeFi industry and non fungible token (NFT) markets caused intense congestion on the Ethereum network, raising median fees to $37 in mid-May. That bottleneck triggered an activity exodus to competing networks, and PancakeSwap was best positioned to capture that flow.

Related: Here’s why one analyst says Bitcoin will outperform Ethereum in the short term

To make things worse, important DeFi projects expanded to Binance Smart Chain, including yield aggregator Harvest Finance and decentralized exchange aggregator 1inch. Investors quickly realized that the trend could continue as the competing smart-contract network provided an easy solution for dApps looking for cheaper alternatives.

No country is adopting the ‘Ethereum standard’

Bitcoin might have had a subpar performance over the past 30 days because it has failed to break the $42,000 resistance multiple times. However, a major milestone was achieved when El Salvador became the first country to make Bitcoin legal tender on June 12.

After the Central American country made the decision law, a handful of other Central and South American countries began discussing the advantages of taking a similar path.

Ethereum is undertaking a redesign that will change the issuing rate and how entities get paid to secure the network by moving away from the Proof of Work model. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is making sure that every upgrade is backward-compatible and maintaining its strict monetary policy.

That is the main reason why Ether will not outperform Bitcoin over the next 12 months, or at least until there’s a better understanding of how Ethereum network dominance of smart contracts will be.

Professional investors avoid uncertainties at all costs, and cryptocurrency markets already present plenty of that. There’s just no reason for institutional investors to ignore the risks while competing networks eat Ethereum’s lunch.

The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph. Every investment and trading move involves risk. You should conduct your own research when making a decision.

3 reasons why Ethereum may underperform Bitcoin in the short-term

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