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A detailed history of blockchain: From the Establishment to Broad Adoption

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A detailed history of blockchain From the Establishment to Broad Adoption

Blockchain has gotten an ample amount of appreciation in the most recent couple of years, with the potential to come across as an extraordinary power to transform businesses. Blockchain technology is a computerized record of an action that is copied and conveyed across the whole organization of the blockchain platform through computer networks. Sounds confusing, isn’t it? Truth to be told, Blockchain is much easier to understand than the above description.

For understanding the concept, it is feasible to look back at its historical background and learn about its origin to significant turns of events and innovations. Bits of knowledge into the background of Blockchain will assist us with addressing these queries like the exact meaning of the term,  working environment, problems it can solve, and where it can be implemented. All these insights will help us to place the right expectations for its future.

Table of content

  • What exactly is Blockchain?
  • When did the Blockchain first appear?
  • Who is behind blockchain technology?
  • How is Blockchain created?
  • Identifying a suitable Use-case
  • Selection of Suitable Consensus protocol
  • selection of a suitable platform
  • Node designing
  • Designing the Blockchain parameter configuration
  • APIs
  • Building admin and user Interfaces
  • Adding smart technology
  • Closing Thoughts.

What exactly is Blockchain?

A blockchain is a disseminated network that comprises computer systems associated with the Internet, which all together keep the account of transactions. In the Blockchain, one record is dispersed and protected across the system. Each computer in the group approves the exchanges. However, nobody has power over the network, not like various clients functioning in a centralized network. 

A blockchain incorporates a sequence of blocks, which are information units used to store value-based data of the organization. To add a block into a blockchain, these steps ought to occur:

  • When an exchange is performed, then it should be confirmed by a group of computer networks. The exchange should be compiled in a block; after getting approval from the network group. The digital signature of the sender and the receiver and the dollar’s value has to be stored in a block. 
  • A block should be given a hash to separate it from different blocks. This block additionally contains data of the hash of the newest added block into a blockchain. When hashed, this block can be put into the Blockchain.
  • After the inclusion of a new block in the Blockchain, the complete information of this exchange will be public, and any user in the network can explore this exchange data, for example, who sent it? Who received it? Who added this exchange to the block? When did the exchange occur? And so on. The information is apparent and auditable yet not editable.

A block is only digital data. A “chain” is characterized as a common information base. In this way, when we say Blockchain – we intend to discuss the digital data which is kept in a public data set.

When did Blockchain first appear? 

The very first appearance of Blockchain was seen in 2008. It was introduced by an individual named ‘Satoshi Nakamoto.’ Nakamoto improved the blockchain structure effectively, utilizing a Hashcash-like strategy to keep records of time and date of added blocks without expecting them to be endorsed by a central party and embedding boundaries to balance out the rate at which blocks were to be added to the chain. Next year, this blockchain structure was recognized as a central part of the cryptocurrency bitcoin, where it acts as the public record for all exchanges carried on the network. 

In August of 2014, the size of stored records of all exchanges that have happened on the bitcoin blockchain network filled up to 20 GB. In January 2015, the size had reached nearly 30 GB. This size expanded from 50 GB to 100 GB between January 2016 to 2017. While reaching halfway to 2020, this record size exceeded 200 GiB.

Who is behind Blockchain technology?

It is essential to learn about the historical background of Blockchain for Blockchain supporters and Blockchain prospects. Thus, to help readers to comprehend the Blockchain advancement, let us learn the  history of this technology:

1991-2008: Creation Period of  Blockchain Technology

Blockchain emerged in 1991  when W. Scott Stornetta and Stuart Haber deliberated what the world has come to know as a “Blockchain.” Their early work included shaping a cryptographically secured blockchain where nobody could alter timestamps of records. 

In 1992, they updated their technique to consolidate Merkle trees that improved proficiency hence providing the assortment of more reports on a solitary block. Nonetheless, in 2008, the term “Blockchain” began to acquire importance when Satoshi Nakamoto ingrained his idea of Blockchain in the blockchain space. 

Satoshi Nakamoto is credited as the master of blockchain innovation. There is not much knowledge about Nakamoto as individuals speculate he could be a single person or a group that molded Bitcoin, the primary application of digital roster technology.

How is a Blockchain created?

Here are steps that are needed to create a blockchain:

Step 1: Identifying a suitable Use-case

There are three use-cases where blockchains do very well:

  • Data Authentication and Verification: It focuses on encryption, inflexible storage and digital signatures, creation of private and public keys, and verifying digital signatures.  
  • Smart Asset Management: This focuses on disbursement, revenue, trade, bond, and retirement. In crypto, real-world properties are represented in the form of a token, for example, land, infrastructure, gold, silver, oil.
  • Smart Contracts: This focuses on trade between dealer and buyer with smart contracts.

Step 2: Selection of Suitable Consensus Protocol

Depending on your requirements, you need to choose the right consensus protocol among:

  • Deposit based consensus
  • Proof of stake
  • Delegated Proof of Stake.
  • Derived PBFT
  • Byzantine fault-tolerant
  •  Federated Byzantine Agreement
  • Redundant Byzantine Fault Tolerance
  • Federated consensus
  • Proof of Elapsed Time
  • Simplified Byzantine Fault Tolerance
  •  Round Robin

Step 3: Selection of a Blockchain Platform

This depends on your choice of consensus protocol. Many of them are cost-free and open source. Here are some examples:

Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric, Quorum,
HydraChain, Stellar, Hyperledger Iroha,
Open chain, Hyperledger Sawtooth Lake, and many more.

Step 4: Node designing

Blockchain systems can be designed as private/public,  permission-less as well as with permission, or even hybrid. 

Another important factor to be considered at this step is whether the nodes are running on-premise or in the cloud. Also, the selection of operating systems and tasks related to hardware configuration such as processors, and memory and disk size is to be done in this step. 

Step 5: Designing the Blockchain Parameter Configuration

Usually, blockchain platforms require a thoroughly plotted configuration for elements like permissions, atomic trades, key management, asset issuance, multiple signatures, address formats, hand-shaking, etc.

Step 6: APIs

Most platforms offer pre-built APIs, while others don’t. The issues that you’ll need APIs for are: 

  • For developing keys and addresses.
  • Conducting auditable processes.
  • Performing data verification by using hash and digital signatures.
  • For holding data and its recovery.
  • Managing smart-asset, I.e., distribution, bond, donations, business, etc.
  • Creating smart contracts.

Step 7: Building admin and user Interfaces

At this step, you’ll select the programming languages. You’ll also have to pick external databases and servers.

Step 8: Adding smart technology 

Boost the potential of your Blockchain solution with the addition of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud, data analytics, biometrics, machine learning, and bots.

Closing Thoughts

The Blockchain provides amazing advancements in security, decentralization, transparency, and unchangeable data. These qualities make it a perfect tool for future applications. 

It has marked its territory in many industries, and many more yet have to embed it.

Learn more about blockchain technology and take up a suitable blockchain course at Blockchain Council.

A detailed history of blockchain: From the Establishment to Broad Adoption

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How Blockchain and Sound-Based Technology Protect Digital Payment Systems

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How Blockchain and Sound-Based Technology Protect Digital Payment Systems

Wondering what role does Blockchain and other related technologies play in protecting digital payment systems. You have landed on the right page. This article talks about the rise of digital payments, associated risks, and how Blockchain and sound-based technology protect digital payments.

Table of Contents 

  • Digital Payments on the Rise
  • What are the Associated Risks?
  • Blockchain and Sound-based Technology: A Smart Combination of Technologies
  • Concluding Lines 

Digital Payments on the Rise

Digital payments and UPI have played a crucial role in the development of e-commerce in developed as well as developing countries like India. Even before the pandemic that took millions of lives worldwide, individuals and companies were using digital apps to monitor their budgets and perform transactions. But amid the COVID-19 outbreak, UPI transactions nearly doubled between the month of April and September 2020, hitting a volume of more than 180 crores, according to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Experts and technocrats believe that digital payments such as cryptocurrencies have the potential to accelerate financial inclusion and open gateways to new forms of investing. Over the projected period of 2021 to 2026, the Digital Payments Market is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 13.7 percent. 

Want to know more about cryptocurrencies? Get started today as a Certified Cryptocurrency Expert now!

What are the Associated Risks?

The digital transaction market is gaining traction and expanding at an unprecedented pace, which is positive news for the economy as more people are accepting this approach alongside the traditional one.

But undoubtedly, there are challenges associated with digital payments that need to be addressed. Let’s delve deeper and explore. 

The growth in digital payments has coincided with a dramatic increase in digital payment fraud. During the pandemic, there was a spike in the number of fake phone calls and SMS, as well as illegal SIM copying, vishing threats, and cashback/refund scams.

Although digital payments are inspired by technology innovations, they are still prone to threats and cyber-attacks. People with malicious motivations find ways to trick people by sending links or producing a dummy app that consumers are unable to comprehend and hence fall prey to certain assaults. During a pandemic, the ‘Request Money’ scam became one of the most popular fraud tales. 

As a result, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses and private actors to collaborate in order to provide the appropriate strategies to defend consumers in an increasingly sophisticated threat environment.

Internet penetration, illiteracy, lack of trust are some of the other issues related to digital payments. 

Blockchain and Sound-based Technology: A Smart Combination of Technologies

Although various technologies and security protocols are emerging to fend off malicious actors, this has, however, not prevented fraud from taking place. Moreover, the two-step authentication mechanism can become a cause of trouble where digital or internet penetration level is far from optimal. 

Blockchain professionals and technocrats believe that a combination of peer-to-peer, decentralized distributed ledger technology, Blockchain, and soundwave technologies can be the key to solving the problem. 

If you are a beginner to Blockchain, please note that it is a P2P decentralized distributed ledger technology that maintains the history of records in an immutable manner.  

Since the technology keeps a record of every transaction in millions of separate blocks, therefore even if one block suffers an attack, the information contained in the rest of the blocks will stay secure and intact. Thus, when it comes to hacking a Blockchain system, the threat actors would require to leverage tremendous computing power to compromise millions of nodes(blocks) at the same time. In fact, hacking a Blockchain is almost close to impossible. 

As a result, this technology emerges as an optimal method for securely storing all transaction-related data.

Does that mean that it is 100% secured? No, it is not. As nothing is 100% secure, therefore, Blockchain can suffer from crypto key tampering, lack of Blockchain integrity and security plans, inappropriate consensus mechanism, lack of malicious code protection, misused timestamps, and other issues.

Now, coming to sound-based technology, the biggest benefit of using this technology is that it is hardware-independent. Users often don’t require mobile devices or internet connections to make digital payments using this technology because it allows for smooth contactless payments by sound.

The fusion of Blockchain and soundwave technology is ideal for allowing safer, transparent, and contactless payments.

Are you a beginner but want to get started as a Blockchain Developer? Check out Blockchain Council now! 

Concluding Lines 

The advent of digital-based payments such as cryptocurrencies and others has presented enterprises and even individuals with a tremendous opportunity to expand and lead. A lot of big players have entered the crypto space and are eyeing to grow exponentially as it brings transparency, faster cross-border settlements, and lowers operational costs.

Curious to learn more about cryptocurrencies and Blockchain technology. Get enrolled and become a Certified Blockchain Expert today!

To get instant updates about Blockchain Technology and to learn more about online Blockchain Certifications, check out Blockchain Council. 

How Blockchain and Sound-Based Technology Protect Digital Payment Systems

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A Beginner’s Guide to Decentralized Applications

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A Beginner's Guide to Decentralized Applications

Are you a Blockchain enthusiast? Wondering what dApps are? Want to build your own dApp and get started as a Blockchain Developer? Well, we have got you covered. Before you start making apps, let’s deeply understand what these applications are.  

Table of Contents 

  • What are dApps?
  • How dApps Differ From Traditional Apps?
  • dApps and their Characteristics 
  • Ethereum dApps That You Can Use Now
  • The Verdict 

What are dApps?

Decentralized Applications, also known as dApps, consists of back-end code that runs on a P2P decentralized network. dApps provide features similar to those provided by traditional consumer apps, but they utilize blockchain technology to give consumers greater power over their data by removing the need for centralized data management, thereby rendering the service “decentralized.”

In other words, they are open-source application software that use smart contracts to run transactions on a peer-to-peer network.

Sounds interesting? Get started today as a Blockchain Developer!

How dApps Differ From Traditional Apps?

Before you start developing your own application, let’s understand how these decentralized applications differ from traditional ones.  

Centralized Vs. Decentralized 

The basic key difference, unlike traditional apps (governed by centralized controlling authority), dApps run on a peer-to-peer blockchain network. 

Trustable 

These applications are trustable among users as users get complete control and ownership of their data and assets.

Cost of Development 

When it comes to the development cost, regular apps have to take into consideration various factors such as cloud server fees, maintenance fees, and others. But in dApps, Blockchain Developers need not worry about such factors as dApp cost includes development, deployment, and even upgrade.

Speed 

In terms of speed, regular apps outperform dApps as decentralized applications can process only around 15 transactions per second. 

Security 

Undoubtedly, Blockchain-based apps are more secured. This is because these apps are tamper-proof, and the records stored are unalterable. Also, they are immutable from hacking and other potential destructions. 

Usage Cost

There is no cost of using regular apps. But for using decentralized applications, users have to pay a small fee every time. Here it is crucial to note that usage cost depends on the complexity of the app. 

dApps and their Characteristics 

As we have understood what dApps are and how they differ from the traditional apps, let’s explore their key characteristics. 

  • Works on the underlying technology, Blockchain.
  • dApps are open-source, which means code is public, and hence anyone can copy and audit it.
  • They are decentralized, meaning they are not governed by any central authorities like Facebook, Airbnb, etc. Thus, no central authority can stop users from using the app or doing what they want. 
  • Such applications use Ethereum smart contracts, which automatically execute when the desired conditions are met. 
  • Most importantly, these apps are global, meaning anyone around the globe can publish or use these dapps.

Ethereum Apps That You Can Use Now

Before exploring the apps, it is crucial to note that the majority of the dApps are built on Ethereum Blockchain, and there are many reasons for that. The first being Ethereum Blockchain implements a development interface that reduces programming time and instantly launches projects. Ethereum also offers a developer-friendly experience with the inclusion of creation kits, application models, and MetaMask, which has proved effective in attracting new projects, vast groups, and large communities.

There are hundreds of dApps, each having different purposes. For instance, if you want to mint, buy, or trade non-fungible digital art, you can use Zora, Foundation, Cent, MakersPlace. If you want to pay musicians directly for their work, you can use Catalog, Audius, and other similar apps. For finance-related activities such as sending, receiving, borrowing, earning interest, streaming funds, you can use Compound Finance, Aave, Pool Together, Dharma, InstaDApp, and others. For exchanges and peer-to-peer options for buying, storing, and trading cryptocurrencies, one can use 1inch, AirSwap, ForkDelta, and others.

The Verdict 

The landscape of dApps is rapidly evolving, making Ethereum the platform of choice for Blockchain developers. Its potential indicates that we can expect to see exciting new functionalities and use-cases for blockchain technology shortly. Apart from Ethereum, Cardano, Lisk, QTUM, and NEO are also popular for DAPP development.

According to statistics, dApps’ market size was valued at USD 10.52 Billion in the year 2019, and now it is expected to reach USD 368.25 Billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 56.1%. If you want to develop your own dApp, all you have to do is enroll in Blockchain Council and become a Certified Blockchain Developer. 

To get instant updates about Blockchain Technology and to learn more about online blockchain certifications, check out Blockchain Council.

A Beginner’s Guide to Decentralized Applications

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PayPal CEO Speculates Its Crypto Commerce Will Reach $200M In Months

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Bitcoin’s price is reaching brand new all-time highs, and major corporations that already boast existing crypto offerings are starting to make grander plans for the future of their crypto space.

Talking About How Today’s Financial System Needs Updating

Dan Schulman stands as the CEO of PayPal and has recently hinted that PayPal’s crypto offering will see future developments. This was done  at Forbes’ online event that occurred on the 13th of April, 2021, dubbed the “2021 Blockchain 50 Symposium: Crypto Goes Corporate”

In this event, Schulman held a fireside chat with the associate editor of Forbes, one Michael Del Castillo. In this chat, Schulman promised that the financial system will see more changes within the next five years than it had seen within the past 30 years, making note that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin will stand as the trailblazers in this new innovation. Schulman further speculated that credit card and cash transactions will be severely reduced within the next five to ten years, as well.

Crypto Possible Financial Solution For The World

In his statement, he asserted that the era of digital currencies is looming ever closer, hammering home the tremendous potential that these digital currencies hold. He stated that digital currencies will increase the utility of payments, be it cryptocurrency or central bank digital currency (CBDC), reducing the expenses and increasing the inclusion of the world’s financial system.

Schulman is convinced that today’s society’s largest challenges stem from the fact that the financial systems of this day and age exclude millions of people from it across the globe. Schulman stated that this was particularly apparent within the US, as millions of underbanked or even unbanked US citizens need to wait for a long time in order to get the latest round of stimulus checks through the mail. However, the Americans that already boast a bank account had instantly received these deposits.

Promises From PayPal To Improve The System

With this as an example, Schulman hammered home the overall inefficiencies of the financial system of today, noting the amount of time it takes to receive money, in particular. This becomes an even more challenging facet of life when you looking at low-income individuals that need the money as quickly as they can get it.

Schulman explained that the crypto offering of PayPal, which went live in November of 2021, will eventually allow users to do far more than just sell, buy and otherwise hold various cryptocurrencies. This comes in a bid to solve the issues mentioned above, as PayPal revealed back at the end of March that the platform will soon see its merchants accept crypto payments, as well.

PayPal CEO Speculates Its Crypto Commerce Will Reach $200M In Months

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Draper Goren Holm adds Tezos startups to its $25M venture fund

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Blockchain venture studio Draper Gorem Holm has announced plans to incubate Tezos-based startups as part of its $25 million venture fund, highlighting its conviction in the smart contract platform.

The venture fund, called Fund 1, was launched in October 2020 as a way to incubate emerging blockchain companies. Fund 1 is set up as a traditional venture capital fund focusing on emerging fintech and blockchain startups.

The inclusion of Tezos-based projects into the fund is hardly surprising given the company’s growing support for the smart contract platform. Draper Goren Holm already backs Tezos Stable Technologies, the team behind the USDtez stablecoin. The company has also invested in Kalamint, a Tezos-based NFT marketplace.

Tim Draper, the company’s special limited partner, described Tezos as the “leading platform for smart contracts and low energy use” due to its reliance on proof-of-stake, or PoS, consensus.

Alon Goren, founding partner of Draper Goren Hold, said:

“We believe the differences in the Tezos blockchain, and how it is governed, are monumental to scaling blockchain verticals for the long-term.”

Tezos was one of the most promising smart contract platforms of late 2019 and early 2020 but has faded from the limelight amid the bull market. At $3.8 billion, XTZ is now ranked 32nd by market capitalization, according to CoinMarketCap.

Draper Goren Holm adds Tezos startups to its $25M venture fund

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Marshall Islands digital currency would ‘raise risks,’ says IMF

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A representative for the International Monetary Fund has said the Marshall Islands’ digital sovereign currency would currently pose a risk to the islands’ financial stability. 

Following a March consultation, International Monetary Fund, or IMF, representative Yong Sarah Zhou said the issuance of the Marshall Islands’ digital sovereign currency, called SOV, as legal tender would “raise risks to macroeconomic and financial stability as well as financial integrity” of the islands. According to Zhou, the measures the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or RMI, took to contain COVID-19 may have been “swift and strong,” but also strained the local economy.

“The issuance of the SOV could jeopardize the RMI’s last USD corresponding banking relationship,” said Zhou. “This combined with anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism risks (including those related to the SOV) could disrupt external aid and other important financial flows, resulting in a significant drag on the economy.”

She added that the “cautious approach” towards the SOV already in place was warranted, given that the “potential cost of the SOV issuance will likely outweigh the expected benefits.” According to the IMF representative, the RMI’s gross domestic product fell more than 3% in FY2020 and is expected to decline another 1.5% this fiscal year with a possible recovery of the local economy in 2022.

“The RMI’s legal, regulatory, and institutional framework is not yet ready to accommodate the SOV issuance and manage associated risks.”

Government officials first announced the RMI would be exploring the creation of a digital currency in 2018, one that could be used as legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar — though the Marshall Islands are a sovereign state, they are also an associated state with the U.S. In June, a crypto advisor to the islands said that the RMI was conducting an 18-month test phase for “preSOV,” a token which can later be converted into SOV.

Central bank digital currencies have had some success in areas spread across multiple islands. For example, the Bahamas launched its Sand Dollar digital currency in October, aimed at driving greater financial inclusion within the archipelago nation of more than 700 islands. There are more than 58,000 people in the RMI spread across 29 atolls and 5 islands, 24 of which are inhabited.

Marshall Islands digital currency would \’raise risks,\’ says IMF

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