Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

The concept of a decentralized exchange has been a holy grail in the cryptocurrency space for many years. Many attempts have been made, but most decentralized exchanges suffered from central points of failure, poor user experience and little liquidity. Launched during Ethereum's DevCon 2018, Uniswap is one of the first fully decentralized exchanges and managed to become the leading DEX very fast. We were joined by Uniswap Founder Hayden Adams to discuss Uniswap's unique model, the different participants in the protocol and the importance of decentralized exchanges for the blockchain space. Topics covered in this episode: How Hayden's exploratory project to learn smart contract development took off and became Uniswap How Uniswap works and its different participants The advantage of an automated exchange instead of using order books The role of liquidity providers in Uniswap Feedback loops that can make Uniswap markets popular or collapse The challenging economics of liquidity shares Addressing Arthur Hayes' criticism of decentralized exchanges Why Uniswap didn't create a tokeneconomic monetization model Episode links: Uniswap Exchange Protocol Uniswap Whitepaper Uniswap: Getting Started & Documentation Unisocks Exchange Distributed 2018: Presentation about Decentralized Exchanges by Arthur Hayes (BitMEX) Buidl Asia 2019 Conference in Seoul, Korea on July 22-23 HackAtom Seoul on July 19-21 Sponsors: Azure: Deploy enterprise-ready consortium blockchain networks that scale in just a few clicks - http://aka.ms/epicenter Trail of Bits: Trust the team at the forefront of blockchain security research - https://trailofbits.com This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/292

We're joined by Tal Moran, Chief Scientist at Spacemesh. This new consensus protocol is designed to run on home desktop PCs, filling free space on users' hard drives to create a Proof of Space-Time. The goal of this new blockchain protocol is to solve the issues with Proof of Work and Proof of Stake, that is, energy inefficiency on the one hand, and possible centralized plutarchy of rich validators on the other. Topics covered in this episode: Tal's background as an academic and researcher The problems with Proof of Stake and Proof of Work What is Proof of Space-Time and how it works How miners use their hard drive space to establish proofs How randomness is generated in Spacemesh Spacemesh's DAG architecture and how blocks are added to the chain The tortoise and hare protocols proposed by Spacemesh The Spacemesh team and recent funding round The project's business model and roadmap Episode links: Spacemesh Spacemesh white paper Tal's CESC18 talk in San Fransisco Spacemesh on GitHub Spacemesh on Twitter Spacemesh on Medium Interchain Conversations Berlin event – use code EPICENTER for discounted tickets Cosmos Hackatom Berlin Sponsors: Vaultoro: Trade gold to Bitcoin instantly and securely starting at just 1mg - http://vaultoro.com Cosmos: Join the most interoperable ecosystem of connected blockchains - http://cosmos.network/epicenter This episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/291

We’re joined by Dominic Tarr, a sailor, and the Founder of Secure Scuttlebutt. This curiously named project has a fascinating approach to creating a truly distributed social network. One might even say that Secure Scuttlebutt is “localized” as it gracefully degrades to Sneakernet, something few blockchain projects can claim. In actuality, the SSB protocol isn’t a blockchain in the traditional sense – each user’s feed acts as a sort of localized chain of posts, signed by their public key, and possibly encrypted for a friend's key to decrypt. When users meet, the system syncs their local databases using a gossip protocol and replicates the data. Encrypted data is transported from peer, to peer, to peer (or friends of friends) until it reaches its intended recipient. User may also optionally rely on public servers to sync data over the internet. Topics covered in this episode: Daniels background and life living on a boat off the coast of New Zealand How being at sea gave him the idea for Secure Scuttlebutt What is Secure Scuttlebutt and what are the goals of the project The issues with centralization and redefining decentralization as a positive statement The notion that the technological singularity only serves the goals of centralized power How SSB stores information and how posts get propagates from between friends, and friends of friends How the network leverages “Pub” servers to sync data over the internet Usage of the platform and the communities which thrive there The cost of spam and how users protect against DDoS attacks The project’s funding and roadmap Episode links: Secure Scuttlebutt website Scuttlebutt Protocol Guide Manyverse mobile client Designing a Secret Handshake: AuthenticatedKey Exchange as a Capability System EfficientReconciliationandFlow ControlforAnti-Entropy Protocols Scuttlebutt: an off-grid P2P social network that runs without servers and can fall back to sneakernet The Nomad Who’s Exploding the Internet Into Pieces Counter-Anti-Disintermediation “The Third Web” interview with Dominic Tarr Dominic Tarr on Twitter Sponsors: Trail of Bits: Trust the team at the forefront of blockchain security research - https://trailofbits.com Azure: Deploy enterprise-ready consortium blockchain networks that scale in just a few clicks - http://aka.ms/epicenter This episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/290

We’re joined by Dan Robinson, a research partner at Paradigm, and the author the “Rainbow Network” paper. The paper describes an off-chain decentralized synthetics exchange which leverages payment channels. The Rainbow Network is based on the idea that “rainbows are basically just multicolored lightning,” borrowing from the concepts used in the Lightning Network. The protocol relies on trusted oracles and allows participants to trade any type of liquid asset off-chain. All that is necessary to complete a transaction is an on-chain payment channel collateralized by a single asset. Though it is still at the idea stage and has yet to be implemented, the Rainbow Network could have applications in prediction market and as a new type of decentralized exchange. Topics covered in this episode: Dan’s background as a securities layer turned coder His trajectory from working at Chain, to spending some time at Stellar, to joining Paradigm Fund His involvement in the development of the Plasma Cash and Plasma Debit protocols Thoughts and criticisms of using HTLC’s in Lightning What is the idea behind Rainbow Network and how to understand it in the context of Lightning What are synthetics assets and the ability to trade multiple assets in a single payment channel The ability to have leverage in a Rainbow channel trade Next steps in research and implementation Dan’s contribution to the Ivey “smart contract” language for Bitcoin Episode links: Rainbow Network white paper Ivy Playground for Bitcoin Mirror project Paradigm Dan Robinson on Medium Dan Robinson on Twitter Interchain Conversations Berlin event – use code EPICENTER for discounted tickets Cosmos Hackatom Berlin Sponsors: Cosmos: Join the most interoperable ecosystem of connected blockchains - http://cosmos.network/epicenter Azure: Deploy enterprise-ready consortium blockchain networks that scale in just a few clicks - http://aka.ms/epicenter This episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/289

A common meme in the cryptocurrency space is that it has the potential to help people in countries where only the rich and powerful access to global financial markets. But ten years after the Bitcoin white paper was released, just how many “unbanked” people has cryptocurrency helped? Some see crypto as a tool to empower vulnerable populations in places where hyperinflation and strict capital controls make day-to-day survival a nearly impossible challenge. We’re joined by Jill Carlson. Previously at Chain and Tezos, Jill has been writing about the cryptocurrency industry for several years. In 2016 she published a paper titled “Cryptocurrency and Capital Controls” which observes the use of Bitcoin in Argentina. Recently, she co-founded the Open Money Initiative, a research organization which looks into how people use money in closed economies. Their initial focus is on Venezuela where years of economic downturn and strict currency controls have created a humanitarian crisis which has political repercussions well beyond the country’s borders. Topics covered in this episode: Jill’s beginning working at Goldman Sachs in the Latin America market Her journey from trading bonds to entering crypto space working at Chain A brief history of Venezuela leading up to the current situation What it’s like to experience hyperinflation The Open Money Initiative and the organization’s goals How cryptocurrency and specifically Bitcoin is used in Venezuela The political motivations behind the Open Money Initiative The story behind Venezuela’s Petro currency Jill’s podcast with Meltem Demirors, What Grinds my Gears Episode links: Jill Carlson’s website Open Money Initiative Petronomicon (blog post) Crypto Is Not An Asset Class (blog post) What Grinds my Gears podcast Jill Carlson on Medium Jill Carlson on Twitter Sponsors: Cosmos: Join the most interoperable ecosystem of connected blockchains - http://cosmos.network/epicenter This episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/288

The Ethereum Foundation has played a crucial role in the evolution of the blockchain ecosystem. They pioneered the Swiss foundation structure and ran one of the first token sales. They played a key role in developing the second-most valuable blockchain network and still play a key role in funding research and steering the future of Ethereum. At the same time, it has been frequently criticized for a lack of transparency, being too slow in funding development and poor financial risk management. Executive Director Aya Miyaguchi joined us to discuss her journey into the space, the role of the Ethereum Foundation and their plans for the future. Topics covered in this episode: How Aya went from high school teacher to enter the crypto space Joining Kraken and building their presence in Japan The role of the Ethereum Foundation in the Ethereum ecosystem Decision making processes and governance in the Ethereum Foundation Ethereum's grant program and funding priorities The Ethereum Foundation's plans to attempt to become more transparent The Ethereum Foundation's approach to conflicts of interest Why the EF decided to support MolochDAO Whether Ethereum should be concerned about competition from other blockchain networks Episode links: Ethereum.org Ethereum Foundation to Spend $30 Million on Development Over Next Year Ethereum Foundation Website Ethereum Foundation Values by Aya Miyaguchi (Devcon4) - YouTube Ethereum Devcon 5 Japan - Oct 30 to Nov 2 DappCon Berlin - August 21 to 23 Sponsors: Azure: Deploy enterprise-ready consortium blockchain networks that scale in just a few clicks - http://aka.ms/epicenter This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/287

We were joined by Mark S. Miller, Chief Scientist at Agoric. Mark is a computer scientist who has done ground-breaking work on many topics relevant to blockchain and smart contracts going back decades. We discussed his visionary 1988 Agoric papers, which explored how markets could be applied to the world of software. We also covered how his view of smart contracts, which focused on secure bilateral agreements complements and converges with blockchain. Finally, we covered his new company Agoric and their conceptualization of higher order smart contracts. Topics covered in this episode: Mark's effort to prevent the government from suppressing the discovery of public key cryptography in the 1970s The legendary project Xanadu and its attempt to create censorship-resistant web publishing Mark's Agoric papers and the vision of markets for computation Why AI hasn't changed the shortcomings of central planning The difference between his view of smart contracts and Nick Szabo's Their decade-spanning work on making JavaScript the best language for smart contracts Agoric's work on higher order smart contracting Episode links: The Agoric Papers Computer Security as the Future of Law - YouTube Capability-based Financial Instruments (2000) Distributed Electronic Rights in JavaScript – Google AI Agoric at SF Cryptocurrency Devs - Programming Secure Smart Contracts - YouTube The Duality of Smart Contracts and Electronic Rights by Dean Tribble at Web3 Summit 2018 - YouTube Sponsors: Azure: Deploy enterprise-ready consortium blockchain networks that scale in just a few clicks - http://aka.ms/epicenter Cosmos: Join the most interoperable ecosystem of connected blockchains - http://cosmos.network/epicenter This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/286

We're joined by Mike Pieciak, President of the NASAA. Not to be confused with the space agency, the North American Securities Administrators Association brings together state, provincial, and federal securities regulators in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This relatively unknown organization helps align the financial regulation policies of over 50 agencies across North America and coordinates enforcement action in cross-border cases. In 2018, the NASAA launched “Operation Cryptosweep” in which over 200 ICOs and cryptocurrency-related investment products were investigated for potential investor fraud. Topics covered in this episode: Mike's background as a lawyer and the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation What is the NASAA, it's goals, members and jurisdiction The story of “Operation Cryptosweep” and what came out of that action Mike's thoughts on the future of blockchain regulation How regulation might apply in the context of transnational projects which are nation state-invariant The United State's restrictive securities laws in the context of Defi and security tokens Vermont's attempt to attract blockchain projects, and the “Blockchain-Based LCC” Vermont DFR's pilot project in Captive Insurance What Mike hopes to achieve during his one-year term as president of the NASAA Episode links: NASAA Operation Cryptosweep NASAA Reminds Investors to Approach ICOs with Caution Get in the Know About ICOs (video) Vermont Governor Signs Bill Clearing Way for Blockchain Companies Captive Insurance Blockchain Pilot Press Release Vermont Department of Financial Regulation Mike Pieciak (@mspieciak) on Twitter Sponsors: Azure: Deploy enterprise-ready consortium blockchain networks that scale in just a few clicks - http://aka.ms/epicenter This episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/285

We're joined by Griff Green, one of the founders at Giveth. The organization, which emerged out of the ashes of the DAO, aims to create a better model for charitable work. Operating as a Dapp, Giveth aims to bring new governance models in the nonprofit space. The goal is to create better incentives for donors and charity workers, in all types of social good projects. Topics covered in this episode: Griff's background as a gold-hodling digital nomad His time spent at Slock.it and his involvement in the aftermath of the DAO collapse How traditional charity organizations work The problems these organizations face and how funds get allocated The Giveth backstory and why the team chose to start the project Incentive alignment in the charity space The use of bonding curves and continuous organizations to fund charity projects The project's roadmap and future Episode links: Giveth website Rewriting the Story of Human Collaboration Griff's talk at EthCC Crowdfunding the Commons The Future of Giving is Crowdfunding the Commons Deep Dive: Augmented Bonding Curves Episode 282 with Simon de la Rouviere The Giveth blog Giveth on GitHub Join the Giveth community Sponsors: Azure: Deploy enterprise-ready consortium blockchain networks that scale in just a few clicks - http://aka.ms/epicenter This episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/284

At the core of the Web 2.0 stack lies the REST API. It's the fiber which allows frontend applications to communicate with their backend counterparts, as well as the services on which they depend. But the API model is highly constrained and inflexible. The API is divorced from the data model, which creates a number of restrictions and inefficiencies. Most blockchain clients, including Geth, Parity and Bitcoin Core, use a JSON-RPC model which suffers from similar issues. Several Ethereum DApps maintain high-availability, centralized data indexes which sit between the client and the blockchain. Thought user experience is greatly improved, the practice means most of the ecosystem relies on centralized infrastructure. We're joined by Yaniv Tal, Project Lead at The Graph. The project aims to create a scalable marketplace of robust and high-availability blockchain data indexes. Relying on the modern GraphQL data query language initially developed by Facebook, The Graph allows developers to make complex queries to a robust and high-availability data infrastructure. Launched as a hosted service earlier this year, The Graph plans to move to a decentralized model in the future. Topics covered in this episode: The vision of The Graph and why the team chose to work on this problem The REST API client-server model in the Web 2.0 paradigm The state of the Ethereum ecosystem and the challenges relating to data availability How DApps work behind the scenes and their backend infrastructure GraphQL as the evolution of the API model How The Graph addresses the issue of data querying and availability Their hosted services and plans to move to a hybrid model How The Graph addresses privacy and scalability The incentive mechanisms and economics related to data integrity Early applications and the project's near-term roadmap Episode links: The Graph - A Query Protocol for Blockchains The Graph on Medium Browse and Explore Subgraphs Graph Docs GraphQL Will Power the Decentralized Web The Graph’s Research and Specifications are Now Open Source Our Investment In The Graph - Multicoin Capital GraphQL Yaniv Tal on Twitter Sponsors: Cosmos: Join the most interoperable ecosystem of connected blockchains - http://cosmos.network/epicenter This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain & Sebastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/283