Blockchain in Real Estate: How Blockchain Technology can Transform the Property Sector – Blockchain Review

Blockchain in Real Estate: How Blockchain Technology can Transform the Property Sector. Insights by special guest contributor Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Chair of the UK Parliamentary Blockchain Committee (APPG Blockchain) and former housing minister for the UK Government.  Why is buying or selling a home so incredibly stressful? According to psychiatrists, moving house ranks … Continue reading “Blockchain in Real Estate: How Blockchain Technology can Transform the Property Sector – Blockchain Review”

Blockchain in Real Estate: How Blockchain Technology can Transform the Property Sector. Insights by special guest contributor Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Chair of the UK Parliamentary Blockchain Committee (APPG Blockchain) and former housing minister for the UK Government. 

Why is buying or selling a home so incredibly stressful? According to psychiatrists, moving house ranks as life’s third most stressful activity. It’s right up there after losing a loved one and getting divorced. And, it turns out, you don’t even need to purchase a home to feel the stress. Just renting or letting a property can also release lots of anxiety-inducing serotonin.

When I became Housing Minister back in 2010 I hoped I might find a way to lower house moving stress.

So, I ordered a review of home buying and selling, renting and letting. Was there, I asked, a better/less stressful way for our house moving system to work? Perhaps with the benefit of international comparison from Scotland to Europe and beyond, we would find somewhere on the globe where moving home had been destressed.

And the result?

Well, it turns out that every system has its pros and cons. You can sign a contract up front (as the French do) and then go through the process of people wriggling out once they’ve had a survey and found the dry rot. Or, you can have an offer accepted (as we do in England) only to experience the delights of gazumping, even after you’ve spent significant cash on professional fees.

The bottom line was that there was no perfect system. And, I couldn’t say with any certainty that a better process actually existed. Because regardless of where in the world you’re reading this – the truth is that every house moving system so far invented has its drawbacks.

However, today I realise that I was probably looking in the wrong direction all along.

You see, the real barrier to smooth property transaction is in fact ‘trust’. Even though moving is in theory just a transaction between a buyer and seller (or renter and landlord), in reality, numerous parties are involved. And, for a transaction to proceed smoothly, each must have confidence in the next.

Of course, if there is one thing that the blockchain is good at, it is acting as a trusted third party.

As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Blockchain, I’m frequently asked by my fellow MPs to ‘just explain this blockchain thing to me’. As anyone who has ever attempted to explain Distributed Ledger Technology in an elevator pitch will testify, a compact answer can be a challenge. But I usually use a version of the following…

Let’s say I owe you £100. I ask for your bank details and I make the transfer. I know it’s sent because my banking app tells me so. You know you’ve received it through your bank. Simple enough. Except that to make that transfer, both you and I have had to rely on two large banking institutions, with all their overheads and bureaucracy, just to satisfy ourselves that the transaction really has taken place.

So now imagine a world where we don’t need the involvement of either of our expensive banks. Where thousands of computers belonging to people we don’t need to know guarantee that the payment has been received. This anonymous network becomes our single trusted third-party. And it has the potential to save us both a lot of time and money in the future.

By this point, I’m hoping to get a nodding head and if I do then I’ll complete the explanation. Now can you imagine if we didn’t require so many other trusted third-parties, like accountants, lawyers, conveyancers and so on?

At this point and with some folk, the penny starts to drop. And if it does, then I might throw in a brief word about Smart Contracts and some of the incredible work the All Party Group is viewing from governments, corporates and online communities around the world.

Which brings me back to that property question I posed myself as a Minister all those years ago.

Remember how I couldn’t find a conventional answer to speeding up and de-stressing the property buying and selling, renting and letting sectors? Well, now I think I see a solution. And it involves blockchain technology.

If the key to making a task more efficient is deploying more effective third-parties, then I cannot think of a better place to start than in the property world. From estate agents joining up buyers and sellers, through to conveyancing, searches, land registry and finance – this is a marketplace which has defied consumer-orientated improvement for a very long time.

Yet when I went looking for a solution back then, I came up empty-handed. But now I believe that was because the technology to improve the house moving process simply didn’t exist. Thanks to the Distributed Public Ledger, today it does.

I suspect it won’t be long before the blockchain is bringing massive changes to the property sector. And it will be removing a lot of time, stress and angst in the process.

Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP is the Chair of the UK Parliamentary Blockchain Committee (APPG Blockchain) and former housing minister for the UK Government. Grant is also the chair of OpenBrix Governance committee.

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The Intrepid Report Issue #50 – Blockchain Review

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: Asia seems to be abuzz with blockchain developments in the past week, with major advancements in China and Philippines. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on the renewable energy internet, as well as insights on the big legal issue blockchain developers rarely discuss, and much more. … Continue reading “The Intrepid Report Issue #50 – Blockchain Review”

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: Asia seems to be abuzz with blockchain developments in the past week, with major advancements in China and Philippines. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on the renewable energy internet, as well as insights on the big legal issue blockchain developers rarely discuss, and much more. Check it out below!


Key news highlights. What’s going on in the world of Blockchain?

Blockchain Evidence Legally Binding, Says China’s Supreme Court
China appears eager to be at the forefront of technological development and adoption. In line with this goal, China has recently begun accepting nascent technology into court litigation procedures. The country’s supreme court has declared that as of Friday, September 7, evidence stored and verified on blockchain platforms can be used in legal disputes.
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Philippines SEC Aims to Publish Draft Laws Regulating Crypto Exchanges by Next Week’s End
Rising interest in the crypto market has seen the country’s SEC look at it with fresh eyes. According to Ephyro Luis Amatong, SEC Commissioner, the agency is planning to release draft rules by next week. The Philippines is taking a positive stance towards the crypto market. It is also embracing the blockchain. In recent news, the Union Bank of the Philippines was reported to be using the distributed technology to cut operational costs.
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Blockchain Jobs are Booming in Asia, even as Cryptocurrency Prices Struggle
As blockchain technology gets adopted by both start-ups and more established corporations, blockchain and cryptocurrency jobs are increasingly appealing to job seekers from conventional sectors in Asia. On the whole, those currently entering the sector come from a wider range of professional backgrounds as blockchain start-ups develop and mature. Here’s a closer look at the job market and developments in blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
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The latest insights, thoughts, and analysis from the Intrepid Team

Blockchain and the Renewable Energy Internet
Prominent thinkers in the fields of behavioural science and complexity theory are now placing more emphasis on network effects, evolutionary mechanisms, and energy systems. Here is a comprehensive article about the machine age and its side effects on the environment, the evolution of the world’s energy needs, the redesign of institutions and how blockchain technology could help create a new energy-efficient global economy.
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The Big Legal Issue Blockchain Developers Rarely Discuss
Software licensed under open source licenses (OSS) is fundamental to the success of blockchain projects, but the importance of selecting the right OSS license is rarely discussed by the blockchain community. Such licenses permit collaborative, decentralized development, encourage swift adoption by users and enable the community to “fork” the project to resolve strategic disputes. OSS licenses are generally quite different from traditional proprietary software licenses. Read on to find out more about these differences.
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A Glimpse into the Dark Underbelly of Cryptocurrency Markets
This post presents an investigation into the key drivers of the unrelenting cryptocurrency/cryptoasset markets, and explain why they aren’t likely to go away soon. The major stakeholders in this market are exchanges (naturally), altcoin/cryptocurrency/fork issuers, and coin ranking sites, who mutualistically work together to extract value from one group: retail investors.
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Cryptocurrency: What is it good for? (A lot, actually.)
Cryptocurrencies get a ton of buzz these days, and most cryptocurrency discussion unfortunately leaves the reader with too much hype or knee-jerk condemnation and not enough measured analysis. It is not surprising, then, that some people may walk away with the impression that cryptocurrency is little more than a new iteration of the dot com bubble, without any real value add. In reality, the technology actually makes some useful things possible for the first time.
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Tokens can Better Incentivize Startup Employees than Equity
Token structuring and tokeneconomics are among of the most important considerations when designing a blockchain. Beyond the community and investors in the project, token economics are also bringing disruption to organizations internally when it comes to HR and compensation. If internal stakeholder incentives are structured correctly, the project could accrue long-term value by motivating employees to work towards the same goal, while reducing adversarial behaviour and also bad actors.
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Why Japan’s Biggest Messaging App Line Decided to Create Its Own Crypto
Line, Japan’s largest messaging app, has launched its own cryptocurrency. Will other messengers like Kakao and Facebook follow? Here’s Line’s story, and an analysis on the viability and practicality of creating a tokenised economy using Line’s independent currency, LINK.
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Updates on what we’re up to and our upcoming events

Have You Attended Tech Events in Asia?
We want to shake up the tech event industry for attendees like you and need your feedback on the current event scene in Singapore and SE Asia. We want to get to the heart of what people truly want and need when it comes to events in the digital, innovation and tech space. What’s lacking? What’s awesome? This feedback will be the launchpad for the types of events we curate at Intrepid.
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Webinar Replay – Marketing a Blockchain Business without Facebook, Twitter, or Google
We have good news! If you missed the webinar, you can access a replay of it here. Our Co-founder and Managing Director, Collin Thompson, is deeply involved in the development and growth of a variety of blockchain startups around the world. In this webinar, he shares thoughts on topics like the biggest marketing challenges in the blockchain space, how to overcome them, best practices, and more..
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How to Create an Ethereum Wallet on MetaMask
Many people have been reaching out to us about what an Ethereum wallet is and how to set it up. We are definitely hyped that there’s so much interest in the blockchain space and understand it could get confusing for beginners. Follow Julien from our team as he brings you through how to set up MetaMask, one of the most popular and user friendly Ethereum wallets, all in less than 5 minutes!
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Want to learn more about blockchain? Check out our new micro-site How Does the Blockchain Work, a clear and non-technical guide on how blockchain, Bitcoin, and Ethereum works, and more. Check it out.

Interested in learning from leading entrepreneurs in the blockchain world? Check out our Founders in Focus interview series on YouTube. A show where we uncover the personal stories and journeys of founders and innovators from the crypto sphere. 

How Decentralized Cryptocurrency Exchanges are Bringing Trust Back to the Cryptosphere – Blockchain Review

If there is a currency in the world, there has to be somewhere to trade it. Picking up on this simple principle, and drawing inspiration from fiat currency exchanges, crypto pioneers have built cryptocurrency exchanges that function in the same manner as fiat currency exchanges do, just modified and optimized to trade cryptocurrency. The basic … Continue reading “How Decentralized Cryptocurrency Exchanges are Bringing Trust Back to the Cryptosphere – Blockchain Review”

If there is a currency in the world, there has to be somewhere to trade it. Picking up on this simple principle, and drawing inspiration from fiat currency exchanges, crypto pioneers have built cryptocurrency exchanges that function in the same manner as fiat currency exchanges do, just modified and optimized to trade cryptocurrency. The basic principles remain the same. I have been involved in creating many cryptocurrency exchanges, and have performed many experiments. Based on this experience, I will attempt to shine as much light as I can on the current state of crypto exchanges.

There are two types of exchanges – centralized and decentralized. This article will focus on the world of decentralized currency exchanges, or DEXs, as is evident from the title. But first, it will look at the problems with centralized exchanges and explain why decentralized crypto exchanges are needed.

The problems with centralized crypto exchanges

As the name suggests, centralized cryptocurrency exchanges are operated and monitored by a single governing body or a group of organizations. Margin trading and other features can be easily integrated into centralized cryptocurrency exchanges. They are easy to use and have been the preferred place for people to trade their cryptocurrencies. Some big centralized exchanges today include Coinbase, Kraken, Bitfinex, and Bitstamp.

So, what went so horribly wrong with centralized exchanges?

Perhaps it all started with the Bitfinex and Mt. Gox hacks which I discussed in my Decentralized Cryptocurrency Exchange Development article back in February 2018. Over 700000 BTC were stolen from these exchanges, which amounted to approximately USD 66 million at the time. The prices of BTC tumbled to as low as USD 480, people were living in fear of trading their cryptocurrencies and trust in the cryptocurrency space declined.

These incidents outline the one major problem with centralized exchanges – security. Due to their centralized nature, the vulnerability of a central network comes into play. People with malicious intent need only hack into the data centers of these organizations or exchanges since all the magic happens there. Centralized exchanges are seen as honeypots for hackers who have stolen billions of crypto in the last decade or so.

When an exchange system is breached, all the data stored at a single location can be compromised easily. This formed the basis for the Mt. Gox and Bitfinex hacks, in addition to the venerability of multi-signature accounts which were exploited.

Besides security, there are a few other notable problems with centralized exchanges. CEXs often have high trading fees and require personal information and proof of identity making it hard for users to maintain anonymity and protect their identity. Centralized exchanges also require users to trust third parties who can collude, be corrupted and manipulate prices. Furthermore, CEXs are more likely to fail accidentally because they only rely on one centralized component.

The rise of decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges

As the name suggests, a decentralized exchange is not controlled or governed by a third party or organization. These are trustless and non-custodian systems as users do not need to trust third parties with their funds or personal information. Unlike, centralized exchanges, DEXs don’t function like banks or traditional fiat currency exchanges, but instead they facilitate the direct peer-to-peer (P2P) trading of cryptocurrency where users control their own funds.

Decentralized exchanges bring major benefits. These include better privacy and anonymity, lower fees, no withdrawal/trading limits, skipping the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process and a reduced risk of someone hacking the exchange. Decentralized exchanges also make it much harder for participants to collude and manipulate prices/trading in ways that benefit them at the expense of others.

With significant benefits in security and the fact that the exchange itself does not hold any information about customers, their funds or other personal details, DEXs have become increasingly popular. DEX protocols, such as the 0x, WavesDEX, EtherDelta and Bancor provide solid proof that DEXs if executed correctly can potentially replace centralized crypto exchanges soon. Interoperability and atomic swaps, (smart contract technology that enables the transfer of one cryptocurrency for another without using centralized intermediaries make DEXs even more viable as a business model. Here are some decentralized exchanges:

0x

The 0x or Ethereum protocol is perhaps the most popular decentralized protocol out there. Most of the world’s blockchains run on Ethereum and utilize smart contracts for their functioning. 0x eliminates the need to trust third parties with users in complete control of their information.

The 0x protocol not only acts as a decentralized exchange mechanism, but it also solves other problems with blockchains. For instance, every time a transaction is executed on the Ethereum network, a small fee, known as gas, is levied. Reducing gas prices can be accomplished with the 0x protocol, by combining its off chain relays with on-chain settlements.

Bitshares

Bitshares is a financial smart contract platform that enables digital asset trading. Users can track the values of digital assets and trade them on the Bitshares network. The tokens can be created on native platforms using BTC, USD or other currencies, and can be carried out by individuals or companies looking to create their own decentralized exchanges. The interoperability of the Bitshares exchange protocol is what sets it apart from other systems, and makes it an ideal choice for decentralized exchange development.

Stellar

The Stellar DEX protocols take decentralization to a new level. Independent servers with fault tolerance systems participate in the network, adding security to the whole network. The Stellar DEX essentially acts as a database for storing data of each and every account on the network, with a complete copy being hosted on each and every node. To aid ease of conversion between currencies, Stellar has its own currency, Lumens. It acts as a bridge between other currencies to aid in the conversion process.

The future of decentralized exchanges

It’s important to remember that we’re only at the beginning. There is still a hint of skepticism in the air regarding decentralized exchanges. Before decentralized exchanges can reach the popularity that centralized exchanges enjoy, they will need to become more user-friendly, interoperable between different blockchain architectures and increase their levels of liquidity.

The good news is that DEXs have already improved crypto trading. There are already several market-ready solutions being used in the real world delivering users a number of improvements.

And things will get even better.

Eliminating front-running and adding cross chain swaps may well be the two most worked-upon features added to DEXs in the near future. Rolling out faster DEXs could be another possibility, with the Plasma protocol already being touted as a market-ready solution.

Utilizing the different features of all protocols would be a dream solution. Combining the off chain relays of the 0x protocol, the independent fault-tolerant servers of Stellar, and digital asset trading and value tracking of Bitshares could perhaps create the ultimate exchange.

Abhishek Kumar is involved in building robust and scalable Digital Asset Exchanges and tech products for the future at Sodiotech. Check out his profiles: Twitter | LinkedIn

The Intrepid Report Issue #64 – Blockchain Review

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: Blockchain developer positions are the top emerging job on Linkedin, and Opera adds cryptocurrency wallet to its Android browser. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on Why Market Cap is a Meaningless & Dangerous Valuation Metric in Crypto Markets, as well as insights about the intrinsic … Continue reading “The Intrepid Report Issue #64 – Blockchain Review”

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: Blockchain developer positions are the top emerging job on Linkedin, and Opera adds cryptocurrency wallet to its Android browser. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on Why Market Cap is a Meaningless & Dangerous Valuation Metric in Crypto Markets, as well as insights about the intrinsic value of crypto, how Vitalik explains blockchain, and more. Check it out below!


Key news highlights. What’s going on in the world of Blockchain?

LinkedIn: ‘Blockchain developer’ is the No. 1 Emerging Job
Echoing a number of similar reports this year, the career and professional social site says listings for blockchain developers have exploded. Read on for other interesting career and market trends in blockchain.
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Saudi Arabia Teams Up With UAE to Issue Joint Cryptocurrency
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced plans to issue a cryptocurrency for use in cross-border transactions. The new digital currency will reportedly only be used for inter-bank transactions between the two countries and not for customer use. Here’s how the plan will impact the region.
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Opera Adds Cryptocurrency Wallet To Its Android Browser
The Opera browser now has a built-in cryptocurrency wallet for Ether and ERC20 standard-based tokens. The Android-based browser will now allow users to access their dApps, manage their digital identities, and through the wallet, make cryptocurrency transactions. Read on for the features of Opera and it’s future plans for integrating other currencies.
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The latest insights, thoughts, and analysis from the Intrepid Team

Why Market Cap is a Meaningless & Dangerous Valuation Metric in Crypto Markets
Market cap or market capitalization is a calculation that emerged from the finance world but one that has also seeped into the crypto world. It’s used everywhere as a justification for investment decisions and as a metric to measure the size and value of a cryptocurrency or token. But there’s a big problem. Market cap is meaningless, easily manipulated and creates a false sense of value. Here’s why.
Read More

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Apply to be a contributor to The Blockchain Review. Reach thousands of entrepreneurs, investors and blockchain enthusiasts globally.
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Articles, white papers, ebooks, and more

The Intrinsic Value of Crypto (What the Bubble Hasn’t Changed)
In an exclusive contribution to Coindesk, former senior vice president of State Street shares his views on the intrinsic value of crypto and the financial use-case that he has stood by since the beginning.
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Ethereum Creator Vitalik Buterin Explains What You Really Need to Know About Blockchain
To most people, blockchain relates to Bitcoin in the same way banks relate to dollars, which explains why the recent crash of Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies have prompted many blockchain believers to exit the space. However, the 24-year-old inventor of Ethereum thinks the exact opposite – blockchain is here to stay and here’s what you really need to know about this technology.
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How Blockchain Could Disrupt Banking
Blockchain is transforming everything from payments transactions to how money is raised in the private market. Will the traditional banking industry embrace this technology or be replaced by it? What do banks have to be afraid of? The short answer is “a lot.”
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Updates on what we’re up to and our upcoming events

Get More Bonus Tokens by Inviting Your Friends
Earn 5% Metabase tokens when your friends buy tokens using your invite link! Simply buy Metabase tokens (min. 5 USD) and send your invite link to friends to start earning. By using your invite link, you are also giving your friends additional bonuses of 1-5% on their first purchase.
Invite Friends

Want to learn more about blockchain? Check out our new micro-site How Does the Blockchain Work, a clear and non-technical guide on how blockchain, Bitcoin, and Ethereum works, and more. Check it out.

Interested in learning from leading entrepreneurs in the blockchain world? Check out our Founders in Focus interview series on YouTube. A show where we uncover the personal stories and journeys of founders and innovators from the crypto sphere. 

The Intrepid Report Issue #56 – Blockchain Review

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: The FATF will be issuing clarifications on AML/CFT guidelines to support innovation, while institutional investors and industry continue to show growing interest in cryptocurrencies. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on decentralised cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as insights on UX issues, governance models and use-cases in … Continue reading “The Intrepid Report Issue #56 – Blockchain Review”

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: The FATF will be issuing clarifications on AML/CFT guidelines to support innovation, while institutional investors and industry continue to show growing interest in cryptocurrencies. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on decentralised cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as insights on UX issues, governance models and use-cases in blockchain and much more. Check it out below!


Key news highlights. What’s going on in the world of Blockchain?

Blockchain Could Track the Globes Gold Bullion by 2019
Ethical sourcing is becoming critical in such a high-value sector as precious metals. It will become even more important as reserves of metals such as gold diminish and scarcity develops. Here’s more on providing tracking and transparency to a trillion dollar industry.
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Regulation of Virtual Assets
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which drives the global anti-money laundering agenda, will be issuing clarifications on managing the ML and TF risks of virtual assets, providing guidance to jurisdictions to create a sound AML/CFT regulatory environment in which companies are free to innovate.
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$50 Million Bitcoin Mining Farm Opens in Armenia
Armenia is aiming to create its own Silicon Valley by establishing a free economic zone that will host a state-of-the-art technology center, officials have said. The new mining facility, the country’s first, comes at a time when a number of countries are implementing and expanding blockchain technologies.
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Crypto M&A is on a Tear as Deal-makers See Opportunity in Bitcoin’s Price Slump
Merger and acquisition activity for cryptocurrency companies has more than doubled in the past year amid a 54% slump in bitcoin prices. The industry is in a “land grab” for innovative technology, access to new markets, intellectual property, and talented employees through M&A. Here’s more on the industry’s activity.
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Goldman Sachs and Galaxy Digital’s Mike Novogratz Invest $15 Million in Crypto Custody Firm
In total, BitGo’s series B fund rounding has brought in $58.5 million. Goldman Sachs and Novogratz together contributed, as their clients show growing interest in cryptocurrencies. Goldman Sachs has also reportedly considered creating its own crypto custody. Here’s more on the story.
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The latest insights, thoughts, and analysis from the Intrepid Team

How Decentralised Cryptocurrency Exchanges are Bringing Trust Back to the Cryptosphere
If there is a currency in the world, there has to be somewhere to trade it. Trading can be done on two types of exchanges – centralised and decentralised. This article takes a closer look at the problems with centralised exchanges and explains why decentralised crypto exchanges are needed.
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Want to be a Thought Leader in Blockchain?
Apply to be a contributor to The Blockchain Review. Reach thousands of entrepreneurs, investors and blockchain enthusiasts globally.
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Articles, white papers, ebooks, and more

Current User Experience (UX) Issues of the Blockchain Technology
The issue of a blockchain adoption is in the user experience. Overall, the current state of blockchain user experience creates high entry barriers for newcomers, lowers adoption rate and raises more questions than solves actual needs. Here are some distinctive features of any blockchain-based technology that impacts UX and what we can do to improve user-experience and drive blockchain adoption.
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How Blockchain will Allow for Fewer Counterfeit Goods and Faster Product Recalls
There are some promising use cases for how blockchain could help solve some of the problems plaguing retail, and even a few initiatives that are already well underway. It’s worth familiarizing yourself with the areas of retail that could eventually be improved by blockchain. Here are six that technologists, investors, and analysts are excited about now.
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The New Federalism: Blockchain will Decentralise Big Tech’s Power on the Internet
In an era of the rise of decentralised organisations, blockchain governance is becoming a topic of increasing relevance. Platforms similar to the big Internet companies are beginning to emerge, only decentralised and controlled by users, e.g. Steemit (Reddit, decentralised). With no owner/monarch to make unilateral decisions (software updates, pricing policy, revenue distribution), users have to make decisions together. Here are some approaches to governance.
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What China’s Cashless Revolution Can Teach the West About Crypto
The real benefits of China’s cashless revolution lie in how this new, software-based system of value exchange has become a platform on which new business models can be built. So, does China prove that you don’t need a blockchain to build a new Internet of Value, powered by device-to-device exchanges in an Internet of Things economy?
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Updates on what we’re up to and our upcoming events

Get to Know the Metabase Network Advisory Team
We’ve built a blockbuster team of advisors that features leading industry experts from around the world. Get to know them and the other exciting developments we have lined up for building Metabase Network.
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Metabase Network Main Sale 2 – Final Bonus
Main Sale 2 offers a 5% bonus, which will be the last round of bonus sales for the ICO. To allow more users to buy into the sale, the minimum contribution is 5 USD and the buying process has been simplified to 5 minutes.
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We are Hiring! Build the Future With Us
We are hiring back-end (Golang, C++) and blockchain protocol engineers! If you are imaginative and can make abstract ideas practical, useful, but totally out of the ordinary, and have a passion for blockchain, apply to join us.
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3 Simple Steps to Invite Friends and Get More Tokens
Earn 5% Metabase tokens when your friends buy tokens using your invite link! Simply buy Metabase tokens (min. 5 USD) and send your invite link to friends to start earning. By using your invite link, you are also giving your friends additional bonuses of 1-5% on their first purchase.
Invite Friends

Let’s Shake up the Tech Event Industry in Asia!
We want to know what you want when it comes to events in the digital, innovation and tech space. What’s lacking? What’s awesome? Let us know here!
Let Us Know

Want to learn more about blockchain? Check out our new micro-site How Does the Blockchain Work, a clear and non-technical guide on how blockchain, Bitcoin, and Ethereum works, and more. Check it out.

Interested in learning from leading entrepreneurs in the blockchain world? Check out our Founders in Focus interview series on YouTube. A show where we uncover the personal stories and journeys of founders and innovators from the crypto sphere. 

The Intrepid Report Issue #55 – Blockchain Review

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: A hacker live-streamed a 51% attack on the Bitcoin Private network and succeeded, and the governments of Australia and Seoul are working on serious blockchain projects. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on Bitcoin and Ethereum guides made simple, as well as insights on the myth … Continue reading “The Intrepid Report Issue #55 – Blockchain Review”

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: A hacker live-streamed a 51% attack on the Bitcoin Private network and succeeded, and the governments of Australia and Seoul are working on serious blockchain projects. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on Bitcoin and Ethereum guides made simple, as well as insights on the myth of the current infrastructure phase in blockchain, security token offerings (STOs), and much more. Check it out below!


Key news highlights. What’s going on in the world of Blockchain?

Hacker Livestreams 51% Attack on Bitcoin Private
On Oct. 13, ethical hacker “Geocold” followed through on his promise to 51 percent attack an altcoin. He eventually settled on Bitcoin Private (BTCP), and quickly gained majority hashrate control, but the spectacle was fraught with setbacks, including censorship from two streaming services that pulled the plug. Here’s the process he went through to launch the attack.
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Australia’s NDIS the Next Target for Blockchain
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is going to be the first case study for the Making Money Smart trial, a project to create “smart money” — or programmable money — on a blockchain-based platform. According to Data61, the NDIS “involves highly personalised payment conditions”, which makes it suitable to be the first case study for a proof of concept. Read on for more on the project!
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Censorship-Resistant Social Media Is Here
Over the past few months, Bitcoin Cash developers have been creating applications that are similar to social media and forum platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter. Anyone in the world can use these Bitcoin Cash-powered applications such as Memo, Blockpress, Keyport, and Matter which offer censorship-resistant versions of these social media giants.
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Seoul Government Plans $100 Million Investment into Blockchain to Build a Smart City
During his nine-day-long visit to Europe, Park Won-soon, mayor of Seoul, revealed that the South Korean capital is planning to implement blockchain technology across a number of key areas in the city’s government over the next five years. The Blockchain Urban Plan will see the technology added to 14 public services in the city. Services that will see blockchain introduction include voting, labor welfare certification issuance, and more.
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The latest insights, thoughts, and analysis from the Intrepid Team

Bitcoin White Paper Made Simple
If you have a general idea about Bitcoin but just can’t seem to make sense of it all, this guide is for you. We cover topics from Proof-of-Work (PoW) and privacy, to payment verification and more.
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Ethereum White Paper Made Simple
This easy to follow guide is designed to help people without an advanced degree in computer geekery understand the Ethereum white paper. We discuss how Ethereum works to what it can be used for.
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The Myth of The Infrastructure Phase
A common narrative in the Web 3.0 community is that we are in an infrastructure phase and the right thing to be working on right now is building out that infrastructure: better base chains, better interchain interoperability, better clients, wallets and browsers. This article presents an insightful alternative argument – we are not in an infrastructure phase, but rather in another turn of the apps-infrastructure cycle.
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What is a Security Token Offering (STO) and is it Right for Your Business?STO is emerging as a powerful and valuable alternative to private equity and venture capital financing for companies globally. Here are why it is compelling for business owners and what you have to look out for to assess its suitability for your business.
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Interoperability: The Next Frontier Of Blockchain Development
In the barest sense, interoperability refers to networks and systems capable of communicating with each other. Blockchain companies, then, aren’t simply collaborating; they’re trying to create products that are compatible. Here’s why interoperability is important for the cryptospace.
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Is Your Identity Ever Safe Online?
We have all the reasons to feel scared when the biggest social networking site in the world with over 2 billion active monthly users says that its users’ identities got compromised. If Facebook can fall prey to hacking attempts, so can any other online platform in the world. This reaffirms one thing — identity theft is real, and unless necessary actions are taken, you can be its next victim. Here’s how blockchain can put an end to identity theft.
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Updates on what we’re up to and our upcoming events

Bernard Kwan Joins Metabase Network as Advisor
We are extremely excited to announce that Bernard Kwan has joined the Metabase project as an advisor. Bernard is CFO and Partner at Arocrest Capital Management which provides investment and management expertise to Arocrest. He has more than a decade of experience in finance and portfolio management across a diverse range of industries within Asian markets, and more.
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Metabase Network Main Sale 1 Ends in

The Intrepid Report Issue #58 – Blockchain Review

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: New research argues that EOS isn’t a blockchain, and Hong Kong issues new regulations for virtual assets. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on Blockchain & Crypto Hype Cycle: Where We’re at and What’s Coming Next, as well as insights on the evolution of trust, the … Continue reading “The Intrepid Report Issue #58 – Blockchain Review”

Here’s what’s in store for you this week: New research argues that EOS isn’t a blockchain, and Hong Kong issues new regulations for virtual assets. We’ve got thoughts from the Blockchain Review on Blockchain & Crypto Hype Cycle: Where We’re at and What’s Coming Next, as well as insights on the evolution of trust, the future of financial infrastructure, and much more. Check it out below!


Key news highlights. What’s going on in the world of Blockchain?

New Regulation in Hong Kong for Crypto Fund Managers, Fund Distributors and Trading Platforms
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) published a statement setting out its new regulatory framework for virtual assets (also known as cryptocurrencies, crypto-assets and digital tokens). Here’s a closer look into what this new regulatory framework looks like and its key components.
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Researcher Argues EOS isn’t a Blockchain — Just a Distributed Database
Blockchain testing and research company Whiteblock Inc. has released a damning verdict on EOS, describing it as a “distributed homogeneous database” masquerading as a blockchain. In a report titled “EOS: An Architectural, Performance and Economic Analysis,” the company dissects several aspects of the EOS protocol and comes to the conclusion that it suffers from a serious security deficiency as well as network performance that is significantly lower than what was claimed. Here’s more on the research.
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Binance Signs Up 40,000 Crypto Traders in Its First Week in Uganda
Despite global market doldrums, demand for cryptocurrency appears to be booming across Uganda, a country where nearly three out of four people don’t have bank accounts. Binance Uganda signed up 40,000 users in the first week since the world’s largest crypto exchange launched its local subsidiary in October. To address issues faced in the region, the service in Uganda differs from Binance’s flagship global trading platform in at least two other notable ways.
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Cryptocurrency Scams Are Now Among the SEC’s Top Enforcement Priorities
An annual report by the Securities and Exchange Commission reveals how digital currency scams, which did not merit a mention two years ago, are among the agency’s top enforcement priorities. The agency also notes that, while many of its investigations have turned on fraud, it is also pursuing cases to “ensure compliance with the registration requirements of the federal securities laws.” Read on for more of the annual report.
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‘Blockchain’ is Now More Popular Than ‘Cryptocurrency,’ According to Google Data
Google search data reveals people are finally starting to show more interest in blockchain than cryptocurrency. The sentiment that blockchain (the technology) will outlast cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin) is slowly materializing into a popular mainstream narrative.
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The latest insights, thoughts, and analysis from the Intrepid Team

Blockchain & Crypto Hype Cycle: Where We’re at and What’s Coming Next
A closer look at the last decade reveals blockchain has thus far had a typical journey for an emerging technology on the road to maturity and adoption. A journey that’s evident in the rise of many other innovative and game-changing technologies. We follow the journey of blockchain since Satoshi’s Bitcoin Whitepaper a decade ago, to the increasing adoption among enterprises, financial institutions, regulators, academia and more!
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Want to be a Thought Leader in Blockchain?
Apply to be a contributor to The Blockchain Review. Reach thousands of entrepreneurs, investors and blockchain enthusiasts globally.
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Articles, white papers, ebooks, and more

The Evolution of Trust
Why, even in peacetime, do friends become enemies? And why, even in wartime, do enemies become friends? Game theory can help explain our epidemic of distrust – and how we can fix it! To understand game theory and how trust evolves in our world, check out this interactive game.
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The Future of Financial Infrastructure: An Ambitious Look at How Blockchain Can Reshape Financial Services
The transformation of the financial services industry is top-of-mind for everyone in the field and blockchain might be the hottest topic in the rapidly changing world of Fintech. But how can this technology really help financial firms? This report from World Economic Forum takes a pragmatic approach to answering this question.
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Blockchain 3.0 – Potential Use-cases and Future Adoption
Despite its infancy, ‘Blockchain’ as a concept continues to evolve at a rapid rate, with new iterations of the technology coming out faster than many can keep up with. But what’s next? More importantly, what lies in store for the future of Blockchain, specifically in regards to its practical use-case applications and future adoption?
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Trade Tech – A New Age for Trade and Supply Chain Finance
Trade technologies could narrow the current trade finance gap of $1.5 trillion, representing roughly 10% of global merchandise trade volumes. Individual firms and governments are starting to digitalize and automate their trade and supply chain processes by deploying relatively new technologies, including distributed ledger technology. The United Nations and the World Trade Organization have also been encouraging investment in new technologies to help promote economic development.
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10 Years of the Blockchain: What Is Bitcoin, Really?
The Bitcoin white paper was released into the world 10 years ago on 31 October. Here are thoughts from some influential people in the space—including the guy who spent 10,000 bitcoins on pizza in 2010— on what Bitcoin is and where it’s going.
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Updates on what we’re up to and our upcoming events

Metabase Network Main Sale 2 – Final Bonus
Main Sale 2 offers a 5% bonus, which will be the last round of bonus sales for the ICO. To allow more users to buy into the sale, the minimum contribution is 5 USD and the buying process has been simplified to 5 minutes.
Buy Now

We are Hiring! Build the Future With Us
We are looking for back-end developers with knowledge and experiences in Go, C++ and LLVM. If you are imaginative and can make abstract ideas practical, useful, but totally out of the ordinary, and have a passion for blockchain, apply to join us.
Apply Now

3 Simple Steps to Invite Friends and Get More Tokens
Earn 5% Metabase tokens when your friends buy tokens using your invite link! Simply buy Metabase tokens (min. 5 USD) and send your invite link to friends to start earning. By using your invite link, you are also giving your friends additional bonuses of 1-5% on their first purchase.
Invite Friends

Let’s Shake up the Tech Event Industry in Asia!
We want to know what you want when it comes to events in the digital, innovation and tech space. What’s lacking? What’s awesome? Let us know here!
Let Us Know

Want to learn more about blockchain? Check out our new micro-site How Does the Blockchain Work, a clear and non-technical guide on how blockchain, Bitcoin, and Ethereum works, and more. Check it out.

Interested in learning from leading entrepreneurs in the blockchain world? Check out our Founders in Focus interview series on YouTube. A show where we uncover the personal stories and journeys of founders and innovators from the crypto sphere.