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What is that `Crypto` stuff?

January 3, 2024

BITAXE

OPEN SOFTWARE AND OPEN HARDWARE FOR BTC MINING

Decentralizing the BTC Mining

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IU-KRRMiS8

ESP32s3 + ASIC -> SHA256 algorithm

BTC node (validador, no minero) with RPi -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6yfk92OkWc

https://bitnodes.io/

https://umbrel.com/ https://github.com/getumbrel/umbrel

umbrel.local

Crypto

The cryptocurrency landscape is vast and full of unique concepts that may be unfamiliar to newcomers. In this blog post, we’ll cover some of the essential terms and ideas you need to understand to navigate the world of cryptocurrency with confidence and prepare you to find interesting insights during your analysis.

It was already predicted: https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2014/03/05/how-economist-milton-friedman-predicted-bitcoin/

Where to Learn more?

General Crypto Concepts

Hash

A hash is a unique, fixed-length string of characters generated from input data using a mathematical algorithm known as a hash function. In the context of cryptocurrencies, hashes are primarily used to secure and verify transactions and blocks.

They ensure that data cannot be tampered with, as even a minor change to the input data results in a completely different hash output.

Transactions - TXN’s

Transactions form the backbone of any cryptocurrency network. They represent the transfer of digital assets (like Bitcoin or Ethereum) between users.

Block

A block is a collection of confirmed transactions bundled together in a single unit. Blocks are added sequentially to create a blockchain, which serves as a public ledger for all transactions.

You will hear about block explorers. Block explorers are search engines that allow users to explore the details of transactions, addresses, and blocks on a particular blockchain. Some popular block explorers are:

Blockchain

A blockchain is like a digital ledger that stores information about transactions. Imagine a notebook with a growing list of transactions that everyone can see and verify. It’s secure because it’s not controlled by one person or company.

A blockchain is a distributed digital ledger, consisting of blocks linked together in a chain.

Layer-1 (L1) chains

L1 chains, also known as base layer or main chains, are the foundational layer of a blockchain network, where transactions and smart contracts are processed and recorded on the underlying distributed ledger.

Examples of L1 chains include Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Binance Smart Chain. L1 chains generally provide security and decentralization but often face challenges with scalability, resulting in limited transaction throughput and high fees.

Layer-2 (L2) chains

L2 chains are built on top of L1 chains to improve scalability, reduce fees, and enhance the performance of the underlying blockchain. They offload some of the transaction processing and computation from the L1 chain, enabling more efficient resource usage.

Some examples of L2 solutions include: Polygon, Optimism, and zkSync. These solutions leverage various technologies like rollups, sidechains, state channels, or Plasma to achieve their goals.

Blockchain Examples

Smart Contracts

A smart contract, on the other hand, is a self-executing, programmable agreement stored on a blockchain. Smart contracts contain the rules, conditions, and logic for automatically enforcing the terms of an agreement between parties. Once deployed on a blockchain, smart contracts are decentralized, transparent, and tamper-proof, ensuring that the agreements they govern are executed faithfully.

The Blockchain Trilema: The Trade-Off

The blockchain trilemma refers to the challenge of achieving a balance between three critical properties in any blockchain network: decentralization, security, and scalability.

It is often difficult to optimize all three properties simultaneously, as improving one may come at the expense of the others.

The blockchain trilemma highlights the challenges in finding the optimal balance between these three properties, which is an ongoing area of research and development in the crypto and blockchain space. Layer-2 solutions like Polygon aim to address the trilemma by enhancing scalability and reducing costs without sacrificing the security and decentralization provided by the underlying L1 blockchain (Ethereum).

Tokens

Tokens are digital assets created on existing blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain. They often represent various utilities or assets like voting rights, rewards, or digital goods.

The most common token standards are ERC-20 (for fungible tokens) and ERC-721 (for non-fungible tokens or NFTs).

ERC20 and ERC721 are Ethereum token standards that define a set of rules for creating and managing tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. These standards ensure that tokens are compatible with various wallets, exchanges, and smart contracts.

The main difference between ERC20 and ERC721 tokens lies in their fungibility:

These distinct characteristics make ERC20 tokens suitable for applications that require a standardized and interchangeable token (e.g., cryptocurrencies and utility tokens), while ERC721 tokens are ideal for representing unique digital assets with individual properties and value (e.g., digital art or collectibles).

ERC-20 Tokens

ERC20 is a standard for fungible tokens, meaning that each token is identical and mutually interchangeable, just like currency notes or coins. An ERC20 token follows a predefined set of rules and functions that enable it to interact seamlessly with other ERC20 tokens and the broader Ethereum ecosystem.

Common use cases for ERC20 tokens include cryptocurrencies, utility tokens for decentralized applications (dApps), and governance tokens for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).

ERC-721 Tokens

ERC721 is a standard for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), meaning that each token is unique and cannot be directly replaced with another token. This standard defines a set of rules and functions to create, manage, and transfer NFTs while ensuring their uniqueness and ownership. NFTs can represent digital art, collectibles, virtual real estate, in-game items, and more. ERC721 tokens have gained popularity due to their ability to prove the scarcity and authenticity of digital assets.

Unestopable Domains

Unstoppable Domains is a decentralized domain registry built on blockchain technology.

It allows users to register domain names that are censorship-resistant and not controlled by any central authority. Users can link their cryptocurrency addresses to these domains, enabling easy-to-remember addresses for sending and receiving digital assets.

When you get one ENS, you are actually having in your control one ERC-721 Token.

Tokenomics

Tokenomics refers to the design and rules around how digital tokens (like cryptocurrencies) work within an ecosystem. It covers things like how tokens are created, distributed, and used, and aims to create a balanced and sustainable system.

Tokenomics is the study of the economic structure and incentives that govern a cryptocurrency or blockchain-based project. It encompasses various aspects, such as token distribution, token supply, and token utility. An effective tokenomics design aims to align the interests of users, investors, and developers while ensuring the long-term viability and stability of the platform.

Tokenomics is a multidisciplinary field that examines the economic, technical, and social aspects of token-based ecosystems. It involves the strategic design of a token’s monetary policy, governance structure, and incentive mechanisms.

A well-designed tokenomics model ensures network security, decentralization, and sustainable growth by balancing factors such as token issuance, inflation rates, token burning, staking rewards, and utility functions. The ultimate goal is to create a robust ecosystem where stakeholders’ incentives are aligned, and the token maintains its value and utility over time.

DeFi

DeFi is an umbrella term for financial services and applications built on decentralized blockchain platforms, primarily Ethereum.

https://www.reddit.com/r/defi/comments/10lgr3d/stablecoin_yield_farming_the_ultimate_guide/

DeX

A decentralized exchange (DEX) is a trading platform that operates without a central authority. Users keep control of their assets, and trades are made directly between parties using smart contracts. This reduces the risk of hacks, fraud, or censorship. However, DEXs may have lower trading volumes and slower transaction speeds compared to centralized exchanges.

AMM

An automated market maker (AMM) is a type of decentralized exchange (DEX) that uses algorithms to set and adjust the prices of digital assets. Instead of relying on an order book with buy and sell orders, AMMs utilize liquidity pools filled with different assets. Users can trade assets by interacting with these pools, while liquidity providers earn fees for supplying the assets to the pool.

An automated market maker (AMM) is a novel approach to price discovery and liquidity provision in decentralized exchanges (DEX). It uses mathematical formulas to determine asset prices, typically employing constant function market makers such as the Constant Product Market Maker (CPMM) model.

Liquidity Staking

Liquidity staking is when you deposit your tokens into a pool on a platform, helping users trade more easily. In return, you earn rewards.

CDP (Collateralized Lending)

With these protocols, you lock up some assets and receive a loan in return. If you don’t repay the loan, your assets will be taken.

Bridge

A bridge is a tool that connects different blockchains, letting you move assets between them. b. Intermediate: A blockchain bridge allows users to transfer assets between different blockchain networks, expanding the use cases for cryptocurrencies and enabling cross-chain interactions. c. Advanced: Blockchain bridges are protocols or platforms that facilitate interoperability between distinct blockchain ecosystems. They enable the trustless transfer of assets and data across different networks, often employing smart contracts or third-party validators to ensure the process’s security and accuracy.

The Crypto Analytics

It is possible to analyze on-chain data to study user behavior in blockchain-based systems. By examining transaction data, smart contract interactions, and token movements, you can gain insights into the activities and preferences of users within a particular ecosystem.

A general outline of how you can analyze on-chain data for user behavior:

Remember that privacy-preserving technologies like mixers, tumblers, and zero-knowledge proofs can make it more difficult to analyze user behavior on some blockchains. In such cases, on-chain data analysis might not provide a complete picture of user activity.


FAQ

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F/OSS Crypto Wallets

DeFi

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Managing Crypto Assets

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