Blockchain
The quest for digital identity
Digital identity is one of the most potentially transformative applications of blockchain. Having an official identity is the gateway to everything we take for granted. Without one, we would struggle to access government services and education, jobs and financial services. As the paperwork for all of these moves inexorably online, the quest for reliable digital…
Read MoreDAOs, decisions and dangers
DAOs – Distributed (or Decentralised) Autonomous Organisations – feel like a great way of putting power back in the hands of a community. They are recognised as having huge potential for social impact – the World Economic Forum has described them as ‘nascent and aspirational’ – and there are huge sums of money held in…
Read MoreHow to bottle lightning
The world of crypto moves so fast that taking a realistic snapshot of its development is like trying to bottle lightning. But this is exactly what I was asked to do by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for my new book “Getting Started with Cryptocurrency: An introduction to digital assets and blockchain“. And not…
Read MoreCelebrating the Ethereum Merge
It took 17 seconds to change the landscape of cryptocurrency. At a fraction before 6.43am UTC on 15th September, block number 15537394 was confirmed by a staking pool, not by a miner. The Ethereum Merge, also known as the Paris Network Upgrade, was complete. Celebrations all around. But what does this actually mean? Let’s go…
Read MoreInside Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity is hitting the headlines. This germ of an idea that emerged in 2017 has now reached a $30 billion valuation and sees activity on a par with mainstream games, according to Forbes. During the pandemic it became a lifeline for many people in the Philippines who earned enough from play to replace their…
Read MoreNFTs and digital fine art – a love match
Artist James Atkins launched his first crypto art collection on Valentine’s Day 2021. As at 1st September 2021, 99 digital fine art pieces had been sold to thirty different collectors around the world, and the hundredth piece, the signed complete set with unlockable content, is up for auction. How did James hit the ground running…
Read MoreCentral Bank Digital Currencies gather steam
Central Bank Digital Currencies, or CBDCs, are gathering steam. The years since the 2008 financial crash have seen both the emergence of cryptocurrencies and a rapid rise in the use of digital forms of payment. The Bank of England published their second discussion paper on CBDC a few days ago, and Governor Andrew Bailey told…
Read MoreCryptoPunk 7523 and original digital art
Hearing the hammer fall on CryptoPunk 7523 at Sotheby’s on Thursday 10th June, 2021, was a breathtaking moment. The price was one thing, jumping from a bid of $1.8m straight to the winning bid at $11.8m (4520 ETH), but the occasion was more significant. In the traditional art world, the value placed on a unique…
Read MoreThe Dash for Digital Currency
PayPal announced this week that they are enabling customers to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrency on their platform. Although the news was cautiously received for several reasons, it’s just one symptom of the dash for digital currency which is gathering speed around the world. I expected that PayPal would eventually throw their hat into this…
Read MoreA Future of Work – Decentralised
The future of work against a backdrop of accelerating technological advances has been the subject of discussion for years, and the debate has intensified in the last few months. Our recent experience has focused on technology and best practice which enables effective communication and collaboration in a distanced setting. There is another dimension which is…
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