{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1","title":"Stephen Ajulu","home_page_url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/","feed_url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/tags/cryptocurrencies/feed.json","description":"Hello, I'm Stephen Ajulu, a seasoned multidisciplinary tech professional with over a decade of experience. I build impactful solutions using design, tech, and engineering in the pursuit of impact.","icon":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/me.jpg","authors":[{"name":"Stephen Ajulu","url":"https://stephenajulu.com","avatar":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/me.jpg"}],"items":[{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/potential-medium-to-high-returns-investment-options-to-explore/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/potential-medium-to-high-returns-investment-options-to-explore/","title":"Potential Medium to High Returns Investment Options To Explore","summary":"Investing is one of the best ways to grow your wealth over time. While there are no guarantees in investing, some investments offer a higher potential for returns than others. In this article, we\u0026rsquo;ll explore some of the potential medium to high returns investment options available to investors.\nReal Estate Investments Real estate has been a popular investment option for many years. It is a tangible asset that has the potential to appreciate in value over time. There are various ways to invest in real estate, including rental properties, flipping properties, and real estate investment trusts (REITs).\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eInvesting is one of the best ways to grow your wealth over time. While there are no guarantees in investing, some investments offer a higher potential for returns than others. In this article, we\u0026rsquo;ll explore some of the potential medium to high returns investment options available to investors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"real-estate-investments\"\u003eReal Estate Investments\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReal estate has been a popular investment option for many years. It is a tangible asset that has the potential to appreciate in value over time. There are various ways to invest in real estate, including rental properties, flipping properties, and real estate investment trusts (REITs).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRental properties can provide a steady stream of rental income and the potential for long-term appreciation in property value. Flipping properties involves buying a property, renovating it, and selling it for a profit. REITs are companies that own and manage income-producing real estate properties. They offer investors the opportunity to invest in real estate without having to buy, manage, or finance properties themselves.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are a Kenyan, one of the REITs you could try is Vuka, a REIT created by Acorn Investments and Approved by The Capital Markets Authority. It allows you to invest for as low as 250/=. Try it today: \u003ca href=\"https://portal.vuka.co.ke/create-account?\u0026amp;invite_code=MS-100228-Dfi\"\u003eVuka Investment Club\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"stocks\"\u003eStocks\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInvesting in stocks is another popular way to grow your wealth. Stocks represent ownership in a company and offer investors the potential for long-term capital appreciation and dividends. There are various ways to invest in stocks, including individual stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndividual stocks can provide higher returns but also carry higher risk. Mutual funds and ETFs offer diversification, which can help to lower risk. They are also professionally managed, which can be an advantage for investors who don\u0026rsquo;t have the time or expertise to manage their own portfolios.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"cryptocurrencies\"\u003eCryptocurrencies\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCryptocurrencies have gained popularity in recent years as an alternative investment option. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized digital assets that use encryption techniques to secure transactions and control the creation of new units. They offer investors the potential for high returns but also come with high volatility and risk.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are some of the most popular cryptocurrencies. Investors can buy and hold cryptocurrencies as long-term investments or trade them actively to try and take advantage of short-term price movements.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"peer-to-peer-lending\"\u003ePeer-to-Peer Lending\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeer-to-peer lending, also known as P2P lending, is a way for investors to lend money to individuals or businesses through an online platform. P2P lending offers investors the potential for high returns but also carries the risk of borrower default.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInvestors can choose which loans to invest in based on the borrower\u0026rsquo;s credit score, loan purpose, and other criteria. P2P lending platforms charge a fee for connecting borrowers with investors and managing the loan process.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"conclusion\"\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, there are various potential medium to high returns investment options available to investors. Real estate investments, stocks, cryptocurrencies, and P2P lending are just a few of the options available. Each investment option carries its own risks and potential rewards, and investors should carefully consider their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon before investing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s important to note that investing always involves risk and there are no guarantees of returns. Therefore, investors should always do their due diligence and seek professional advice before investing. With careful planning and informed decision-making, investors can potentially grow their wealth over time through a diversified investment portfolio.\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2023-02-28T16:22:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/photo-1580519542036-c47de6196ba5.jpeg","tags":["investment","investments","investing","invest","portfolio","investment portfolio","investment options","high returns","high risk","real estate","stocks","cryptocurrencies","p2p lending","lending","risk management","wealth"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/invest-in-disruptive-technologies-the-future-is-now/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/invest-in-disruptive-technologies-the-future-is-now/","title":"Invest in Disruptive Technologies - The Future is Now","summary":"Here are 4 investments you can make in different disruptive industries, along with a brief description of each industry:\nArtificial Intelligence: Alphabet Inc. (Google) Microsoft Corp. NVIDIA Corp. Intel Corp. AI technology is revolutionizing numerous industries including healthcare, finance, and transportation by improving efficiency, accuracy and productivity.\nE-Commerce: Amazon.com Inc. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Shopify Inc. JD.com Inc. E-commerce has disrupted the traditional brick-and-mortar retail industry by providing convenient and accessible online shopping experiences, transforming the way people purchase goods and services.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHere are 4 investments you can make in different disruptive industries, along with a brief description of each industry:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"artificial-intelligence\"\u003eArtificial Intelligence:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlphabet Inc. (Google)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMicrosoft Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNVIDIA Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntel Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAI technology is revolutionizing numerous industries including healthcare, finance, and transportation by improving efficiency, accuracy and productivity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"e-commerce\"\u003eE-Commerce:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmazon.com Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlibaba Group Holding Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShopify Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJD.com Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eE-commerce has disrupted the traditional brick-and-mortar retail industry by providing convenient and accessible online shopping experiences, transforming the way people purchase goods and services.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"clean-energy\"\u003eClean Energy:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTesla Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNextEra Energy Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrookfield Renewable Partners L.P.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst Solar Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClean energy is disrupting the traditional fossil fuel-based energy industry by promoting sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind power, reducing dependence on non-renewable resources, and mitigating environmental impact.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"cryptocurrency\"\u003eCryptocurrency:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBitcoin Investment Trust (GBTC)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEthereum (ETH)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinance Coin (BNB)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRipple (XRP)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCryptocurrency is disrupting traditional finance by offering decentralized, secure, and transparent financial transactions without the need for intermediaries such as banks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"automation\"\u003eAutomation:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eABB Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSiemens AG\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRockwell Automation Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFanuc Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutomation is disrupting various industries including manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare by automating tasks and processes, increasing efficiency, and reducing the need for manual labor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"virtual-reality\"\u003eVirtual Reality:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFacebook Inc. (Oculus VR)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNVIDIA Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHTC Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnity Technologies\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVirtual Reality (VR) is disrupting the entertainment and gaming industries by providing immersive and interactive experiences. It also has potential applications in fields such as education, training, and healthcare.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"biotechnology\"\u003eBiotechnology:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModerna Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmgen Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGilead Sciences Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiogen Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiotechnology is disrupting the healthcare industry by developing innovative treatments, therapies, and technologies based on the understanding of biological systems and processes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"drones\"\u003eDrones:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDJI Technology Co. Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAeroVironment Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLockheed Martin Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParrot SA\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrones are disrupting various industries including agriculture, delivery, and surveying by providing cost-effective, efficient, and innovative solutions for tasks that were previously performed by humans.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"internet-of-things-iot\"\u003eInternet of Things (IoT):\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCisco Systems Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational Business Machines (IBM) Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntel Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlphabet Inc. (Google)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIoT is disrupting various industries including manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare by connecting and automating devices, enabling real-time data collection and analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"5g-technology\"\u003e5G Technology:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQualcomm Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEricsson AB\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNokia Oyj\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHuawei Technologies Co. Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5G technology is disrupting the telecommunications industry by providing faster, more reliable, and more secure wireless communication, enabling the development of new and innovative products and services.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"blockchain\"\u003eBlockchain:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSquare Inc. (Cash App)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRipple Labs Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChain Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoinbase Global Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlockchain is disrupting various industries including finance, supply chain management, and real estate by providing secure and transparent record-keeping, reducing the need for intermediaries, and increasing efficiency.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"cybersecurity\"\u003eCybersecurity:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrowdStrike Holdings Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePalo Alto Networks Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFireEye Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSymantec Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCybersecurity is disrupting various industries including finance, healthcare, and government by providing innovative solutions to protect against cyber-attacks, data breaches, and cyber threats.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"renewable-energy-storage\"\u003eRenewable Energy Storage:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTesla Inc. (Powerwall)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLG Chem Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnphase Energy Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSunrun Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRenewable Energy Storage is disrupting the energy industry by enabling the efficient storage and distribution of renewable energy, reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels, and improving energy security.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"space-technology\"\u003eSpace Technology:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpaceX\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlue Origin LLC\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVirgin Galactic Holdings Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaxar Technologies Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpace Technology is disrupting various industries including telecommunications, earth observation, and space exploration by providing cost-effective and innovative solutions for accessing and utilizing space-based resources and capabilities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"robotic-process-automation-rpa\"\u003eRobotic Process Automation (RPA):\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUiPath Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAutomation Anywhere Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlue Prism Group PLC\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorkFusion Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobotic Process Automation (RPA) is disrupting various industries including finance, healthcare, and customer service by automating repetitive and manual tasks, reducing errors, and improving productivity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"quantum-computing\"\u003eQuantum Computing:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIBM Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eD-Wave Systems Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGoogle (Alphabet Inc.)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRigetti Computing\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisruptive Industry: healthcare, and cryptography by providing exponential computing power and enabling the solution of complex problems that are beyond the capabilities of classical computers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"electric-vehicles\"\u003eElectric Vehicles:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTesla Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeneral Motors Co.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNissan Motor Co. Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVolkswagen AG\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElectric Vehicles (EVs) are disrupting the automotive industry by providing cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"smart-home-technology\"\u003eSmart Home Technology:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmazon.com Inc. (Ring)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlphabet Inc. (Google Nest)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSamsung Electronics Co. Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControl4 Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmart Home Technology is disrupting the home automation industry by enabling the integration and control of home appliances and systems through a centralized platform, improving comfort, convenience, and security.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"advanced-manufacturing\"\u003eAdvanced Manufacturing:\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGE Additive (General Electric)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3D Systems Corp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStratasys Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterialise NV\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdvanced Manufacturing is disrupting the manufacturing industry by providing new and innovative ways of designing, producing, and delivering products through the use of digital technologies such as 3D printing and computer-aided design.\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2023-01-30T00:31:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/eba250-926051128-1200x800-panorama.jpg","tags":["investing","disruptive tech","disruptive technologies","biotech","biotechnology","blockchain","augmented reality","virtual reality","smart home","advanced manufacturing","quantum computing","electric vehicles","space technology","future investments","stocks","cryptocurrencies","blockchain technology","space technology","investments","invest"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/an-introduction-in-blockchain-cryptocurrencies-tokens-smart-contracts-nfts-web3-defi-gamefi-and-dein-crash-course/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/an-introduction-in-blockchain-cryptocurrencies-tokens-smart-contracts-nfts-web3-defi-gamefi-and-dein-crash-course/","title":"An Introduction in Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Tokens, Smart Contracts","summary":"Hello there, today I\u0026rsquo;ll be covering definitions:\nWhat is blockchain? A blockchain is a growing list of records, called blocks, that are linked together using cryptography. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data (generally represented as a Merkle tree). The timestamp proves that the transaction data existed when the block was published in order to get into its hash. As blocks each contain information about the block previous to it, they form a chain, with each additional block reinforcing the ones before it. Therefore, blockchains are resistant to modification of their data because once recorded, the data in any given block cannot be altered retroactively without altering all subsequent blocks.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHello there, today I\u0026rsquo;ll be covering definitions:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-blockchain\"\u003eWhat is blockchain?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003eblockchain\u003c/strong\u003e is a growing list of records, called \u003cem\u003eblocks\u003c/em\u003e, that are linked together using \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptography\" title=\"Cryptography\"\u003ecryptography\u003c/a\u003e. Each block contains a \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptographic_hash_function\" title=\"Cryptographic hash function\"\u003ecryptographic hash\u003c/a\u003e of the previous block, a \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_timestamping\" title=\"Trusted timestamping\"\u003etimestamp\u003c/a\u003e, and transaction data (generally represented as a \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkle_tree\" title=\"Merkle tree\"\u003eMerkle tree\u003c/a\u003e). The timestamp proves that the transaction data existed when the block was published in order to get into its hash. As blocks each contain information about the block previous to it, they form a chain, with each additional block reinforcing the ones before it. Therefore, blockchains are resistant to modification of their data because once recorded, the data in any given block cannot be altered retroactively without altering all subsequent blocks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn more\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-a-cryptocurrency\"\u003eWhat is a cryptocurrency?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003ecryptocurrency\u003c/strong\u003e is any form of currency that exists digitally or virtually and uses cryptography to secure transactions. Cryptocurrencies don’t have a central issuing or regulating authority, instead, they use a decentralized system to record transactions and issue new units.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/how-to-buy-your-first-cryptocurrency/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHere is how you can buy your first cryptocurrency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-are-crypto-tokens\"\u003eWhat Are Crypto Tokens?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe term token refers to a special virtual currency token or how cryptocurrencies are denominated. These tokens represent fungible and tradable assets or utilities that reside on their own \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchains\u003c/a\u003e. Crypto tokens are often used to fundraise for crowd sales, but they can also serve as a substitute for other things. These tokens are usually created, distributed, sold, and circulated through the standard \u003ca href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/initial-coin-offering-ico.asp\"\u003einitial coin offering (ICO)\u003c/a\u003e process, which involves a crowdfunding exercise to fund project development.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-a-smart-contract\"\u003eWhat is a smart contract?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003esmart contract\u003c/strong\u003e is a \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_program\" title=\"Computer program\"\u003ecomputer program\u003c/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transaction_Protocol_Data_Unit\" title=\"Transaction Protocol Data Unit\"\u003etransaction protocol\u003c/a\u003e that is intended to automatically execute, control, or document legally relevant events and actions according to the terms of a \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract\" title=\"Contract\"\u003econtract\u003c/a\u003e or an agreement. The objectives of smart contracts are the reduction of the need for trusted intermediates, arbitrations, and enforcement costs, fraud losses, as well as the reduction of malicious and accidental exceptions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-are-smart-contracts-smart-contracts-explained/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn more.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-an-nft\"\u003eWhat is an NFT?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003enon-fungible token\u003c/strong\u003e (\u003cstrong\u003eNFT\u003c/strong\u003e) is a unique and non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a digital \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ledger\" title=\"Ledger\"\u003eledger\u003c/a\u003e (\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain\" title=\"Blockchain\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e). NFTs can be associated with reproducible digital files such as photos, videos, and audio. NFTs use a digital ledger to provide a public \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_of_authenticity\" title=\"Certificate of authenticity\"\u003ecertificate of authenticity\u003c/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_(property)\" title=\"Title (property)\"\u003eproof of ownership\u003c/a\u003e, but it does not restrict the sharing or copying of the underlying digital file. The lack of interchangeability (\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungibility\" title=\"Fungibility\"\u003efungibility\u003c/a\u003e) distinguishes NFTs from blockchain \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrencies\" title=\"Cryptocurrencies\"\u003ecryptocurrencies\u003c/a\u003e, such as \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin\" title=\"Bitcoin\"\u003eBitcoin\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-are-nfts-non-fungible-tokens-explained/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn more.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-web-3\"\u003eWhat is Web 3?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeb3,\u003c/strong\u003e also known as \u003cstrong\u003eWeb 3.0\u003c/strong\u003e, is an idea for a new iteration of the \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet\" title=\"Internet\"\u003eInternet\u003c/a\u003e that is based on public \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain\" title=\"Blockchain\"\u003eblockchains\u003c/a\u003e. The term was coined in 2014 by \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethereum\" title=\"Ethereum\"\u003eEthereum\u003c/a\u003e co-founder \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_Wood\" title=\"Gavin Wood\"\u003eGavin Wood\u003c/a\u003e, and the idea gained interest in 2020 and 2021 from \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrency\" title=\"Cryptocurrency\"\u003ecryptocurrency\u003c/a\u003e enthusiasts, large technology companies, and venture capitalist firms.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/web-3.0-explained-part-1/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn more.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-defi\"\u003eWhat is DeFi?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecentralized finance\u003c/strong\u003e (commonly referred to as \u003cstrong\u003eDeFi\u003c/strong\u003e) is a \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain\" title=\"Blockchain\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e-based form of finance that does not rely on central financial \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediary\" title=\"Intermediary\"\u003eintermediaries\u003c/a\u003e such as \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brokerage\" title=\"Brokerage\"\u003ebrokerages\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exchange_(organized_market)\" title=\"Exchange (organized market)\"\u003eexchanges\u003c/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank\" title=\"Bank\"\u003ebanks\u003c/a\u003e to offer traditional \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_instrument\" title=\"Financial instrument\"\u003efinancial instruments\u003c/a\u003e, and instead utilizes \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_contract\" title=\"Smart contract\"\u003esmart contracts\u003c/a\u003e on blockchains, the most common being \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethereum\" title=\"Ethereum\"\u003eEthereum\u003c/a\u003e.[\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed\" title=\"Wikipedia:Citation needed\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ecitation needed\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e] DeFi platforms allow people to lend or borrow funds from others, speculate on price movements on a range of assets using derivatives, trade \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrencies\" title=\"Cryptocurrencies\"\u003ecryptocurrencies\u003c/a\u003e, insure against risks, and earn \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interest\" title=\"Interest\"\u003einterest\u003c/a\u003e in savings-like accounts. DeFi uses a layered architecture and highly composable building blocks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/decentralized-finance-defined/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn more.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-gamefi\"\u003eWhat is GameFi?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGameFi\u003c/strong\u003e also known as Game Finance, is the gamification of financial systems to create profit from playing play-to-earn crypto games.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/gamers-assemble-play-games-to-earn-free-crypto/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn more.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-dein\"\u003eWhat is DeIn?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecentralized Insurance also known as DeIn or DeFi Insurance is where rather than purchasing insurance coverage from one specific individual or company, you can purchase coverage from a decentralized pool of insurance providers. Interestingly, any individual or company can work as an insurance provider by locking up capital in the decentralized capital pool. The individual or company providing capital to the pool can qualify as a \u003ca href=\"https://101blockchains.com/how-liquidity-provider-tokens-work/\"\u003eliquidity provider\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/decentralized-insurance-built-on-the-blockchain-is-a-game-changer/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn more.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"conclusion\"\u003eConclusion\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am a follower of the above simply because of how much disruption of traditional methods blockchain can create. In one way or the other blockchain technology is the future of processing. Currently, as of writing this post, there are Decentralized Supply Chain Management, Decentralized Full Proof Voting, Decentralized Real Estate, Decentralized Data Protection, and Decentralized Loyalty + Royalty Programs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn more here:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/the-importance-and-benefits-of-blockchain-technology/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Importance and Benefits of Blockchain Technology\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlockchain \u003cstrong\u003eincreases trust, security, transparency, and the traceability of data shared across a business network\u003c/strong\u003e — and delivers cost savings with new efficiencies. Blockchain for business uses a shared and immutable ledger that can only be accessed by members with permission.\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2022-08-21T18:20:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/1644357966865.png","tags":["blockchain","cryptocurrency","token","smart contract","non fungible token","web3","decentralized finance","game finance","decentralized insuarance","crypto","nft","defi","gamefi","dein","cryptocurrencies","tokens","tokenomics"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/all-about-cryptocurrency-wallets-what-they-are-how-to-keep-them-safe-and-web-3-identities/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/all-about-cryptocurrency-wallets-what-they-are-how-to-keep-them-safe-and-web-3-identities/","title":"All About Cryptocurrency Wallets: What They Are, How To Keep Them Safe and","summary":"You may have heard of digital wallets used to interact with blockchain applications; perhaps you have already used them to make transactions, connect with services, marketplaces, etc. But do you know how wallets work? What types there are? What are private keys and seed phrases, and why is it critical to keep them secure to protect your assets and your identity on Web3? Are you aware of the most common types of scams that affect wallet users, and do you know how to protect yourself from these scams?\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eYou may have heard of digital wallets used to interact with blockchain applications; perhaps you have already used them to make transactions, connect with services, marketplaces, etc. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBut do you know how wallets work? What types there are? What are private keys and seed phrases, and why is it critical to keep them secure to protect your assets and your identity on Web3? Are you aware of the most common types of scams that affect wallet users, and do you know how to protect yourself from these scams\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis article answers these questions, with the goal of educating users about one of the most important aspects of Web3 access infrastructure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"wallets-or-keychains\"\u003eWallets or keychains?\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*z_bALl_urb57HQa0su3FcQ.png\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the context of blockchain and Web3, a “wallet” is essentially a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ecryptographic key management system\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e that doubles as a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003euser interface\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e allowing you to interact with network applications and services by reading and/or modifying the state of the blockchain. It is in this sense, therefore, that we will use the term “wallet” from now on.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the use of the term is already widespread, it is somewhat misleading, and it is worth dispelling a common misunderstanding right away. Contrary to popular belief, when you make a transaction on the blockchain you \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eare not\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e “sending” tokens from your wallet to someone else’s wallet. In fact, you are using your private key to sign a transaction and transmit it to the entire blockchain network. Only after the network validates your transaction will it be executed, and then this change will be reflected in the updated balances of your address and the recipient’s address.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this sense, the term “wallet” is misleading because the applications we use to interact with the blockchain do \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003enot store money\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e the way physical wallets do. Instead, they store the private keys that allow you to sign and make transactions, and the public keys that allow you to receive assets. A more apt analogy would be to a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ekeychain\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e, with the important difference that in the case of the blockchain this “keychain” not only manages the keys needed to interact with the network but also shows the record of transactions and the balances of the addresses associated with these keys.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut what exactly are the “keys” that digital wallets manage, and what are they used for?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"keys-and-seed-phrases\"\u003eKeys and seed phrases\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA “key”, in \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_(cryptography)\"\u003ethe sense in which the term is used in cryptography\u003c/a\u003e, is the basis of a transformation, usually mathematical, of an ordinary message into an unreadable (encrypted) message.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ca href=\"https://networkencyclopedia.com/public-key-cryptography/\"\u003epublic-key cryptography\u003c/a\u003e, which is the standard used to implement blockchains, a pair of correlated keys are created for this purpose: the first is called \u003cstrong\u003eprivate\u003c/strong\u003e because it must be kept secret; the second is called \u003cstrong\u003epublic\u003c/strong\u003e because it can be shared with anyone who wants to receive it. Any participant that has access to your public key can encrypt a message using that key, but only you can read it, using your private key. In addition, you can use your private key to “digitally sign” a message, allowing others to verify that you were the sender; this verification is also done using your public key.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/758/0*g4IGriCGtFQI25P7\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublic-key cryptography — Source: \u003ca href=\"https://networkencyclopedia.com/public-key-cryptography/\"\u003eNetwork Encyclopedia\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wallet stores and allows you to manage this key pair to interact with a blockchain.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003epublic key\u003c/strong\u003e refers to an address that allows you to send and receive transactions.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003eprivate key\u003c/strong\u003e proves that you own the assets associated with your address.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can think of your public key as analogous to your bank account number, and of your private key as analogous to the password you use to access your account and make transactions. As with banking, your public key can be shared with anyone to receive funds, but your private key, like your password, must be kept secret.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*NmmYtBfXbDpn7D04\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e \n\u003cp\u003ePublic \u0026amp; Private Keys — Source: Crypto.com\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost modern wallet implementations use a single master key, also known as a \u003cem\u003eseed phrase,\u003c/em\u003e to generate the public and private keys. This key generation system is called \u003cstrong\u003edeterministic\u003c/strong\u003e because in it the public and private keys are correlated and can always be reproduced from the same seed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeed phrases are represented as a list of English words (usually 12, sometimes 24) that you can write down and keep somewhere, and can reuse to retrieve your wallet if for some reason you lose access to it (say, by having a device stolen or damaged).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*f4sBRgGoSdt8V9ec\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExample of seed phrases — source: \u003ca href=\"https://blog.realt.co/seed-phrase-101-56e4c9150c43\"\u003eRealt Academy\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a set of industry standards for wallet implementations that ensure interoperability between different applications. Thanks to these standards, you can easily export and import your keys between wallets from different vendors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"more-than-keychains--wallets-as-web3-identities\"\u003eMore than keychains — wallets as Web3 identities\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe keychain analogy helps, but it doesn’t catch all the functions of wallets. In a blockchain, nodes are constantly synchronizing the state of the network and updating the history of transactions made. As we saw above, wallets connect you to the blockchain nodes and allow you to read this history and also make transactions, registering new data in the network. In this sense, we can also say that wallets work analogously to a traditional web browser, serving as a gateway to access and interact with Web1 / Web2. Wallets, in turn, are your gateway to Web3. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBut they go further, and can also serve as your identity in this new environment\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Web3, \u003ca href=\"http://sinahab.com/identity-and-reputation-in-web-3/\"\u003eidentity and reputation\u003c/a\u003e work very differently from what we are used to today. As a rule, in Web2 our identities are tied to some centralized provider, which almost always requires users to hand over confidential and personal information. Examples of such identities are your Google account, Facebook, Twitter, etc.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*J4ADchwseloMBReD\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeb2 Login — Source: \u003ca href=\"https://dev.to/tadeubdev/login-com-rede-social-usando-laravel-socialite-1i61\"\u003eDev.to\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Web3, you simply link your wallet to a decentralized application (dApp) to be able to interact with it. And unlike Web2 authentication methods, wallet addresses are \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003epseudonymous\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e by default. If a user chooses to connect the same wallet with multiple dApps, her (pseudonymous) identity can be easily transferable between those dApps, which means that over time the user can build up a sort of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eportable reputation\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e, even without having to reveal her personal information.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*j1r5XSdmWAW-QHc0\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeb3 Login — Source: \u003ca href=\"https://docs.cloud.coinbase.com/wallet-sdk/docs/web3modal\"\u003eCoinbase\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs more and more aspects of our lives come to be experienced on Web3 — communication, work, education, entertainment, finance, and so on — all “orchestrated with tokens” (see \u003ca href=\"https://future.a16z.com/why-web3-matters/\"\u003eDixon and McCormick’s definition of Web3\u003c/a\u003e), our very identities will become more and more intertwined with the content of our wallets. For this reason, \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/alastairjohnson/2022/01/07/a-digital-identity-fit-for-the-metaverse/?sh=6c7417d7184b\"\u003ehaving a portable, privacy-preserving, and secure digital identity\u003c/a\u003e will become of paramount importance in this emerging future.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(I delve deeper into issues involving risks to our identities in Web3 and in the Metaverse in \u003ca href=\"https://uxdesign.cc/digital-risks-in-the-metaverse-3bf8f0eda201\"\u003ethis article\u003c/a\u003e.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"types-of-wallets\"\u003eTypes of wallets\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*n-eQ0hUKWw2tz0co\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTypes of Wallets — Source: \u003ca href=\"https://www.odysseydao.com/articles/how-to-use-a-hot-wallet\"\u003eOdyssey DAO\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first important distinction for categorizing wallets concerns whether or not they are connected to the Internet. So-called “hot wallets” are connected to the Internet, while so-called “cold wallets” are kept offline.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"hot-wallets\"\u003eHot wallets\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn hot wallets, the user’s keys are stored and encrypted in the application itself, which is kept online. Examples of hot wallets include:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWeb-based wallets\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e (websites or browser extensions)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWallets for mobile devices\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e (Android or iOS applications)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDesktop Wallets\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e (applications installed on your OS)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing a hot wallet, in its different forms, is generally quite convenient, but along with convenience also comes more risk, since computer networks tend to have hidden vulnerabilities that can be targeted by hackers or malware programs, among other forms of a system intrusion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHot wallets can be subdivided into two further categories, having to do with the way the keys are controlled in each case.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"custodial-hot-wallets\"\u003eCustodial hot wallets\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are wallets managed by an exchange (for example, by Binance, Coinbase, Crypto.com, etc.), and require you to log in with a username and password to access them, just as you would do to access any traditional web application.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a custodial wallet, you do not own your keys and therefore are not in full control of the assets they manage. As a popular saying in the crypto community goes, “\u003cem\u003enot your keys, not your coins!\u003c/em\u003e”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause of this, when using custodial wallets you must trust the service provider to securely store your assets and implement strong security measures to prevent unauthorized access. These measures include two-factor authentication (2FA), email confirmation, and biometric authentication, among others. Many exchanges will not allow you to transact until these security measures are properly configured by you.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"non-custodial-hot-wallets\"\u003eNon-custodial hot wallets\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are self-managed wallets. The keys and assets these applications manage are fully under the control of the users. But since \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/With_great_power_comes_great_responsibility\"\u003ewith great power comes great responsibility\u003c/a\u003e, this means that users of non-custodial wallets must take care of their own security regarding key and seed phrase storage. If any of these are lost, recovery may be difficult or even impossible, since they are not usually stored on any third-party server.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"cold-wallets\"\u003eCold wallets\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCold wallets are, by default, offline. This makes them less convenient than hot wallets, but as a rule, also makes them more secure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExamples of cold wallets include:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaper wallets\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e: as the name implies, a paper wallet is a physical location where private keys and/or seed phrases are written or printed. Since hackers cannot access these records remotely, this method is generally more secure than using a hot wallet connected to the internet. On the other hand, it opens up the potential risk that the piece of paper will be destroyed or lost, which could result in unrecoverable funds.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eStainless steel wallets\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e: To avoid the risk of destroying a paper wallet in case of fire or flooding, you can also engrave your private keys on a stainless steel plate. Some manufacturers even offer ready-made kits for this type of wallet.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHardware wallets\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e: A hardware wallet is an external, dedicated device (usually a USB or Bluetooth device) that stores your keys. You can only sign a transaction by pressing a physical button on the device, which malicious actors cannot control.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"wallets-with-multiple-signatures-multisig\"\u003eWallets with multiple signatures (multisig)\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso known as “multisig”, these are wallets that require two or more private key signatures to authorize transactions. This solution is useful for a number of use cases:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn individual using a multisig wallet can avoid losing total access to the wallet in a scenario where one key is lost because then there will still be other keys able to sign transactions.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultisig wallets can make misuse of funds and fraud more difficult, which makes them a good option for hedge funds, exchanges, and corporations. Since each authorized person will have a key, and a transaction requires the use of most keys, it becomes impossible for any one individual to unilaterally perform unauthorized transactions.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(All the wallet types described above have multisig versions — hot, cold, hardware, and so on.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"how-to-secure-your-wallet\"\u003eHow to secure your wallet\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your wallet’s private key or seed phrase gets lost or stolen, you not only risk losing access to your assets but, given what was said before, an integral part of your identity on Web3 will be jeopardized. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTherefore, it is crucial that you learn how to secure your wallet to avoid fraud and identity theft\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are some tips to ensure the security of your wallet:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStore your private keys and your seed phrases in a safe place.\u003c/strong\u003e Consider copying them to paper or stainless steel and storing them very well, or, if you prefer to have online access, use a password manager (such as \u003ca href=\"https://1password.com/\"\u003e1Password\u003c/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https://www.lastpass.com/\"\u003eLastPass\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNever share your private keys or seed phrases with anyone.\u003c/strong\u003e No matter who asks — just don’t share!\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProtect your password.\u003c/strong\u003e If your wallet has a separate password, anyone who obtains it can obtain your private key. So choose a secure password, preferably saving it in a password manager, and using \u003ca href=\"https://authy.com/what-is-2fa/\"\u003e2FA\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDon’t leave valuable assets in your everyday hot wallet.\u003c/strong\u003e Instead, put those assets in a cold wallet or in a separate hot wallet with reinforced security. If you have a lot of assets in your wallet and share your address publicly, sooner or later someone will try to pull a scam using this information and some social engineering techniques.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCarefully check any website URL, email address, or social network profile before taking any action involving your wallet.\u003c/strong\u003e Scammers usually pose as a trusted platform to phish your seed phrase or private key.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTurn off private messaging in apps like Discord and Telegram, and never interact with unknown assets (such as NFTs) that appear “out of nowhere” in your wallet.\u003c/strong\u003e These are two common attack vectors that scammers use.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to these general tips, here are some suggestions of best practices for using \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ecold wallets\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e specifically:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYour seed phrase is more important than the device itself\u003c/strong\u003e. If your cold wallet is damaged, you can always recover your assets by importing your seed phrase into another wallet. Therefore, prioritize the safety of the seed phrase as indicated above.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo not use the seed phrase from a hot wallet in your cold wallet\u003c/strong\u003e. The purpose of the cold wallet is to store a seed phrase offline. Reusing a hot wallet seed phrase in the cold wallet means bringing back all the problems of online storage.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBe very wary of cold wallet phishing attempts\u003c/strong\u003e. Buy a cold wallet only from the official websites of the manufacturers (such as Ledger and Trezor). Do not respond to “support” emails, letters, or private messages asking for your seed phrase.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"common-frauds-involving-wallets-and-tips-to-avoid-them\"\u003eCommon frauds involving wallets, and tips to avoid them\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the main goals of scammers regarding the Web3 space is to trick you into sharing your private key or your seed phrase. Here is a list of common scams for this purpose, and tips for avoiding them.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"phishing-attacks-by-fake-customer-support-accounts\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhishing attacks by fake customer support accounts\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScammers send a message via email, social network, SMS, etc., informing you that there has been some kind of problem with your wallet — for example, “Your Metamask account has been hacked.” The criminals then try to convince you to share your private key or your seed phrase, supposedly to verify that you really own the “hacked” account. If this happens:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarefully check the website URL, email address, social profile, or phone number from which the message originated.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEven if the source \u003cem\u003eseems\u003c/em\u003e reliable, remember: \u003cem\u003eno reputable platform will ask for your private key or seed phrase\u003c/em\u003e!\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*O-IrBUBEjQXPPrmd\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMetaMask’s Fake Support Attack — Source: \u003ca href=\"https://www.odysseydao.com/articles/how-to-avoid-wallet-scams\"\u003eOdyssey DAO\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*q3mOnjpmFdQqCak0\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrust Wallet Fake Support Attack — Source: \u003ca href=\"https://learn.rainbow.me/how-to-avoid-crypto-scams\"\u003eRainbow\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"airdrops-of-fake-tokens-and-nfts\"\u003eAirdrops of fake tokens and NFTs\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince wallet addresses are public, literally anyone can send tokens or NFTs to these addresses. This is usually not a big problem, because you can simply choose to ignore them; but some cybercriminals have developed ways to send tokens that can execute transactions on your account as soon as you interact with them. In this sense, one could compare these tokens to a trojan that allows hackers to access your computer as soon as you interact with a malicious file. A more detailed analysis of this type of scam, including an explanatory video, can be found \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/metamask/phisher-watch-airdrop-scams-82eea95d9b2a\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a precaution, be very careful with “freebies” and “gifts”, usually offered by fake profiles on social networks or by private instant messages on Discord servers or in Telegram groups. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNever interact with a token of unknown origin in your wallet!\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"blind-signing\"\u003eBlind-signing\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother recent and still little-known type of attack used to steal digital assets from wallets is \u003ca href=\"https://www.ledger.com/academy/cryptos-greatest-weakness-blind-signing-explained\"\u003eblind signing\u003c/a\u003e. This attack takes advantage of the fact that users who employ their wallets to interact with dApps and NFTs often do not review the code of the smart contracts underlying these applications and therefore may end up signing and authorizing transactions without knowing exactly what they are signing and authorizing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, it is sometimes necessary to grant a third party — say, cryptocurrency exchange or an NFT marketplace — permission to conduct transactions involving tokens within your wallet. Once third-party access is approved, users can exchange tokens or list NFTs for sale without paying additional fees each time. The attackers have found ways to trick victims into giving them third-party approval over the contents of their wallets, which can be transferred to other addresses controlled by the criminals.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"fake-hardware-wallets\"\u003eFake hardware wallets\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne very ingenious scam involves sending some sort of correspondence — it can be an email or even a \u003ca href=\"https://www.ledger.com/phishing-campaigns-status#phishing-campaigns\"\u003ephysical letter in the mail\u003c/a\u003e, “signed” by a CEO of a hardware wallet manufacturer — that tries to convince the user that their wallet has suffered some sort of attack and needs to be replaced. Sometimes a new device is even sent along with the letter. But these new devices have been hacked to provide access to the fraudsters, who then clone the wallet using the previously created seed phrase to gain access to the user’s funds.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf something like this happens, simply throw these devices in the trash and inform the manufacturer of the attempt.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*o7NaXbI0hqh_aLHA\" style=\"width:100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fake letter signed by “Ledger CEO” — Source: \u003ca href=\"https://www.ledger.com/phishing-campaigns-status#phishing-campaigns\"\u003eLedger\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeaking of Web3 Identities, Unstoppable Domains is on a mission to create the best web3 domains and identities on the planet. Their domains fix a lot of issues such as long complex crypto addresses, sign-in with your web3 ID, and more. My Web3 Domain is stephenajulu.crypto. Get your own now at a discounted price. Free minting and no renewal fees: \u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.pxf.io/qnXOv5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnstoppable Domains\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"1365885\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.pxf.io/c/3290657/1365885/15384\"\u003eBlockchain.com Premium Domains\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e  \n\u003cimg height=\"0\" width=\"0\" src=\"https://imp.pxf.io/i/3290657/1365885/15384\" style=\"position:absolute;visibility:hidden;\" border=\"0\" /\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"sources-and-further-reading\"\u003eSources and Further Reading\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://uxdesign.cc/wallets-as-web3-identities-77fd2f7acb17\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWallets as web3 identities\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cem\u003eBy\u003c/em\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://linktr.ee/jonadas\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJônadas Techio\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e—\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eBlockchain Solutions Architect \u0026amp; Web3 Evangelist @\u003c/em\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://axur.com/\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAxur\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e(Medium)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://crypto.com/university/crypto-wallets\"\u003eWhat is a Crypto Wallet? A Beginner’s Guide\u003c/a\u003e (Crypto.com)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-a-crypto-wallet\"\u003eWhat is a crypto wallet? | Coinbase\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://networkencyclopedia.com/public-key-cryptography/\"\u003ePublic Key Cryptography — Network Encyclopedia\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://blog.realt.co/seed-phrase-101-56e4c9150c43\"\u003eSeed Phrase 101\u003c/a\u003e (Realt Academy)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.odysseydao.com/articles/how-to-use-a-hot-wallet\"\u003eHow to use a hot wallet?\u003c/a\u003e (Odyssey DAO)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://juliawu.medium.com/the-anatomy-of-metamask-28b0d68721d2\"\u003eThe Anatomy of MetaMask. An X-ray of Web3’s Beloved Fox | by Julia Wu | Jun, 2022\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.odysseydao.com/articles/how-to-use-a-cold-wallet\"\u003eHow to use a cold wallet?\u003c/a\u003e (Odyssey DAO)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://crypto.com/university/what-is-a-hardware-wallet\"\u003eWhat is a Hardware Wallet and How Does it Work?\u003c/a\u003e (Crypto.com)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://learn.rainbow.me/how-to-avoid-crypto-scams\"\u003eHow to avoid crypto scams\u003c/a\u003e (Rainbow)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.odysseydao.com/articles/how-to-avoid-wallet-scams\"\u003eHow to avoid wallet scams?\u003c/a\u003e (Odyssey DAO)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://conteudo.axur.com/en/ebook-digital-risks-blockchain-and-web3\"\u003eDigital Risks in Blockchain and Web3\u003c/a\u003e (Axur — Free Ebook)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://uxdesign.cc/digital-risks-in-the-metaverse-3bf8f0eda201\"\u003eDigital risks in the Metaverse\u003c/a\u003e (Medium)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n","date_published":"2022-07-08T09:10:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/piggybank-3akqgjoowvi-unsplash.jpg","tags":["tech","cryptocurrencies","cryptocurrency","wallets","digital wallets","crypto wallet","hot wallet","cold wallet","seed phrase","metamask","coinbase wallet","crypto scams","wallet scams","blockchain","web3","metaverse","rainbow","risks","ledger","hardware wallets","airdrops","nfts","unstoppable domains","web3 domains","domains","nftdomains"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/investment-platforms-and-apps-for-kenyans/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/investment-platforms-and-apps-for-kenyans/","title":"Investment Platforms and Apps for Kenyans","summary":"1. Binance: for Cryptocurrencies and NFTs 2. Coinbase: for Cryptocurrencies and NFTs 3. Hisa: for US Stocks and ETFs 4. G-Kuze: for Kenyan Stocks 5. FXPesa: for Forex 6. Vuka: for Real Estate Investment Trust 7. Gemini: For Cryptocurrencies","content_html":"\u003ch4 id=\"1-binance-for-cryptocurrencies-and-nfts\"\u003e1. \u003ca href=\"https://www.binance.com/en/activity/referral/offers/claim?ref=CPA_00P42ACTQZ\"\u003eBinance\u003c/a\u003e: for Cryptocurrencies and NFTs\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"2-coinbase-for-cryptocurrencies-and-nfts\"\u003e2. \u003ca href=\"https://www.coinbase.com/join/ajulu_v\"\u003eCoinbase\u003c/a\u003e: for Cryptocurrencies and NFTs\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"3-hisa-for-us-stocks-and-etfs\"\u003e3. \u003ca href=\"https://hisa.co/\"\u003eHisa\u003c/a\u003e: for US Stocks and ETFs\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"4-g-kuze-for-kenyan-stocks\"\u003e4. \u003ca href=\"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.genghiscapital.app\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;gl=US\"\u003eG-Kuze\u003c/a\u003e: for Kenyan Stocks\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"5-fxpesa-for-forex\"\u003e5. \u003ca href=\"https://lp.fxpesa.com/landing-pages/refer-a-friend/?affid=C00958714\u0026amp;clickid=C00958714\"\u003eFXPesa\u003c/a\u003e: for Forex\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"6-vuka-for-real-estate-investment-trust\"\u003e6. \u003ca href=\"https://portal.vuka.co.ke/create-account?email=ajulustephenodero%40gmail.com\u0026amp;invite_code=MS-100228-GNO\"\u003eVuka\u003c/a\u003e: for Real Estate Investment Trust\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"7-gemini-for-cryptocurrencies\"\u003e7. \u003ca href=\"https://gemini.sjv.io/oeW17Y\"\u003eGemini\u003c/a\u003e: For Cryptocurrencies\u003c/h4\u003e\n","date_published":"2022-06-16T16:00:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/kanchanara-re9vlmvdizi-unsplash.jpg","tags":["binance","fxpesa","coinbase","hisa","cryptocurrencies","cryptocurrency","stocks","stock","shares","share","genghiscapital","nse","nyse","forex","fx","reits","etf","etfs","reit","real estate investment trust"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/best-cryptocurrency-wallets-2022/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/best-cryptocurrency-wallets-2022/","title":"Best Cryptocurrency Wallets 2022","summary":"According to this tweet:\nWe should all remove our coins, tokens, and crypto from exchanges and into secure wallets where only the user has the private key and can access the wallet.\nHere are some great wallets for holding your crypto:\nCoinbase Wallet Metamask Exodus Trust Wallet Ledger Nano X(Hardware/Cold) Trezor Model T(Hardware/Cold) Ledger Nano S(Hardware/Cold) Photo by olieman.eth on Unsplash\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eAccording to this tweet:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe should all remove our coins, tokens, and crypto from exchanges and into secure wallets where only the user has the private key and can access the wallet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are some great wallets for holding your crypto:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.coinbase.com/wallet\"\u003eCoinbase Wallet\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://metamask.io/\"\u003eMetamask\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.exodus.com/\"\u003eExodus\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://trustwallet.com/\"\u003eTrust Wallet\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://shop.ledger.com/products/ledger-nano-x\"\u003eLedger Nano X\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Hardware/Cold)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://shop.trezor.io/product/trezor-model-t\"\u003eTrezor Model T\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Hardware/Cold)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://shop.ledger.com/products/ledger-nano-s\"\u003eLedger Nano S\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Hardware/Cold)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhoto by \u003ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/@moneyphotos?utm_source=unsplash\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\"\u003eolieman.eth\u003c/a\u003e on \u003ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/cryptocurrency-wallet?utm_source=unsplash\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.com/?ref=d066811aa8ea4f2\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/images/unstoppabledomainsad.webp\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2022-05-26T21:05:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/olieman-eth-evqnygt1pwg-unsplash.jpg","tags":["finance","technology","cryptocurrencies","wallets","tokens","cryptocurrency","token","wallet","bitcoin","ethereum"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/coins-likely-to-100x-in-the-next-2-years/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/coins-likely-to-100x-in-the-next-2-years/","title":"Coins Likely To 100x In The Next 2 Years","summary":"Do further research by yourself.\n1. Verasity 2. Green Life Energy 3. Veechain 4. Decentraland 5. Ethereum To buy any of these cryptocurrencies I suggest you use Binance.\nBinance is a cryptocurrency exchange that is currently the largest exchange in the world in terms of the daily trading volume of cryptocurrencies.\nRegister by visiting this link: Binance Photo by Ferhat Deniz Fors on Unsplash\nNFT Generator ","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eDo further research by yourself.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"1-verasity\"\u003e1. Verasity\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"2-green-life-energy\"\u003e2. Green Life Energy\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"3-veechain\"\u003e3. Veechain\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"4-decentraland\"\u003e4. Decentraland\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"5-ethereum\"\u003e5. Ethereum\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo buy any of these cryptocurrencies I suggest you use Binance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBinance is a cryptocurrency exchange that is currently the largest exchange in the world in terms of the daily trading volume of cryptocurrencies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"register-by-visiting-this-link-binance\"\u003eRegister by visiting this link: \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhoto by \u003ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/@ferhat?utm_source=unsplash\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\"\u003eFerhat Deniz Fors\u003c/a\u003e on \u003ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/tokens?utm_source=unsplash\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://nftgenerator.io/\"\u003eNFT Generator\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.pxf.io/qnXOv5\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/images/unstoppabledomainsad.webp\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2022-05-25T10:00:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/ferhat-deniz-fors-yocdd-d4oom-unsplash.jpg","tags":["finance","cryptocurrency","crypto","cryptocurrencies","100x","potentialtokens","tokens","coins","verasity","gmt","green metaverse token","green life energy","pac man frog"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/coins-you-should-be-buying-during-this-dip-and-hodl-long-term/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/coins-you-should-be-buying-during-this-dip-and-hodl-long-term/","title":"Coins You Should Be Buying During This Dip and HODL Long Term","summary":"These coins may hold future technologies or may be used to power amazing things.\nBitcoin Solana Luna Green Metaverse Token Synthetix Alpine Lazio Kusama Apecoin Ethereum Filecoin Veechain Keep3r Polygon Green Life Energy Basic Attention Token Monero Mines of Dalarnia Project Galaxy Decentraland Verasity NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE Part 2 + short term coins coming soon.\nTo buy any of these cryptocurrencies I suggest you use Binance.\nBinance is a cryptocurrency exchange that is currently the largest exchange in the world in terms of the daily trading volume of cryptocurrencies.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThese coins may hold future technologies or may be used to power amazing things.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBitcoin\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolana\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLuna\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreen Metaverse Token\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSynthetix\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlpine\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLazio\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKusama\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApecoin\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEthereum\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFilecoin\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVeechain\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep3r\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolygon\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreen Life Energy\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasic Attention Token\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonero\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMines of Dalarnia\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProject Galaxy\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecentraland\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVerasity\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"not-financial-advice\"\u003eNOT FINANCIAL ADVICE\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart 2 + short term coins coming soon.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo buy any of these cryptocurrencies I suggest you use Binance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBinance is a cryptocurrency exchange that is currently the largest exchange in the world in terms of the daily trading volume of cryptocurrencies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"register-by-visiting-this-link-binance\"\u003eRegister by visiting this link: \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhoto by \u003ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/@quantitatives?utm_source=unsplash\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\"\u003eQuantitatives\u003c/a\u003e on \u003ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/ViTy1SLGMxk?utm_source=unsplash\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.pxf.io/qnXOv5\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/images/unstoppabledomainsad.webp\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2022-05-17T12:22:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/quantitatives-hio84a6fnvw-unsplash.jpg","tags":["investing"," finance","cryptocurrency","cryptocurrencies"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/nfts-the-whats-whys-and-hows/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/nfts-the-whats-whys-and-hows/","title":"NFTs: The What, Why and How","summary":"So you’ve been hearing more and more about this mysterious NFT topic, and you’re ready to find out what it’s all really about. You’re in the right place! We’re going to go over the basics of NFTs and demystify some common areas of confusion and misconception. Ready?\nLet’s start with the name. NFT stands for non-fungible token. Don’t worry; it’s not as complicated as it sounds. ‘Fungible’ means that something can be traded, like physical currency or cryptocurrencies. So, a non-fungible token means that this particular token can’t be traded for another one. Why? Because NFTs are digital representations of assets, and those assets can be nearly anything. An NFT isn’t a currency; it’s basically a certification of authenticity for a digital asset. Frequently, these assets are collectibles, like sports memorabilia, but they’re digital.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eSo you’ve been hearing more and more about this mysterious \u003ca href=\"https://www.fundz.net/blog/nft-startups-storming-the-stage-past-future-and-earnings\"\u003eNFT topic\u003c/a\u003e, and you’re ready to find out what it’s all really about. You’re in the right place! We’re going to go over the basics of NFTs and demystify some common areas of confusion and misconception. Ready?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLet’s start with the name. \u003ca href=\"https://insidexpress.com/technology/nft/\"\u003eNFT\u003c/a\u003e stands for \u003ca href=\"https://aetsoft.net/insights/blog/nft-marketplace/\"\u003enon-fungible token\u003c/a\u003e. Don’t worry; it’s not as complicated as it sounds. ‘Fungible’ means that something can be traded, like physical currency or \u003ca href=\"https://smartoptions.io/cryptocurrency-beginners-guide/\"\u003ecryptocurrencies\u003c/a\u003e. So, a non-fungible token means that this particular token can’t be traded for another one. Why? Because NFTs are digital representations of assets, and those assets can be nearly anything. An NFT isn’t a currency; it’s basically a certification of authenticity for a digital asset. Frequently, these assets are collectibles, like sports memorabilia, but they’re digital.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou might be asking why anyone would bother \u003ca href=\"https://nftnewstoday.com/2021/11/02/guide-to-flipping-nfts/\"\u003eflipping NFTs\u003c/a\u003e or paying for something like this, and it’s a good question. Digital art is one of the best examples to explain this. If we think about physical art and how much people value it (think of a painting from a renowned artist like Monet selling at a world-class auction house for tens or hundreds of millions of dollars), the actual value lies in having the original. Anyone can go online and look at a digital representation of a Monet painting, but only one person in the world will be the owner of that piece. Scarcity creates demand, and NFTs allow for scarcity to be created around \u003ca href=\"https://businesspartnermagazine.com/5-reasons-why-nfts-here-stay/\"\u003edigital items\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNext, let’s talk about how NFTs are created and why they’re secure. If you’re familiar at all with how cryptocurrency works, then you’re well on your way to understanding how NFTs are created. NFTs use the same \u003ca href=\"https://www.zenruption.com/zenmoney/3/22/how-cryptocurrency-helps-developing-countries?rq=crypto\"\u003eblockchain algorithm\u003c/a\u003e that cryptocurrencies like Ethereum use. This allows the NFT creator to build in unique information to each NFT, making everyone unique and distinguishable from all other NFTs. This also means that you can easily transfer ownership, and NFTs can be added together to create an entirely new NFT with its own identifiers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"where-do-nfts-get-bought-or-sold\"\u003eWhere Do NFTs Get Bought Or Sold?\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://porch.com/advice/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/iStock-1367730766.jpg\" width=\"788\" height=\"443\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNon-Fungible Token (Non-fungible Token) – NFT – Digital Art Stored on Digital Ledger (Blockchain) – Conceptual Illustration\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a few main places for buying and selling non-fungible tokens, but more and more are popping up as this trend grows.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://rarible.com/\"\u003eRarible\u003c/a\u003e – This peer-to-peer platform is great for perusing collectibles and getting your feet wet in the NFT world.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://opensea.io/\"\u003eOpenSea.io\u003c/a\u003e – Similar to Rarible, OpenSea is an established peer-to-peer NFT platform that connects artists and sellers directly with buyers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://foundation.app/\"\u003eFoundation\u003c/a\u003e – Foundation is a different setup than Rarible and OpenSea in that there is a cost for artists to put their work on Foundation, and they must also be endorsed by a current artist to be approved. This promotes legitimacy and high-quality work but can also mean a higher price point for buyers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of the platforms mentioned here require you to purchase \u003ca href=\"https://www.nftradar.org/top-cryptocurrency-news-today-the-biggest-moves-in-nfts-6/\"\u003eNFTs with cryptocurrency\u003c/a\u003e. Not all platforms accept all forms of crypto, so you’ll have to make sure you have a digital wallet and the approved form of crypto to purchase NFTs on these platforms.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"why-are-nfts-so-talked-about-right-now\"\u003eWhy Are NFTs So Talked About Right Now?\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://porch.com/advice/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/shubham-dhage-Xnf4XmmaRZ8-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore and more of our daily lives are moving online, including how we perceive value. Remember way back when, in the days that digital music was first coming out, how inconceivable it seemed then that you would pay money, like real money, never to get a physical copy of your music? Crazy! Why would anyone ever pay for something they’ll never really have, right? Cut to today, where most of us have online libraries of music the size of which we’d never have had the space to store, and it comes with us right in our pockets.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the type of pivot point we’re getting to with NFTs. There are an increasing number of things in the digital space that matter enough to us that we want to own them, to know for sure that they’re ours. NFTs allow us to do that in a traceable and verifiable way. It might seem like an odd concept now, but just wait until you come across a digital asset that speaks to the collector in you!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"3-main-nft-categories\"\u003e3 Main NFT Categories\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://porch.com/advice/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/iStock-1358821701.jpg\" width=\"782\" height=\"447\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnything digital that can be tokenized can be made into an NFT, but some main categories have been established, and some have, albeit short, track records.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"nft-digital-art\"\u003eNFT Digital Art\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDigital art is one of the most popular ways that NFTs are used. The process of creating a unique token for a piece of artwork allows the artist to verify the authenticity of the piece, thereby creating scarcity around it. On the buyer side, the NFT use of blockchain means that hacking the NFT and creating a fake is much less likely.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf course, like physical art, there is the opportunity for hackers to “forge” artwork, but it becomes much less likely using blockchain. Similar to art, NFTs can be used to prevent the counterfeit selling of luxury goods, such as rare wines and whiskies. \u003ca href=\"https://overproof.com/2022/01/27/whiskey-nfts-and-wine-nfts/\"\u003eWine and whiskey NFTs\u003c/a\u003e not only ensure the authenticity of these ultra-premium products but also reduces the risk of damage to the product because they must be securely stored when backed by an NFT**.**\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"nfts-in-real-estate\"\u003eNFTs In Real Estate\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFTs in \u003ca href=\"https://smartcrowd.ae/blog/news-press/are-nfts-the-future-of-real-estate/\"\u003ereal estate\u003c/a\u003e are broken into two categories, entire asset (EA) and fractional ownership (FO). Fractional ownership NFTs are more common because they essentially work as stock in a company. You could purchase an NFT representing a portion of a real estate company, and you would be paid out accordingly based on profits. In this case, an NFT is treated similarly to stock and is intended to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEntire asset NFTs are much more complicated because we don’t have the class of ownership in place yet to tokenize an \u003ca href=\"https://porch.com/advice/5-ways-get-home-improvement-loan\"\u003eentire property\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere’s a fun, very 21st-century concept—online real estate. Metaworld platforms like Roblox and Decentraland are virtual worlds that now offer real estate opportunities. Essentially, they work just like physical world real estate. There are a limited number of parcels available in varying locations, and they are bought and sold as NFTs. The future is here.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"nfts-in-gaming\"\u003eNFTs In Gaming\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGamers, get ready! Going on quests and winning battles with game characters that are in themselves NFTs can now earn you crypto, which you can exchange for traditional currency. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cnet.com/features/nfts-are-coming-for-your-video-games-players-get-ready/\"\u003eAxie Infinity\u003c/a\u003e is a great example of one of these types of games, where characters are NFTs called Axies, and their trainers win more in battles or breed new ones from their existing Axies. These trainers can then sell their Axies to other players.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother significant way the NFTs show up in gaming is in wearables, like sneakers. Digital artists create 3D sneaker designs that players can wear in games like Fortnite. The train doesn’t stop at shoes, though. Game skins, avatars, and all kinds of in-game options are being created and tokenized.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"what-about-music-nfts\"\u003eWhat About Music NFTs?\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https://porch.com/advice/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/marcela-laskoski-YrtFlrLo2DQ-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFTs in music are a potentially game-changing swing in the industry for musicians. By tokenizing their work, artists can monetize their songs while at the same time bringing fans on board for the journey of that piece of work. An additional benefit is that an NFT can be created or “minted” with programming that automatically gives the musician a royalty each time the NFT is sold. Given the significant challenge that digital music has presented artists with over the past two decades, tokenizing their work could be a great way to help ensure our favorite musicians are getting paid for their work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"can-i-make-money-on-nfts\"\u003eCan I Make Money On NFTs?\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimply put—you can. But, they can also suddenly become worthless with no notice. The value of an NFT is in what someone else is willing to pay for it. Once you’ve purchased one, you can’t simply trade it in for a cryptocurrency, exchange that for real-world money, and be on your way. You have to find someone who sees value in whatever your NFT represents and is willing to purchase it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf course, this can be likened to any number of real-world examples. Say you purchase a home, and then a massive overpass is put up right next to it. Your property value won’t be zero, but it will lose value because the perception will be that it’s now less desirable and therefore worth less than it was when you paid for it. Or, to make it even more simple—Beanie Babies, anyone?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"the-future-of-nfts\"\u003eThe Future Of NFTs\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFTs have only been around for a few years and have only started becoming more mainstream in the recent past, so predicting their future use is murky at best. There are essentially two camps—those that think NFTs will be adopted as commonplace and will revolutionize the way we interact online, and those that believe NFTs will go the course of the Beanie Baby.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe notable difference between something that is purely a collectible, like the classic Beanie Baby example, and NFTs, is that NFTs can be used to verify the ownership and authenticity of an individually created product like art or music. NFTs have more of a function than a traditional collectible, so what happens remains to be seen!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow that you have the nuts and bolts of what an NFT is, how they are made, and where to find them, you can decide whether this is an experiment that you’ll be trying for yourself or whether you’ll let some more time go by before dipping your toe into the NFT waters.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArticle by\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://porch.com/advice/author/189\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePamela Tatam\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSource:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://porch.com/advice/nfts-what-why-and-how\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePorch\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.com/?ref=d066811aa8ea4f2\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/images/unstoppabledomainsad.webp\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2022-04-30T12:01:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/istock-1363842094.jpg","tags":["nfts","non fungible tokens","cryptocurrencies"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/cryptocurrencies-i-m-buying-2022/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/cryptocurrencies-i-m-buying-2022/","title":"Cryptocurrencies I'm Buying in 2022","summary":"Here are the cryptocurrencies I\u0026rsquo;m investing in this 2022. I believe these have potential.\nBitcoin(BTC): As you know from a previous article, I hold some bitcoin. In 2022 I\u0026rsquo;ll be buying more with the goal of reaching 3 BTC in my portfolio. Ethereum(ETH): Same as Bitcoin. The goal is to reach 10 ETH Solana(SOL): Named the Ethereum killer. Lots of interesting projects are being developed using its blockchain. Ripple(XRP) Stellar Decentraland(MANA) Enjin Coin(ENJ) The Sandbox(SAND) Star Atlas(ATLAS) Metaverse Index Token(MVI): This is not really a cryptocurrency but definitely worth checking out. It contains all/most of the metaverse tokens. Polkadot(DOT): Has potential Chainlink Polygon(MATIC): A must-buy for me. Amazing projects built and more coming. Pancake Swap(CAKE) Uniswap Illuvium Moonriver Loopring Cardano(ADA): I have some and want more Veechain Shiba Inu(SHIB) Dogecoin(DOGE) ","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHere are the cryptocurrencies I\u0026rsquo;m investing in this 2022. I believe these have potential.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBitcoin(BTC): As you know from a previous article, I hold some bitcoin. In 2022 I\u0026rsquo;ll be buying more with the goal of reaching 3 BTC in my portfolio.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEthereum(ETH): Same as Bitcoin. The goal is to reach 10 ETH\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolana(SOL): Named the Ethereum killer. Lots of interesting projects are being developed using its blockchain.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRipple(XRP)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStellar\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecentraland(MANA)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnjin Coin(ENJ)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Sandbox(SAND)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStar Atlas(ATLAS)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetaverse Index Token(MVI): This is not really a cryptocurrency but definitely worth checking out. It contains all/most of the metaverse tokens.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolkadot(DOT): Has potential\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChainlink\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolygon(MATIC): A must-buy for me. Amazing projects built and more coming.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePancake Swap(CAKE)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUniswap\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIlluvium\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoonriver\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoopring\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCardano(ADA): I have some and want more\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVeechain\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShiba Inu(SHIB)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDogecoin(DOGE)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-29T13:00:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/cryptoinvesting_gettyimages-1250405669-c29a42e2fe774133ad64e6f3cc17d74a.jpg","tags":["investments","investing","invest","finance","crypto","cryptocurrencies","cryptocurrency"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/the-second-way-to-buy-your-first-nft-web-3.0-domain-ethereum-naming-service/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/the-second-way-to-buy-your-first-nft-web-3.0-domain-ethereum-naming-service/","title":"How To Buy Your First NFT Web 3.0 Domain: Ethereum Naming Service","summary":"Refresher NFT domains are domains that live on a public blockchain and give users complete ownership of their stored data. The main benefits to owning one are simplifying crypto transactions by replacing long complicated wallet addresses with the domain name and easily creating and hosting websites on web3.\nWhat is the Ethereum Naming Service? Ethereum Name Service is a blockchain protocol for users who want to have their own unique and memorable usernames over Web 3.0. Using the service allows you to nail all of your wallet addresses and decentralized websites to a single unique name. For instance, “alice.ETH.” This makes you more recognizable and easier to find across the decentralized space.\n","content_html":"\u003ch3 id=\"refresher\"\u003eRefresher\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFT domains are domains that live on a public blockchain and give users complete ownership of their stored data. The main benefits to owning one are simplifying crypto transactions by replacing long complicated wallet addresses with the domain name and easily creating and hosting websites on web3.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"what-is-the-ethereum-naming-service\"\u003eWhat is the Ethereum Naming Service?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthereum Name Service is a blockchain protocol for users who want to have their own unique and memorable usernames over Web 3.0. Using the service allows you to nail all of your wallet addresses and decentralized websites to a single unique name. For instance, “alice.ETH.” This makes you more recognizable and easier to find across the decentralized space.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe service also allows you to use your domain name to create a decentralized website or to link an existing domain to your \u003cstrong\u003eEthereum\u003c/strong\u003e (CCC:\u003ca href=\"https://investorplace.com/cryptocurrency/eth-usd/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eETH-USD\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e) wallet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"how-to-buy-an-eth-domain\"\u003eHow to buy an \u0026ldquo;.ETH\u0026rdquo; domain?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow to Register Your First \u0026ldquo;.ETH\u0026rdquo; Domain\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGo to \u003ca href=\"https://app.ens.domains\" title=\"https://app.ens.domains\"\u003ehttps://app.ens.domains\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse the search bar to find a domain you want.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTap on your chosen name to see an estimate of how much it will cost.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGet a free Ethereum wallet. I recommend \u003ca href=\"https://rainbow.me\"\u003eRainbow\u003c/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https://metamask.io/\"\u003eMetaMask\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuy enough Ethereum using the wallet to cover the cost of your domain (add a little extra just in case)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGo back to the ENS domain website, click the menu in the top right and connect your new wallet.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce connected, you’ll be able to click the blue “Request to Register” button on the domain.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen your wallet \u0026amp; confirm the first transaction request. The transaction may take a few minutes, and then you’ll see a 1-minute countdown begin on the ENS site.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter the 1-minute countdown is done, you’ll be able to finalize your registration. Click the register button to initiate a transaction in your wallet.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConfirm the transaction in your wallet, then wait for it to complete.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou now have your very own ENS name! Congratulations!\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLastly, go to your account on the ENS website and set your reverse record to the new name you\u0026rsquo;ve purchased.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can now use your \u0026ldquo;.ETH\u0026rdquo; address to send/receive Ethereum and other crypto assets. In the future, it’ll be used for more things too!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;d like to learn more, go check out the previous article \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/how-to-buy-your-first-nft-web-3.0-domain/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehere\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-27T14:11:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/0_r24ox8zwoe0gfp1g.png","tags":["web3","technology","nft","blockchain","ethereum","cryptocurrencies","cryptocurrency","domain","domains","domain-names","domain name system","nft","ethereum naming service","eth","ether","crypto","ens","rainbowdotme","metamask"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/how-to-buy-your-first-nft-web-3.0-domain/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/how-to-buy-your-first-nft-web-3.0-domain/","title":"How To Buy Your First NFT Web 3.0 Domain: Unstoppable Domains","summary":"Today i\u0026rsquo;d like to help you buy your first NFT Web 3.0 domain. We\u0026rsquo;ll talk about what they are, where you can get one and how to buy/use one.\nFirst,\nWhat is an NFT/WEB3 Domain? NFT domains are domains that live on a public blockchain and give users complete ownership of their stored data. The main benefits to owning one are simplifying crypto transactions by replacing long complicated wallet addresses with the domain name and easily creating and hosting websites on web3.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eToday i\u0026rsquo;d like to help you buy your first NFT Web 3.0 domain. We\u0026rsquo;ll talk about what they are, where you can get one and how to buy/use one.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst,\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"what-is-an-nftweb3-domain\"\u003eWhat is an NFT/WEB3 Domain?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFT domains are domains that live on a public blockchain and give users complete ownership of their stored data. The main benefits to owning one are simplifying crypto transactions by replacing long complicated wallet addresses with the domain name and easily creating and hosting websites on web3.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you haven’t heard yet, NFT domains are the newest kids on the block(chain) and they have the power to change what we know of as the internet today. But before we dive into all that goodness, let’s take a step back to run through what traditional domains are and define NFTs — that way, you can truly understand the superpowers behind NFT domains.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTypically, you interact with a traditional domain when you type the address (like Twitter.com) into your browser. But did you know traditional domains were originally built to do so much more on the internet? Think of functionalities like email and payments. Hard to believe, right?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut as we can see, traditional domains haven’t progressed much beyond displaying websites. This might be because traditional domains have been controlled by centralized servers since the internet was created. This made it much more difficult for developers to innovate on top of that technology.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLuckily for us, the tech that powers NFT domains (a.k.a. blockchains) opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for us on the web!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-an-nft\"\u003eWhat is an NFT?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNFT (non-fungible token): a digital certificate of authenticity used to assign and verify ownership of a unique digital or physical asset. Unlike fungible tokens, NFTs are not interchangeable with one another.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"how-do-they-work\"\u003eHow Do They Work?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat question! NFT domains are essentially a suite of smart contracts, which is a fancy term to describe software written on a public blockchain. This means that instead of one company controlling your data online, the power is transferred back to you as the user. And by being built on blockchains, anyone can look at the data stored there, creating a level of ultimate openness and transparency.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn top of that, there is the benefit of enhanced security — only you hold the power to make updates to your NFT domain, which minimizes worries about servers getting hacked or domains getting stolen.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll that to say, blockchain superpowers give everyone a safer way to surf the internet while also giving control back to you over what gets shared and where it gets shared.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCool, I’m starting to get the power of blockchain but am still not 100% sure what I can DO with an NFT domain?\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"uses-of-an-nft-domain\"\u003eUses of an NFT Domain?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSimplify crypto transactions by replacing all your complicated wallet addresses with your domain name as your username.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse your domain to receive 275+ coins and tokens across multiple blockchain networks.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLogin to apps with your domain name as your universal web3 username.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnlike traditional domains, fully own and control your domain. You buy it once, you own it for life!\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasily create and host websites, ranging from personal websites to NFT galleries.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"reasons-to-get-one\"\u003eReasons to get one?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"1-zero-renewal-fees\"\u003e#1) Zero Renewal Fees\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike traditional .com domains, you fully own and control your Unstoppable Domain, so you never have to pay renewal fees. Ever. You buy it once, you own it for life!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"2-seamless-crypto-payments\"\u003e#2) Seamless Crypto Payments\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo longer fear your payments getting lost in the ether (pun intended). Instead of copy and pasting your wallet address (which is similar to a bank account number and can look like: 0xc6b0562605d35ee710138402b878ffe6f2e23807), use an Unstoppable Domain as your one-stop-shop username to store all of your wallet addresses for sending and receiving crypto.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"3-multi-chain-compatibility\"\u003e#3) Multi-Chain Compatibility\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour NFT domain comes with the superpower to receive over 275 supported coins and tokens, with many more on the way! Now you can navigate crypto transactions with ease, regardless of the blockchain network. \u003ca href=\"https://support.unstoppabledomains.com/support/solutions/articles/48001185621-what-cryptocurrencies-are-currently-supported-\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrowse the complete list of supported cryptocurrencies here.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"4-decentralized-websites\"\u003e#4) Decentralized Websites\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant to create a website on the decentralized web? \u003ca href=\"https://support.unstoppabledomains.com/support/solutions/articles/48001181925-build-website\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCreate one\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e in just a few clicks with our pre-made templates. Own any NFTs? Create a \u003ca href=\"https://support.unstoppabledomains.com/support/solutions/articles/48001185412-launching-an-nft-gallery\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egallery-style website\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e to show off your favorite collectibles as your collection grows. We\u0026rsquo;ll be adding more features and templates in the future, so stay tuned here.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"5-own-your-identity-on-web3\"\u003e#5) Own Your Identity on Web3\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the world shifts to web3, it’ll be more important than ever to own your part of the new internet. By owning an Unstoppable Domain, you’ll not only help progress the digital world, you’ll ensure your identity is secured for the next wave of technology.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"how-to-get-one\"\u003eHow to get one?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTo buy one visit this link and follow the prompts: \u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.pxf.io/qnXOv5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegister for Unstoppable Domains\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.pxf.io/qnXOv5\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/images/unstoppabledomainsad.webp\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-22T13:31:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/unstoppable-1280x720.png","tags":["web3","technology","nft","blockchain","cryptocurrencies","cryptocurrency","domain","domains","domain names","domain name system","nfts","unstoppable domains","crypto"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-are-stable-coins/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-are-stable-coins/","title":"What is a Stable Coin?","summary":"A “stablecoin” is a type of cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to another asset class, such as a fiat currency or gold, to stabilize its price.\nCryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether offer a number of benefits, and one of the most fundamental is not requiring trust in an intermediary institution to send payments, which opens up their use to anyone around the globe. But one key drawback is that cryptocurrencies\u0026rsquo; prices are unpredictable and have a tendency to fluctuate, often wildly.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eA “stablecoin” is a type of cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to another asset class, such as a fiat currency or gold, to stabilize its price.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether offer a number of benefits, and one of the most fundamental is not requiring trust in an intermediary institution to send payments, which opens up their use to anyone around the globe. But one key drawback is that cryptocurrencies\u0026rsquo; prices are unpredictable and have a tendency to fluctuate, often wildly.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes them hard for everyday people to use. Generally, people expect to be able to know how much their money will be worth a week from now, both for their security and their livelihood.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCryptocurrency\u0026rsquo;s unpredictability comes in contrast to the generally stable prices of fiat money, such as U.S. dollars, or other assets, such as gold. Values of currencies like the dollar do change gradually over time, but the day-to-day changes are often more drastic for cryptocurrencies, which rise and fall in value regularly.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"stablecoins-in-a-nutshell\"\u003eStablecoins in a nutshell\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStablecoins try to tackle price fluctuations by tying the value of cryptocurrencies to other more stable assets – usually fiat currencies. Fiat is the government-issued currency we\u0026rsquo;re all used to using on a day-to-day basis, such as dollars or euros.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually, the entity behind a stablecoin will set up a \u0026ldquo;reserve\u0026rdquo; where it securely stores the asset or basket of assets backing the stablecoin – for example, $1 million in an old-fashioned bank (the kind with branches and tellers and ATMs in the lobby) to back up one million units of a stablecoin.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one-way digital stablecoins are pegged to real-world assets. The money in the reserve serves as collateral for the stablecoin – meaning whenever a stablecoin holder wishes to cash out their tokens, an equal amount of whichever asset backs it is taken from the reserve.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a more complex type of stablecoin that is collateralized by other cryptocurrencies rather than fiat yet still is engineered to track a mainstream asset like the dollar.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"types-of-stablecoin-collateral\"\u003eTypes of stablecoin collateral\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing this framework, stablecoins come in a range of flavors, and the collateralized stablecoins use a variety of types of assets as backing:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiat\u003c/strong\u003e: Fiat is the most common collateral for stablecoins. The U.S. dollar is the most popular among fiat currencies, but companies are exploring stablecoins pegged to other fiat currencies as well, such as \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-a-stablecoin/\"\u003eBiLira\u003c/a\u003e, which is pegged to the Turkish lira.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrecious metals\u003c/strong\u003e: Some cryptocurrencies are tied to the value of precious metals such as gold or silver.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCryptocurrencies\u003c/strong\u003e: Some stablecoins even use other cryptocurrencies, such as\u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-a-stablecoin/\"\u003e ether\u003c/a\u003e, the native token of the Ethereum network, as collateral.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther investments:\u003c/strong\u003e Tether’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-a-stablecoin/\"\u003eUSDT\u003c/a\u003e was once supposed to be backed 1-for-1 with dollars but its collateral mix has shifted over time and in a breakdown provided in 2021 the company said nearly half its reserves are in \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-a-stablecoin/\"\u003ecommercial paper,\u003c/a\u003e a form of short-term corporate debt. It has not disclosed the issuers of this paper but \u003ca href=\"https://stuarthoegner.medium.com/tether-is-setting-a-new-standard-for-transparency-and-responding-to-criticism-that-is-fc130e08319b\"\u003eclaims\u003c/a\u003e it is all rated A-2 or higher (A-2 is the second-best grade available for a corporate borrower from credit rating agencies like Standard \u0026amp; Poor’s). Circle’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-a-stablecoin/\"\u003eUSDC\u003c/a\u003e, similarly, lists unspecified “approved investments” alongside accounts at federally insured banks (notably, it does not say whether the accounts themselves are insured) in its monthly \u003ca href=\"https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/6778953/USDCAttestationReports/2021-Circle-internet-financial-attestation-april-2021.pdf\"\u003edisclosures\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"popular-stablecoins\"\u003ePopular Stablecoins\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTether(USDT)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUSD Coin(USDC)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinance USD(BUSD)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTerra USD(UST)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDai(DAI)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-10T14:20:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/597b2c80-707d-439c-a801-374b634c033e_what-is-a-stablecoin-article-main.jpg","tags":["technology","finance","cryptocurrency","cryptocurrencies","stablecoin","stablecoins"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/top-gamefi-games-right-now/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/top-gamefi-games-right-now/","title":"Top GameFi Games Right Now","summary":"For players looking to get involved in these blockchain-based games and start earning cryptocurrency and NFTs, here is a breakdown of some of the leading games currently available.\nAlien Worlds In this game, players join an alien universe consisting of several planets where they must fight for scarce resources and mine the game’s native cryptocurrency, trillium (TLM). Players can also battle each other, go on quests and earn additional income by renting out their land to others.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eFor players looking to get involved in these blockchain-based games and start earning cryptocurrency and NFTs, here is a breakdown of some of the leading\u003ca href=\"https://dappradar.com/rankings/category/games\"\u003e games\u003c/a\u003e currently available.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"alien-worlds\"\u003eAlien Worlds\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this game, players join an alien universe consisting of several planets where they must fight for scarce resources and mine the game’s native cryptocurrency, trillium (TLM). Players can also battle each other, go on quests and earn additional income by renting out their land to others.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://alienworlds.io/\"\u003eAlien Worlds\u003c/a\u003e was the first game to \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/inside-alien-worlds-the-biggest-game-in-the-metaverse\"\u003ebreak through 100,000 users\u003c/a\u003e and currently boasts over 2.5 million players. This was, in part, due to its free-to-play nature and the fact its metaverse world spans multiple blockchains including WAX, Ethereum, and Binance Smart Chain.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative crypto token:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/alien-worlds/\"\u003etrilium (TLM)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlockchains:\u003c/strong\u003e Native WAX blockchain, but also runs off Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain (BSC)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonthly user base:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://dappradar.com/wax/games/alien-worlds\"\u003e1,000,000\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe initial investment required:\u003c/strong\u003e You are required to buy NFT game cards such as land in order to mine.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"cryptoblades\"\u003eCryptoBlades\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.cryptoblades.io/\"\u003eCryptoBlades\u003c/a\u003e is a web-based role-playing game that emulates traditional games like Skyrim or Dark Souls. Players can battle monsters or complete in-game raids to earn SKILL tokens. To help with battles, players can craft weapons to build an advantage over their opponents or boost their power. These items can then be traded in an open marketplace.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gameplay itself is straightforward. There are four main components – fire, earth, lightning, and water – allocated to each character, weapon, attribute, and enemy. Each component will have its strengths and weaknesses, which players must then utilize and build strategies to beat their opponents.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative crypto token:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/cryptoblades/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003eryptoblades (SKILL)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlockchain:\u003c/strong\u003e Binance Smart Chain\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonthly user base:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://dappradar.com/binance-smart-chain/games/cryptoblades-1\"\u003e510,000\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe initial investment required:\u003c/strong\u003e Users will need to purchase around 0.2 BNB to play and pay for transaction fees in-game.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"axie-infinity\"\u003eAxie Infinity\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Pokemon-inspired universe where you can buy, take care of, breed, and trade digital monsters called \u003ca href=\"https://axieinfinity.com/\"\u003e“Axies\u003c/a\u003e.” Axie Infinity runs off its own specifically built sidechain so that it can optimize gameplay and scale effectively.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe game has a high earning potential but requires high involvement to breed, care for and trade rare or unique Axies. These monsters can battle each other to earn SLP tokens or be sent on quests for resource farming.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative token:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/axie-infinity/\"\u003eaxie infinity (AXS)\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/smooth-love-potion/\"\u003esmooth love potion (SLP)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlockchain:\u003c/strong\u003e Ethereum\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonthly user base:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://dappradar.com/ethereum/games/axie-infinity\"\u003e308,000\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe initial investment required:\u003c/strong\u003e You need to purchase three Axies from the in-house marketplace before you can play.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"upland\"\u003eUpland\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.upland.me/\"\u003eUpland\u003c/a\u003e is an NFT metaverse made to parallel our world where players can buy, sell and trade properties linked to real-world addresses. Users can then play, run businesses and connect with other Uplanders across the world.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlayers have an Upland avatar that can roam throughout a city to look for available properties for purchase. Or they can visit other players’ properties. To earn special UPX rewards and increase a property’s earnings, users can complete a Collection. This is similar to Monopoly; the more properties you have of a single color, the more valuable they are.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative token:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/upland/\"\u003eupland (UPX)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlockchain:\u003c/strong\u003e EOS\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonthly user base:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://dappradar.com/eos/games/upland\"\u003e155,000\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe initial investment required:\u003c/strong\u003e To open an account, you need to first purchase a virtual property.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"splinterlands\"\u003eSplinterlands\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a \u003ca href=\"https://splinterlands.com/\"\u003edigital collectible card game\u003c/a\u003e where players build up a collection of cards with various abilities and stats and use them to battle other players. Each card is represented by an NFT and is tradable or can be exchanged on the open market. The game relies on one-on-one fighting where players are randomly assigned battle parameters.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth players then have a limited amount of time to build a deck of cards they will use to fight each other.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative token:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/dark-energy-crystals/\"\u003edark energy crystals (DEC)\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/splinterlands/\"\u003esplintershards (SPS)\u003c/a\u003e, which is the governance token\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlockchain:\u003c/strong\u003e Hive blockchain\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonthly user base:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://dappradar.com/hive/games/splinterlands\"\u003e120,000\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe initial investment required:\u003c/strong\u003e You must buy the summoner’s spellbook for $10 if you want to unlock the play-to-earn features and receive DEC tokens.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSource: \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/gamefi-how-to-earn-crypto-playing-games-online/\"\u003eCoinDesk\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-09T16:40:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/610c1dd3ee4ef2b5089f768e_playtoearn.jpeg","tags":["gamefi","computer games","game finance","crypto","cryptocurrencies","cryptocurrency","play to earn","play 2 earn","free crypto","games","gaming","nft","nfts","defi","binance","binance smart chain","binance coin","metaverse","gameplay","gaming","online gaming","earn","game","decentralized","ethereum"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/gamers-assemble-play-games-to-earn-free-crypto/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/gamers-assemble-play-games-to-earn-free-crypto/","title":"Gamers Assemble: Play Games To Earn Crypto! GameFi Explained","summary":"GameFi is one of the hottest new trends to emerge from the crypto industry, combining decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with blockchain-based online games.\nUnlike many traditional online games, which operate on a “pay-to-win” model and allow players to purchase upgrades in order to gain an advantage over others, GameFi introduces a “play-to-earn” model. This concept involves giving players financial incentives to play and progress through games. In some cases, this has allowed gamers to earn a full-time income by doing so.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eGameFi is one of the hottest new trends to emerge from the crypto industry, combining decentralized finance (\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/decentralized-finance-defined/\"\u003eDeFi\u003c/a\u003e) and non-fungible tokens (\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-are-nfts-non-fungible-tokens-explained/\"\u003eNFTs\u003c/a\u003e) with \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/business/2021/08/06/binance-smart-chain-beats-ethereum-by-some-metrics-thanks-to-latest-gamefi-craze/\"\u003eblockchain-based online games\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many traditional online games, which operate on a “pay-to-win” model and allow players to purchase upgrades in order to gain an advantage over others, GameFi introduces a “\u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2021/07/29/a-play-to-earn-account-beats-a-bank-account/\"\u003eplay-to-earn\u003c/a\u003e” model. This concept involves giving players financial incentives to play and progress through games. In some cases, this has allowed gamers to earn a \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/business/2021/05/11/for-filipinos-axie-infinity-is-more-than-a-crypto-game/\"\u003efull-time income\u003c/a\u003e by doing so.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"how-it-works\"\u003eHow it works\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll objects in these types of games are expressed as \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2021/03/12/how-to-create-buy-and-sell-nfts/\"\u003eNFTs\u003c/a\u003e – digital tokens used to prove ownership of scarce intangible items. Think of things like plots of land, avatars, costumes, weapons, and gold bars. Once players find and accrue these items through gameplay, many have the option to trade these with others in \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2021/07/12/nft-marketplaces-a-beginners-guide/\"\u003edigital marketplaces\u003c/a\u003e for different NFTs or sell them in exchange for cryptocurrency.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDepending on which game is played, users can increase their earning potential by dedicating time leveling up and improving their characters, creating monetized structures on their land that other gamers pay to use, or by competing against others in tournaments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn order to keep track of what every player owns, all NFTs and cryptocurrency transaction data are stored on a public blockchain. This is a type of \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-a-distributed-ledger/\"\u003edistributed, digital record-keeping\u003c/a\u003e technology maintained by a global network of computers. Leveraging this technology in gaming provides a number of benefits, including:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlayers can easily prove ownership of their in-game items.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere is no single point of failure, meaning players will no longer be at risk of \u003ca href=\"https://pvplive.net/world-of-warcraft-bug-reverting-players-characters/\"\u003elosing track of what they own\u003c/a\u003e if the underlying gaming company experiences technical issues.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItems accrued during gameplay cannot be counterfeited, removed, or destroyed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGame-native cryptocurrencies can be sent and received without the need for intermediary settlement, clearing, or custody.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome \u003ca href=\"https://mobox.io/#/\"\u003egames\u003c/a\u003e also include DeFi elements such as \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/4-tips-to-maximize-your-crypto-investment/\"\u003estaking\u003c/a\u003e, where players can lock away certain tokens in order to earn annual interest, and other rewards they can save to purchase other in-game items or unlock new content.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"what-you-need-to-play\"\u003eWhat you need to play\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn order to take part in any of these play-to-earn games, users will need to do the following:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCreate a cryptocurrency wallet:\u003c/strong\u003e To store their virtual currency and NFTs, and make in-game transactions. Which wallet you need will depend on which blockchain the game was built upon. For example, MetaMask – an Ethereum-based crypto wallet service – will work with any GameFi game built on Ethereum.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePurchase starter items:\u003c/strong\u003e All GameFi games are free to download. However, many require players to first purchase characters, native crypto tokens, decks of cards, or upgrades in order to begin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePre-funded crypto wallet:\u003c/strong\u003e You will need to pre-fund your crypto wallet with a particular cryptocurrency in order to purchase starter items and proceed. \u003ca href=\"https://cryptoblades.gitbook.io/wiki/getting-started\"\u003eCryptoblades\u003c/a\u003e, for example, requires users to download \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UFIN_ieh6U\"\u003eMetaMask\u003c/a\u003e, purchase Binance coin (BNB) and exchange it for the game’s native cryptocurrency, SKILL.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"where-did-gamefi-come-from\"\u003eWhere did GameFi come from?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe emergence of GameFi comes from a combination of factors that dates back to 2017 and the emergence of the NFT phenomenon \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2019/09/12/cryptokitties-creator-raises-11-million-from-warner-a16z-to-launch-blockchain/\"\u003eCryptoKitties\u003c/a\u003e. The digital collectibles economy proved a viral success, with CryptoKitties amassing over \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/business/2020/03/05/the-team-behind-cryptokitties-is-one-step-closer-to-leaving-ethereum/\"\u003e14,914 users a day\u003c/a\u003e at its peak. CryptoPunks, a collection of 10,000 pixelated NFT characters also built on Ethereum, enjoyed similar success, surpassing\u003ca href=\"https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/20/cryptokitties-raises-12m-from-andreessen-horowitz-and-union-square-ventures/\"\u003e $1 billion in sales \u003c/a\u003eover 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnfortunately, the success of these NFTs showed both the good and bad sides of the state of blockchain technology at the time. Games like CryptoKitties caused heavy congestion on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/loveable-digital-kittens-clogging-ethereums-blockchain\"\u003eEthereum network, leading to extreme spikes in transaction fees \u003c/a\u003eand much slower than normal transaction confirmation times. These technical issues highlighted a clear gap in the market for more efficient and scalable platforms that could handle the rising demand from online gamers and virtual asset collectors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince then, a number of new “\u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2021/09/01/solanas-sol-token-nearly-tripled-in-august-as-investors-bet-on-ethereum-killers/\"\u003eEthereum killer\u003c/a\u003e” blockchains have emerged that promise faster transaction speeds, greater scalability, and cheaper fees. These include the likes of \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/CoinDesk/status/1431980810631061513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003eSolana\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2021/08/19/cardano-nears-all-time-high-as-investors-await-smart-contracts/\"\u003eCardano\u003c/a\u003e, both of which have recently set new \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2021/08/20/cardano-price-hits-all-time-high-overtakes-binance-coin-as-third-most-valuable-crypto/\"\u003eall-time highs\u003c/a\u003e as investors \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2021/08/16/solana-terra-hit-all-time-highs-as-markets-disregard-last-weeks-defi-hacks/\"\u003ebet big\u003c/a\u003e on new dapp competitors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proliferation of decentralized finance (\u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/what-is-defi\"\u003eDeFi\u003c/a\u003e) platforms over 2020 was the next critical component enabling GameFi’s growth, introducing a range of blockchain-native financial platforms that run entirely using smart contracts. This provided the infrastructure for decentralized exchanges where in-game cryptocurrencies could be launched from and traded, as well as additional features like \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2021/07/13/defi-lending-3-major-risks-to-know/\"\u003elending\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2020/08/20/binance-launches-defi-staking-with-cryptos-kava-and-dai/\"\u003estaking\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn September 2020, \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/what-is-yearn-finance-yfi-defi-ethereum\"\u003eYearn.finance\u003c/a\u003e founder and DeFi developer Andre Conje tweeted about the \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/AndreCronjeTech/status/1303969754907107329\"\u003egamification of monetary policies\u003c/a\u003e in a decentralized environment. He recognized the multiple benefits DeFi and NFTs could bring to the online gaming industry, and GameFi applications quickly started to form. Axie Infinity was one of the first play-to-earn games to take off in a big way, surpassing \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/news_of_bsc/status/1424686970442223617?lang=en\"\u003e$1 billion in revenue\u003c/a\u003e on Aug. 9, 2021.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComing Soon: \u003cstrong\u003eTop GameFi Games\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSource: \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/gamefi-how-to-earn-crypto-playing-games-online/\"\u003eCoinDesk\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-09T16:35:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/gamefi.jpg","tags":["technology","gaming","metaverse","crypto","cryptocurrencies","play to earn","play games","games","play","earn","play2earn","cryptocurrency","digital currency","currency","online gaming","defi","nft","decentralized finance","non fungible tokens","play to earn","blockchain","metamask","ethereum","solana","cardano"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/don-t-just-hodl-crypto-make-money-while-you-sleep-with-it/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/don-t-just-hodl-crypto-make-money-while-you-sleep-with-it/","title":"Don't Just HODL Crypto Make Money While You Sleep With It","summary":"Passive income is money generated from ventures in which an individual is not actively involved. For the most part, all you need to do is invest your money or digital assets in a particular crypto investment strategy or platform and watch it generate profit. In some cases, the earnings are fixed and predictable. In others, several factors beyond your control may come into play.\nA typical way many try to make a return in crypto with little to no involvement is through buying and holding crypto – also known in the industry as “HODLing.” This means an investor is prepared to purchase a digital asset with the mindset that its price will hopefully rise significantly sometime in the future. Such investors are ready to go the distance as this long-term strategy might require them to hold their positions anywhere between six months to five years. Through the duration of this investment, an investor does not have to be proactive in the crypto market. They only need to buy the digital asset and store it in a secure wallet – preferably a non-custodial wallet.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003ePassive income is money generated from ventures in which an individual is not actively involved. For the most part, all you need to do is invest your money or digital assets in a particular crypto investment strategy or platform and watch it generate profit. In some cases, the earnings are fixed and predictable. In others, several factors beyond your control may come into play.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA typical way many try to make a return in crypto with little to no involvement is through buying and holding crypto – also known in the industry as “HODLing.” This means an investor is prepared to purchase a digital asset with the mindset that its price will hopefully rise significantly sometime in the future. Such investors are ready to go the distance as this long-term strategy might require them to hold their positions anywhere between six months to five years. Through the duration of this investment, an investor does not have to be proactive in the crypto market. They only need to buy the digital asset and store it in a secure wallet – preferably a non-custodial wallet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA wallet is a device or app where you can store a special key (private key) that gives access to your cryptocurrencies. The non-custodial variants let you store the private key in your personal devices, including a computer, mobile phone, or purpose-built wallet devices. With this, you have complete control over your private keys and, ultimately, your digital assets. By comparison, with a custodial wallet, a third party controls your private keys.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, simply buying and holding a crypto asset for any length of time does not guarantee you will make a profit. In fact, it’s very possible you could lose money. As such, exclusively HODLing crypto cannot be considered a truly passive income generator.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"proof-of-stake-pos-staking\"\u003eProof-of-stake (PoS) staking\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-proof-of-stake-proof-of-stake-explained/\"\u003eProof-of-stake\u003c/a\u003e is a type of blockchain consensus mechanism designed to allow distributed network participants to reach an agreement on new data entering the blockchain. Note that blockchains enable open and decentralized networks where participants contribute to governance and processes involved in validating transactions. This is critical because such a community-focused approach eliminates the need for central authorities like banks. In most cases, blockchains randomly pick participants, elevate them to the status of validators, and reward them for their efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe systems used to pick validators vary from blockchain to blockchain. Some blockchain networks require users to deposit or commit their financial resources to the network. Here, the blockchain selects validators from a pool of users that have staked a specified sum of its native digital asset. In return, validators earn interest on the staked funds for contributing to the validity of the network. This validation mechanism is what is called proof-of-stake. It provides an opportunity for holders (those in it for the long haul) to generate passive income.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnowing fully well that transaction validation might be technically tasking, you could opt for PoS blockchains that allow you to delegate your stakes to other participants who are ready to take up the technical requirements of staking. Understandably, the reward distributed to validators is slightly higher than that of a delegator. Some of the PoS blockchains you could consider are:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/price/cardano/\"\u003eCardano\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/price/ethereum/\"\u003eEthereum 2.0\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/price/polkadot/\"\u003ePolkadot\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/solana/\"\u003eSolana\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor even more convenience, you could adopt one of the several \u003ca href=\"https://defiprime.com/staking\"\u003estaking services \u003c/a\u003eavailable today. With these platforms, you can deposit a fraction of the number of digital assets required by the blockchain. For example, you normally have to deposit a minimum of \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/how-does-ethereum-staking-work\"\u003e32 ETH\u003c/a\u003e on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2020/07/24/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ethereum-20/\"\u003eEthereum 2.0 \u003c/a\u003eblockchain to become a validator. With a third-party Ethereum staking service, however, you could deposit as little as 5 ETH to start accruing interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"interest-bearing-digital-asset-accounts\"\u003eInterest-bearing digital asset accounts\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHolders can take advantage of interest-bearing crypto accounts to earn fixed interest on their idle digital assets. Think of this as putting money in an interest-earning bank account. The only difference is that this service supports only crypto deposits. Instead of holding digital assets in your wallets, you can deposit them in these accounts and receive daily, weekly, monthly or yearly earnings, depending on the predefined interest rates. Crypto service providers that offer such products include:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://nexo.io/\"\u003eNexo\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://celsius.network/\"\u003eCelsius Network\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://swissborg.com/\"\u003eSwissBorg\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://blockfi.com/\"\u003eBlockFi\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"lending\"\u003eLending\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLending has become one of the most popular crypto services in both the centralized and decentralized segments of the crypto industry. As an investor, you can lend your digital assets to borrowers for a chance to earn interest. There are four main lending strategies you could opt for:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeer-to-peer lending:\u003c/strong\u003e Platforms that provide such services enable systems that allow users to set their terms, decide the amount they want to lend and the interest they intend to generate on loans. The platform matches lenders with borrowers, similar to how P2P (peer-to-peer) trading platforms match buyers and sellers. Such lending systems provide users with a certain degree of control when it comes to crypto lending. However, you have to deposit your digital asset on the lending platform’s custodial wallet beforehand.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCentralized lending:\u003c/strong\u003e In this strategy, you rely solely on the lending infrastructure of third parties. Here, the interest rates are fixed, so are the lock-up periods. Like P2P lending, you have to transfer your crypto to the lending platform to start earning interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecentralized or DeFi lending:\u003c/strong\u003e This strategy allows users to execute lending services directly on the blockchain. Unlike the P2P and centralized lending strategies, there are no intermediaries involved in \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/defi-lending-3-major-risks-to-know\"\u003eDeFi lending\u003c/a\u003e. Instead, lenders and borrowers interact with programmable and self-executing contracts (also known as smart contracts), which autonomously and periodically set interest rates.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMargin lending:\u003c/strong\u003e Lastly, you could lend your crypto assets to traders interested in using borrowed funds to trade. These traders amplify their trading position with borrowed funds and repay the loans with interest. In this case, crypto exchanges do most of the work on your behalf. All you need to do is make your digital asset available.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"cloud-mining\"\u003eCloud mining\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the proof-of-stake mechanism explained earlier, some blockchains, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-bitcoin/\"\u003eBitcoin\u003c/a\u003e, opt for a more \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2020/12/16/what-is-proof-of-work/\"\u003ecomputer-intensive approach\u003c/a\u003e where users need to prove the eligibility of their claim to become validators (more commonly called miners) by competing against each other to solve highly complex mathematical puzzles. This process is called \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/bitcoin-101/how-bitcoin-mining-works/\"\u003ecrypto mining\u003c/a\u003e. Due to the competitiveness of this consensus mechanism, miners have to invest in powerful computers and pay exorbitant electricity bills.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUndoubtedly, this venture is time-consuming and technical. And so, investors often opt for an alternate approach called cloud mining. With this, you can pay third parties to take up the technical aspect of crypto mining on your behalf. In essence, you pay a platform that offers such services a lump sum to rent or buy mining machines from their mining facilities. After this first payment, you might have to pay a daily maintenance fee so that the cloud mining service provider can help you manage your mining rigs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs exciting as this sounds, it comes with lots of risks. \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2021/05/07/amazon-offers-mining-in-the-cloud-for-new-chia-cryptocurrency/\"\u003eCloud mining\u003c/a\u003e has been a subject of controversy ever since it became widely adopted. There have been several cases of scams due to the remote nature of this mining venture. Therefore, you should carry out due diligence before opting for this option.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"dividend-earning-tokens\"\u003eDividend-earning tokens\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertain tokens offer holders a fraction of the revenue of the company that issued them. All you need to do is hold the token, and you are automatically eligible to receive a certain percentage of the company’s revenue. The number of tokens you own determines the share of the revenue you would receive. An example of this is KuCoin Shares (KCS), where holders receive a daily share of transaction fees accrued by the KuCoin blockchain asset \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2021/08/25/kucoin-launches-proof-of-work-mining-pool/\"\u003eexchange\u003c/a\u003e. The amount received is proportional to the amount of KCS tokens each holder stakes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"yield-farming\"\u003eYield farming\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/defi-yield-farming-comp-token-explained\"\u003eYield farming\u003c/a\u003e is another decentralized, or \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/decentralized-finance-defined/\"\u003eDeFi, \u003c/a\u003emethod of earning passive crypto income. This is made possible by the dynamic operations of decentralized exchanges, which are basically trading platforms where users rely on the combination of smart contracts (programmable and self-executing computer contracts) and investors for the liquidity necessary to execute trades. Here, users do not trade against brokers or other traders. Instead, they trade against funds deposited by investors – known as liquidity providers – into special smart contracts known as liquidity pools. In turn, liquidity providers receive a proportional amount of trading fees from the pool.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo start earning passive income via this system you first have to take up the role of a liquidity provider (LP) on a DeFi exchange such as Uniswap, Aave, or PancakeSwap.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo start earning these fees, you have to deposit a specified ratio of two or more digital assets into a liquidity pool.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor example, in order to provide liquidity to an ETH/USDT pool, you will need to deposit both ETH and USDT tokens into it.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you deposit liquidity, the decentralized exchange will transfer LP tokens representing your share of the total funds locked in the liquidity pool. You can then stake these LP tokens using supported decentralized lending platforms and earn additional interest. This strategy allows you to earn two separate interest rates from a single deposit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crypto passive income opportunities listed in this guide are just some of the many ways you can make extra profit with your idle digital assets. Note that none of these opportunities are risk-free. Hence, it is advisable to carry out your own research, seek professional guidance from a qualified financial advisor, and determine what best suits your investment goals.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;d like to introduce to you: \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003eBinance\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe best crypto exchange. \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003eBinance\u003c/a\u003e has a specific feature known as the Binance Vault that enables you to earn passive income on the crypto you hold with relatively low risk. With Binance, you can just buy crypto, add it to your Earn Vault and sleep knowing your crypto is growing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo use this, kindly register with Binance using this link: \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003eRegister With Binance and Get 20%\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSource: \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/top-6-crypto-passive-income-generators-for-2021/\"\u003eCoinDesk\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-09T14:53:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/1_cc8xg5pc8lf5id8u_vu0fw.jpeg","tags":["finance","technology","staking","lending","lenders","cryptocurrencies","crypto","cryptocurrency","passive income","fire","financial freedom","assets","defi","decentralizedfinance","mining","yield farming"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/applications-and-use-cases-of-blockchain-technology/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/applications-and-use-cases-of-blockchain-technology/","title":"Applications and Use Cases of Blockchain Technology","summary":"1. Money transfers The original concept behind the invention of blockchain technology is still a great application. Money transfers using blockchain can be less expensive and faster than using existing money transfer services. This is especially true of cross-border transactions, which are often slow and expensive. Even in the modern U.S. financial system, money transfers between accounts can take days, while a blockchain transaction takes minutes.\n2. Financial exchanges Many companies have popped up over the past few years offering decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges. Using blockchain for exchanges allows for faster and less expensive transactions. Moreover, a decentralized exchange doesn\u0026rsquo;t require investors to deposit their assets with the centralized authority, which means they maintain greater control and security. While blockchain-based exchanges primarily deal in cryptocurrency, the concept could be applied to more traditional investments as well.\n","content_html":"\u003ch3 id=\"1-money-transfers\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1. Money transfers\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original concept behind the invention of \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain technology\u003c/a\u003e is still a great application. Money transfers using \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e can be less expensive and faster than using existing money transfer services. This is especially true of cross-border transactions, which are often slow and expensive. Even in the modern U.S. financial system, money transfers between accounts can take days, while a blockchain transaction takes minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"2-financial-exchanges\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2. Financial exchanges\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany companies have popped up over the past few years offering decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges. Using \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e for exchanges allows for faster and less expensive transactions. Moreover, a \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/decentralized-finance-defined/\"\u003edecentralized exchange\u003c/a\u003e doesn\u0026rsquo;t require investors to deposit their assets with the centralized authority, which means they maintain greater control and security. While \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e-based exchanges primarily deal in cryptocurrency, the concept could be applied to more traditional investments as well.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"3-lending\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3. Lending\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLenders can use \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e to execute collateralized loans through \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-are-smart-contracts-smart-contracts-explained/\"\u003esmart contracts\u003c/a\u003e. Smart contracts built on the \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e allow certain events to automatically trigger things like a service payment, a margin call, full repayment of the loan, and release of collateral. As a result, loan processing is faster and less expensive, and lenders can offer better rates.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"4-insurance\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4. Insurance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing smart contracts on a \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e can provide greater transparency for customers and insurance providers. Recording all claims on a blockchain would keep customers from making duplicate claims for the same event. Furthermore, using smart contracts can speed up the process for claimants to receive payments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"5-real-estate\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5. Real estate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReal estate transactions require a ton of paperwork to verify financial information and ownership and then transfer deeds and titles to new owners. Using blockchain technology to record real estate transactions can provide a more secure and accessible means of verifying and transferring ownership. That can speed up transactions, reduce paperwork, and save money.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"6-secure-personal-information\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6. Secure personal information\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeeping data such as your Social Security number, date of birth, and other identifying information on a public ledger (e.g., a blockchain) may actually be more secure than current systems more susceptible to hacks. Blockchain technology can be used to secure access to identifying information while improving access for those who need it in industries such as travel, healthcare, finance, and education.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"7-voting\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7. Voting\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf personally identifiable information is held on a blockchain, that puts us just one step away from also being able to vote using blockchain technology. Using blockchain technology can make sure that nobody votes twice, only eligible voters are able to vote, and votes cannot be tampered with. What\u0026rsquo;s more, it can increase access to voting by making it as simple as pressing a few buttons on your smartphone. At the same time, the cost of running an election would substantially decrease.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"8-government-benefits\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8. Government benefits\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother way to use digital identities stored on a blockchain is for the administration of government benefits such as welfare programs, Social Security, and Medicare. Using blockchain technology could reduce fraud and the costs of operations. Meanwhile, beneficiaries can receive funds more quickly through digital disbursement on the blockchain.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"9-securely-share-medical-information\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9. Securely share medical information\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeeping medical records on a blockchain can allow doctors and medical professionals to obtain accurate and up-to-date information on their patients. That can ensure that patients seeing multiple doctors get the best care possible. It can also speed up the system for pulling medical records, allowing for more timely treatment in some cases. And, if insurance information is held in the database, doctors can easily verify whether a patient is insured and their treatment is covered.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"10-artist-royalties\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10. Artist royalties\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing blockchain technology to track music and film files distributed over the internet can make sure that artists are paid for their work. Since blockchain technology was invented to ensure the same file doesn\u0026rsquo;t exist in more than one place, it can be used to help reduce piracy. What\u0026rsquo;s more, using a blockchain to track playbacks on streaming services and a smart contract to distribute payments can provide greater transparency and the assurance that artists receive the money they\u0026rsquo;re owed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"11-non-fungible-tokens\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e11. Non-fungible tokens\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-are-nfts-non-fungible-tokens-explained/\"\u003eNon-fungible tokens\u003c/a\u003e, or NFTs, are commonly thought of as ways to own the rights to digital art. Since the blockchain prevents data from existing in two places, putting an NFT on the blockchain guarantees that only a single copy of a piece of digital art exists. That can make it like \u003ca href=\"https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/communication/media-stocks/art-investment/\"\u003einvesting in physical art\u003c/a\u003e but without the drawbacks of storage and maintenance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFTs can have varied applications, and ultimately they\u0026rsquo;re a way to convey ownership of anything that can be represented by data. That could be the deed to a house, the broadcast rights to a video, or an event ticket. Anything remotely unique could be an NFT.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"12-logistics-and-supply-chain-tracking\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12. Logistics and supply chain tracking\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing blockchain technology to track items as they move through a logistics or supply chain network can provide several advantages. First of all, it provides greater ease of communication between partners since data is available on a secure public ledger. Second, it provides greater security and data integrity since the data on the blockchain can\u0026rsquo;t be altered. That means logistics and supply chain partners can work together more easily with greater trust that the data they\u0026rsquo;ve provided is accurate and up to date.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"13-secure-internet-of-things-networks\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e13. Secure Internet of Things networks\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Internet of Things (IoT) is making our lives easier, but it\u0026rsquo;s also opening the door for nefarious actors to access our data or take control of important systems. Blockchain technology can provide greater security by storing passwords and other data on a decentralized network instead of a centralized server. Additionally, it offers protection against data tampering since a blockchain is practically immutable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"14-data-storage\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e14. Data storage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdding blockchain technology to a data storage solution can provide greater security and integrity. Since data can be stored in a decentralized manner, it will be more difficult to hack into and wipe out all the data on the network, whereas a centralized data storage provider may only have a few points of redundancy. It also means greater access to data since access isn\u0026rsquo;t necessarily reliant on the operations of a single company. In some cases, using blockchain for data storage may also be less expensive.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"15-gambling\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e15. Gambling\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gambling industry can use blockchain to provide several benefits to players. One of the biggest benefits of operating a casino on the blockchain is the transparency it provides to potential gamblers. Since every transaction is recorded on the blockchain, bettors can see that the games are fair and the casino pays out. Furthermore, by using blockchain, there\u0026rsquo;s no need to provide personal information, including a bank account, which may be a hurdle for some would-be gamblers. It also provides a workaround for regulatory restrictions since players can gamble anonymously and the decentralized network isn\u0026rsquo;t susceptible to a government shutdown.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"blockchain-is-in-its-infancy\"\u003eBlockchain is in its infancy\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlockchain technology has only been around for a dozen years, and businesses are still exploring new ways to apply the technology to support their operations. With the growing amount of digital data used in our lives, there\u0026rsquo;s a growing need for the data security, access, transparency, and integrity blockchain can provide.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSource: \u003ca href=\"https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/financials/blockchain-stocks/blockchain-applications/\"\u003eThe Motley Fool\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-09T13:01:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/mit-algorand-01.jpg","tags":["technology","finance","blockchain","hyperledger","ledger","blockchains","blocks","decentralized","decentralized finance","cryptography","cryptocurrencies","cryptocurrency","crypto","gamefi","nft","non fungible tokens","blockchain technology","dao","defi","digitization","finance and economy","fintech","financial technology"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-is-proof-of-work/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-is-proof-of-work/","title":"What is Proof of Work?","summary":"Proof-of-work is the algorithm that secures many cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Most digital currencies have a central entity or leader keeping track of every user and how much money they have. But there’s no such leader in charge of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Proof-of-work is needed to make the online currency work without a company or government running the show.\nMore specifically proof-of-work solves the \u0026ldquo;double-spending problem,\u0026rdquo; which is trickier to solve without a leader in charge. If users can double-spend their coins, this inflates the overall supply, debasing everyone else\u0026rsquo;s coins and making the currency unpredictable and worthless.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eProof-of-work is the algorithm that secures many cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Most digital currencies have a central entity or leader keeping track of every user and how much money they have. But there’s no such leader in charge of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Proof-of-work is needed to make the online currency work without a company or government running the show.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore specifically proof-of-work solves the \u0026ldquo;double-spending problem,\u0026rdquo; which is trickier to solve without a leader in charge. If users can double-spend their coins, this inflates the overall supply, debasing everyone else\u0026rsquo;s coins and making the currency unpredictable and worthless.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDouble-spending is an issue for online transactions because digital actions are very easy to replicate, which is what makes it trivial to copy and paste a file or send an email to more than one person.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProof-of-work makes doubling digital money very, very hard. It\u0026rsquo;s much what it sounds like \u0026ldquo;proof\u0026rdquo; that someone has done a significant amount of computations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"how-proof-of-work-works\"\u003eHow proof-of-work works\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBitcoin is a \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e, which is a shared ledger that contains a history of every Bitcoin transaction that ever took place. This blockchain, as the name suggests, is composed of blocks. Each block has the most recent transactions stored in it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProof-of-work is a necessary part of adding new blocks to the Bitcoin blockchain. Blocks are summoned to life by miners, the players in the ecosystem who execute proof-of-work**.** A new block is accepted by the network each time a miner comes up with a new winning proof-of-work, which happens roughly every 10 minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinding the winning proof-of-work is so difficult the only way to provide the work miners need to win bitcoin is with expensive, specialized computers. Miners will earn bitcoin if they guess a matching computation. The more computations they churn out, the more bitcoin they are likely to earn.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat computations are the miners making exactly? In Bitcoin, miners spit out the so-called \u0026ldquo;hash,\u0026rdquo; which turns an input into a random-looking string of letters and numbers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe goal of the miners is to create a hash matching Bitcoin\u0026rsquo;s current \u0026ldquo;target.\u0026rdquo; They must create a hash with enough zeroes in front. The probability of getting several zeros in a row is very low. But miners across the world are making trillions of such computations a second, so it takes them about 10 minutes on average to hit this target.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhoever reaches the goal first wins a batch of the bitcoin cryptocurrency. Then the Bitcoin protocol creates a new value that miners must hash, and miners start the race for finding the winning proof-of-work all over again.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSource: \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/learn/2020/12/16/what-is-proof-of-work/\"\u003eCoinDesk\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-09T12:10:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/webp-net-resizeimage.jpg","tags":["technology","bitcoin","ethereum","pow","proof of work","cryptocurrencies","crypto","cryptocurrency"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-is-proof-of-stake-proof-of-stake-explained/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-is-proof-of-stake-proof-of-stake-explained/","title":"What is Proof of Stake? Proof Of Stake Explained","summary":"Proof-of-stake is a method of maintaining the integrity of a cryptocurrency, preventing users from printing extra coins they didn’t earn. While a different method, called proof-of-work, is currently used by Bitcoin and Ethereum – the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization – Ethereum has plans to migrate to proof-of-stake to make the platform more scalable and reduce the energy consumption of the network.\nTo put it simply: Proof of stake is basically a process used to validate crypto transactions through staking.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eProof-of-stake is a method of maintaining the integrity of a cryptocurrency, preventing users from printing extra coins they didn’t earn. While a different method, called proof-of-work, is currently used by Bitcoin and Ethereum – the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization – Ethereum has plans to migrate to proof-of-stake to make the platform more scalable and reduce the energy consumption of the network.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo put it simply: Proof of stake is basically a process used to validate crypto transactions through staking.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth proof-of-work and proof-of-stake are what are called “consensus mechanisms,” the method by which a \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e maintains its integrity. Consensus is what addresses the \u0026ldquo;double spending\u0026rdquo; problem of digital money. If there were any way the user of a cryptocurrency could spend their coins more than once, it would undermine the entire system. The currency would be worthless.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a tricky problem, especially with online currencies that have no central authority, such as a bank or a government, to keep track of how much money each person has, how they’re spending it, and whom they’re paying.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bitcoin network was the first to solve this problem with proof-of-work. Proof-of-stake has emerged as a possible alternative that some researchers think is both more energy-efficient and more secure, though there\u0026rsquo;s debate about this.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn PoS, the nodes of the network commit \u0026ldquo;stakes\u0026rdquo; of tokens for a set period of time in exchange for a chance at being selected to produce the next block of transactions. The node that\u0026rsquo;s chosen - referred to as the \u0026ldquo;validator\u0026rdquo; - will receive the block rewards in the form of the native token of the network.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"how-does-proof-of-stake-work\"\u003eHow does proof of stake work?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo answer the question \u0026ldquo;what is proof of stake,\u0026rdquo; we must first define what it means for blockchains to achieve consensus.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eBlockchain\u003c/a\u003e is a decentralized distributed ledger of transactions. Because there\u0026rsquo;s no single server controlling the network, there has to be some way for everyone to agree on which transactions are valid. Otherwise, it would be possible for people to create fake transactions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe servers in a blockchain are called \u0026ldquo;nodes.\u0026rdquo; Nodes process transactions. Some nodes have the ability to add blocks of transactions to the chain, maintaining and growing the ledger. In Proof of Work (PoW) networks (which we\u0026rsquo;ll cover later) like Bitcoin, these nodes are referred to as \u0026ldquo;miners.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor PoS, nodes commit funds to the network - a process known as \u0026ldquo;staking\u0026rdquo; - for a chance to be chosen as the next block writer instead of nodes competing with each other to be rewarded for solving cryptographic puzzles, as is the case with PoW.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn PoS networks, nodes that can add blocks are called \u0026ldquo;validators,\u0026rdquo; which are individuals who are responsible for verifying transactions on a blockchain. Each validator has a chance at being selected to write the next block and receive its rewards.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s kind of like a lottery - the larger the stake of tokens committed, the higher odds that node has of being chosen. \u0026ldquo;The choice of the next block writer, the next validator, is a pseudo-random process that\u0026rsquo;s determined by the size of the stake that you as the user have dedicated to the network,\u0026rdquo; says Daniel Gould, CEO, and co-founder of Nodamatics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePoS can improve upon some of the biggest problems presented by PoW, namely:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnergy consumption: PoS requires less energy than PoW.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransaction throughput: PoS networks can handle more transactions than PoW.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScalability: PoS networks can scale more easily than PoW networks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA quick tip:\u003c/strong\u003e For a deeper understanding of PoW and how it first made digital currency possible, read the \u003ca href=\"https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf\"\u003eSatoshi Nakamoto white paper\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"which-cryptocurrencies-use-proof-of-stake\"\u003eWhich cryptocurrencies use proof of stake?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA growing number of the most popular cryptocurrencies use some variation of the PoS protocol. Here\u0026rsquo;s a partial list:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCosmos (ATOM)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCardano (ADA)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolkadot (DOT)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolana (SOL)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVeChain (VET)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTezos (XTZ)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese networks aim to accomplish a variety of different tasks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCardano and Solana are focused on providing smart contract functionality, much like Ethereum.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCosmos helps different blockchain communicate with each other.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTezos is designed to allow for the creation and trading of security tokens.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause there is no \u0026ldquo;mining\u0026rdquo; involved in PoS, PoS networks often start with a \u0026ldquo;pre-mine,\u0026rdquo; where the entire supply of tokens is brought into existence at once.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"summary\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSUMMARY\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProof of Stake (PoS) is a consensus protocol - or a set of rules or system of agreement - that\u0026rsquo;s used to validate cryptocurrency transactions.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePoS redefines how blockchain nodes agree on which record of crypto transactions is accurate and improves upon the Proof of Work (PoW) system.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePoS requires validators to stake tokens to validate transactions, while PoW requires miners to solve a cryptographic puzzle.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-09T11:47:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/proof-of-stake.jpg","tags":["proof of stake","ethereum2","blockchain","pos","proof-of-stake","cryptocurrencies","crypto","cryptocurrency","bitcoin","ethereum"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-are-smart-contracts-smart-contracts-explained/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-are-smart-contracts-smart-contracts-explained/","title":"What are Smart Contracts? How Do They Work? Smart Contracts Explained","summary":"A smart contract is a computer program or a transaction protocol that is intended to automatically execute, control, or document legally relevant events and actions according to the terms of a contract or an agreement. The objectives of smart contracts are the reduction of need in trusted intermediates, arbitrations, and enforcement costs, fraud losses, as well as the reduction of malicious and accidental exceptions.\nThe code and the agreements contained therein exist across a distributed, decentralized blockchain network. The code controls the execution, and transactions are trackable and irreversible.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003esmart contract\u003c/strong\u003e is a computer program or a transaction protocol that is intended to automatically execute, control, or document legally relevant events and actions according to the terms of a contract or an agreement. The objectives of smart contracts are the reduction of need in trusted intermediates, arbitrations, and enforcement costs, fraud losses, as well as the reduction of malicious and accidental exceptions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe code and the agreements contained therein exist across a distributed, decentralized \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e network. The code controls the execution, and transactions are trackable and irreversible.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmart contracts permit trusted transactions and agreements to be carried out among disparate, anonymous parties without the need for a central authority, legal system, or external enforcement mechanism.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmart contracts are made possible by \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchains\u003c/a\u003e, a network of computers that work together to enforce rules on the network without requiring the help of an intermediary.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"how-smart-contracts-work\"\u003eHow smart contracts work\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmart contracts work by following simple “if/when…then…” statements that are written into code on a blockchain. A network of computers executes the actions when predetermined conditions have been met and verified. These actions could include releasing funds to the appropriate parties, registering a vehicle, sending notifications, or issuing a ticket. The \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e is then updated when the transaction is completed. That means the transaction cannot be changed, and only parties who have been granted permission can see the results.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin a smart contract, there can be as many stipulations as needed to satisfy the participants that the task will be completed satisfactorily. To establish the terms, participants must determine how transactions and their data are represented on the blockchain, agree on the “if/when\u0026hellip;then…” rules that govern those transactions, explore all possible exceptions, and define a framework for resolving disputes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen the smart contract can be programmed by a developer – although increasingly, organizations that use \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/what-is-blockchain-how-does-it-work-blockchain-explained/\"\u003eblockchain\u003c/a\u003e for business provide templates, web interfaces, and other online tools to simplify structuring smart contracts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith conventional contracts, a document outlines the terms of a relationship between two parties, which is enforceable by law. If one Party A violates the terms, Party B can take Party A to court for not complying with the agreement. A smart contract fortifies such agreements in code so the rules are automatically enforced without courts (or any third party) getting involved.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"benefits-of-smart-contracts\"\u003eBenefits of smart contracts\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpeed, efficiency, and accuracy:\u003c/strong\u003e Once a condition is met, the contract is executed immediately. Because smart contracts are digital and automated, there’s no paperwork to process and no time spent reconciling errors that often result from manually filling in documents.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrust and transparency:\u003c/strong\u003e Because there’s no third party involved, and because encrypted records of transactions are shared across participants, there’s no need to question whether information has been altered for personal benefit.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity:\u003c/strong\u003e Blockchain transaction records are encrypted, which makes them very hard to hack. Moreover, because each record is connected to the previous and subsequent records on a distributed ledger, hackers would have to alter the entire chain to change a single record.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSavings:\u003c/strong\u003e Smart contracts remove the need for intermediaries to handle transactions and, by extension, their associated time delays and fees.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"what-can-smart-contracts-be-used-for\"\u003eWhat can smart contracts be used for?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome common ways of using smart contracts are:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMultisignature accounts\u003c/strong\u003e: Funds can only be spent when a required percentage of people agree.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEncoding financial agreements\u003c/strong\u003e: Manage agreements between users. Say, if one person buys insurance from an insurance company, the rules of when the insurance can be redeemed can be programmed into a smart contract.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgreements based on the outside world\u003c/strong\u003e: Pull in data from the outside world (financial, political, or whatever) with the help of oracles.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvide the third party\u003c/strong\u003e: Similar to how a software library works, smart contracts can work with other smart contracts in a chain.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c/strong\u003e: Store information about an application, such as domain registration information or membership records. Storage in a blockchain like Ethereum is unique in that the data is immutable and can\u0026rsquo;t be erased.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"examples-of-blockchain-platforms-supporting-smart-contracts\"\u003eExamples of \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/6-cryptocurrencies-blockchains-with-massive-potential/\"\u003eblockchain platforms\u003c/a\u003e supporting smart contracts\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBitcoin:\u003c/strong\u003e Provides a Turing-incomplete script language that allows the creation of custom smart contracts on top of Bitcoin like multisignature accounts, payment channels, escrows, time locks, atomic cross-chain trading, oracles, or multi-party lottery with no operator.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCardano:\u003c/strong\u003e A blockchain platform for smart contracts, using proof of stake\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthereum:\u003c/strong\u003e Implements a Turing-complete language on its blockchain, a prominent smart contract framework.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEOS.IO:\u003c/strong\u003e A blockchain platform for smart contracts\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTezos:\u003c/strong\u003e A blockchain platform modifying its own set of rules with minimal disruption to the network through an on-chain governance model\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-09T11:00:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/smart-contract-featured-image.png","tags":["technology","smart contracts","blockchain","decentralized","ledger","hyperledger","digital ledger","cryptocurrencies","crypto","bitcoin","ethereum"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/6-cryptocurrencies-blockchains-with-massive-potential/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/6-cryptocurrencies-blockchains-with-massive-potential/","title":"6 Blockchains With Massive Potential","summary":" Ethereum(ETH) - Specifically Ethereum 2.0 Solana(SOL) Cardano(ADA) Polygon(MATIC) Binance Smart Chain(BNB) Polkadot(DOT) You\u0026rsquo;ll find that these blockchains and cryptocurrencies are being used to create more cryptocurrencies and blockchains. Most are also involved in the metaverse and web 3.0 development.\nBuy their cryptocurrencies by registering here: BINANCE\nNB: NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE!\n","content_html":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEthereum(ETH) - Specifically Ethereum 2.0\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolana(SOL)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCardano(ADA)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolygon(MATIC)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinance Smart Chain(BNB)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolkadot(DOT)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou\u0026rsquo;ll find that these blockchains and cryptocurrencies are being used to create more cryptocurrencies and blockchains. Most are also involved in the metaverse and web 3.0 development.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy their cryptocurrencies by registering here:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBINANCE\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNB: NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE!\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-04T15:01:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/b0ac64ca-9452-4ee2-b6fe-6ecbe8eeaddd.png","tags":["technology","metaverse","web3","defi","decentralized finance","blockchain","cryptocurrency","blockchains","cryptocurrencies","future","scifi"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/top-6-cryptocurrency-gaming-tokens-coins-to-watch/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/top-6-cryptocurrency-gaming-tokens-coins-to-watch/","title":"Top 6 Cryptocurrency Gaming Tokens/Coins To Watch","summary":"Here are my top 6 gaming tokens listed with their price as seen during the writing of this article.\nAxie Infinity(AXS): $136 or Ksh 15,320.40 Decentraland(MANA): $4.5 or Ksh 496.79 Enjin Coin(ENJ): $3.40 or Ksh 383.10 Gala(GALA): $0.605 or Ksh 68.11 The Sandbox(SAND): $6.31 or Ksh 710.82 Illuvium(ILV): $1,699.31 or Ksh 191,342.31 To buy these, I recommend you use Binance: The best cryptocurrency exchange where you can make passive income just for holding your crypto in their savings vault: Register for Binance Today and Get 5%\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHere are my top 6 gaming tokens listed with their price as seen during the writing of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAxie Infinity(AXS): $136 or Ksh 15,320.40\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecentraland(MANA): $4.5 or Ksh 496.79\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnjin Coin(ENJ): $3.40 or Ksh 383.10\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGala(GALA): $0.605 or Ksh 68.11\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Sandbox(SAND): $6.31 or Ksh 710.82\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIlluvium(ILV): $1,699.31 or Ksh 191,342.31\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo buy these, I recommend you use Binance: The best cryptocurrency exchange where you can make passive income just for holding your crypto in their savings vault: \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegister for Binance Today and Get 5%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo find more gaming tokens, check out: \u003ca href=\"https://coinmarketcap.com/view/gaming/\"\u003eCoinMarketCap\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-02T11:35:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/nft-crypto-gaming-developers.jpg","tags":["finance","technology","gaming","cryptocurrencies","cryptocurrency","tokens","gaming tokens","gaming coins","cryptocurrency gaming tokens","cryptocurrency gaming coins","cryptocurrency tokens","cryptocurrency coins","axie infinity","axs","enj","enjin","gala","sand","sandbox","ilv","illuvium"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/top-cryptocurrency-exchanges/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/top-cryptocurrency-exchanges/","title":"Top Cryptocurrency Exchanges","summary":" Binance: Register here Coinbase: Register here FTX Kraken Kucoin Crypto.com ","content_html":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinance: \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003eRegister here\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoinbase: \u003ca href=\"https://www.coinbase.com/join/ajulu_v\"\u003eRegister here\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFTX\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKraken\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKucoin\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrypto.com\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-12-01T14:35:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/top-5-crypto-exchanges-to-trade-cryptos-in-2021.jpg","tags":["finance","technology","cryptocurrency","cryptocurrencies","cryptocurrency exchange"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-are-nfts-non-fungible-tokens-explained/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/what-are-nfts-non-fungible-tokens-explained/","title":"What are NFTs? Non Fungible Tokens Explained","summary":"Hi there! Today i\u0026rsquo;d like to talk about NFTs and all the hype surrounding them right now. To begin, we must first know what they are. So,\nWhat is an NFT? An NFT is a digital asset that represents real-world objects like art, music, in-game items, and videos. They are bought and sold online, frequently with cryptocurrency, and they are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos.\nAlthough they’ve been around since 2014, NFTs are gaining notoriety now because they are becoming an increasingly popular way to buy and sell digital artwork. A staggering $174 million has been spent on NFTs since November 2017.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHi there! Today i\u0026rsquo;d like to talk about NFTs and all the hype surrounding them right now. To begin, we must first know what they are. So,\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"what-is-an-nft\"\u003eWhat is an NFT?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn NFT is a digital asset that represents real-world objects like art, music, in-game items, and videos. They are bought and sold online, frequently with \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/what-is-cryptocurrency/\"\u003ecryptocurrency\u003c/a\u003e, and they are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough they’ve been around since 2014, NFTs are gaining notoriety now because they are becoming an increasingly popular way to buy and sell digital artwork. A staggering \u003ca href=\"https://www.coindesk.com/what-are-nfts\"\u003e$174 million\u003c/a\u003e has been spent on NFTs since November 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFTs are also generally one of a kind, or at least one of a very limited run, and have unique identifying codes. “Essentially, NFTs create digital scarcity,” says Arry Yu, chair of the Washington Technology Industry Association Cascadia Blockchain Council and managing director of Yellow Umbrella Ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis stands in stark contrast to most digital creations, which are almost always infinite in supply. Hypothetically, cutting off the supply should raise the value of a given asset, assuming it’s in demand.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut many NFTs, at least in these early days, have been digital creations that already exist in some form elsewhere, like iconic video clips from NBA games or securitized versions of digital art that’s already floating around on Instagram.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor instance, famous digital artist Mike Winklemann, better known as “Beeple” crafted a composite of 5,000 daily drawings to create perhaps the most famous NFT of the moment, “EVERYDAYS: The First 5000 Days,” which sold at Christie’s for a \u003ca href=\"https://decrypt.co/60971/beeples-nft-artwork-sells-for-60-3-million-in-christies-auction\"\u003erecord-breaking $69.3 million\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnyone can view the individual images—or even the entire collage of images online for free. So why are people willing to spend millions on something they could easily screenshot or download?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause an NFT allows the buyer to own the original item. Not only that, it contains built-in authentication, which serves as proof of ownership. Collectors value those “digital bragging rights” almost more than the item itself.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"how-is-an-nft-different-from-cryptocurrency\"\u003eHow Is an NFT Different from Cryptocurrency?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFT stands for non-fungible token. It’s generally built using the same kind of programming as cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, but that’s where the similarity ends.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhysical money and cryptocurrencies are “fungible,” meaning they can be traded or exchanged for one another. They’re also equal in value—one dollar is always worth another dollar; one Bitcoin is always equal to another Bitcoin. Crypto’s fungibility makes it a trusted means of conducting transactions on the blockchain.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFTs are different. Each has a digital signature that makes it impossible for NFTs to be exchanged for or equal to one another (hence, non-fungible). One NBA Top Shot clip, for example, is not equal to EVERYDAYS simply because they’re both NFTs. (One NBA Top Shot clip isn’t even necessarily equal to another NBA Top Shot clip, for that matter.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow Does an NFT Work?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFTs exist on a blockchain, which is a distributed public ledger that records transactions. You’re probably most familiar with blockchain as the underlying process that makes cryptocurrencies possible.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifically, NFTs are typically held on the Ethereum blockchain, although other blockchains support them as well.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn NFT is created, or “minted” from digital objects that represent both tangible and intangible items, including:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e Art\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e GIFs\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e Videos and sports highlights\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e Collectibles\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e Virtual avatars and video game skins\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e Designer sneakers\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e Music\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven tweets count. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey sold his first-ever tweet as an NFT for \u003ca href=\"https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/22/jack-dorsey-sells-his-first-tweet-ever-as-an-nft-for-over-2point9-million.html\"\u003emore than $2.9 million\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEssentially, NFTs are like physical collector’s items, only digital. So instead of getting an actual oil painting to hang on the wall, the buyer gets a digital file instead.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey also get exclusive ownership rights. That’s right: NFTs can have only one owner at a time. NFTs’ unique data makes it easy to verify their ownership and transfer tokens between owners. The owner or creator can also store specific information inside them. For instance, artists can sign their artwork by including their signature in an NFT’s metadata.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"what-are-nfts-used-for\"\u003eWhat Are NFTs Used For?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlockchain technology and NFTs afford artists and content creators a unique opportunity to monetize their wares. For example, artists no longer have to rely on galleries or auction houses to sell their art. Instead, the artist can sell it directly to the consumer as an NFT, which also lets them keep more of the profits. In addition, artists can program in royalties so they’ll receive a percentage of sales whenever their art is sold to a new owner. This is an attractive feature as artists generally do not receive future proceeds after their art is first sold.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArt isn’t the only way to make money with NFTs. Brands like Charmin and Taco Bell have auctioned off themed NFT art to raise funds for charity. Charmin dubbed its offering “NFTP” (non-fungible toilet paper), and Taco Bell’s NFT art sold out in minutes, with the highest bids coming in at 1.5 wrapped ether (WETH)—equal to $3,723.83 at time of writing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNyan Cat, a 2011-era GIF of a cat with a pop-tart body, sold for nearly \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/business/nft-nba-top-shot-crypto.html\"\u003e$600,000 in February\u003c/a\u003e. And NBA Top Shot generated more than \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2021/03/30/nba-top-shot-dapper-labs-valuation-funding-round/7058307002/\"\u003e$500 million in sales\u003c/a\u003e as of late March. A single LeBron James highlight NFT fetched more than $200,000.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Lindsay Lohan are jumping on the NFT bandwagon, releasing unique memories, artwork and moments as securitized NFTs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"how-to-buy-nfts\"\u003eHow to Buy NFTs\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re keen to start your own NFT collection, you’ll need to acquire some key items:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, you’ll need to get a digital wallet that allows you to store NFTs and cryptocurrencies. You’ll likely need to purchase some cryptocurrency, like Ether, depending on what currencies your NFT provider accepts. You can buy crypto using a credit card on platforms like Coinbase, Kraken, eToro and even PayPal and Robinhood now. You’ll then be able to move it from the exchange to your wallet of choice.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’ll want to keep fees in mind as you research options. Most exchanges charge at least a percentage of your transaction when you buy crypto.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePopular NFT Marketplaces\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you’ve got your wallet set up and funded, there’s no shortage of NFT sites to shop. Currently, the largest NFT marketplaces are:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://opensea.io/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOpenSea.io\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e: This peer-to-peer platform bills itself a purveyor of “rare digital items and collectibles.” To get started, all you need to do is create an account to browse NFT collections. You can also sort pieces by sales volume to discover new artists.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://rarible.com/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRarible\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e: Similar to OpenSea, Rarible is a democratic, open marketplace that allows artists and creators to issue and sell NFTs. RARI tokens issued on the platform enable holders to weigh in on features like fees and community rules.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e•\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://foundation.app/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoundation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e: Here, artists must receive “upvotes” or an invitation from fellow creators to post their art. The community’s exclusivity and cost of entry—artists must also purchase “gas” to mint NFTs—means it may boast higher-caliber artwork. For instance, Nyan Cat creator Chris Torres sold the NFT on the Foundation platform. It may also mean higher prices — not necessarily a bad thing for artists and collectors seeking to capitalize, assuming the demand for NFTs remains at current levels, or even increases over time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough these platforms and others are host to thousands of NFT creators and collectors, be sure you do your research carefully before buying. Some artists have fallen victim to impersonators who have listed and sold their work without their permission.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, the verification processes for creators and NFT listings aren’t consistent across platforms — some are more stringent than others. OpenSea and Rarible, for example, do not require owner verification for NFT listings. Buyer protections appear to be sparse at best, so when shopping for NFTs, it may be best to keep the old adage “caveat emptor” (let the buyer beware) in mind.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSource: \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/nft-non-fungible-token/\"\u003eForbes\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.com/?ref=d066811aa8ea4f2\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/images/unstoppabledomainsad.webp\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-11-30T18:36:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/nft-art-what-is-it.jpg","tags":["art","nft","nfts","non fungible tokens","non fungible token","tokens","digital art","cryptocurrencies","crypto","cryptocurrency","tech","technology","finance","blockchain","opensea","mint","minting"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/how-to-buy-your-first-cryptocurrency/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/how-to-buy-your-first-cryptocurrency/","title":"How To Buy Your First Cryptocurrency","summary":"Do you want to invest in cryptocurrencies? Well here\u0026rsquo;s how you can buy your first cryptocurrency as a beginner.\nRegister in a Cryptocurrency Exchange. There\u0026rsquo;s Binance, Coinbase, and more. I suggest Binance. So if you\u0026rsquo;d like to register. here\u0026rsquo;s the link: Register on Binance Today!\nYou\u0026rsquo;ll be required to submit proof of identification.\nSet up how you will buy them e.g card, bank, or mpesa\nGo buy your first crypto. I suggest Ethereum or Bitcoin\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eDo you want to invest in cryptocurrencies? Well here\u0026rsquo;s how you can buy your first cryptocurrency as a beginner.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegister in a Cryptocurrency Exchange. There\u0026rsquo;s Binance, Coinbase, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/url?sa=t\u0026amp;rct=j\u0026amp;q=\u0026amp;esrc=s\u0026amp;source=web\u0026amp;cd=\u0026amp;cad=rja\u0026amp;uact=8\u0026amp;ved=2ahUKEwjtuIzQ8r_0AhU8SfEDHZCwAo8QFnoECAQQAQ\u0026amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fcoinmarketcap.com%2Frankings%2Fexchanges%2F\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw0XciKeBh46uGvvqu9SLfkT\"\u003emore\u003c/a\u003e. I suggest Binance. So if you\u0026rsquo;d like to register. here\u0026rsquo;s the link: \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003eRegister on Binance Today!\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou\u0026rsquo;ll be required to submit proof of identification.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet up how you will buy them e.g card, bank, or mpesa\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGo buy your first crypto. I suggest Ethereum or Bitcoin\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimple as that!\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-11-30T13:06:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/executium-em3btkstjia-unsplash.jpg","tags":["cryptocurrency","cryptocurrencies","finance"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/decentralized-finance-defined/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/decentralized-finance-defined/","title":"Decentralized Finance Defined","summary":"Decentralized Finance (DeFi) refers to the financial transactions that eradicate intermediaries between participants. It uses cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to eliminate central authorities and provide peer-to-peer facilities to carry out financial services such as banking, loans, mortgages, and more. The primary purpose here is to establish an open-source, transparent, and permissionless ecosystem without any central authority owning the power over financial transactions. It allows participants to control their assets, efficiently conduct peer-to-peer exchanges and build decentralized applications (dApps).\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eDecentralized Finance (DeFi) refers to the financial transactions that eradicate intermediaries between participants. It uses cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to eliminate central authorities and provide peer-to-peer facilities to carry out financial services such as banking, loans, mortgages, and more. The primary purpose here is to establish an open-source, transparent, and permissionless ecosystem without any central authority owning the power over financial transactions. It allows participants to control their assets, efficiently conduct peer-to-peer exchanges and build decentralized applications (dApps).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce a transaction is carried out in a traditional banking system, its details are recorded in a private ledger owned and monitored by a financial institution. However, in DeFi, the financial transactions are stored in a computer code on a decentralized public ledger. All participants using DeFi applications and platforms have an identical copy of the general ledger.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ledger holds the information of every transaction in encryption code. Since decentralized blockchain platforms and applications are immutable, the records of ownership cannot be modified or deleted by a third party providing security in verifying transactions and storing their data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecentralized Finance works on the traditional financial system and replaces the intermediaries or central authorities with smart contracts. A smart contract is an automated merger, enforces agreements without intermediary involvement, and is easily accessible by anyone with an established internet connection. Most of the protocols work on the Ethereum blockchain, and the decentralized applications are often created using Ethereum.\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-11-27T15:48:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/defi-finance-decentralisee.jpg","tags":["decentralized finance","finance","blockchain","cryptocurrencies","crypto","cryptocurrency","dapps","ethereum"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/the-3-cryptocurrencies-you-should-definitely-invest-in/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/the-3-cryptocurrencies-you-should-definitely-invest-in/","title":"The 3 Cryptocurrencies You Should Definitely Invest In and More","summary":"Hi there, here are 3 cryptocurrencies I believe you should invest in right now before the end of 2021\nEthereum(ETH) With the advent of WEB 3.0 and Ethereum 2.0, Ethereum is set to become the most popular and most used cryptocurrency. Then there\u0026rsquo;s the Ethereum Naming Service. Look just own 0.01 of ETH. Please do. Ethereum is that crypto that has so much potential. It can be used for so many things. Most metaverse tokens are built on Ethereum. Most Defi tokens are built on Ethereum. This should tell you something about the coin. So just make an effort to own this. Even just 0.01 ETH. That\u0026rsquo;s enough.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHi there, here are 3 cryptocurrencies I believe you should invest in right now before the end of 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"ethereumeth\"\u003eEthereum(ETH)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the advent of \u003cstrong\u003eWEB 3.0\u003c/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eEthereum 2.0\u003c/strong\u003e, Ethereum is set to become the most popular and most used cryptocurrency. Then there\u0026rsquo;s the \u003cstrong\u003eEthereum Naming Service\u003c/strong\u003e. Look just own 0.01 of ETH. Please do. Ethereum is that crypto that has so much potential. It can be used for so many things. Most metaverse tokens are built on Ethereum. Most Defi tokens are built on Ethereum. This should tell you something about the coin. So just make an effort to own this. Even just 0.01 ETH. That\u0026rsquo;s enough.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"bitcoinbtc\"\u003eBitcoin(BTC)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBitcoin is the biggest crypto right now and it still has the potential to grow. Buy it now and forget about it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"metaverse-index-tokenmvi\"\u003eMetaverse Index Token(MVI)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metaverse is hyped right now. I believe it\u0026rsquo;s going to continue to grow. Buy this and you should be good.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOthers to include that have potential: Dogecoin, Solana, Decentraland, Binance Coin, Uniswap, Binance USD, and Shiba Inu\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNB: This article is not financial advice. Do your research. I recommend you start with Web 3.0, Metaverse, and Defi.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo finalize, if you’d like to invest in the aforementioned cryptocurrencies then invest with Binance and get 5%: \u003ca href=\"https://www.jadeblack.co/?ref=kuzqn53jomp-\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy and Trade Crypto With The Best Exchange: Binance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHave a great day everyone!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhoto by \u003ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/@executium?utm_source=unsplash\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\"\u003eExecutium\u003c/a\u003e on \u003ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-11-20T14:36:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/executium-ltazfutkcl8-unsplash.jpg","tags":["investment","investments","cryptocurrencies","crypto","cryptocurrency","ethereum","eth","btc","bitcoin","metaverse","metaverse index token","mvi","defi","web 3.0","ethereum naming service","defi","decentralized finance"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/cryptocurrencies-you-should-watch-2021/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/cryptocurrencies-you-should-watch-2021/","title":"Cryptocurrencies You Should Watch 2021","summary":"Here is a quick list of cryptocurrencies you should watch and invest in.\nI believe these have the ingredients necessary to 10x or even 100x before the end of the year.\nEthereum(ETH) - Because of the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade Bitcoin(BTC) - Gut feeling Solana(SOL) - Speculation Decentraland(MANA) - Specifically because of all this metaverse hype Illuvium - Gut feeling Pancake Swap - Speculation Chainlink - Speculation Metaverse Index Token(MVI) - Metaverse hype Moonriver - Gut feeling Dogecoin and Shiba Inu - Speculation paired with recent findings Polygon Sandbox Binance Coin - Good to have if you are using Binance Always research before applying any advice you read/watch online. Plus develop an investment strategy and allocate a percentage of funds that should go into speculations.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHere is a quick list of cryptocurrencies you should watch and invest in.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe these have the ingredients necessary to 10x or even 100x before the end of the year.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEthereum(ETH) - Because of the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBitcoin(BTC) - Gut feeling\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolana(SOL) - Speculation\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecentraland(MANA) - Specifically because of all this metaverse hype\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIlluvium - Gut feeling\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePancake Swap - Speculation\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChainlink - Speculation\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetaverse Index Token(MVI) - Metaverse hype\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoonriver - Gut feeling\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDogecoin and Shiba Inu - Speculation paired with recent findings\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolygon\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSandbox\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinance Coin - Good to have if you are using Binance\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlways research before applying any advice you read/watch online. Plus develop an investment strategy and allocate a percentage of funds that should go into speculations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant to invest in these? \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegister for Binance, the best crypto exchange!\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-11-18T16:41:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/executium-7gz3fj0h51e-unsplash.jpg","tags":["cryptocurrencies","cryptowatch","crypto","gains","watchlist","cryptowatchlist","cryptocurrencywatchlist"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/my-investment-strategy/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/my-investment-strategy/","title":"My Investment Strategy","summary":"Here\u0026rsquo;s my simple investment strategy\nBlue Chip Stocks: 20% Other Stocks + Remaining NSE 25 Share Index: 15% Mutual Funds: 30% Cryptocurrencies: 30% Others(REITS and additional): 5% I currently don\u0026rsquo;t own any real estate investments aside from Stanlib Fahari I-REIT but I\u0026rsquo;ll soon start investing directly in Real Estate which would total up to 35% I\u0026rsquo;d then use mutual funds for savings instead of investing.\nI\u0026rsquo;m also looking forward to buying Ugandan and American stocks soon, so index funds will be joining the list in which I\u0026rsquo;ll allocate 20% and then move a few of the others down.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHere\u0026rsquo;s my simple investment strategy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"blue-chip-stocks-20\"\u003eBlue Chip Stocks: 20%\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"other-stocks--remaining-nse-25-share-index-15\"\u003eOther Stocks + Remaining NSE 25 Share Index: 15%\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"mutual-funds-30\"\u003eMutual Funds: 30%\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"cryptocurrencies-30\"\u003eCryptocurrencies: 30%\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"othersreits-and-additional-5\"\u003eOthers(REITS and additional): 5%\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI currently don\u0026rsquo;t own any real estate investments aside from Stanlib Fahari I-REIT but I\u0026rsquo;ll soon start investing directly in Real Estate which would total up to 35% I\u0026rsquo;d then use mutual funds for savings instead of investing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;m also looking forward to buying Ugandan and American stocks soon, so index funds will be joining the list in which I\u0026rsquo;ll allocate 20% and then move a few of the others down.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAside from these, I am planning to buy ETFs like the ABSA NewGold ETF and more.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am very interested in the crypto market so that percentage isn\u0026rsquo;t likely to change anytime soon. The reason for this is as I mention in my previous post which I\u0026rsquo;ll link down below. Crypto has been my \u0026ldquo;\u003cstrong\u003egolden goose\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026rdquo; out of all my investments crypto has brought me the \u003cstrong\u003ehighest returns on investment\u003c/strong\u003e and as such I will stick with it for a while. To top this off the crypto market is still growing. Then there are the \u003cstrong\u003emetaverse crypto tokens\u003c/strong\u003e that are growing as well. So I believe crypto will remain my golden goose unless something else brings in more.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;d like to make myself clear, every investment listed above aside from Mutual Funds will be held long-term for ATLEAST 6 months and ATMOST 30 years.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMutual funds act as lifesaver jackets for me, as long as nothing \u0026ldquo;life-threatening\u0026rdquo; comes my way, then I am likely to hold them for the same period 6 months to 30 years.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything above is subject to change depending on my research and findings. Always research your preferred investments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;ll link all the posts I believe can help you make your own investment strategy down below. I\u0026rsquo;d love to hear more about your investment strategy and portfolio down below in the comments. So please feel free to share.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI use \u003cstrong\u003eGenghis Capital\u003c/strong\u003e for Kenyan Stocks(They also have a money market mutual fund), \u003cstrong\u003eEquity\u003c/strong\u003e for Ugandan Stocks, and \u003cstrong\u003eBinance\u003c/strong\u003e for Cryptocurrencies. I am slightly dissatisfied with Genghis but it\u0026rsquo;s a great company and they provide free market research as well as recommendations. Use \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ethis link to register with Binance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c/strong\u003e to use Genghis, just download their app from the \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/GKuzeAndroid\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGoogle Playstore\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/GKuzeIOS\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApple Store\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e and register. They have made it that simple. As for Ugandan Stocks use \u003ca href=\"https://scd.use.or.ug/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003etheir online portal.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: I haven\u0026rsquo;t listed savings, retirement funds, life insurance, and the likes, simply because they don\u0026rsquo;t belong in this category. If you\u0026rsquo;d like me to talk about them kindly comment down below.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy plan is to live solely on investments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat\u0026rsquo;s it for today.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHope you have a great one!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuote of today\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaving is puting your money to rest, investing is making your money work for you even while you are asleep\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch5 id=\"additional-resources\"\u003eAdditional Resources\u003c/h5\u003e\n\n\u003ch5 class=\"additionalreading\"\u003eAlso Read: \u003ca href=\"\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h5\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003ch5 class=\"additionalreading\"\u003eAlso Read: \u003ca href=\"\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h5\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003ch5 class=\"additionalreading\"\u003eAlso Read: \u003ca href=\"\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h5\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003ch5 class=\"additionalreading\"\u003eAlso Read: \u003ca href=\"\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h5\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","date_published":"2021-11-13T12:24:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/adeolu-eletu-unrkg2jh1j0-unsplash.jpg","tags":["investments","investment","investment strategy","cryptocurrencies","stocks","shares","mutual funds","money market funds","real estate","real estate investment trust"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/my-investment-portfolio/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/my-investment-portfolio/","title":"My Investment Portfolio","summary":"Hi, how are you?\nToday I\u0026rsquo;ll be revealing my investment portfolio in a bid to encourage young people in their teens, twenties, and thirties to invest.\nStarting up with stocks, mutual funds, crypto, and finally, my future \u0026ldquo;to invest in\u0026rdquo; list.\nStock Portfolio Market Value: Ksh. 6,988\nTotal Cost: Ksh. 6,600\nProfit/Loss: +358\nStocks: ABSA Bank, Britam, East African Cables, CIC Insurance, Co-operative Bank, Stanlib Fahari I-REIT, Sameer Africa, HF Group, KenGen, Kenya Re, Kenya Power, Scangroup, TransCentury, Uchumi, and Liberty Holdings.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHi, how are you?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday I\u0026rsquo;ll be revealing my investment portfolio in a bid to encourage young people in their teens, twenties, and thirties to invest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarting up with stocks, mutual funds, crypto, and finally, my future \u0026ldquo;to invest in\u0026rdquo; list.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"stock-portfolio\"\u003eStock Portfolio\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarket Value\u003c/strong\u003e: Ksh. 6,988\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal Cost\u003c/strong\u003e: Ksh. 6,600\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfit/Loss\u003c/strong\u003e: +358\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStocks\u003c/strong\u003e: ABSA Bank, Britam, East African Cables, CIC Insurance, Co-operative Bank, Stanlib Fahari I-REIT, Sameer Africa, HF Group, KenGen, Kenya Re, Kenya Power, Scangroup, TransCentury, Uchumi, and Liberty Holdings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"mutual-funds\"\u003eMutual Funds\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValue:\u003c/strong\u003e Ksh. 17,404\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCost:\u003c/strong\u003e Ksh. 16,000\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfit/Loss:\u003c/strong\u003e +404\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenCap Hela Imara Fund\u003c/strong\u003e: Ksh. 6,250\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCytonn Money Market Fund\u003c/strong\u003e: Ksh. 11,154\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"cryptocurrency-portfolio\"\u003eCryptocurrency Portfolio\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarket Value\u003c/strong\u003e: Ksh. 14, 661.16\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal Cost\u003c/strong\u003e: Ksh. 6,400\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfit/Loss\u003c/strong\u003e: +8,261.16\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCryptocurrencies\u003c/strong\u003e: Binance Coin, Ethereum, Bitcoin, Shiba Inu, Cardano, Dogecoin, Mines of Dalarnia, Manchester City Fan Token, Basic Attention Token, and Binance USD\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"total-cost-ksh-29000\"\u003eTotal Cost: Ksh. 29,000\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"profit-9029\"\u003eProfit: +9,029\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"time-frame-7-months\"\u003eTime Frame: 7 Months\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"my-to-invest-in-list\"\u003eMy \u0026ldquo;To Invest In\u0026rdquo; List\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStocks\u003c/strong\u003e: MTN Uganda, Safaricom, Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, B.O.C, Kenya, Centum, Total Energies, NSE, The Remaining NSE 25 Share Index, Vanguard 500 Index Fund(US), ABSA NewGold ETF, Facebook/Meta(US), Google/Alphabet(US),  and Tesla(US)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCryptocurrencies\u003c/strong\u003e: More Ethereum, Decentraland, Axie Infinity, Enjin Coin, Metaverse Index Token, Chainlink, Loopring, Polkadot, Solana, Polygon/Mantic, Illuvium, and Veechain\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOthers\u003c/strong\u003e: Bonds, Bills, Vuka(From Qwetu), and Real Estate\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-11-12T10:40:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/invest.jpg","tags":["invest","investment","crypto","stocks","investments","cryptocurrencies","stock","shares","share","binance","portfolio","investment portfolio"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/6-metaverse-tokens-you-could-invest-in/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/6-metaverse-tokens-you-could-invest-in/","title":"6 Metaverse Tokens You Could Invest In","summary":"Ready, Player One? The metaverse is coming.\nThe “metaverse” might be a new term for many, but it has actually been around for decades. The metaverse is the zenith of all science fiction fantasies that were played out in films such as ‘Ready Player One’, \u0026lsquo;Sword Art Online\u0026rsquo; and ‘Tron.’\nIt’s therefore not a surprise that companies such as Facebook are investing heavily in the metaverse. But, what exactly is the metaverse, and what tokens should you know about if you are looking into investing in it?\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eReady, Player One? The metaverse is coming.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe “metaverse” might be a new term for many, but it has actually been around for decades. The metaverse is the zenith of all science fiction fantasies that were played out in films such as ‘Ready Player One’, \u0026lsquo;Sword Art Online\u0026rsquo; and ‘Tron.’\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s therefore not a surprise that companies such as Facebook are investing heavily in the metaverse. But, what exactly is the metaverse, and what tokens should you know about if you are looking into investing in it?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead on to learn more about the metaverse and what investment opportunities exist in the crypto markets that provide you with exposure to the growth of the metaverse.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-the-metaverse\"\u003eWhat is the Metaverse?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore we take a look at the metaverse investment options you can consider, let’s first take a look at what the metaverse is.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe metaverse is a convergence of both our physical and digital lives — a new phase of the Internet that will see the coming together of augmented reality (AR), extended reality (XR), and virtual reality (VR) with our physical world.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe world as we know it today will change greatly with the arrival of the metaverse. The metaverse will provide an alternative digital universe where human beings will not only be able to live and work in, but also play.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, why should you care about the metaverse?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an investor, why should you invest in it? According to Bloomberg, the metaverse’s market size is expected to grow to $800 billion dollars( 89 Trillion Kenyan Shillings) by the year 2024. This signifies how lucrative the metaverse could become in the coming years.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut, what metaverse investments can you make? How can you get started investing in the metaverse? What tokens should you consider investing in?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"decentraland-mana\"\u003eDecentraland (MANA)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA metaverse token you should know about is \u003cstrong\u003eMANA\u003c/strong\u003e, Decentraland’s token.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDecentraland is a blockchain-based virtual reality platform where users get to buy, sell, and develop land, all while playing games, creating content, and interacting with each other.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecentraland is the biggest virtual universe in the NFT space and is represented as a non-fungible ERC-71 token known as \u003cstrong\u003eLAND\u003c/strong\u003e. Each parcel of LAND on Decentraland is unique and owners can choose what they get to do with their portion of land.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsers can purchase LAND on the platform using MANA. Besides being used to purchase LAND, MANA is the main token used in Decentraland. As a native utility token, it’s used to pay for goods and services. It’s also built on Ethereum and can be bought and sold for other cryptocurrencies or for fiat currency.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMANA’s total supply is fixed at 2.6 billion MANA. That means that there will never be more than 2.6 billion MANA at any given time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"axie-infinity-axs\"\u003eAxie Infinity (AXS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAxie Infinity is an NFT-based online video game that uses the Ethereum-based digital tokens \u003cstrong\u003eAXS\u003c/strong\u003e and SLP. In the play-to-earn game, players breed, raise, and battle their digital pets known as Axies. The Axie Infinity game uses the governance token AXS.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToken holders are able to vote and shape the direction of the game world. This is different from traditional games, where the game developers make all the decisions. AXS owners are not only able to stake their tokens and earn more, but they are also able to vote for different governance proposals.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Axie universe also uses the Smooth Love Potion (SLP) token. The SLP token is primarily used for breeding purposes. Players can earn the SLP token by winning adventures and battles in the game. The main difference between the SLP and AXS token is that it’s not a governance token. Hence, it’s not used to vote. The AXS token has a total supply of 270 million.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"enjin-coin-enj\"\u003eEnjin Coin (ENJ)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnjin Coin is another metaverse token that you could look into. It’s an Ethereum-based token that seeks to make it easy for individuals, brands, and businesses to use NFTs. However, NFTs that are built with Enjin use the ERC-1155 standard, which is different from the commonly used ERC-721 standard.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNFTs minted within the Enjin environment are directly backed by \u003cstrong\u003eENJ\u003c/strong\u003e. ENJ is the native currency used on the platform. Whenever a new NFT is produced on the network, a certain amount of ENJ is minted into the token. These locked funds are what give the newly built tokens real-world value.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Enjin recently raised close to $19 million that will be used to build Polkadot-based blockchain for NFTs. ENJ token has a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"the-sandbox-sand\"\u003eThe Sandbox (SAND)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a maximum supply of 3 billion, \u003cstrong\u003eSAND\u003c/strong\u003e is another token that should be on your metaverse radar. The Sandbox is a virtual world that, like most platforms on this guide, is built on the Ethereum blockchain.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the platform, players are able to build, monetize, and own their gaming experience. The platform uses the SAND token, which is an ERC-20 utility token that is used for governance, staking, and transfers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"star-atlas-atlas\"\u003eStar Atlas (ATLAS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStar Atlas is a huge online multiplayer game that occurs in a virtual gaming metaverse. The game is built on Unreal Engine 5 and features real-time, cinema-quality environments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the game, there are three major factions that exist and are competing for control and resources. The game is also partly a flight simulation and also allows for role-playing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Star Atlas game is currently being built on the Solana blockchain and players will use the \u003cstrong\u003eATLAS\u003c/strong\u003e tokens. ATLAS tokens will be the in-game currency that will be used to purchase assets as well as buy NFTs in the NFT marketplace. The ATLAS token has a maximum supply of 36 billion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"metaverse-index-mvi\"\u003eMetaverse Index (MVI)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMetaverse Index (MVI) token\u003c/strong\u003e is another interesting example of a metaverse token. Represented by an ERC20 token, the token is built to capture the trend of business, entertainment, and sport migrating to virtual worlds.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the MVI token, owners are able to get exposure to a wide variety of tokens from various crypto projects that encompass sectors like online gaming, NFTs, and virtual worlds.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink of the Metaverse Index token as a metaverse ETF but for the crypto markets. The Metaverse Index token has a maximum supply of 39,602 tokens.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSource: \u003ca href=\"https://trustwallet.com/blog/7-metaverse-tokens-you-should-know-about\"\u003e7 Metaverse Tokens By Trust Wallet Blog\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo buy any of these cryptocurrencies I suggest you use Binance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBinance is a cryptocurrency exchange that is currently the largest exchange in the world in terms of the daily trading volume of cryptocurrencies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"register-by-visiting-this-link-binance\"\u003eRegister by visiting this link: \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.pxf.io/qnXOv5\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/images/unstoppabledomainsad.webp\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-11-07T15:47:34+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/metaverse-1200x900.jpg","tags":["metaverse","tokens","crypto","vr","cryptocurrencies","digital land","virtual reality","augmented reality","extended reality","ar","xr","ready player one","sword art online","tron","ethereum","decentraland","mana","axie infinity","axs","axies","enjin","enj","sandbox","the sandbox","sand","star atlas","atlas","metaverse index","mvi","ERC20","nft","etf"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/future-industries-and-sectors/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/future-industries-and-sectors/","title":"Future Industries and Sectors","summary":" Artificial Intelligence Cyber Security Blockchain Clean Energy Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Metaverse Cryptocurrencies Decentralized Manufacturing/Home-based Manufacturing Natural Plant Medications and Supplements(Including microdose psychedelic and THC/CBD therapy) Decentralized Finance Biotechnology Neurotechnology (Think Neuralink or Fully Immersive VR) Nanotechnology Space Technology Cloud Computing Web3/Decentralized Web Science Fiction is slowly becoming non-fiction\nThese are the industries I believe will shape the future. Many in this list are already in use now. I\u0026rsquo;ll explain each at a later time. For now, have a nice day!\n","content_html":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArtificial Intelligence\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCyber Security\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlockchain\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClean Energy\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVirtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetaverse\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCryptocurrencies\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecentralized Manufacturing/Home-based Manufacturing\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatural Plant Medications and Supplements(Including microdose psychedelic and THC/CBD therapy)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecentralized Finance\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiotechnology\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeurotechnology (Think Neuralink or Fully Immersive VR)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNanotechnology\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace Technology\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCloud Computing\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeb3/Decentralized Web\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScience Fiction is slowly becoming non-fiction\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are the industries I believe will shape the future. Many in this list are already in use now. I\u0026rsquo;ll explain each at a later time. For now, have a nice day!\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-11-07T12:18:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/file-20210806-17-jibbct.jpg","tags":["metaverse","virtual reality","augmented reality","mixed reality","cryptocurrencies","cyber security","blockchain","decentralized finance","defi","vr","ar","mr","digital land","clean energy","fusion","ai","artificial intelligence","2022","2023","2024","2025","2030","2021","decentralized manufacturing","THC","CBD","natural plant medicine","psychedelic therapy","biotechnology"," neurotechnology","neuralink"]},{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/best-cryptocurrencies-to-invest-in-2021/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/best-cryptocurrencies-to-invest-in-2021/","title":"Best Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2021","summary":"Hi everyone, so today, I\u0026rsquo;d like to talk about Crypto. In this post, I\u0026rsquo;ll cover 5 cryptocurrencies that I think you should invest in if you are starting out.\n1. Bitcoin(BTC) 2. Ethereum(ETH) 3. Dogecoin(DOGE) 4. TetherUS(USDT) 5. Ripple(XRP) Go check them out, especially with Dogecoin. Implement the HODL technique. This drop and rise so don\u0026rsquo;t be afraid and only invest money you don\u0026rsquo;t mind losing.\nTo buy these I suggest you try Binance using this link, you\u0026rsquo;ll get 5%: Binance\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHi everyone, so today, I\u0026rsquo;d like to talk about Crypto. In this post, I\u0026rsquo;ll cover 5 cryptocurrencies that I think you should invest in if you are starting out.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"1-bitcoinbtc\"\u003e1. Bitcoin(BTC)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"2-ethereumeth\"\u003e2. Ethereum(ETH)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"3-dogecoindoge\"\u003e3. Dogecoin(DOGE)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"4-tetherususdt\"\u003e4. TetherUS(USDT)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"5-ripplexrp\"\u003e5. Ripple(XRP)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGo check them out, especially with Dogecoin. Implement the HODL technique. This drop and rise so don\u0026rsquo;t be afraid and only invest money you don\u0026rsquo;t mind losing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo buy these I suggest you try Binance using this link, you\u0026rsquo;ll get \u003cstrong\u003e5%:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=CL2JFAB6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee you next time. Stay safe!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://unstoppabledomains.com/?ref=d066811aa8ea4f2\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/images/unstoppabledomainsad.webp\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-04-20T06:45:00Z","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/cryptocurrencies.jpg","tags":["investment","investing","finance","investing kenya","getting stated","cryptocurrencies","crypto","cryptocurrency","dogecoin","dogecoin to the moon","dogecoin","bitcoin","ethereum","tetherus","dogecoin 420","doge","btc","xrp","ripple","eth"]}]}