{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1","title":"Stephen Ajulu","home_page_url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/","feed_url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/tags/ethereum/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/developing-for-the-web-3-the-basics/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/developing-for-the-web-3-the-basics/","title":"Developing for the Web 3: The Basics","summary":"Web 3, also known as the decentralized web, is the next iteration of the internet, enabled by blockchain technology. Unlike the traditional web, where data and applications are controlled by a centralized authority, Web 3 allows for the creation of decentralized networks and applications (dApps). This new decentralized infrastructure allows for greater security, transparency, and autonomy in the digital world.\nUnderstanding the Web 3 Ecosystem: The Web 3 ecosystem is built on decentralized networks, such as Ethereum, which enable the creation of smart contracts. Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement written directly into lines of code. These contracts can be used to automate various processes, from supply chain management to financial transactions. Additionally, the Web 3 ecosystem also includes decentralized storage solutions, such as InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), which allow for the decentralized storage of data.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eWeb 3, also known as the decentralized web, is the next iteration of the internet, enabled by blockchain technology. Unlike the traditional web, where data and applications are controlled by a centralized authority, Web 3 allows for the creation of decentralized networks and applications (dApps). This new decentralized infrastructure allows for greater security, transparency, and autonomy in the digital world.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"understanding-the-web-3-ecosystem\"\u003eUnderstanding the Web 3 Ecosystem:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Web 3 ecosystem is built on decentralized networks, such as Ethereum, which enable the creation of smart contracts. Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement written directly into lines of code. These contracts can be used to automate various processes, from supply chain management to financial transactions. Additionally, the Web 3 ecosystem also includes decentralized storage solutions, such as InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), which allow for the decentralized storage of data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"developing-for-the-web-3\"\u003eDeveloping for the Web 3:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo develop for Web 3, one must have a good understanding of blockchain technology and its underlying protocols. Popular protocols in the Web 3 space include Ethereum, EOS, and TRON. Developers also use various tools such as Solidity (the programming language for Ethereum) and Truffle (a development environment for Ethereum). Additionally, there are various platforms such as OpenZeppelin and Gnosis that provide pre-built smart contract templates and libraries for developers to use.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"web-3-use-cases\"\u003eWeb 3 Use Cases:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeb 3 technology is already being used in various industries, from finance to gaming. In finance, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms are being built on Web 3, allowing for peer-to-peer financial transactions without the need for intermediaries.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn gaming, dApps are being created that allow players to own and trade in-game assets, creating a new form of gaming economy. In addition to these examples, Web 3 also has potential in industries such as supply chain management, real estate, and voting systems.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConclusion: Web 3 represents a significant shift in the way we interact with technology and the digital world. The decentralized infrastructure of Web 3 allows for greater security, transparency, and autonomy. As the technology continues to evolve, we are likely to see an increasing number of dApps and decentralized networks built on the Web 3. With the potential to revolutionize various industries, it is important to stay informed about the developments in the Web 3 space.\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2023-01-27T19:24:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/shutterstock_2021164787.jpg","tags":["web3","decentralized web","blockchain","solidity","rust","ethereum","dApps","smart contracts","web 3 development","web 3 protocols","web3 infrastructure"]},{"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/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/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/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/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/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/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"]}]}