PepCoin is a rewards program announced and launched by PepsiCo in 2019 in collaboration with PayPal and Venmo. Participants earned 10% cash back. Its aim was to incentive people to consume more of the Foods and Beverage company’s products. 

Considering the name, it was easy for many crypto fans and enthusiasts to assume Pepsi had begun its journey in the crypto world. However, that was not the case.

## How it works

Those who wished to participate in PepCoin had first to visit its official site and set up a free account with a verified email. Once you create a user account, the next step is to link the account with either a PayPal or Venmo account.

More than 70 different types of PepsiCo drinks and Frito-Lay snacks enabled consumers to earn money back on their purchases. The products were specially marked for easy identification.

When you purchased the specially marked items, you’d go to the program’s official site, scan the 10-digit code or enter the numbers directly into the system. Once you reach a $2 threshold, the cash is transferred to your bank account via Venmo or PayPal.

Participants had to buy a pair of specially marked drinks and Frito-Lay snacks to be eligible for the 10% cash back incentive. Those who didn’t scan their drinks or snack codes within 120 days suffered a 25-cent maintenance fee. 

Participants could also scan a maximum number of items each day: three drinks with three snacks. Another limitation was that it was only available to US consumers.

## Why it’s not a Cryptocurrency

The announcement of Pepsi’s rewards program looked like another big win for the crypto space, considering how big a corporation PepsiCo is. 

However, as it turned out, the American Food and Beverage Company was up to its regular marketing stints, trying to take advantage of the popularity of decentralized digital currencies. 

The incentive to buy Pepsi’s products has nothing to do with the crypto space. Those who blindly rushed into it, thinking they would get cryptocurrencies were greatly disappointed.

As of 2022, PepCoin doesn’t seem to be in existence. Its official website is no longer accessible. It looks like the campaign ran for a limited time.

## Bottom line

PepsiCo is known for coming up with some crazy but impressive marketing campaigns that work. PepCoin, while misleading for many crypto fans, they still managed to get many people excited to buy more PepsiCo products. 



PepCoin: Everything You Need To Know

[DAO Maker](https://daomaker.com/) is a blockchain project Launchpad that provides growth solutions to crypto startups. Since its launch in 2017, it has launched over 100 crypto projects and raised over $30 million. Some of its most successful projects include My Neighbor Alice, Orion Protocol, and LaunchX.

Besides investment opportunities, the platform also provides other services, including incubation, operations, and advisory services, which help grow nascent blockchain-based projects.

## The platform

There are many reasons the DAO Maker is considered the best Initial DEX Offering (IDO) and Initial DEX Offering (IGO) Launchpad for crypto projects. 

It also has excellent features and products that enable worthwhile service delivery. Its most notable features and products include the DAO;
Pad: a multi-investment platform that connects the Launchpad's community with upcoming crypto projects.

Vaults: they are used to participate in DAO's offering and refundable token sale methods that include Strong Holders Offering (SHO), SEED sales, and Dynamic Coin offering (DYCO). Token holders can also stake their tokens in the vaults and earn yields.

Instant Swap: It allows crypto holders to swap their non-custodial wallet cryptocurrencies into the platform's utility tokens on decentralized exchanges.

Hub: it enables participants to earn social activity scores by promoting links and tweets generated by the project via the Hub Feed.

Social mining is another product that allows crypto startups to create communities and online exposure for their growth. It helps with building their ecosystems.

## How the platform works

DAO Maker requires users to lock up a certain amount of native tokens to participate in a project launch. For every token you stake, you'll receive 1 DAO Power. You can allocate your DAO Power to the sale you want to participate in.

Your position will be put into 1 of 5 available tranches, depending on the number of DAO Power you've spent. The trenches are;

·        Tranche 1: 500–999 DAO Power

·        Tranche 2: 1,000–1,999 

·        Tranche 3: 2,000–3,999 

·        Tranche 4: 4,000–9,999 

·        Tranche 5: 10,000+ DAO Power

The more DAO Power you hold, the higher your chances of winning a participation slot. If your allocation wins, your DAO Power will be locked for ten days. If it doesn't win, your DAO power will be returned immediately.

## The team

Christoph Zaknun and Giorgio Marciano are the co-founders of DAO Maker. Zaknun is the CEO, and Marciano the CTO. Zaknun holds a Bachelor's degree in robotics. He is credited with launching the Dog ICO. Before getting into the crypto space, he was a medical student. 
Marciano is a heavily experienced entrepreneur and IT engineer with over 13 years of experience in software development.

Other team members include Malte Christensen the COO, and Hassan Sheikh the CMO, a former lecturer in Mathematics and experienced business strategist. The Launchpad has more than 20 team members working to better its service delivery.

## The native token

The DAO token is the native utility token of the platform. The token can be used to participate in token sales on the DAO Pad platform. It can be staked to earn yields via the vaults. It can also be used to vote on various decisions concerning the platform's future.

The tokens have a max supply cap of 312,000,000 coins. There are currently 83,503,449 coins in public circulation. As of the time of writing, according to Coinmarketcap, each coin is worth $1.92. They are ranked 154th largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.

The digital coins can be bought on several crypto exchanges, including KuCoin, Gate.io, Instant Swap, Bithumb, and Uniswap.

## Successful projects launched on the platform

·        Orion Protocol: A Defi platform aggregates liquidity from centralized exchanges, decentralized exchanges, and swap pools.

·        My Neighbor Alice: A multiplayer blockchain-based game where players can buy and own land and gather and collect unique items.

·        LaunchX: a decentralized multi-chain IDO Launchpad platform that allows startups to raise funds across multiple blockchains.

·        DeRace: The world's first decentralized, blockchain-based racehorse platform. 

## Partnerships

Since its launch, DAO Maker has entered and continues to enter into strategic partnerships that help with its growth. 
So far, the Launchpad has partnered with the TRON network, Alliance Block, Alchemy Pay, PAID Network, Rainforest Foundation, Fantom Foundation, 4IRE LABS, Israeli Block Association (IBA), and the Warena Project, among others.

In August 2022, the platform announced a partnership with Binance for Custody service. It will use Binance's custody solutions to safeguard its assets and ensure they comply with all necessary regulations.

## Into the NFT space 

As of 2022, DAO Maker is venturing into the [NFT space](/news/category/nft-news) and Metaverse. It is soon adding an NFT Launchpad to its product listing, and its first project will be the Maradona D10S NFT collection. 

The NFT collection will feature 5,000 profile pictures of the late Diego Maradona, a world-renowned football player. The collection supports all Maradona's heirs and is the first-ever official Maradona-licensed NFT project. 

## Competitors

DAO Maker faces some competition from other blockchain-based Launchpads. Polkastarter is a significant competitor that has launched over 100 projects and raised close to $50 million in funding. 

The protocol, built on the Polkadot Network, is similar to DAO Maker. For example, it requires users to stake tokens to participate in early-stage investments. Their Launchpad also supports Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain (BSC) projects.

## Bottom line

DAO Maker has many features and products that enable it to stay true to its statement as the best IDO and IGO Launchpad for crypto projects worldwide. 

The platform offers a lot to crypto startups. Such projects have a reputable place to get the funding they need. They also have access to other services, including incubation, operations, and advisory services, that can help them grow.

Although its token is not performing that well as of writing, several crypto prediction platforms predict a promising future. However, it is the crypto space. You can never be too sure.



DAO Maker: Beginners Guide

The Raiden Network token (RDN) is the native token of the Raiden Network, an off-chain scaling solution for the Ethereum blockchain. It is similar to Bitcoin's Lightning Network. It allows users to initiate fast and low-cost transactions.

## The network

The Raiden Network, unlike the Ethereum blockchain, does not require consensus for its operations. It instead uses digital signatures, and hash-locks called balance proofs to enable token transfers between network participants.

The protocol has a few advantages that make it a worthwhile project.

•	Instant transfers: users can instantaneously send, receive and confirm token transfers. Token transfers are as fast as sending text messages.

•	Low transaction fees: Transaction fees are pretty low. Low transaction fees allow users easily transfer small amounts of ERC20-based tokens.

•	Increased privacy: compared to the Ethereum blockchain, the Raiden protocol provides better privacy levels.

## The token

RDN coins are ERC20 cryptocurrencies used to pay for various services in the Raiden protocol. They can be used for access to micropayments and API (Application Programming Interface). They are also a reward incentive used to reward users for contributing to the protocol.

The tokens were launched on October 18th, 2017. Only 100,000,000 of them will ever exist. As of writing, 66,793,931 RDNs are in public circulation.

According to [Coinmarketcap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/raiden-network-token/), each Raiden Network token is currently worth $0.06096. They are ranked 1,005th largest cryptocurrencies by market cap. RDN is available on several exchanges, including Gate.io, Bancor Network, Tokenmy, and CoinDCX.

It is worth noting that RDNs can't be bought directly with fiat money. To buy them, you'll first have to buy other cryptocurrencies like ETH or BTC from a fiat-to-crypto exchange. Once you have your ETH or BTC, you'll go to an exchange that lists RDNs and use your ETH or BTC to buy them.

As they are ERC20 tokens, you can store them in any ERC20-compatible wallet, including MetaMask, MyEtherWallet, Trezor, or Ledger.

## Price prediction

RDN coins are currently experiencing a bear run. However, several crypto prediction platforms believe they are worth holding.

Priceprediction.net predicts they may trade at an average price of $0.12 in 2023, $0.17 in 2024, and $0.23 in 2025. If you hold on to them for longer, the site predicts they may trade above $1 in 2029 and above $2 in 2031.

Digitalcoinprice is not as positive as Priceprediction.net, but it does predict some slight positive price appreciation. According to the site, the cryptocurrency might trade at an average price of $0.0870 in 2023, $0.0906 in 2024, and $0.11 in 2025. 

## Bottom line

Overall, the RDN project looks like a promising solution to the scalability issues faced by Ethereum and other [cryptocurrencies](/trade). At the same time, most investors agree that RDN is worth considering as a long-term investment option. Before you spend any of your hard-earned money on this cryptocurrency, do your research. All information shared here is the author's opinion and should not be perceived as financial advice.




Raiden Network token (RDN): What you should know

Aave is a crypto lending platform that allows users to deposit their crypto assets, earn interest on them, or borrow against them and pay interest. It is one of the leading protocols in the [DeFi](/news/tag/defi) space and has grown in popularity since its launch in early 2017.

Let's dive in and explore in detail.

## What is the Aave protocol?

Aave is a decentralized finance protocol running on the [Ethereum](/coins/eth) blockchain. It features a system of smart contracts that lets users borrow and lend cryptocurrencies without the need for intermediaries. Those who lend earn interest, while those who borrow pay interest.

The protocol is a system of lending pools. Users deposit their digital assets into liquidity pools, which borrowers can draw from to take out loans. Those who wish to borrow crypto must post collateral before they can borrow. They can also only borrow up to the collateral they post.

Lenders receive the Aave blockchain native token 'aTokens' in exchange for their deposited crypto assets. The aTokens are pegged 1:1 to the value of deposited cryptocurrency. As an aToken holder, you benefit by passively earning interest on your funds. The tokens are ERC-20 tokens and can be stored, transferred, or traded.

## Aave Tokens (AAVE)

AAVE tokens are the native currency of the Aave protocol. They have several use cases; however, governance is their main use case. Holders of the tokens can use them to vote on the direction of the platform and how to manage the protocol's funds. One token is equal to one vote.

Owners can stake their aTokens for staking rewards. They can also be used as collateral. Borrowers who use them as collateral raise their borrowing limit. Those who borrow and post the tokens as collateral benefit from discounted borrowing fees.

 aTokenS can't be mined. It can only be earned or bought on various cryptocurrency exchanges that list it, including Coinbase Pro, Binance, Uniswap, Kraken, and KuCoin.

## Aave V3

[Aave V3](https://docs.aave.com/developers/getting-started/readme) is the latest version of the Aave Protocol. It officially launched in March 2022, and a few notable features came with it.

·	Portal: Portal allows the flow of liquidity from Aave V3 to other networks. The feature will enable users to participate in borrowing or lending protocols on chains like Solana and Avalanche.


·	High-Efficiency Mode (eMode): High-Efficiency Mode or eMode helps enhance borrowers' power by assessing the correlation between their collateral and borrowed assets.


·	Isolation Mode: Isolation Mode enables new digital assets to list on V3 as isolated assets, which was impossible with V1 and V2. The feature helps mitigate solvency risk when a newly listed asset is introduced to the protocol's liquidity pools.

Other upgraded features include risk management features that protect the protocol from insolvency. 

More benefits of the latest version include gas fee reduction and the ability of users to obtain multiple reward types within a single transaction. It also supports key blockchains such as Harmony, Arbitrum, Fantom, Polygon, Avalanche, and Optimism.

## AAVE Price Prediction

Several crypto prediction platforms see a bright future for AAVE. However, a few, like WalletInvestor seem to think otherwise about this cryptocurrency.

Digital Coin Price predicts that this cryptocurrency might be trading at an average price of $164.81 in 2023, $188.11 in 2024, and $220.08 in 2025. It might even trade above $600 by 2031.

![aave article.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/aave_article_22b189bf02.png)
 
Priceprediction.net predicts this crypto might be trading at an average price of $184.12 by 2023, $275.43 by 2024, and $377.53 by 2025. 

The longer you hold the tokens, the better you might benefit, as the site also predicts this cryptocurrency might be worth more than $3,000 by 2031.

![aave 2.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/aave_2_f509b5dad0.png)

WalletInvestor, on the other hand, predicts a bearish future for AAVE. It might be trading at an average of $12.825 by the end of 2022. The coins will begin 2023 trading at $13 and will depreciate to trading below $10 most of the year. They will end 2023 worth an average price of $6.777.

![aave 3.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/aave_3_c59da37bce.png)

## Is it a good investment?

While there are mixed expectations regarding AAVE's future, this cryptocurrency has had a good run and continues to perform well. Thanks to the various developments. For example, after the Aave V3 went live on 16th March 2022, the price went up from $112 to $240 -  a 97% price increase.

While the price increase was not as much as the tokens' all-time high price of $661 in May 2021, it was enough to show that investors still believe in what this project offers.

A plus is that the Aave protocol has never had any significant issues to deter people from using it. The protocol is backed by an impressive team of developers who continue improving its service delivery and adding new services.

In July 2022, the Aave community agreed on a proposal to launch the network's Stablecoin called GHO. The Stablecoin, pegged to the US dollar and backed by a diversified set of crypto assets, would make stablecoin borrowing on the protocol more competitive.

In May 2022, they launched the Lens Protocol, a decentralized social media platform based on the Polygon Blockchain that lets users store content as NFTs.

## Bottom line

AAVE remains one of the best cryptocurrencies to watch out for in the crypto market. The tokens are currently trading at a reasonably good price. Several crypto prediction platforms see them as good long-term crypto investment options.

Investors also agree if the network continues to develop and offer new and better services to users, the tokens can benefit, helping with their price appreciation. 

Remember to do your research before investing in any cryptocurrency.



Aave Price Prediction

The Yuan Coin, also known as e-CNY, e-RMB or e-yuan, is China's digital currency. It aims to replace some of the physical cash in circulation.

The coin, issued by the People's Bank of China (PBOC), is a digitised version of the Chinese physical Yuan (Renminbi). It works the same as banknotes and coins but in a digitised form. 

## The yuan coin history

China has been working on the e-yuan since 2014. In October 2020, the virtual coin underwent its first and biggest real-world test. The local government of [Shenzen](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/12/china-digital-currency-trial-over-1-million-handed-out-in-lottery.html) handed out 10 million e-RMB (about $1.5 million) to its citizens in a lottery.

In December 2020, the [Suzhou](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/07/china-hands-out-digital-yuan-in-trial-as-jdcom-accepts-the-currency.html) local government again handed 20 million e-RMB ($3 million) to its residents in a lottery. 

A few features not activated in the Shenzen trial were tested in the Suzhou trial run. One notable feature is the e-CNY offline feature, allowing users to touch smart devices to make transfers.

The Suzhou public test also saw JD.com (one of the biggest Chinese e-commerce firms) become the first online platform to accept this virtual currency.

In Feb 2021, the Chinese capital city [Beijing](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/08/china-to-hand-out-1point5-million-in-lunar-new-year-digital-currency-test.html) handed out 10 million e-RMB (about $1.5 million) to its residents, making it the third largest public test for the digital currency. The same month [Chengdu](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/24/chinese-city-chengdu-launches-6-million-digital-currency-test.html), another city in China, announced the issuance of close to $6 million worth of e-RMB to its citizens.

## The yuan coin so far in 2022

As of 2022, a lot has happened to the benefit of e-RMB. The [digital Yuan app](https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-launches-digital-yuan-app-what-you-need-to-know/), previously only available to a few people, can now be downloaded from the Chinese app stores. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

The app, however, can only be used by residents in 23 cities where China continues to test this virtual currency. Residents in the cities, which include Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzen, can use the app to pay for goods and services with e-CNY. 

By mid-January, the app had over 261 million users and had made 87.5 billion e-CNY ($13.78 billion) worth of transactions. The app quickly became one of the most downloaded apps available in China.

Shortly after the app launched, WeChat, a messaging and payment platform with over 1.2 billion users, announced it would begin to allow users to select e-CNY as a payment option. Alibaba also announced the integration of this virtual currency into their payment options.

The e-CNY is no longer just a payment option for consumer goods. One can also use it for wealth management products and bank loans. There are plans to extend the use of this virtual currency to medical treatment, education, and other finance offerings.

Holders of e-CNY have also benefited from cards with small LCD screens that tell them how much funds are in their Yuan accounts. Users can access these updated local Chinese government cards without the internet.

The popularity and wide acceptance of the e-CNY have seen China set its eyes on the international market. The country is working towards the internalisation of its virtual currency.

## Bottom line

While the e-yuan is still in its early stages, it has quickly proven there is demand and room for it. The digital coin is not a cryptocurrency per see but a [central bank digital currency (CBDC)](/news/article/cbdc-uk), considering it is issued and controlled by the People's Bank of China (PBOC). CBDCs are built on the same rails as cryptocurrency's underlying technology, blockchain. Some see CBDCs as a threat to privacy and defeat the purpose of decentralisation, while others believe its adoption does benefit the crypto market. What do you think?
 



What is the yuan coin?

Telcoin is a blockchain-based, user-owned financial platform that aims to provide all mobile users with access to high-quality but affordable, user-owned financial products. Its primary focus is, however, on the remittance industry.

The platform's components include the TEL token, Telcoin App, TELx, and Rivendell - an Ethereum side chain validated by the Mobile Network Operators, a GSMA member.

## The TEL token

The TEL token is the native token of the platform, and it plays various functions in the [Telcoin](https://www.telco.in/) ecosystem. 
It is a protocol token that can also be used as a medium of exchange and a reserve asset. Its holders can use it to access different financial products supported by the platform.

It's an ERC-20 token with a max supply cap of 100,000,000,000 TEL coins. Currently, there are 61,728,700,558 coins in public circulation.

According to Coinmarketcap, as of writing, each coin goes for the price of $0.001824. The tokens are ranked the 252nd largest cryptocurrencies in the world by market cap.

The TEL tokens are available on several crypto exchanges, including KuCoin, Uniswap, Phemex, and Balancer. The tokens can, however, not be purchased directly with fiat currency. 

You'll first have to buy other crypto coins like [BTC](/coins/btc), or [ETH](/coins/eth), then go to an exchange that lists TEL tokens and use your ETH or BTC to purchase them.

## The app

The [Telcoin App](https://www.telco.in/about-the-telcoin-app) provides users with access to all of Telcoin's products. The app features a fast, affordable remittance portal and a digital wallet on the Polygon Network.

Users can use the app to send, receive, withdraw, and trade various supported digital assets at an affordable fee. Those who wish to send money to friends and family anywhere on the globe can do so through the app at a friendly fee of 2% or less. 

The app currently supports fiat remittance from Canada and the USA to 16 countries, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Salvador, Indonesia, Kenya, and Pakistan. It is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.

## TELx

[TELx](https://www.telx.network/) is the decentralized liquidity engine of the Telcoin platform. It's designed to power all services provided on the Telcom platform, including cross-border money transfer and digital asset exchange, without relying on intermediaries. 

The decentralized liquidity network is a new addition to the platform. It launched with two user-owned decentralized products, The SMS network and TELxchange.

The SMS (Send Money Smarter Network) is a user-owned global remittance network, while the TELxchange is a user-owned decentralized digital asset exchange. 

## Rivendell

[Rivendell](https://www.rivendell.network/) is still in development. The Network, an Ethereum side chain, is run, validated, and secured by Mobile Network Operators. Once in operation, it will provide fast, secure, credible neutral transaction settlement for the Telcoin ecosystem.

## Is Telcoin a good investment?

Launched in 2017, Telcoin has been around for a while. So far, the team behind the project has managed to meet all the deadlines set on the project's roadmap.

Since its launch, it has made several strategic partnerships with Telcom operators that have enabled it to solve three major issues facing many crypto projects trust, reach, and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) compliance. The project is here to stay.

Its native token (TEL) continues to perform averagely well in the crypto market. However, the token is not listed on most prominent cryptocurrency exchanges, their trading pairs are limited, and they can't be bought directly with fiat money, which inconveniences many investors.

## Bottom line

The Telcoin platform is an excellent addition to the crypto space considering its features and services. The current Telcoin price provides a good entry point into the crypto space for anyone who doesn't wish to spend or risk a lot in the highly volatile market.



The Telcoin platform and price explained

The Seesaw protocol is a decentralized, multi-chain, noncustodial ecosystem of Defi products, protocols, and services. 

Launched in January 2022, the protocol is a fairly new and ambitious blockchain-based project created to bridge multiple blockchains. It is capable of running in all smart-enabled blockchains. It currently runs on the BNB Chain with plans to also run on the Ethereum and Polygon blockchains.

## The Seesaw token

The Seesaw token (SSW) is the utility token of the Seesaw protocol ecosystem. Holders of the tokens can use them to connect between the three blockchains to find the quickest and most reliable network at any given time.

SSW can be traded and farmed across the Binance Chain, [Ethereum](/coins/eth), and Polygon blockchains. The tokens have a max supply of 990,000,000 SSW coins.

Among the many reasons to get this digital currency is the reward incentive of simply holding them. A regular airdrop feature enables long-term holders of the token to earn extra coins.

As of writing, each coin is currently trading at $0.000964. According to [Coinmarketcap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/seesaw/) rankings, they are the 7,943rd largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.

## SSW price movement

On April 8th 2022, SSW launched on Pancake Swap after being locked in presale for three months. Their price at the start of the presale was $0.005. On April 14th, the tokens experienced their all-time high price, trading at $0.46.

The tokens would, however, start to experience a price decline going forward. According to many expert investors, it was to be expected as the entire cryptocurrency space was experiencing a bear market. By the end of May, each SSW coin was worth $0.004495.

The tokens ended June trading at $0.001172 and July worth $0.0009315 each. Things are still not looking up for SSW as it continues with its downward trend.

## Is the Seesaw protocol a good investment?

Some crypto investors have pointed out a few concerns about the protocol. While it does offer a much needed solution in the crypto world its huge token price crash is of concern.

Huge crashes are, however, common in the crypto space. Shiba Inu (SHIB) is a good example of a cryptocurrency that has experienced several huge crashes and is still going on strong.

The fact that the project is backed by an anonymous team is also concerning to some people. But, so are many other crypto projects. Bitcoin continues to dominate the crypto market, yet its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity, is yet to be known to date.

## Bottom line

To be fair, SSW is new, and we can only expect so much as the project behind this cryptocurrency continues to develop. 

As for now, how the tokens will behave in the future, only time will tell. On the bright side, their current market price makes them an ideal entry point into the crypto market. Just remember to do your research before investing in any crypto project.





The Seesaw Protocol Explained

[Ethereum Classic (ETC)](/coins/etc) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum Classic blockchain, a smart contract platform that allows dApp development.  It is a split from the Ethereum blockchain, the decentralized network supporting the second most popular cryptocurrency [ETH](/coins/eth).

## The ETC Blockchain

The ETC blockchain is an open-source and decentralized platform that features smart contract functionalities to enable creation and deployment of dApps (Decentralized Applications).

It uses Proof of Work consensus mechanism to validate transactions and add new blocks. Miners have to compete to be the first to solve complex mathematical problems to win the block rewards. Proof of Work also helps with its security.

## The Blockchain’s Origin

The ETC blockchain came into existence in July 2016, when the DAO, a decentralised autonomous organisation built on the ETH network, was hacked.

The DAO raised over $150 million USD worth of ether from investors, and was intended to be used to fund projects that would be voted on by the DAO's token holders.

However, due to a flaw in its code, the DAO was hacked, and someone was able to siphon off around one third of the funds that had been raised. A consequence of the hack was a hard fork. The hard fork created two separate blockchains: ETH (the new version) and ETC (the original version). 

ETC has continued to maintain the original vision of Ethereum as a decentralized platform that can be used to build dApps, while the ETH network has become a more general purpose smart contract platform.

## The native token

ETC is the native token of the ETC blockchain Network. It has several use cases in the platform. Its holders can use it to pay for transaction gas, use smart contracts, and interact with dApps. It is also governance token.

The tokens have a max supply cap of 210,700,000 ETC coins. There are currently 136,178,157 of the digital coins in public circulation. The demand and supply of these tokens dictates the price. The current price of ETC (as of 22/08/2022 is 27.31GBP)  The tokens are available for purchase on several crypto exchanges including Binance, OKX, and Bybit.

As per [Coinmarketcap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/ethereum-classic/), ETC tokens are currently the 19th largest cryptocurrency in the world with a live market cap of $5,139,474,019.

## Notable occurrences

In January 2019 the ETC Blockchain suffered a 51% attack. The hackers who orchestrated the attack later returned the stolen funds.

In July 2020, the network again fell victim to 51% attacks. After the attacks the Ethash epoch duration was increased from 30,000 to 60,000, solving a critical security issue for the platform.

## Bottom line

ETC is one of a few cryptocurrencies performing pretty well in the crypto market. Several cryptocurrency prediction platforms predict better prices are on the horizon for the coin, making it a potentially great investment option.

While the coin’s price doesn’t make it great for beginner crypto investors, it is still worth some consideration. The cryptocurrency can be bought in lots of exchanges with fiat money.

All about the Ethereum Classic and its price

On 22 December 2020, the US Security and Exchange (SEC) [filed a lawsuit against Ripple Lab](/news/article/ripple-xrp-latest-news), the company behind the Ripple Network and XRP tokens, and two of its executives. According to the SEC, Ripple executives held an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of XRP, which was unregistered security.

## The SEC claims to the XRP case

The SEC took Ripple Lab to court because they claimed XRP tokens are securities. The tokens were classified as securities since they were used to fund Ripple’s platform, which facilitates money transfers for retailers. The sale of the tokens also enriched the platform’s management.

The tokens also satisfied the Howey Test, a test that aids in determining whether an asset is a security. As securities, XRP tokens were supposed to have been registered with the SEC and certain financial information publicly disclosed. Ripple Labs failed to adhere to the SEC securities requirements.

## Ripple’s response to the XRP case

Ripple, through its lawyers, claimed that the SEC never warned nor gave fair notice that XRP tokens were securities. The SEC admitted no statement was made that XRP could be classified as securities.

Ripple also claimed the SEC was biased in applying the security concept on [XRP tokens](/news/article/xrp-case-price-uk). The company pointed out some of the links SEC members have had with other crypto platforms, especially Ethereum. 

There is still no proof to Ripple’s claims that the SEC gave Ethereum a pass on securities legislation, saying it operates in a decentralized manner while suing Ripple is suspicious.

## The XRP case so far

Ever since the SEC took Ripple to court, the company, through its lawyers has been trying to get the case dismissed.

On May 4th 2022, Ripple, again, filed a motion to dismiss the SEC’s charges. Reason for the case dismissal was the SEC’s failure to state claim against Ripple.

Attached to Ripple’s dismissal motion was a letter from an unidentified third-party. The letter claimed the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple could have a negative impact on the US financial system.

According to the letter if the court was to conclude that XRP tokens are securities it could stunt the growth of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies in the United States.  

A lose for Ripple would result in the secondary market for XRP tokens ceasing to exist and many US investors who hold them would be left with worthless assets.

In a bid to prove XRP tokens are not securities Ripple asked the SEC to release emails related to a 2018 speech by former SEC director William Hinman in which he argued Ethereum was not a security.

A judge ordered the SEC to release drafts of the speech and related emails but the SEC argued the communications were protected by “attorney-client” privilege. On July 12th the SEC’s appeal for protection from disclosure of William Hinman’s speeches was dismissed.

The SEC has also failed to block XRP holders from aiding in the XRP case. The [court dismissed the SEC’s motion](https://forkast.news/headlines/sec-fails-xrp-holders-aiding-ripple-case/) to revoke the “friends of the court” status granted to XRP holders.

So far Ripple Labs seems to have the upper hand in the XRP case. The company through its lawyers has further accused the SEC of using unfair tactics to try and prolong the case.

## Bottom line

The Ripple lawsuit is one of the most followed cases in the crypto space. The decision of the case is vital to the crypto space as it could be a win or lose for the industry. 

So far, Ripple seems to be winning, considering the unfair tactics the SEC is using to prolong the case. The decision of the case might be reached in 2023.


XRP and SEC case: Where are we now

Competition in the crypto space has made a few projects come up with innovative ways to entice and get new users. Some crypto projects offer  tokens for free, but with a catch. Depending on the project you can earn free crypto by learning or playing.

## What is Learn to earn crypto?

Learn to earn crypto involves getting free crypto by learning about digital assets on a crypto platform. The free crypto you get is usually the one you’ve learned about.

Since there is nothing like a free lunch , how do the platforms benefit? The platforms benefit in two ways. Firstly, by learning about crypto on a platform you boost its traffic. You are also more likely to engage with other services the platform provides.
Secondly, the free crypto tokens you get make you an investor in the tokens. The more people get the free crypto, the better its chances of price appreciation over time.

## Learn to earn crypto platforms

A few well-known platforms offer the learn to earn crypto incentive.

## Coinbase

Coinbase is a reputable crypto exchange with thousands of [coins](/coins), tokens and NFTS. The platform allows users to learn about different crypto currencies and earn through its [Coinbase Earn](https://www.coinbase.com/learning-rewards) page.

As per the platform users can choose whichever available crypto coin they would like to learn about, do a simple quiz, testing whatever they have learned then get their free crypto. Some of the coins and tokens users can learn and earn from include GRT (The Graph), GAL (Project Galaxy), and ALEPH (Aleph.im).

Note that to benefit from Coinbase Earn you have to meet all its eligibility requirements, which include living in a country eligible for Coinbase Earn. The program is, therefore, available in selected countries.

## Binance 

Binance is another popular crypto exchange available in more than 140 countries globally. Like Coinbase, Binance allows users to earn free crypto through its Learn & Earn section.

In the [Learn and Earn section](https://www.binance.com/en/support/announcement/178888d976424c43baabd1b1c649e6ff), are instructional films and reading materials that enable users to learn about several crypto coins. Once you are done learning about a preferred crypto coin you will take a quiz to gauge your understanding of the coin. If you pass the quiz you get your free crypto coins.

It is worth noting that Binance’s learn and earn rewards are limited. Once they get depleted users can’t participate in the program any more.

## CoinMarketCap 

Coinmarketcap is a price-tracking website for crypto assets. The platform allows users to earn free crypto through its [Earn Crypto](https://coinmarketcap.com/earn/) page.

On the Earn Crypto page are lots of crypto coins including TRX (TRON), SXP (Solar), LIKE (Only1), and SAND (Sandbox) to learn and earn from. There are video tutorials and reading materials to help learn about the various coins. A quiz comes at the end. Once you pass the quiz you get your free crypto.

Coinmarketcap’s learn and earn program is also [limited to certain countries](https://coinmarketcap.com/earn/faq). Users from countries like Belarus, Cuba, Iraq, Iran, and Mainland China cannot participate in the program.

## Phemex 

Phemex is a crypto exchange and trading platform trusted by millions of users across the globe. The exchange has a Learn & earn page where users can earn free crypto.

On the Learn & Earn page users can familiarize themselves with basic crypto concepts and exchange features through watching short videos. After your learning session, you will take a quiz, which will determine whether you get your free crypto or not.

Phemex Learn & Earn program is limited to selected countries. The program is currently not available in India, Russia, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Indonesia among other countries.

## BitDegree  

BitDegree is an online education platform powered by blockchain. The platform has a LearnDrops page where people can learn about real-world crypto projects and earn crypto.

The process of earning free crypto through BitDegree’s LearnDrops is the same as other Learn to earn crypto programs. Once you watch a video about the crypto project you wish to learn about you will do a quiz. If you pass the quiz you get your free tokens.

## Bottom line

Learn to earn is one of the many ways various crypto projects are looking not only to survive but profit from the cryptospace. The program, while it might cost platforms a few coins offers them a lot in terms of traffic and coin adoption.

Listed above are only a few platforms that offer learn to earn crypto programs. Do your research and you will find more blockchain-based platforms that will allow you to earn free crypto by simply learning about a crypto coin, project, or topic you are interested in.

Learn to earn crypto

Multisig is a type of crypto wallet that uses multi-signature technology to store and secure cryptocurrencies. It requires more than one person to sign off on any transaction before it can be executed, thus considered highly secure.

Let’s dig in and explore everything you need to know about it.

## RIF Multisig 

The [RIF Multisig wallet](https://www.rifos.org/blog/multisig-the-rsk-way) is a crypto storage solution for the RSK community and the Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem. It provides a secure place to store RIF tokens; utility tokens of the RSK network.

RSK is a smart contract network that is a sidechain of the [Bitcoin](/coins/btc) blockchain. It allows developers to create Defi protocols, NFTs, and other digital assets using the Bitcoin blockchain. As a sidechain, RSK also helps increase the scalability of the Bitcoin blockchain.

## Benefits 

There many benefits to using Multisig for crypto storage. Firstly, the wallet is hard to hack. Because it requires more than one private key to use, easily accessing all the required private keys is not easy for any hacker.

It also eliminates dependency on one device or party. Private keys can be saved on different devices to easily provide access to stored funds. In case something happens to one of the users, other users are not locked out of accessing their funds.

## Downsides

A major disadvantage of Multisig is slow transaction speeds. Because more signatures are involved, transactions may take longer. 

## How to set up 

To set up your wallet you will require two or more devices that support the RIF protocol. Each device, a computer, for example, will need to have a copy of the RIF token. 

On each computer generate a seed phrase. You will need the seed phrase to generate a master key that will enable you to generate the addresses.

Once you’ve generated the seed phrase the next step is to create a wallet on each computer. Open the multi-sig software and click on the “Create” button. Fill in all the required information including the number of computers you have.

Once you are done, you will be given a list of addresses you can send tokens to. The next step is to generate a Multi-sig address. 

Open the Multisig software and click on the "Create Multi-Sig address" button. Fill in the required information including the number of computers you have, the addresses you just created, and the name of the Multi-sig address.

After generating the Multi-sig address you will get instructions that will help you send tokens to the address. You can now send and receive crypto.

## Bottom line

The RIF Multisig is considered one of the best ways to securely store crypto online. The wallet, while still new in the crypto space offers a lot of benefits. It not only eliminates a single point of failure but also eliminates the dependency on a single device or user.






RIF Multisig Wallet Explained

An Ethereum wallet is vital before investing in the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap, Ether (ETH). The wallet not only stores Ether coins but also allows you to send, receive, and spend the crypto coins.

There are generally two types of Ethereum crypto wallets, hardware, and software crypto wallets. Some of the best options to store your Ethereum include:

## MetaMask

[MetaMask](https://metamask.io/) is one of the best, if not the best Ethereum wallet. It is one of the most widely used Ethereum wallet, and for good reasons. 

The wallet is easy to use, therefore beginner-friendly. Besides allowing you to store and spend your Ether (ETH), it also allows you to access decentralized Ethereum apps.

The MetaMask wallet is available as a browser extension and mobile app. It is a software wallet, therefore best used with a hardware wallet.

## Exodus

The [Exodus Wallet](https://www.exodus.com/) is another beginner-friendly crypto wallet ideal for ETH storage. It is free to use and non-custodial, meaning you maintain full control of your crypto. It also does not require users to register or supply personal information to use it.

The Exodus wallet supports more than 150 cryptocurrencies across seven separate blockchains. It is another software crypto wallet available on desktop and mobile.

## Atomic 

There are many reasons why many Atomic wallet users consider it the best Ethereum wallet. It is decentralized, easy to use, non-custodial, and allows users to store, exchange, and buy ETH with a bank card. Verification and KYC standards are not necessary to access funds stored in the wallet.

The Atomic Wallet supports over 500 crypto assets, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, XRP, and [Litecoin](/coins/ltc). It is also available on desktop and mobile.

## Ledger 

Ledger Nano X and Ledger Nano S are two great hardware wallets that support ETH storage. As hardware wallets, both wallets allow users to store their ETH offline.

Both wallets are physical devices in the form of USB drives. They support over 1,800 cryptocurrencies, besides ETH. They also support desktop, Android, and iOS devices.

The Ledger Nano X wallet is considered an upgrade of the Ledger Nano S. It is not only pricier but also has a few features, including a battery and Bluetooth.

## Trezor 

Trezor, like Ledger, offers two hardware crypto wallets, Trezor One and Model T that support ETH storage. Both wallets support more than a thousand cryptocurrencies, besides ETH. They are highly secure and great alternatives to the Ledger wallets.

Compared to the Ledger wallets, the Trezor wallets are lighter and more uniquely shaped. They are also cheaper. The Trezor One wallet is, however, cheaper than the Trezor Model T and all the Ledger wallets. Either of the Trezor wallets can be the best Ethereum wallet for you.

## Bottom line

There you have it, some of the best Ethereum crypto wallets to consider before investing in ETH.

While software wallets like MetaMask, Exodus, and Atomic have their advantages, which include convenience, it’s always best to consider using them with hardware wallets like the Ledger and Trezor crypto wallets for great security.



Best wallets to store your Ethereum

Polkadot (DOT) is the native cryptocurrency of the Polkadot Network, a blockchain network best described as the blockchain of blockchains. It is one of a few blockchains working to solve many of blockchain’s limitations, which include scalability and security.

## The Polkadot network

Launched in 2020, the Polkadot Network is a blockchain network designed to offer several services in the crypto space. Firstly, it is designed to allow unrelated blockchains to communicate with each other. 

Secondly, it features a tool called Substrate that simplifies the blockchain creation process. It makes it easy for developers to create blockchains. The network also hosts blockchains, handling their security and transactions, and bridges blockchains on it with other networks such as Ethereum and Bitcoin.

The Polkadot Network is a creation of Dr. Gavin Wood, [Ethereum](/news/article/ethereum-news-now) co-founder, responsible for developing Ethereum’s smart contract programming language Solidity. Parity Technologies is the firm behind the development of Polkadot Network.

## DOT token

Polkadot (DOT) is the altcoin or token that powers the Polkadot Network. It has several use cases. It can be used to pay for network fees, governance, and interoperability. Holders of the token can vote on network upgrades.

The DOT token can be bought on various crypto exchanges including Binance, KuCoin, Coinbase, and Huobi Global. Operating on a Proof-of-Stake blockchain network it can also be earned through crypto staking. There are currently 1,103,116,504 DOT coins in public circulation.

As per [Coinmarketcap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/polkadot-new/), DOT tokens are currently the 10th largest cryptocurrencies in the world, with a live market cap of $8,917,146,890. Each DOT coin is worth $8.08.

DOT tokens can be stored in several crypto wallets, including Parity Signer, Fearless Wallet, Polkawallet, and SubWallet. The tokens can also be stored in hardware wallets like Ledger.

## Polkadot Price 

While the history of the Polkadot Network began in October 2016 with the publishing of its white paper, DOT tokens' history begins in October 2017 with its first ICO (Initial Coin Offering). At the time of the ICO, each Polkadot price UK was $0.29. 2.24 million DOT tokens were offered to the public.

In July 2020 the second DOT token ICO was held. The Polkadot price UK was $1.25. 342,080 Polkadot coins were sold at the time. By the end of 2020, each Polkadot price had appreciated to $9.29.

The tokens would begin 2021 trading at $9.29 and end the year each worth $26.72. While they started well in 2022, they haven't had the best performance in the crypto market. It is no wonder they are currently trading below $10.

Regardless of their current performance, a few crypto prediction platforms forecast good things for DOT tokens. Changelly predicts each Polkadot price might reach $12.34 by the end of 2022. CryptoNewsZ predicts the digital coins might be trading at $27 by the end of 2022.

## Bottom line

The Polkadot (DOT) coin might be a fairly new cryptocurrency when compared to other crypto coins, but it has quickly proven to be a great investment opportunity for many investors. The coin might be experiencing a bear run, but so are other cryptocurrencies.

Supported by a great crypto project that looks to decentralize the internet, many investors agree DOT tokens have a bright future ahead.



Polkadot blockchain and altcoin explained

The recent market sell-off has taken a toll on just about every sector, but some have been hit harder than others. For example, the tech-heavy Nasdaq is down nearly 7% from its high just two weeks ago.

One area that has been particularly hard hit is the red-hot sector of cloud computing. Companies like Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), and Salesforce.com (CRM) have all seen their stock prices drop by double digits in the past two weeks.

And while the sell-off in these stocks may have been overdone, it has left investors wondering if now is the time to buy or if there could be more downside ahead.

One cloud stock that has been especially hard hit is MetaPlatforms (MP). The [Meta share price](https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/META/) has dropped by more than 50% over the last 12 months.

So, what’s going on with MP? And is the recent sell-off an opportunity to buy the dip or a sign that there could be more downside ahead?

Let’s take a closer look…

## What’s Going on With MP?

Meta Platforms is a cloud-based enterprise software company. Its flagship product is [Metaverse](/news/article/facebook-metaverse-nft), a digital workspace that allows employees to securely access all of their applications and data from one central location. The company has seen strong demand for its product as more and more businesses move to the cloud. 

However, the company reported second-quarter revenue of $169.5 million, down 4% from a year ago and below the $172.3 million that analysts were expecting. Meta also posted a net loss of $11.1 million, or 9 cents a share, compared with a profit of $2.2 million, or 2 cents a share, a year ago.

The stock has come under pressure in recent weeks, and is down by over 50% from its all-time high. So, what does the future hold for the Meta share price? Let’s take a look at the bulls and the bears…

## The Bull Case for MP

The bulls argue that the sell-off in Meta Platforms stock is overdone and that the recent weak quarter was an anomaly. There are still plenty of reasons to be bullish on MetaPlatforms.

First, the company’s flagship product, Metaverse, is in high demand. The product is being adopted by more and more businesses as they move to the cloud.

Second, MetaPlatforms is growing quickly. 

Third, MetaPlatforms has a strong balance sheet. The company has no debt and $100 million in cash. This gives the company plenty of financial flexibility to invest in growth.

Fourth, MetaPlatforms is led by a proven management team. The company’s CEO, Scott Smith, is a co-founder of Salesforce.com (CRM). He knows how to build a successful cloud company.

## The Bear Case for MP

The bears argue that the recent weak quarter was not an anomaly and that MetaPlatforms is facing some serious headwinds. They point to the company’s high valuation, which is now trading at nearly 30 times sales. It has been viewed that the company previously known as ‘Facebook’ was forced to rebrand as Meta Platforms after coming under much [scrutiny from its services impact on the mental health of teens](https://www.everydayhealth.com/public-health/facebook-comes-under-fire-after-whistleblower-and-leaked-documents-reveal-negative-impact-on-young-girls/). This was seen as a ploy to divert the negative publicity and not affect the company’s share price.

They also note that Meta Platforms is up against some tough competition, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. And they believe that the recent sell-off could be just the beginning for MP stock.

So, what’s the verdict? Is MetaPlatforms a buy or a sell?

## The Verdict

There are both positive and negative factors to consider when deciding if Meta Platforms stock is a buy in August 2022. 

Ultimately, it comes down to whether you believe the stock is a good long-term investment. 

If you think the company's fundamentals are strong and the stock is cheap at current levels, then it could be a good buy. However, if you're concerned about the stock's technical, tainted reputation  or the overall market conditions, then it may be best to wait for a better entry point.

Please be aware that this is not financial advice.

A Comprehensive Look at Meta Share Price

Cardano is one of a few blockchain-based projects working on solving its scalability trilemma. Its developers have been working on a scaling solution called Hydra capable of solving its scalability problem without compromising on decentralization and security.

## What is Cardano’s Hydra?

Hydra is a layer 2 scaling solution designed to address Cardano’s scalability and security issues. It has been in the works for more than five years and is soon to be launched.

Hydra utilizes a process called isomorphic scaling to maximize throughput, minimize latency and reduce storage requirements on Cardano.
Isomorphic scaling works by processing transactions off the main chain while reserving the main chain as a secure settlement layer.

To participate in Hydra (the second layer), each pool on Cardano must create a Hydra head. Each Hydra head has Cardano’s functions. Network participants’ can easily run smart contracts, create dApps, vote, use micropayments and execute other functionalities on a Hydra head.

## Cardano  vs. Ethereum scalability method

Arbitrum is a layer 2 scaling solution that aims to speed up Ethereum’s transaction time and lower the blockchain’s high fees. 
The project supports the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), enabling Ethereum Defi developers to integrate their decentralized applications with it without having to make any modifications.

Arbitrum uses a process called optimistic roll up to log batches of transactions submitted on the Ethereum main chain and executes them on inexpensive scalable layer-2 sidechains.

Compared, while both [Hydra and Arbitrum](https://twitter.com/_KtorZ_/status/1433505586361081856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1433505586361081856%7Ctwgr%5Eb9c103dce1c89fd222e7e93110a91396bec47634%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.redditmedia.com%2Fmediaembed%2Fpgpvdi%3Fresponsive%3Dtrueis_nightmode%3Dfalse) are layer 2 scaling solutions, they use different techniques for scalability. Cardano’s method (Hydra) uses state channels while Arbitrum uses optimistic roll up to increase transaction speeds and low fees on the Ethereum blockchain.
Hydra also differs from Arbitrum in that its isomorphic scaling mechanism allows transactions running on a Hydra head to be mapped to layer one transactions and vice versa. 

## Cardano vs. Bitcoin’s scalability method

The Lightning Network is a layer-2 solution designed to make [Bitcoin](/coins/btc) transactions fast and cheaper. It allows off-chain transactions.
The Lightning Network uses smart contracts to enable off-chain payment channels between parties. Only when payment channels have been established can funds be transferred between a pair of users.

Compared, Cardano’s method (Hydra) can outperform Bitcoin’s Lightning network considering Hydra’s state channels, which allow for fast and cheaper transactions. Hydra heads also make Cardano more highly scalable than the Bitcoin blockchain. 

Unlike Cardano’s method (Hydra) the Lightning network was not co-designed with Bitcoin. Hydra was designed with special provisions in place to enable it to accommodate Cardano. It is, therefore, easy to move in and out of the system while still maintaining security properties.

## Bottom line 

While not the fast or the last scalable solution in the crypto space, Cardano’s method (Hydra) stands out as one of the best yet to be launched. If it does operate as expected then it can easily help Cardano with its scalability issues. The layer-2 solution seems to have what it takes to boost Cardano’s capabilities.



Cardano’s Method Aim to Solve Scalability Trilemma

The [Ethereum Merge](https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/) is a highly anticipated event of 2022 in the crypto community. The event will mark the completion of the second phase of the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade. The Ethereum Mainnet will merge with the Beacon Chain, transitioning it from a Proof-of-work to a Proof-of-stake blockchain.

## The Beacon Chain

Launched on December 1st, 2020, the Beacon Chain is a proof of stake blockchain running parallel to the Ethereum blockchain. The chain is a consensus layer that handles a network of stakers. Since its creation, the Beacon chain has been put under various tests to test its reliability and capabilities.

The Ethereum Merge will see the Beacon Chain’s proof of stake consensus replace Ethereum’s proof of stake consensus. The Beacon Chain will become the prime blockchain on the Ethereum network.

## Impact of the Ethereum Merge

There are many reasons to be excited about the Ethereum Merge. The event is not just for crypto holders as its success will see Ethereum reduce its carbon footprint significantly.

The crypto space has for the longest time been under great criticism due to its negative impact on the environment, especially blockchains that use proof of work consensus mechanism.

Some of the benefits of the Ethereum Merge include Ethereum’s transition to proof of stake, better network security, and a possible increased user base.

## Benefits of the Merge

•	Transition to Proof of Stake consensus mechanism
Ethereum like Bitcoin has been using a Proof of Work consensus mechanism to verify transactions, add new blocks, and network security. The problem with proof of work is its high energy consumption rate. Its high energy consumption rate makes it harmful to the environment.

With proof of stake, Ethereum replaces miners with validators. The network no longer requires high energy-consuming hardware for security.
According to research done in 2021 by researchers at the Ethereum Foundation, Ethereum’s transition to proof of stake consensus can cut its energy use by at least 99.95%.

•	Better network security
The proof of stake consensus mechanism eliminates the need for expensive network security hardware. The consensus mechanism introduces staking, where any crypto holder can participate in securing a blockchain network.

Proof of stake makes it easy for anyone to help secure the Ethereum network. The more people participate in security the more robust the chain becomes. More people securing a network increase its decentralization. Proof-of-stake, therefore, also reduces centralization risks.

A plus for Proof of Stake is that it can also enable a network to become more censorship-resistant. Mining hardware tends to be easy to detect and shut down. However, the same cannot be said about computers running validator nodes.

•	Increased user base
There is a high possibility of more people and developers flocking to the Ethereum network after the Merge. High gas fees and slow transaction speeds have kept many people and developers away from the network. However, after the merge, the inefficiencies can become a thing of the past.

## Ethereum Merge Risks

•	Technical challenges
Critics of Ethereum believe the network is taking a huge gamble switching from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake while in operation. There could be many unforeseen bugs with the new blockchain, which puts at risk $183 billion worth of Ether in circulation. 

Solana is a good example of a Proof-of-Stake blockchain that has suffered several complete outages this year (2022).

Proof of stake is also seen as a fairly new consensus mechanism when compared to proof of work. Proof of work has been around for a while. It has been tried and tested and proven to be highly secure.

## Will the Merge affect Ether Prices?

Different investors predict a different outcome for [Ether prices](/news/article/ethereum-news-now) after the Ethereum Merge. Some investors predict a bull run for the digital coins while others predict a bear run.

Considering the current state of the crypto market and that Ether is down by 60% since the beginning of the year (2022), some investors believe once the merge unlocks locked Ether many holders will sell their coins, resulting in their price depreciation.

However, some investors believe Ether prices might go up after the Merge due to Ethereum’s transition to proof of stake. The proof of stake consensus mechanism will enable Ethereum to attract more users and developers.

## When will the Merge happen?

The Ethereum Merge is expected to happen in September this year (2022). Tim Beiko, an Ethereum developer and prominent figure in the Ethereum Foundation, put Sept 19th as the tentative date. The Merge timeline is, however, not final.

The Ethereum Merge date announcement saw Ether prices go up considerably to $1,600, which is a good sign for those who believe the Merge will positively affect Ether prices.

## Bottom line

The Ethereum Merge is a big deal in the crypto space. If it's a success then there are plenty of benefits to look forward to from the Ethereum network and a few risks worth considering.

Considering the Ethereum Merge is happening when the crypto industry is experiencing a downturn, there is a lot of uncertainty about how the market may react. Some investors predict a positive outcome while some are not so sure. Do your research.






The Ethereum Merge: What You Should Know

Fantom (FTM) is the native token of the Fantom network, a smart contract blockchain platform that allows DApp development. The network is among a few blockchain networks giving the Ethereum blockchain a run for its money. It is one of the best alternatives to the Ethereum blockchain.

## The FTM token

The Fantom (FTM) token is the native utility token of the Fantom blockchain. It powers the entire Fantom blockchain ecosystem. Holders of the tokens can use them for staking, payments, transaction fees, and governance. 

FTM tokens are available as ERC-20 tokens and BEP-20 tokens, meaning there are versions of the tokens that conform to Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain token standards.

FTM tokens have a total max supply of 3,175,000,000 FTM coins. According to Coinmarketcap, there are currently (24th July 2022) 2,545,006,273 FTM coins in public circulation. 

Coinmarketcap ranks FTM coins as the 56th largest cryptocurrencies in the world with a live market cap of $861,038,478. Each FTM coin is currently worth $0.338325.

## Where to buy FTM tokens

FTM tokens are listed in several crypto exchanges including Binance, Kraken, Gemini, Bitfinex, Binance.US, Crypto.com, FTX, Bybit, KuCoin, OKX, and Gate.io. The coins [can be bought](/trade) directly with fiat currency where they are listed.

## Where to store FTM tokens

You’ll need a compatible crypto wallet before you can buy FTM tokens. The tokens can be stored in various crypto wallets including fWallet, which is Fantoms Official Wallet, MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Math Wallet, and Coinbase Wallet.

Besides hot wallets, FTM tokens can also be stored in cold wallets (hardware wallets). Ledger Nano is the most preferable hardware wallet for FTM token storage.

## FTM coins price predictions

As of the time of writing, Fantom GBP exchange rate is 0.285643 GBP. The price is calculated based on rates on 70 exchanges and is updated live every few seconds.

In the last 24 hours, the FTM GBP price has increased by 8.24%.

Fantom GBP has seen a lot of success in recent months, and its price has increased by over 1000% since December 2020. 

[Several crypto prediction platforms](https://coinpedia.org/price-prediction/fantom-ftm-price-prediction/) see FTM coins as good long-term investment. WalletInvestor and Gov.Capital also see a promising future for FTM coins. 

According to WalletInvestor, FTM coins may trade at $4.486 by the end of 2025. Gov.Capital predicts that the coins may reach a maximum value of $3.602 by the end of 2023 and $9.048 by the end of 2025.

Digitalcoinprice and Coinpedia aren’t as optimistic as WalletInvestor and Gov.Capital but they still predict price appreciation for FTM coins. According to Coinpedia, FTM coins may start trading above $1 by 2024. Digitalcoinprice predicts the coins may still be trading under $1 by 2025 but at $0.75 per coin.

FTM coins may not be get-rich-quick crypto coins but many investors agree they are a great option for long-term investment. Considering what the Fantom network has to offer and is working on, the coins can get the push they deserve to earn well in the future.
Note that this is not financial advice but the opinions of the author. Before investing in any cryptocurrency, always take the time to do your research.


Fantom Coin (FTM): Everything You Should Know

[Elrond](https://elrond.com/) supports dApps, NFTs, and other types of transactions. The platform is also designed to handle high volumes of transactions. It can handle tens of thousands of transactions per second, more than what [Bitcoin](/coins/btc) and Ethereum blockchains can handle.

## History of the Elrond Company

Beniamin Mincu, Lucian Mincu, and Lucian Todea Elrond  founded Elrond in 2017. Beniamin and Lucian Mincu (brothers) also co-founded MetaChain Capital and ICO Market Data, an aggregator of information around initial coin offerings.

Beniamin Mincu is currently the CEO of Elrond while Lucian Mincu is the CIO. Lucian Todea is the COO of the blockchain platform.

In June 2019, Elrond conducted a private investment round that saw it raise $1.9 million from several angel investors. The same month the project held an Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) and raised $3.25 million in exchange for 25% of its total token supply.

Elrond’s native tokens were initially known as Elrond with the symbol ERD. However, after the project launched its mainnet in July 2020 the native coins were changed to EGLD coins. ERD holders then received 1 EGLD coin for every 1,000 ERD coins they held.




## Elrond’s Unique Features

Elrond stands out with its fast and cheap transaction costs. Its capabilities are possible due to several features, which include;

•	Sharding

Sharding involves splitting a blockchain into smaller pieces known as shards, enabling nodes to only process a fraction of the network’s transactions. It is one way blockchains like Ziliqa and Polkadot are using to solve blockchain’s scalability problem.
Elrond uses a transaction mechanism called “Adaptive State Sharding” that splits nodes into subsets to verify transactions. Once transactions are processed, the shards broadcast them to Elrond’s central blockchain (metachain) where they will be settled.

•	Secure Proof of Stake (SPoS)

Secure Proof of Stake is similar to the Proof of Stake consensus mechanism. Instead of miners, Elrond depends on validators to validate transactions and new blocks to the blockchain.
Because Elrond consists of shards instead of a single chain, validators only run nodes that verify transactions within a specific shard.

Transactions from all shards have to be synced, validated, and then written to the blockchain. Contributors to the successfully added batch of transactions get the staking reward via EGLD tokens.




##How Elrond Works

Elrond requires three key participants to work efficiently, validators, fishermen, and observers. The three, operate the Elrond blockchain simultaneously. They enable the Elrond blockchain to be highly scalable;

•	Validators: Validators stake EGLD tokens to verify transactions and add new blocks to the Elrond blockchain.

•	Fishermen: Fishermen verify new blocks after they are added to the Elrond blockchain by validators. Their job is to find invalid blocks and malicious actors participating in the network.

•	Observers: Observers maintain the history of the Elrond blockchain. They are passive network participants who are ineligible for EGLD rewards.

## EGLD Token

The EGLD token is the native currency of the Elrond blockchain. It can be used for staking, to pay transaction fees, and incentivize validators. It can also be used for governance and smart contracts.

EGLD tokens have been performing pretty well since they first came into the scene. According to Coinmarketcap, EGLD coins are currently trading at $56.90 per coin. They are the 42nd largest cryptocurrencies in the world with a live market cap of $1,299,447,038.

EGLD coins have a max supply cap of 31,415,926. There are currently 22,895,867 EGLD coins in public circulation. The coins can be bought in various crypto exchanges including Binance.us, KuCoin, Gate.io, Bitfinex, OKEx, and Crypto.com.

You will need a crypto wallet that is compatible with EGLD coins before you can buy them. Some compatible crypto wallets include the official Elrond wallet, MetaMask, and Trust wallet. The digital coins can also be stored in hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor.

Based in Malta, the Elrond Company is one company looking to solve one of blockchain’s greatest problems, scalability. The company’s blockchain network stands out with its features that enable it to handle high volumes of transactions cheaply.

While Elrond faces stiff competition from Ethereum, Cardano, and Polkadot, it has the capabilities to compete with them. Some of its features, Adaptive stake sharding and secured proof of stake, rival the leading blockchain platforms.


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