Blockchain Curated

In this episode featuring Bitcoin developer Jimmy Song, you’ll learn: What an atomic swap is, how it affects the future of Bitcoin, and why it is usefulHow an atomic swap works, with a real-world exampleWhy trusted third parties are security holes, and how atomic swaps remove the need for themPros and cons of on-chain atomic swaps compared to off-chain swaps such as the Lightning NetworkWhat some of the cryptocurrencies that support atomic swaps are, including Decred (DCR) and Litecoin (LTC) which made headlines after recently completing an atomic swap

In this episode featuring Fred Ehrsam, Co-Founder of Coinbase, you’ll learn: What a decentralized exchange (DEX) is, how they work, what types of applications can be built on top of decentralized exchanges, and how they compare to a centralized exchangeThe benefits that decentralized exchanges can uniquely offer that centralized exchanges cannot, as well as some of the current drawbacks of decentralized exchangesWhy there is a need for the decentralized exchange for tokensThe difference between a decentralized exchange and a decentralized exchange protocol Don't forget, you can sign up for our free cryptocurrency newsletter and receive new episodes before anyone else at https://blockchaincurated.com

In this episode featuring Primoz Kordez, you’ll learn: What determines the value of a cryptocurrencyThe differences between the two main types of cryptocurrencies we’ve seen in the past two years: cryptocurrencies that can be divided into currencies with the function of means of payment or store of value, and currencies with utility valueHow blockchain protocols will give rise to decentralized systems in which individuals co-create the value of the networksThe importance of incentives in establishing distributed networks in which individual participants are rewarded and the network itself appreciates in value This episode is recommended for our more advanced cryptocurrency listeners.

In this episode featuring AngelList and CoinList Co-Founder Naval Ravikant, you’ll learn: Why machines could be a major catalyst for Bitcoin protocol adoptionWhy it has taken so long to create the internet’s first protocol for exchanging value, and why it’s here to stayWhy Bitcoin has an advantage as an exchange of value protocol versus incumbentsWhy dozens of app coins could proliferate on networks that must allocate resources (storage, cache, and more)What some of the future real-world applications of blockchain-related protocols could be

In this episode featuring Andressen Horowitz General Partner Chris Dixon, you’ll learn: How crypto tokens can aid in reversing the trend of internet centralizationWhy tokens benefit their users, developers, investors, and entire open source initiativesWhy centralized networks won out versus open networks in Web 2.0, and why crypto tokens may shift the tide back to open networks in the futureHow Ethereum is pouring gasoline on this fire with the ERC20 token, inspiring a new wave of token networks

In this episode featuring Elad Gil, you’ll learn: Why now is the starting gun for broad investment in cryptocurrencies including hedge funds, venture funds, and average consumersHow the current 2017 run-up in cryptocurrency prices and interest feels similar to the bubble in 2013, but how this time it’s differentWhy the “store of value” use case of Bitcoin is becoming realHow the proliferation of blockchain-based technologies such as Ethereum, Monero and Zcash are driving developer and investor interestHow crowdfunding (ICOs), investors striking it rich, and general capital inflows are driving up the prices of digital assets

In this episode featuring cryptocurrency fund manager Ari Paul, you’ll learn: What investable protocols and services the world needs that are best-suited for blockchainWhy cryptocurrency is not necessarily a winner take all marketWhy communities are critical to the long-term success of a cryptocurrencyHow shared beliefs of crypto token communities influence development roadmaps and governance, as illustrated by Bitcoin and EthereumWhy Bitcoin is a serious contender for the “store of value” use case of digital gold, and how being the winner of that niche may mean it that it will be difficult for Bitcoin to succeed as the leading payment crypto tokenWhy dApps (decentralized applications), privacy coins, and more may have several breakout winners

In this special investing episode featuring Ari Paulof BlockTower Capital, you’ll learn: How to explain why cryptocurrency investment is a great opportunityHow investing in cryptocurrencies now could be compared to playing minor league basketball versus playing in the NBAWhy early investors in cryptocurrencies are rewarded for the risks they take that others may be unwilling to, and what some of those risks areWhy many traditional investors have not yet invested in cryptocurrencies

In this episode featuring cryptocurrency venture fund founder Nick Tomaino, you will learn: What ‘cryptoeconomics’ is, and why it matters to the ecosystemThe history of decentralized systems including Kazaa and Bittorrent, and why the lack of cryptoeconomic systems stifled them from thrivingHow Vitalik Buterin, founder of the Ethereum protocol, is pushing the bounds of cryptoeconomicsHow crypto monetary policy influences the trajectory decentralized networks

In this episode featuring Joel Monegro, you’ll learn: How economic value for decentralized blockchain-based networks tends to be distributed to protocols rather than applicationsWhy shared data, such as user data, in decentralized systems, leads to value creation at the protocol levelWhy crypto tokens are an essential incentives layer in blockchain networksHow tokens lead to a feedback loop incentivizing investment, development, entrepreneurship, and healthy speculation

In this episode featuring Fred Ehrsam, Co-Founder of Coinbase, you’ll learn: How Ethereum is pouring rocket fuel on digital currency app developmentWhy no killer apps have emerged for Bitcoin beyond potentially being a store of valueWhy Ethereum, with its easy to use programming language, is leading the rise of more diversified decentralized applicationsWhy some of the fundamental beliefs of the Bitcoin and Ethereum communities lead to different priorities and development outcomesWhy Ethereum has a bright future ahead of it, led by a strong developer community and an emphasis on scalability and growthHow the rate of change in digital currencies is accelerating

In this episode featuring early Coinbase employee Linda Xie, you’ll learn: What the Tezos protocol is, who the founders are, and how it compares to EthereumHow the Tezos approach to upgrading functionality compares to blockchains such as Bitcoin and EthereumHow developers in the Tezos ecosystem are compensated for their codeThe differences and advantages between PoW (Proof of Work) and PoS (Proof of Stake)How Tezos’ formal verification feature — allowing developers to mathematically prove the correctness of their smart contract code — could be used

In this episode featuring Ryan Selkis, you will learn: Why starting a crypto hedge fund seem like such an attractive pitch including the potential for outsized returns, a steep learning curve, and lack of yield on more traditional investment categoriesWhy simply outperforming a Bitcoin and Ethereum portfolio over the next 10 years will require ballsy assumptionsWhy some tokens could require billions of dollars in capital inflows over the coming years simply to maintain their current token pricesHow government intervention — including an SEC crackdown — could influence liquidity and token prices

In this episode featuring entrepreneur and designer Richard Burton, you’ll learn: The basics of stock option equity packages commonly used as financial incentives for startup employeesWhy stock options can be “golden handcuffs” for employeesHow misunderstanding small details of your stock option incentive package can cost you millionsWhy ‘protocol equity’ potentially offers a better compensation outcome for talentHow protocol equity shines in areas where stock option compensation does not

In this episode featuring 21 Co-Founder and a16z Partner Balaji Srinivasan, you’ll learn: The basics of what a digital token is, how various tokens differ from each other, and why tokens have surged in interest latelyWhy tokens have only recently become possible due to years of digital currency infrastructureWhat exactly you receive or hold rights to when you purchase a digital tokenWhy tokens are such a compelling alternative to traditional financingHow token models enable fundamentally new types of business models that could power the next wave of internet companies