BlockChannel

BlockChannel is an educational platform focused on the intersections of blockchain technology, crypto, and societal impacts, exploring decentralized finance (DeFi), Decentralized Web (DWeb) infrastructure, domain ownership through blockchain, blockchain technology's application in various fields, and insightful discussions with industry experts on technical, socio-economic, and cultural impacts.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Decentralized Web (DWeb) Blockchain Technology Applications Domain Ownership and Management Crypto Market Dynamics Interoperability in Blockchain Blockchain in E-commerce Decentralized Governance Crypto Investing Blockchain for Social and Economic Interaction

The hottest Substack posts of BlockChannel

And their main takeaways

Episode 80: Giving a Hand to the Future, with HandyOSS

39 implied HN points • 03 Apr 22
  1. HandyOSS is an all-in-one suite for building on a cohesive DWeb enable stack.
  2. Alex Smith discusses the motivations behind HandyHost and the abstractions necessary to bridge crypto to the future.
  3. Future plans involve hybridizing the decentralized web with permaculture and food sustainability.

Guide: Setting Up a HNS-Bridge DNS Resolver & HNSD Light Client

39 implied HN points • 24 Jan 22
  1. Setting up a HNS-Bridge DNS resolver and HNSD light client allows your bridge to be accessible on the HNS Blockchain from any device.
  2. To complete your own DNS resolver, you need to set up HNSD and use the HNS-Bridge created by Angrymouse on Github.
  3. After setting up HNS-bridge by installing dependencies, buying a traditional domain, and configuring it, remember to open port 80 on your router for the bridge to work.

Towards A New Internet

39 implied HN points • 24 Jan 22
  1. Decentralized finance is evolving beyond speculation tools and facing new challenges.
  2. The concept of a Decentralized Web (DWeb) offers a more secure, resilient, and open alternative to the current internet infrastructure.
  3. Transitioning towards a decentralized web stack involves uncensoring content, regulatory pressures, and a shift towards sustainable and non-financial applications.

DexGrid, Microgrids & the Metaverse

39 implied HN points • 19 Jan 22
  1. The growth of blockchain technology is important for everyone to understand as it disrupts traditional systems.
  2. Opportunities are emerging in the blockchain space, improving social and economic interactions for humans.
  3. Ethereum is central to the development of the metaverse, enabling diverse digital ecosystems and economic opportunities.
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Stop Renting: Buy Top-Level Domains with Bob Wallet

58 implied HN points • 25 Mar 21
  1. Bob Wallet allows you to buy top-level domains securely.
  2. Handshake protocol enables ownership of top-level domain assets.
  3. Using Bob, you can bid on auctions to acquire and manage top-level domains.

The Interoperability Trilemma

39 implied HN points • 03 Oct 21
  1. Interoperability in the Ethereum ecosystem is challenging due to the variety of chains and L2 solutions available.
  2. Trustlessness, extensibility, and generalizability form an interoperability trilemma, where protocols can only have two out of the three properties.
  3. Locally verified protocols, like NXTP, aim to balance security with usability in the Ethereum interoperability landscape.

Thoughts On Handshake Top-Level Domain Market Dynamics

39 implied HN points • 03 Jun 21
  1. The Handshake TLD market involves primary and secondary components.
  2. Participants in the Handshake market typically aim to buy low and sell high.
  3. A strategic bidding approach in the Handshake market involves balancing priorities such as high total lockup, counterbids, and pace.

Quickly Deploying dWebsites with Handshake & Fleek

39 implied HN points • 09 Apr 21
  1. Fleek makes it easy to deploy censorship-resistant websites on the decentralized web.
  2. To create your website with Fleek, connect your Github account, select your repository, choose a hosting provider, and configure build options.
  3. Setting your Handshake domain involves adding your domain, configuring it to point to your Fleek site, and verifying the DNS records.

From Walled Gardens to Community Gardens

19 implied HN points • 31 Dec 21
  1. Regeneration over extraction is a choice in the crypto ecosystem, leading to sustainability and security for many.
  2. Adopting regenerative practices based on cooperation and collective governance can create shared benefits and flourishing.
  3. Decentralized technology should aim for distributing power broadly and creating regenerative feedback loops for non-extractive value generation.

Handshake Distribution Quadrants

39 implied HN points • 05 Dec 20
  1. Handshake distributed coins to open source developers as a way to empower them and involve them in the community.
  2. Legacy DNS stakeholders received HNS to build a diverse community of namespace advocates.
  3. Names for popular internet resource providers were reserved to prevent misuse, with the opportunity to claim them on HNS.

Podcasts: Democracy Through Ethical Technology & Communication

19 implied HN points • 14 Oct 21
  1. BlockChannel podcast discusses democracy through ethical technology & communication
  2. Featuring policy and ethics researchers Matthew Prewitt and Divya Siddarth
  3. They work on implementing democracy-expanding technologies with a focus on crypto

LINDA Launches HNSSearch V2

19 implied HN points • 01 Oct 21
  1. HNSSearch V2 is the first indexer for the DWeb.
  2. The new site is a complete overhaul from the previous version.
  3. Hosting for the search engine is decentralized.

Trading Handshake Names with Bob Wallet & Shakedex

19 implied HN points • 09 Apr 21
  1. Upgrade Bob Wallet to version 0.7.0 for Shakedex integration
  2. Trade Handshake names without using Namebase through Bob Wallet & Shakedex
  3. Follow simple steps to buy, sell, and auction names using Shakedex through Bob Wallet

Sexy Second-Level Domains for Your Substack with Handshake

19 implied HN points • 25 Mar 21
  1. Protect your newsletter by securing a second-level domain with Handshake.
  2. Use Namebase to acquire a Handshake name and set up redirects for your Substack.
  3. Confirm your redirect setup and visit your custom Handshake domain to see it in action.

Episode 78: Learning to Swim in the Lightning Pool

19 implied HN points • 10 Dec 20
  1. The Lightning Labs team scaled bitcoin payments and released Lightning Pool, a decentralized money market for Bitcoin.
  2. The Lightning Pool combines various technologies to make Lightning more user-friendly and mainstream.
  3. Olaoluwa Osuntokun explains in detail how the Lightning Pool works on BlockChannel, so watch the episode for insights.

Episode 76: DeFi Know How, with Kevin Zhou

19 implied HN points • 07 Nov 20
  1. Episode 76 of BlockChannel features Kevin Zhou discussing DeFi
  2. Kevin Zhou shares insights on DeFi wins and market strategies
  3. Always do your own due diligence before investing in cryptocurrencies

Configuring Handshake Top-level Domains for GitHub Pages

19 implied HN points • 14 Aug 20
  1. Handshake is a decentralized DNS system using smart contracts instead of people.
  2. GitHub Pages lets you turn repositories into websites for personal or project use.
  3. To configure a Handshake domain for GitHub Pages, set up a GitHub Pages site, update URL settings, and configure your Handshake top-level domain.

On Foundation Markets

19 implied HN points • 14 Aug 20
  1. Foundation Markets is a new kind of Automated Market Maker for e-commerce, focusing on creating liquidity for limited-edition goods like clothing and art.
  2. Creators on Foundation can set price curves for their collections to monetize hype and receive a cut from every resale, allowing them to benefit from speculative trading.
  3. Tertiary markets enabled by programmable markets in a composable ecosystem can introduce new income streams for creators through derivatives, indices, and liquidity mining.

The Decentralized Web

19 implied HN points • 14 Aug 20
  1. Developers are exploring decentralized governance and finance.
  2. The Decentralized Web is evolving with new protocols and projects.
  3. Challenges like funding and infrastructure must be addressed for DWeb advancement.

Episode 58: Saving All the Chains, with Chainsafe

0 implied HN points • 16 Jul 19
  1. Chainsafe aims to make it easier to build and deploy DApps on various blockchains.
  2. Chainsafe is a chain-agnostic developer tooling house that focuses on building robust tools.
  3. Chainsafe's goal is to lower the barrier to entry for new developers in the crypto space.

Episode 59: Insights on Crypto Investing, with Ari Paul

0 implied HN points • 05 Aug 19
  1. Episode features insights on crypto investing with Ari Paul
  2. Ari Paul is a traditional finance nerd turned crypto expert
  3. Always do your own research before investing in crypto projects

HandyMiner GUI and CLI Updates

0 implied HN points • 24 Sep 20
  1. HandyMiner now supports the Goldshell HS1-PLUS with improved features like more hash workers and better power supply for efficient mining.
  2. HandyMiner GUI and CLI updates include support for the new Goldshell model, ability to mix and match on rigs, and stability tweaks across operating systems.
  3. HandyMiner software simplifies mining processes by offering a user-friendly interface for setup and operation, contributing to decentralization of hash distribution in the network.

Episode 47: Make You Say My Name, with Namebase

0 implied HN points • 26 Aug 18
  1. BlockChannel podcast episode discussing Namebase, a naming service on the Handshake (HNS) blockchain
  2. Namebase leverages decentralized root DNS provided by HNS for unique naming based on blockchain
  3. Namebase aims to be a first-mover with the launch of Handshake

Episode 48: Crypto 2020, with Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang

0 implied HN points • 29 Aug 18
  1. The episode features an interview with Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang discussing his platform.
  2. Andrew Yang talks about his idea of Universal Basic Income (UBI) and its alignment with crypto.
  3. The episode is described as patriotic and encourages listeners to engage.

Episode 46: Believe In Your Dreams, with Trust Wallet

0 implied HN points • 22 Aug 18
  1. Episode 46 featured Viktor Radchenko of Trust Wallet discussing his decentralized dApp browser vision.
  2. Trust Wallet was acquired by Binance, enhancing its potential with Binance's resources.
  3. Always do your own research before investing in crypto projects.

The Crypto Governance Manifesto

0 implied HN points • 09 Aug 18
  1. Governance in the crypto space is a hot topic, especially in determining who should guide protocol improvement decisions.
  2. A sustainable decentralized software ecosystem requires different entities like maintainers, developers, and capital allocators to work together.
  3. Avoiding mining cartels and embracing flexible governance structures are essential to preserving the decentralized nature of blockchain-based systems.

State Channels for Babies, Part 2

0 implied HN points • 03 Aug 18
  1. This post discusses state channel architecture and the differences between payment channels and state channels.
  2. The content builds upon previous chapters, so it is recommended to read the earlier posts.
  3. State channel research and the workings of channels being opened are highlighted in this installment.

State Channels for Babies Pt. 1

0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 18
  1. State channels can help make blockchains more practical for everyone by assisting with scalability.
  2. Developers are working hard on scaling solutions essential for mainstream blockchain adoption.
  3. Understanding terms like Sharding, Plasma, State Channels, and Sidechains is crucial in the blockchain technology space.

Episode 61: Inside the Mind of a Thot Leader, with Dean Eigenmann

0 implied HN points • 15 Aug 19
  1. Dean Eigenmann is working on building an improved messaging protocol for Status and a Swift implementation of the ETH 2.0 Beacon chain.
  2. This episode dives deep to understand the mind of a real thot leader.
  3. The podcast includes various ways to listen, like Overcast, Spotify, iTunes, etc.

The Case for Handshake

0 implied HN points • 05 Sep 18
  1. Handshake aims to decentralize domain names by using blockchain technology.
  2. Handshake makes the internet more secure by eliminating vulnerabilities in the current DNS system.
  3. Handshake introduces a unique cryptoeconomic experiment by giving stakeholders a meaningful stake in the ecosystem.

A Brief Study of Cryptonetwork Forks

0 implied HN points • 25 Sep 18
  1. Child networks resulting from chain forks are often in disuse and lose value relative to parent networks.
  2. Despite lower usage metrics, child networks trade at higher user and transaction value multiples than parent networks.
  3. Miners behave like economic mercenaries, loyal only to profit, when choosing which chain to mine after a fork.

Episode 63: Layer 2 Privacy and ZCash, with Ayo Akinyele

0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 19
  1. Ayo Akinyele discusses pioneering layer 2 technology for greater privacy in multiple public chains.
  2. He envisions an interoperable future with a privacy-first mindset.
  3. The episode explores his background, the evolution of layer 2 tech, and building a sustainable business outside academia.

Episode 74: How to Not DeFi the Law, with Alexander Lindgren

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 20
  1. The episode discusses legal disclaimers and warnings about DeFi.
  2. Common cases and misconceptions regarding the legality of custody are covered.
  3. Advice is given on avoiding red flags when building projects around composability and asset risk.

How to Save Your Ethereum DApp Users’ From Paying Gas for Transactions

0 implied HN points • 18 Apr 18
  1. Users can be saved from paying gas fees by having DApp owners cover the costs instead.
  2. Understanding public key cryptography and digital signatures is key to implementing the solution.
  3. Implementing the process involves users signing messages, owners paying gas fees, and smart contracts verifying votes.

Episode 52: Playing the Name Game, with Urkel.io

0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 18
  1. The episode features an interview with Sean Kilgarriff, the CEO of Urkel.io
  2. Urkel.io is working on essential tooling for the Handshake public blockchain launch
  3. The team aims to provide value to the HNS community with services like block explorer, API services, and more

Episode 67: Inside the Mind of a Crypto Journalist, with Leigh Cuen

0 implied HN points • 06 Dec 19
  1. The episode discusses the perspective and challenges of a crypto journalist.
  2. The guest, Leigh Cuen from Coindesk, shares insights on providing objective truth in reporting.
  3. Listeners are encouraged to frame their perspective when engaging with crypto media.

Episode 54: In Good Hands, with Hans Schoenburg

0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 19
  1. The episode features an interview with Hans Schoenburg from the original Handshake team.
  2. Hans manages the Handshake faucet for distributing HNS coins to open source developers.
  3. The conversation discusses challenges faced by Handshake, lessons learned, and the future vision for the project.