Messariâs Unqualified Opinions
The weekend is upon us, Crypto Springs is in the rear view (check out KWuâs podcast with highlights), and Cory is still working overtime this Friday afternoon on nonsense after a discussion I sparked with some journalists re Rippleâs ripples.
In other words, weâre keeping things light today and teeing up our weekend reads.
đ Le Messari weekend reads:
âBlockchainâ is a semantic wasteland - Nic Carter
Why everyone missed the most mind-blowing feature of cryptocurrency - Daniel Jeffries
The myth of the infrastructure phase - Union Square Ventures
So just what are the benefits of âcryptoâ anyway? - Simon Taylor
Bitcoinâs distribution was fair - Dan Held
The Riemann Hypothesis, explained - Jørgen Veisdal
Past editions of Messariâs Unqualified Opinion: TBIs crypto tax guide, Messariâs community update, and a look at decentralized exchanges in DEX appeal.
And the week aheadâŚ
Two weeks in! We have been working to integrate the feedback weâve received from you so far on this new newsletter, so please keep the critiques coming. If thereâs anything we should do better or any topic you want covered, let us know.
Weâve enjoyed getting this started. More good times ahead.
Have a good weekend, yâall.
- TBI & the Messari Team
P.S. Smash those share and subscribe buttons, and spread the love. Tweet at Messari for feedback, comments, or (more?) questions.
News & Analyses
Messari Compression Algorithm
Content and thoughts from around the web as summarized by the Messari team.
đ [Analysis] Observations on crypto dev experience â Dani Grant
Crypto wallets still leave a lot to be desired for most crypto users. The amount of time it takes to process on-chain transactions frustrates people, and some dApps like IPFS even require a user to run a local node. Itâs not easy to find an API where a developer can exchange one token for another, because those APIs could trip money transmitter regulations require upfront regulatory work to operate in all 50 states! Like any new technology, there are weird quirks in Solidity and the Web3 API that cause things to break under edge cases. Moreover, the permanence of smart contracts makes crypto development a unique beast that requires new mental models. (Messari | Source)
Quick Bits (Don't read that, I read it for you)
Choke Points (Exchange News)
âď¸ Gemini Trust announced that it has secured insurance coverage for the digital assets customers hold in its wallet. (Messari | Source)
đ°Brokerage firm TD Ameritrade is investing in a new cryptocurrency exchange built by Chicago-based derivatives market Eris Exchange LLC. The ErisX platform will let investors trade bitcoin, ether, bitcoin cash, and litecoin, as well as futures contracts for cryptocurrencies. (Messari | Source)
One of South Korea's biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, Bithumb, will open a new decentralized exchange. The protocol separates order matching and order execution, which improves security and matching efficiency. (Messari | Source)
Startup Signals (ICOs, Cryptos, and Startups)
âĄď¸Wallet provider Abra has launched a token that will track the Bitwise Bit10 index . (Messari | Source )
⡠Augur is rolling out version two of its platform. REP holders will need to migrate to a new smart contract if they want to upgrade, but version two will be backward-compatible with the current version. (Messari | Source)
đ Skale Labs raises $9.7 million in a funding round led by Multicoin Capital to launch a network that can accelerate the performance of blockchain applications. (Messari | Source)
The Powers That Be (Legal/Reg/Policy)
đ¨ SEC files multiple amendments relating to bitcoin ETFs. on Oct. 4. After denying nine bitcoin ETFs proposed by GraniteShares, Direxion, and Proshares in August, the SEC reversed its decision and is now reviewing proposed rules for the ETFs. A final decision is expected by Oct. 26. (Messari | Source)
đťđŞ Venezuela to start selling state-backed Petro in November after the Parliament passed a decree on the nationâs official oil-backed coin. Going forward, all the oil purchases into and out of Venezuela will have to be done through Petro. (Messari | Source)
đşđ¸ US lawmakers push for a definition for 'blockchain' in new congressional bill. If passed and signed into law, bill H.R. 6913, dubbed the Blockchain Promotion Act of 2018, would create a working group to study the technology and create a common definition for the purposes of government. (Messari | Source)
Did I miss something?
Send me the link, your twitter handle and your best imitation compression algorithm write up. If I like it, Iâll include your bit next issue (with attribution).
Community Updates
Podcast Recap
đ§ ICYMI, we also host & produce our own podcasts on Spotify, iTunes, and Google Play.
In our latest episode, Katherine was on the ground at Crypto Springs and interviewers a number of speakers and attendees about their experience at the much-talked about conference.
Listen on Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here, Soundcloud here, and Google play here. Happy learning!
Shameless Plugs
We want your feedback!
We know Messari can feel like a couple different products right now, and we're working to unify our features into one overarching whole. To the end, Weâve made a Trello board to take in any and all of the feedback you have for us! Have at it đ
We're Hiring:
We need data engineers who want to bring transparency to crypto!
Join a fast growing team in NYC; work with crypto OGs, and former Bloomberg/Palantir engineers; & access a network that sets you up for the rest of your career. Apply here!
Upcoming Travel:
Hit us up in these locations:
EthSF, San Francisco, October 5-8th.
Money 20/20, Las Vegas, October 21-24th.
DevCon, Prague, Czech Republic October 30âNovember 2, 2018.
Join Our Community:
If you are interested in helping us crowdsource token project details, or want to join our community to share your expertise, wed love to have you on board! Take a second to fill out an application and we will get back to you soon.
Going forward, weâll be capping new members at 15 each week to keep things running smoothly. If you havenât heard back, you are probably in the queue.
Like what you read? Share it! Hate what you read? Let me know @MessariCrypto.