Contrasting Web3 Policies , Hong Kong's Virtual Asset Focus and Beijing's Internet 3.0 Emphasis

Starting from June 1st, the guidelines for virtual asset trading platform operators and the anti-money laundering guidelines (referred to as the “Guidelines”) issued by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) have officially come into effect. The SFC has begun accepting applications for licenses from virtual asset trading platform operators and allows retail investors to use licensed virtual asset trading platforms. ...

June 6, 2023 · 4 min · Nick Yam

What is Web3 Privacy? How is its Current Development?

Generally speaking, internet privacy primarily concerns the invisibility of users’ data information, such as their identities, behaviors, and activities. In the era of the internet, all our information and actions are presented in a digital form. However, once any system storing digital information is connected to the network, it becomes a potential target for hackers. This is especially critical when it comes to sensitive information related to finance and personal health. The privacy and security of data become even more important. ...

June 6, 2023 · 4 min · Nick Yam

Musk has arrived

Musk has arrived. Not only has he arrived, but he has arrived with great fanfare. And it’s not just the arrival that’s making headlines; he’s also being received with high-profile receptions. Which Musk are we talking about? The one who produces Tesla cars, launches Starlink satellites into orbit, vows to send people to Mars with rockets, acquires Twitter and lays off 70% of its staff, and makes extravagant statements about Dogecoin while later calling it a scam on television. ...

June 2, 2023 · 3 min · Nick Yam

On the Self-Limitation of Ethereum

Recently, the similarities and differences between Bitcoin and Ethereum regarding the issue of price self-limitation have also been discussed. Some further thoughts and analysis are recorded below for readers’ discussion and criticism. The issue of self-limitation is actually somewhat subtle. Ethereum also draws on Bitcoin’s method of dynamically adjusting transaction fees (miner fees) in its calculations. For Bitcoin, the miner fee = vBytes (transaction size in bytes) * fee/vBytes (fee rate denominated in BTC); for Ethereum, the gas fee = gas (amount of computational resources consumed by instructions) * gas price (denominated in ETH). Therefore, on the surface, there doesn’t seem to be a problem with whether the fee rate or gas price is denominated in BTC, ETH, or USD. From the perspective of supply and demand economics, if the pricing currency relative to fiat currency is such that the expected fee income for miners (converted to fiat currency value) is just their cost (denominated in fiat currency) plus a reasonable profit, they can lower the fee rate (fee/vBytes or gas price) to maintain stability of the product of vBytes * fee/vBytes or gas * gas price relative to fiat currency. ...

May 30, 2023 · 4 min · Nick Yam

The Essence of the Internet is Marketing, and Web3 is Essentially Financial Marketing

There are often stories that people love to tell: Two classmates, A and B, graduated together. A joined a strict and regulated software company, while B joined an unknown internet company. Several years later, A honed their skills in standardized coding and project management, while B’s company successfully went public, resulting in a skyrocketing value of their stock options and granting them financial freedom. ...

May 28, 2023 · 3 min · Nick Yam

< On-Chain Voting > A Documentation of Social Contracts

The discussion in this article is not about using blockchain as a voting technology to fulfill certain voting requirements in the external world, such as conducting elections for a state governor in the United States on the blockchain or creating prediction markets where people can vote on whether the US will default on its debt or reach an agreement at the last moment to avoid default. These examples merely utilize blockchain to facilitate voting on external matters. The focus of this article is on the issue of decentralized organizations conducting on-chain voting themselves, which may involve a blockchain-based DAO voting on governance proposals or even governing the blockchain itself. ...

May 27, 2023 · 4 min · Nick Yam

Liu Cixin on ChatGPT - Human Ineptitude as Humanity's Final Barrier

In his speech titled “Sustainable Futures in Science Fiction Literature” at the United Nations Chinese Language Day, Liu Cixin offered a unique perspective on the future of humanity through the lens of science fiction. ...

May 27, 2023 · 6 min · Nick Yam

The Concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI)

With the rise of ChatGPT and OpenAI, another cryptocurrency-related project founded by Sam Altman called Worldcoin has also caught people’s attention. What does Worldcoin aim to do? It aims to use blockchain technology to implement Universal Basic Income (UBI), which means unconditionally giving free money to everyone, enough to cover their basic living expenses. This way, the problem of poverty can be solved in one fell swoop. People will no longer worry about their basic needs and can dedicate their time to more meaningful work. ...

May 25, 2023 · 4 min · Nick Yam

U.S. Debt on the Verge of Default

Bitcoin rebounded above $27,000 overnight. Children’s Day is approaching, but it seems like a difficult time for U.S. President Biden. He had to hastily pack his bags and return to the United States without attending the scheduled events of the G7 summit. Why? The backyard is about to catch fire. This fire is the U.S. debt default. ...

May 23, 2023 · 4 min · Nick Yam

A Lucrative Business Opportunity of Stablecoins

Earlier this month, Tether, the leading stablecoin issuer by market capitalization, released its first-quarter reserve and profit data. It’s not just impressive; it’s exceptionally impressive. Let’s take a look at a few highlights: ...

May 19, 2023 · 3 min · Nick Yam