We were sold on the promise of a greener, cleaner, sustainable blockchain utopia, courtesy of Ethereum’s much-heralded migration to Proof-of-Stake (PoS). The narrative was compelling: slashing energy consumption by over 99%, finally silencing the environmental critics. I’m here to tell you that’s a lie, a cleverly orchestrated marketing scheme hiding...
Everyone agrees that J.R. Dunn Jewelers’ venture into blockchain-verified diamonds is a very good thing. Ethically sourced gemstones, verifiable chain of custody – this is all fantastic news. As a Tokyo-based blockchain analyst, I can't help but see this initiative as a stark reminder of everything the broader cryptocurrency space...
The diamond ecosystem has traditionally marketed itself as the symbol of opulence, love, and foreverness. The path a diamond takes from the mine to dealer to the end consumer is equally hidden. This lack of clarity and standardization adds to the confusion around ethical sourcing and transparency. Blockchain technology is...
We've all heard the buzzwords: blockchain, Web3, decentralization. But beyond the hype and the technical jargon, does this technology actually mean anything for real people, especially in a continent as diverse and dynamic as Africa? Somnia, the new Layer 1 blockchain with an ultra-high performance promise, is the latest contender...
While technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, it has a negative impact. In the blockchain world, that negative is enormous energy use. For years, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have sounded environmental warnings with good reason. The energy-intensive Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism has been most often featured in this narrative....
Launched in 2015, Ethereum has rapidly become one of the most significant innovations in the blockchain industry. It has surged up to be a serious contender against Bitcoin. Its native cryptocurrency, Ether, has rapidly ascended to become the world’s second most popular cryptocurrency. The platform stands out on the whole,...
Imagine this: A small village in sub-Saharan Africa desperately needs a new schoolhouse. The money is committed, the contracts are expected to be in place. Months wear on, the rainy season arrives, and work ceases to a halt. Why? This cumbersome, opaque system of promissory notes—the foundation for most of...