Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

By Epicenter Media Ltd.Business Investing

Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies episodes

August 01, 2016 EB142 – Claire Warren & Scott Farrell: DnA Contracts - Bringing Human Discretion To Smart Contracts
Support the show, consider donating: 17uszypdbeFaLgvmJAg23pLJYYhb5Wbp5z (http://bit.ly/2ar52EB)
Blockchain smart contracts are self-executing contracts composed of computer code. These programs, which are executed by the entirety of the network, enforce the rules described within the code. Effectively, in this realm, code is law. And as we've seen recently, altering the outcome of that code after it has been deloyed, should we later realize that it was flawed or did not produce an intended result, can be messy. In addition, there are instances where human intervention can be necessary or even desirable. Take a mortgage agreement for example. Should a smart contract be entrusted with the responsibility of making a decision when the borrower can no longer make his payments? In cases such as this, subjective human intervention is be necessary.
Scot Farrell and Claire Warren, lawyers at the global law firm King & Wood Mallesons, think that humans should not be automated out of every process. While code is logical and predictable, it cannot act reasonably or take into account certain unforeseen events. They have proposed DnA contracts (Digital and Analog), where automation can occur when absolute automation is possible, but where humans may intervene at the edges and provide input when needed.
Topics we discuss in this episode:
- What issues DnA contracts are trying to address
- The basic concepts behind DnA contrats
- The scenarios where DnA contracts may be valuable
- Examples of DnA contracts applied to interest rate swaps and mortgages
- How DnA contracts could be integrated with blockchain technologies
- The impact of DnA contracts on legal services
Links mentioned in this episode:
- How to use humans to make “smart contracts” truly smart: http://www.kwm.com/en/knowledge/insights/smart-contracts-open-source-model-dna-digital-analogue-human-20160630
- DnA Contracts proposal on GitHub: https://github.com/KingandWoodMallesonsAU/Project-DnA
Sponsors:
- Jaxx: Wallets that Unify the Blockchain Experience Across Devices http://jaxx.io
- Hide.me: Protect your privacy and personal data with a free VPN account at Hide.me/epicenter
Show notes: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/podcast/142
YouTube: http://youtu.be/LJlHFKiCJwU
Epicenter Bitcoin is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain, Sébastien Couture & Meher Roy.
- Visit our website: http://epicenterbitcoin.com
- Subscribe to our newsletter: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/newsletter
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/epicenterbtc
1 hr 16 min
August 01, 2016 #142 Claire Warren & Scott Farrell: DnA Contracts – Bringing Human Discretion to Smart Contracts
Blockchain smart contracts are self-executing contracts composed of computer code. These programs, which are executed by the entirety of the network, enforce the rules described within the code. Effectively, in this realm, code is law. And as we’ve seen recently, altering the outcome of that code after it has been deloyed, should we later realize … Continued
1 hr 15 min
July 25, 2016Ralph Merkle: Revolutionizing Democracy Using DAOs
Legendary scientist and cryptography pioneer Ralph Merkle joined us to discuss his recent paper on DAOs. Merkle examined how the voting mechanisms in today’s democracies are flawed and how a decentralized, transparent DAO making decisions using prediction markets could create more efficient democratic systems.
Topics covered in this episode:
Merkle proofs, Merkle Roots and his early forays into cryptography
Blockchains as living organisms
Why DAOs will be subject to a Darwinian evolutionary process
Why voting is flawed and we need new governance methods to save democracy
The concept of a DAO democracy
How prediction markets and futarchy would help govern a DAO democracy
Episode links:
Ralph Merkle DAO Democracy Paper [PDF]
Ralph Merkle's Homepage
Ralph Merkle's Wikipedia page
EB98 - Robin Hanson: Futarchy, Prediction Markets
Tim Urban: Why Cryonics Makes Sense
Alcor - Life Extension Foundation
This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain and Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/141
1 hr 18 min
July 25, 2016 EB141 – Ralph Merkle: Revolutionizing Democracy Using DAOs
Support the show, consider donating: 1JiYLskKV4JcS4RuXQqJwC7LCmwmvuXoen (http://bit.ly/2amTtOL)
Legendary scientist and cryptography pioneer Ralph Merkle joined us to discuss his recent paper on DAOs. Merkle examined how the voting mechanisms in today's democracies are flawed and how a decentralized, transparent DAO making decisions using prediction markets could create more efficient democratic systems.
Topics covered included:
- Merkle proofs, Merkle Roots and his early forays into cryptography
- Blockchains as living organisms
- Why DAOs will be subject to a Darwinian evolutionary process
- Why voting is flawed and we need new governance methods to save democracy
- The concept of a DAO democracy
- How prediction markets and futarchy would help govern a DAO democracy
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Ralph Merkle DAO Democracy Paper [PDF] http://bit.ly/29XR7RG
- Ralph Merkle's Homepage http://bit.ly/2anLaPA
- Ralph Merkle's Wikipedia page http://bit.ly/2am6xE6
- EB98 - Robin Hanson: Futarchy, Prediction Markets http://bit.ly/2aE3djy
- Tim Urban: Why Cryonics Makes Sense http://bit.ly/2akC6MV
- Alcor - Life Extension Foundation http://bit.ly/2a9P7IM
Sponsors:
- Hide.me: Protect your privacy and personal data with a free VPN account at Hide.me/epicenter
- Ledger Nano: Smart card security for your Bitcoins - Get 10% off your first order when you use the code EPICENTER at http://ledgerwallet.com
Show notes: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/podcast/141
YouTube: http://youtu.be/dvzpvXLbpv4
Epicenter Bitcoin is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain, Sébastien Couture & Meher Roy.
- Visit our website: http://epicenterbitcoin.com
- Subscribe to our newsletter: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/newsletter
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/epicenterbtc
1 hr 18 min
July 25, 2016 #141 Ralph Merkle: Revolutionizing Democracy Using DAOs
Legendary scientist and cryptography pioneer Ralph Merkle joined us to discuss his recent paper on DAOs. Merkle examined how the voting mechanisms in today’s democracies are flawed and how a decentralized, transparent DAO making decisions using prediction markets could create more efficient democratic systems.
1 hr 17 min
July 19, 2016Manfred Karrer: Bitsquare – The Decentralized Open-Soure Cryptocurrency-Fiat Exchange
Exchanges are often criticized as a central point of failure of the cryptocurrency space. This isn’t without justification as, in recent years, we have seen a number of exchanges get hacked, robbed, or embezzled by their founders, which is far from insignificant. One proposed alternative are decentralized exchanges that would allow people make peer-to-peer trades using sophisticated smart contracts. However, there remains the fundamental challenge of interfacing with the legacy banking system.
Manfred Karrer joins us for a lengthy discussion on Bitsquare, a decentralized cryptocyrrency exchange which supports most fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. Built to be a decentralized equivalent of LocalBitcoins, the Bitsquare client, which connects to the peer-to-peer network, uses Tor by default, which makes it almost completely anonymous. There are also a number of safeguards in place to eliminate the potential for fraud and theft, as well as an arbitration system to resolve disputes between traders.
Topics covered in this episode:
The motivation behind Bitsquare
The Bitsquare client and user experience
A walkthrough of a typical trade
The mechanics of the order book
The fiat currency transfer mechanism
The current and future arbitration process
Manfred’s thoughts on DAOs
Bitsquare’s product roadmap
Episode links:
Bitsquare Website
Bitsquare Whitepaper
Risk Analysis
Arbitration System
Github Repo
This episode is hosted by Meher Roy and Sébastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/140
1 hr 5 min
July 19, 2016 #140 Manfred Karrer: Bitsquare – The Decentralized Open-Soure Cryptocurrency-Fiat Exchange
Exchanges are often criticized as a central point of failure of the cryptocurrency space. This isn’t without justification as, in recent years, we have seen a number of exchanges get hacked, robbed, or embezzled by their founders, which is far from insignificant. One proposed alternative are decentralized exchanges that would allow people make peer-to-peer trades … Continued
1 hr 4 min
July 18, 2016 EB140 – Manfred Karrer: Bitsquare - The Decentralized Open-Soure Cryptocurrency-Fiat Exchange
Support the show, consider donating: 1EaybNRvKodkF5Xu8FiGXrnLXK1DzUdT5x (http://bit.ly/2a3WsID)
Exchanges are often criticized as a central point of failure of the cryptocurrency space. This isn't without justification as, in recent years, we have seen a number of exchanges get hacked, robbed, or embezzled by their founders, which is far from insignificant. One proposed alternative are decentralized exchanges that would allow people make peer-to-peer trades using sophisticated smart contracts. However, there remains the fundamental challenge of interfacing with the legacy banking system.
Manfred Karrer joins us for a lengthy discussion on Bitsquare, a decentralized cryptocyrrency exchange which supports most fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. Built to be a decentralized equivalent of LocalBitcoins, the Bitsquare client, which connects to the peer-to-peer network, uses Tor by default, which makes it almost completely anonymous. There are also a number of safeguards in place to eliminate the potential for fraud and theft, as well as an arbitration system to resolve disputes between traders.
Topics discussed in this episode include:
- The motivation behind Bitsquare
- The Bitsquare client and user experience
- A walkthrough of a typical trade
- The mechanics of the order book
- The fiat currency transfer mechanism
- The current and future arbitration process
- Manfred's thoughts on DAOs
- Bitsquare's product roadmap
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Bitsquare Website: http://bitsquare.io
- Bitsquare Whitepaper: https://bitsquare.io/bitsquare.pdf
- Risk Analysis: http://bitsquare.io/risk_analysis.pdf
- Arbitration System: http://bitsquare.io/arbitration_system.pdf
- Github Repo: https://github.com/bitsquare/bitsquare
Sponsors:
- Jaxx: Wallets that Unify the Blockchain Experience Across Devices http://jaxx.io
Show notes: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/podcast/140
YouTube: http://youtu.be/4GeP7FGc3rE
Epicenter Bitcoin is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain, Sébastien Couture & Meher Roy.
- Visit our website: http://epicenterbitcoin.com
- Subscribe to our newsletter: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/newsletter
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/epicenterbtc
1 hr 5 min
July 12, 2016 EB139 – Martin Köppelmann: Gnosis - The Ethereum Prediction Market
Support the show, consider donating: 1619zri1pbn8G2M6Arqz85qgto5FbPMjw7 (http://bit.ly/29u7LIF)
Few things arouse excitment among free market believers and enthusiasts of decentralization as prediction markets do. By allowing people to bet on any range of outcomes they promise more efficient markets and better information. Few people have worked with as much dedication on making the promise of prediction markets a reality as Martin Köppelmann.
After founding the Bitcoin prediction market Fairlay, he turned to Ethereum and started the Ethereum-based prediction market Gnosis. We discussed his views on the DAO heist, differences between Fairlay and Gnosis and their upcoming tokensale.
Topics covered included:
- How the DAO heist happened and what we should learn from it
- The Bitcoin prediction market Fairlay
- From Fairlay to Gnosis: Building a prediction market on Ethereum
- The Gnosis architecture
- Gnosis' planned crowdsale and DAO
- Gnosis business model and what will determine the value of the tokens
- The difference between Gnosis and Augur
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Gnosis Website http://bit.ly/29LKrrh
- Gnosis Forum http://bit.ly/29JsDOR
- Fairlay http://bit.ly/29LKwLB
- 7 Reasons to Make a Prediction http://bit.ly/29F25hm
- The Big TheDAO Heist FAQ - Part 1 http://bit.ly/29SMmNl
- The Big TheDAO Heist FAQ - Part 2 http://bit.ly/29u5rRP
- EB98 - Robin Hanson: Futarchy and Prediction Markets episode http://bit.ly/29JtvmA
Sponsors:
- Jaxx: Wallets that Unify the Blockchain Experience Across Devices http://jaxx.io
- Ledger Nano: Smart card security for your Bitcoins - Get 10% off your first order when you use the code EPICENTER at http://ledgerwallet.com
Show notes: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/podcast/139
YouTube: http://youtu.be/AKcd9YUeFD0
Epicenter Bitcoin is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain, Sébastien Couture & Meher Roy.
- Visit our website: http://epicenterbitcoin.com
- Subscribe to our newsletter: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/newsletter
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/epicenterbtc
1 hr 11 min
July 11, 2016Martin Köppelmann: Gnosis – The Ethereum Prediction Market
Few things arouse among free market believers and enthusiasts of decentralization as prediction markets do. By allowing people to bet on any range of outcomes they promise more efficient markets and better information. Few people have worked with as much dedication on making the promise of prediction markets a reality as Martin Köppelmann.
After founding the Bitcoin prediction market Fairlay, he turned to Ethereum and started the Ethereum-based prediction market Gnosis. We discussed his views on the DAO heist, differences between Fairlay and Gnosis and their upcoming tokensale.
Topics covered in this episode:
How the DAO heist happened and what we should learn from it
The Bitcoin prediction market Fairlay
From Fairlay to Gnosis: Building a prediction market on Ethereum
The Gnosis architecture
Gnosis’ planned crowdsale and DAO
Gnosis business model and what will determine the value of the tokens
The difference between Gnosis and Augur
Episode links:
Gnosis Website
Gnosis Forum
Fairlay
7 Reasons to Make a Prediction
The Big TheDAO Heist FAQ - Part 1
The Big TheDAO Heist FAQ - Part 2
EB98 - Robin Hanson: Futarchy and Prediction Markets episode
This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain and Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/139
1 hr 11 min

About Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

From the publisher's feed

Epicenter brings you in-depth conversations about the technical, economic and social implications of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies. Every week, we interview business leaders, engineers academics and entrepreneurs, and bring you a diverse spectrum of opinions and points of view.