Cryptocurrency: Six Seemingly Innocuous “New Conditions” You May Not Know About

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The following information was pulled from, of all places – where I’m sure they are not slanted or jaded – Wikipedia. It explains the basic conditions under which cryptocurrency operates according to Jan Lansky. It’s a good refresher and it’s worth perusing now and again, if only to disagree. Because, these are not necessarily the conditions, but slanted versions of them.

As you watch the entire process unfold, the banks begin to adopt the blockchain, bitcoin begin to falter, the soul of bitcoin is slowly and subtly being eroded by a new set of rules — conditions.

THE NEW CONDITIONS?

  1. “The system does not require a central authority.”

This is the cornerstone many will tell you. It’s non-hierarchical. Its architecture is distributed, networked and it achieves consensus in this manner.

A small, self-selected, but awfully nice group of people (in the case of bitcoin), with unclear motivations, edits the code and the end user can accept the changes or not. In the case of other cryptocurrencies, like Ripple – if you can accept that it is a cryptocurrency – they also have a group of people editing code, but with clear intentions to provide a service.

Notice the use of the words “does not require.” Those are weasel words. Anyone will tell you it should be:

The system does not “have” a central authority. 

  1. “The system keeps an overview of cryptocurrency units and their ownership.”

Bitcoin ledgers record how much bitcoin you have and every user gets a copy of that.

Only you have access to a certain subset of ones and zeros. This is called ownership. And you also have copies of all the other ones and zeros and all the times they were sent back and forth. You can send your ones and zeros around the network, like money.

Okay, so some cryptocurrencies don’t require that you keep a copy of the entire ledger, but the system better have it. Then again, some systems are investigating “pruning” which simply means deleting older transactions or parts of them that are unnecessary to store.

And what’s an “overview?” The system keeps the exacting and specific record of units; and the ownership records — not a vague overview.

  1. “The system defines whether new cryptocurrency units can be created. If new cryptocurrency units can be created, the system defines the circumstances of their origin and how to determine the ownership of these new units.”

The cryptocurrency software can generate more ones and zeros. The method of generation can vary. Your access to certain ones and zeros is considered ownership.

But don’t forget, it’s intangible property of a sort.

  1. “Ownership of cryptocurrency units can be proved exclusively cryptographically.”

You and only you have access to a certain set of “coded” ones and zeros.

  1. “The system allows transactions to be performed in which ownership of the cryptographic units is changed. A transaction statement can only be issued by an entity proving the current ownership of these units.”

You can send your coded ones and zero around. They can then become owned by others. Others can send you verification they now “own” your ones and zeros.

  1. “If two different instructions for changing the ownership of the same cryptographic units are simultaneously entered, the system performs at most one of them.”

If someone else tries to steal your ones and zeros or maybe thinks they are his, it’s resolved via the system.

This seems to negate the idea of human action. If I can show evidence that a bad actor invalidated my ones and zeros, the system fails if it does not agree.

In the case of government controlled systems, it would mean they decide ownership and simultaneous entries would be a moot point.

You will note two additional things, reading Jan Lansky’s “conditions.” First, that they were apparently written with an eye to government regulation and acceptance. And secondly, there is little mention of monetary privacy.

Beware of “conditions” of this nature. Wikipedia is not the go-to guy. Nor is Jan Lansky. Do we trust Universities, bought and paid for by governments, to provide honest assessments?

Review of “The Crypto Weekly” and Jackson Palmer

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Dear Readers,

There’s no time like the present!

While we wait for the cryptocurrencies to make up their minds, you might want educate yourself. When these markets begin to move again, hopefully in an upward fashion, it would be a good thing if you have made up your mind about which altcoin you want to invest in or remain invested in or sell, before it tanks again.

In this vein, I recently found a reviewer who seems to give you the overall picture and who is also pretty in tune with cryptocurrencies. His name is Jackson Palmer. As always, don’t take anybody’s word for it, but do pick out the gems this guy is offering for free. I’ve rarely seen such in depth reviews with this kind of critical bent.

After just a few listens, I was shocked at the depth of the problems facing the crypto-world today and it amazes me that so many altcoins are still kicking at all. Certainly, it would behoove all of us to better understand the cryptocurrency process and that is why I offer Mr. Palmer for your perusal, if you are serious about learning and understanding and hopefully, beating the the street. Sure, the markets are driven by emotion and when fear strikes, crypto’s dive like hell. So, it would be a good idea to figure out which crypto’s have the most ‘fear potential.’

As you view his videos you can learn things like why Ethereum has serious problems, why IOTA also has issues, his take on Ripple and Stellar and so on. These are his opinions and thus far, the only concern I have is that one of his videos indicated the Jed McCaleb created the Ripple protocol. This is not exactly the case. Reading a bit of history on this matter you will find that McCaleb was certainly the main mover, but others actually put the package together. So it’s a bit of semantics. Jed certainly deserves most of the credit. At any rate, I forgive Palmer’s compressed history here.

At times, it appears a if Mr. Palmer is taking sides as well. Mentioning recently, for example, that Ripple just gave 29 million dollars worth of XRP’s to schools as a publicity stunt. Maybe it was more of a tax write-off. In any case, wondering why Ripple did not simply give cash seems to be off the mark. Why not give XRP’s? It makes far more business sense, that’s why. It seems that Mr. Palmer tends to miss those points. And sure, it does help advertising, but that’s not illegal and a lot of people like it when you support schools.

And a while back I had invested in IOTA. Near its launch, which is always a good time. After more than tripling my money I got nervous. I knuckled down again and conducted more research. I re-loaded their wallet software, tested it over and over. Read their material again. Watched their videos. All the while, IOTA was rocketing. Then their software started to have issues. They only had one exchange on board at the time. When I asked questions on their forums, I received rude responses from the developers. I sold my IOTA soon after and never bought it again. Since then, IOTA has barely risen to past highs. I even wrote about this experience previously, as a warning to others.

What is curious about Mr. Palmer’s recent review of IOTA it that he gives you an overall sense why it might tank. Like Bitcoin’s 51% attack problem, IOTA has a 33% attack vector. Pretty concerning. IOTA did not used “off the shelf” protocols but apparently created their own untested versions. According to Palmer, this is bad business and after being reviewed by MIT, IOTA had to patch their system.

At any rate, here is Jackson Palmer’s Youtube Channel. Enjoy.

Sincerely,

Jack Shorebird

 

 

 

 

 

The ESP-RV-Spot Price Report on Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple

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In keeping with the day of the year called April Fools, I have endeavored to employ a Clif High type of Strategy of what I call “ESP Markets of Excellence.” It’s superior to the Webbot technology.

Using my heretofore unknown Remote Viewing capacity, which apparently anyone can master, I will issue a series of predictions beginning now.

For information on Remote Viewing, please see Russell Targ and the CIA’s Stargate Files.

Experiment #1: Bitcoin

Remote writing tomorrow’s bitcoin price using a pen (black ink). One second to quiet mind.

RV1 - Copy

Result: Based on the above, I think bitcoin will either be $8,162, $7,162 or perhaps $2,162 — dollars – on April 2, 2018.

Experiment #2: Ethereum

Remote writing tomorrow’s Ethereum price using a pen (black ink). Two second allowance for mind quieting, but high-speed writing.

RV2 - Copy

Result: Based on the above graphic, on April 2, 2018, Ethereum will be valued at $406.04.

Experiment #3: Ripple

Remote writing tomorrow’s Ripple’s price using a pen (red ink). No time limit or mind quieting techniques, left handed, eyes closed. (I’m right handed.)

RV3 - Copy

Result: By April 2, 2018, Ripple will have the value of either $48.71. I would err two decimal places to the left: 48.71 cents each.

Please note: Remote Viewing is not an exact pseudoscience. Accuracy can be very high or non-existent. However, the Remote Viewing techniques used did not employ the use of mind altering chemicals.

No animals were harmed during these experiments.

 

Bitcoin’s Bottom and Windfall Profits?

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At least one organization is calling the bottom for bitcoin – for now. The implication here, is that bitcoin will surge to $20,000 per coin (or more).

Frank Holmes, contributor for Forbes, was the source for this. He cited material from Fundstrat research. Of course, Fundstrat was founded by Tom Lee, a former JP Morgan employee. But – according to the write up about Tom, he’s been very accurate with predictions.

Here’s a video of Tom a few months back. Suffice to say, he then saw the Bitcoin and Ethereum would be major players. He also sees a negative correlation with bitcoin and gold, but little to none with certain major market indicators. His idea that millennials might switch to or use bitcoin as a type of asset, is also interesting.

Of course, the above video was dated before the recent news that the Bitcoin blockchain was shown to have links to certain illegal websites – akin to someone writing a website address on a dollar. The dollar still spends, but nobody wants that garbage on their bitcoin. Too bad there’s no editing function for extraneous nonsense on the BTC blockchain. Sort of a bitcoin laundry.

Is bitcoin really eating 5% of Gold’s lunch as Tom implies? It’s certainly food for thought. For all the negatives about bitcoin of late, maybe it really is a fait accompli. The only thing left is time.

Tom also gave an example. If new automobile manufacturing plant opened in a rural area, it would take time for the infrastructure to build up around it. Same with bitcoin.

There was little mention of other cryptocurrencies, such as Ripple, but Tom felt that eventually, only few big players – bitcoin being one – would eventually rule the roost. This same type of sentiment is often echoed throughout the crypto-sphere. My rejoinder would be: how few? And what kind of blockchain or non-blockchain system? Alas, that crystal ball is not available.

Now, this Bitcoin prediction was made as it was dropping in price. Not when it was soaring. Personally, I saw a bottom on/about February 6, 2018. I posted that previously.

But let’s suppose for a moment that Bitcoin surged again. It headed north of $20,000. What could that mean for Ethereum and Ripple, for example?

In my opinion, Ethereum would surge to about $1,400. Ripple, $4.00.

Why do I say this? Because cryptocurrencies are generally positively correlated. When Bitcoin rises, nearly all other cryptocurrencies do the same.

But will Bitcoin now die because of it’s alleged connection with child pornography? This WIRED story doesn’t think so. On the other hand, the article does not leave one with a sense of hope. It does the opposite. It tells me that Bitcoin is doomed or at least stunted unless it can edit that content out in some fashion.

It’s the reasonable person standard. Would a reasonable person care that he/she just downloaded hundreds of child porn links with the blockchain? Answer: yes. I don’t care how you rationalize it away. You now have links to criminal websites, period.

“Wait a minute, didn’t you know Bitcoin had child porn links on its blockchain?”

“But officer, I don’t intend to use the links!”

“Explain that to the judge.”

“But everybody does it!” you yell.

This one problem, shows the underlying weakness with certain blockchain technologies. A few bad apples can spoil the barrel. It reminds me of cloned (grafted) fruit trees. One disease kills the entire grove — and beyond.

In the event, however unlikely, that Bitcoin collapses, would this then spell disaster for Ethereum? Much has been discussed about this since ETH can also be subject to unwanted information.

Will this backlash – Bitcoin Gate – spell doom for any ledger-based system — where anyone can edit content? And surge the values of the non-editable systems, like say Ripple – until, like I mentioned, bitcoin and bitcoin-like systems can be ‘cleansed?’

To layer this bad news, we need only look to China. Their National Bank is now going after cryptocurrencies, in earnest.

And can we really see valid cryptocurrency trends via Google any longer? After all, they, like many others companies, are essentially jettisoning Bitcoin and similar. Hence the uncensored search engines would have more accurate cryptocurrency trend indicators …eventually.

Bytecoin Blockchain: Updates and Promises for 2018

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AMA

On or about Tuesday March 13th, from 5:30PM – 7:00PM GMT +1, there was an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session for Bytecoin. It was hosted by “BCN_Official.”1. Jenny Goldberg is the pseudonym behind that title, but the person’s real name is unknown.

Ms. Goldberg invited me to participate via Disqus, but being the paranoid, I am, and discovering that the site is not secure, I begged off.

After the AMA, Ms. Goldberg again invited me to review the AMA.

So, I obliged. Why she did this, I have no idea. Perhaps it is because I try to give Bytecoin a fair shake. Let me repeat that. I try. Or it is simpler. Bytecoin wants any publicity – even negative. Or they will copy, edit and paste this elsewhere…

Assessment

At any rate, what follows is not a report. It’s not an investigation. It does bring some new information forward, but do not use it as the gospel. It’s an opinion. I defer to the experts for actual verification. Unfortunately, when even the experts are unable to resolve the issue, us bloggers take a different angle. We hammer.

Before we delve into what was learned, know two things.

First, that in today’s fiat money driven economies, to challenge the status quo can be hazardous to your wallet, freedom and in places like China, your life. To remain private is a human right.

I wish all the best to the honest cryptocurrency developers out there. They should be commended in their efforts to make our monetary lives better. And it’s not only about money.

Secondly, I don’t necessarily support Bytecoin and its renewed efforts reestablish itself as the primary privacy coin. Saying that, they, like Monero or any other altcoin, have the right to do it.

Many assertions have been made against Bytecoin, by Monero and even Aeon supporters. But it cuts both ways. The fact that Monero has many anonymous developers is well known. A few, Riccardo “fluffypony” Spagni and possibly, Francisco “ArticMine” Cabañas have come forward.2. People respect that. They know the personal risks involved.

Why have other developers of Monero not come forward? I suspect that the risks are too great. Perhaps they are well respected figures in governments, Universities, business or their nations have banned the use of private currency.

This is not the case with Bytecoin. All core team members remain hidden, except for “Bytecoin Faces,” which is rather new and does not show us the actual developers.3. Only the “community.” Is it the mask of legitimacy worn as a cloak of armor, by the “Team?” Lambs led to the slaughter?

Bytecoin often cites Satoshi Nakamoto as the reason they also remain behind the curtains. This is a false flag. Bitcoin is transparent – you do not need to know who invented it. Bytecoin, on the other hand, is obscured, secret, hidden. The only reason to remain in the shadows is to protect the process.

And yet, Riccardo Spagni of Monero has stepped forward. To me, that means, he is “expendable.” (Sorry Riccardo.) That XMR can carry on, without him. Why can’t a Bytecoin developer be so bold?

Could this entire thing be a show, however? Could all the CryptoNote/CryptoNight altcoins be from the same source? Conspiratorially thinking, sure. Logically? Why would they do that? To take the heat off one or two altcoins they want to succeed?

As many of you know, Bytecoin suffers from a long-term crisis of “believability.” For reasons debated on various websites, such as BitcoinTalk.org – which suffers from its own credibility crisis – many do not trust Bytecoin and those altcoins associated with it.

Bytecoin developers react, in what I would term, a “foreign manner.” Not because the “Teto Team” might be from Korea, Japan, Russia, India, Canada or even in my own back yard – near Orlando, Florida in the U.S., but that they tend to “react” negatively to criticism. They ban or delete negative responses. Monero (Riccardo Spagni) does not do this. He engages. Again, this earns anyone accolades.

There are limits to speech, however. If one threatens harm. If one lies, defames – one might have his comment deleted. But to ask questions only to be shunted aside or erased, is not the mark of a legitimate organization. It is the last resort of cowards.

This Bytecoin reaction is, of course, only human. After being criticized for years, by Monero developers and any number of bloggers – me included – they’ve decided to engage the naysayers. To what ends, I am uncertain. Just as I am uncertain that the team now running the show, is of the original “crop.”

After all, Bytecoin lay fallow for over a year then suddenly, when cryptocurrencies blasted off, so did they. A rising tide…

Someone on the Bytecoin team turned the lights back on. While the lights were off, however, the software – the primary Bytecoin Wallet – kept right on working.

I can attest, that never once have I had any trouble transferring and receiving Bytecoin from the downloadable software wallet. The problems always came from the Exchanges. Poloniex, Cryptopia etc. With Monero wallets, I did have trouble. And I’m not completely computer illiterate. I’ve mined Monero, Aeon and dozens of other altcoins.

So, for once…let us take the Bytecoin Team at their word, however. Let us state that they were a group of great programmers, who, like all humans, made mistakes. Their code was not perfect.

Have they fixed it?

Inflation Bug

The most recent bug – what was termed the “infinite inflation bug” – occurred early last year (April – May 2017). The problem affected all CryptoNote coins, including Monero. Monero fixed their altcoin and the flaw was not exploited. Bytecoin was not fixed, before 693 Million more BCN popped into existence.4.

Premine

Let us state, as if it were true, that there never was an 80%+ Bytecoin Premine – and as far as I know, such a statement has never been proved. That, however, is not a defense. The allegation floats like scum on a pond, killing the fish. But, let us state – for now – Bytecoin was never premined in any fashion.

Let us also state, that for whatever reason, the original whitepapers, fudged dates and all, are meaningless. That Bytecoin was launched when the Teto Team said it was. That would explain the alleged premine, if we could believe that miners were at it for two years, before the public was aware of Bytecoin’s existence. It was theirs, why should they share? Do you have a right to their labors or even the truth?

The only other explanations seem to be that Bytecoin’s launch date was pre-dated, the algorithm was tweaked to allow a fast mine for the “Team,” then switched back to slow mining, when they thought they’d had a good head start.

Again, so what?

Rights

If you could build a machine that would churn out 100,000 ounces of gold, would you not churn most it, before you allowed others to use your machine freely? But it’s not about that you say? It’s about trust and community and honesty? That you have a right to another’s intellectual property. You don’t.

You only have a right to what others allow – if it is theirs. And hope that if they made this magic machine – and here’s the rub – that it keeps on working. That is always the concern.

The premine worry, that the magic money makers may flood the market and cash out, exists. So, how do they – the Bytecoin Team – alleviate this issue? They invite new developers. They separate the “powers.” They allow others to oil the machine. They play “Show and Tell.”

Even if we can accept that the current core team does consist of four full-time C++ developers, several developers, a cryptography expert, and a community manager (Jenny), graphic designers, front end developers, mobile developers, and system administrators – does it really matter?

Let us also assume that the current team sometimes cooperates with former team members. So?

The BCN_Official (Ms. Goldberg?) also cited a recent rebuttal to all the scam accusations made against Bytecoin.5.

However, the rebuttal is filed on “docdroid” and there are security concerns if one accesses that website. It is said to “prove” that the scam allegations against Bytecoin are untrue. It does nothing of the sort. It merely points out that scam allegations have “not been proved.” This is true. Bytecoin’s history remains a mystery.

However, the empirical knowledge is a bitch. What we can and cannot see, is disturbing. This is called “evidence.” And from year to year, it grows. Fudged whitepapers. Blogs. Transactions on the BCN ledger.

Now, given all of this, what is the newest information about Bytecoin? Is there any good news?

Based on the AMA, here’s what I found:

No plans to “burn” coins (Old news)

Working on improving anonymity (How?)

Keeping the algorithm unchanged for now

Attempting to add more Exchanges (We wait)

Maintaining developer privacy (No Comment)

Potential Mobile Wallet release (So?)

Understanding that RingCT is not the best solution (Heard that one)

New ASIC coming online might over-centralize mining of Bytecoins (CryptoNote based altcoins)

Upcoming hardfork which make fees “dynamic” and economical (Wait and see)

Its supply is fixed, Monero’s is not (Please validate)

No plans to work on “Atomic Swaps” (Why?)

Discussion of website “BytecoinWorld” – appears to sell “Bitcoins?”6.

Dropping of Bytecointalk.org – too much spam7.

When Bytecoin forks, updates should be easy

Problems persist with Poloniex/not responding to requests (No brainer)

Ledger Nano has been contacted (Care to validate?)

Major marketing upcoming (Oh really?)

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bytecoin has yet to dispel the allegations of its scammy launch. The question then becomes, how can the “Team” clear their names/prove their innocence? Should they open their books to the world and thereby – potentially – defeat the purpose of the privacy altcoin altogether or can they put a warm-blooded human on the stand? One who can clearly and succinctly, prove that all the allegations against Bytecoin are unfounded.

The latter solution seems to be a good alternative. The only downside would be for the rest of the CryptoNote based altcoins. It is very possible that Bytecoin would steal the limelight then.

In the end, no matter how many improvements are made to the application programming interface (API), if the users do not trust the system, it won’t matter.

 

 

Sources:

  1. “We are the Bytecoin Dev Team and we are here to do our first ever AMA on the upcoming Hardfork and Github! • r/BytecoinBCN.” Reddit, http://www.reddit.com/r/BytecoinBCN/comments/845hmk/we_are_the_bytecoin_dev_team_and_we_are_here_to/. Accessed: 3/15/2018
  2. “Monero: titles.Team.” org, The Monero Project, getmonero.org/community/team/. Accessed: 3/15/2018
  3. “Community.” Bytecoin (BCN) – anonymous cryptocurrency, based on CryptoNote, bytecoin.org/community. Accessed: 3/15/2018
  4. “Fraudulent Transactions Allowed by the CryptoNote Key Image Bug Remain Valid · Issue #104 · Amjuarez/Bytecoin.” GitHub, github.com/amjuarez/bytecoin/issues/104. Accessed 3/15/2018
  5. “Upload PDF.” DocDroid, http://www.docdroid.net/. rEKgQUR/bytecoin-rebuttle.pdf#page=5; Accessed 3/15/2018 (Site has Negative Feedback)
  6. “BytecoinWorld.” BytecoinWorld, http://www.bytecoinworld.com/. Accessed: 3/15/2018
  7. “Bytecoin (BCN). Anonymous CPU Mining Cryptocurrency • r/BytecoinBCN.” Reddit, bytecointalk.org/. Accessed: 3/15/2018

Google’s Great Cryptocurrency-Blockchain “Delist”

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Are you — as a cryptocurrency ‘hodler’ — ready for Cryptogeddon? The greatest ‘delist’ ever performed by a single company? Ready, for billions of dollars in value to be flushed down the internet drain?

Well, hold onto you crypto’s — or not — because the party is starting all over again…thanks to a dominant search engine.

Most people, I’ll venture, could care less if Google, like Facebook, limits advertisers and their ability to search for bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin or even Ripple XRP or other dirty things.

But, when Google marries the Thought Police, it’s only a matter of time before the real ones show up.

Google is free to use right? You don’t pay for it. So, who cares if by June of 2018, crypto is dead?

But, it begs the question: where will Google stop? What website, blog, organization, racist comment, naughty picture, fake news, iffy diet book, comedic review, or cat video will be censored next? Seriously, who cares if a cat freaks out?

This is just the beginning. So, in the grand tradition of Big Brother, why not just go for it now?

I suggest Google starts with a blank screen. No history lesson, art work, music, videos – just a dull gray screen.

And I then ask or type my question: “What the hell is cryptocurrency? And follow-up with, “screw Google.”

That question is then sent to the NSA, where it is cataloged, verified, vilified, and disapproved. A copy is then forwarded to my employer, the SEC, the IRS, the FBI, my wife, her mother, the Chinese Government, my kids and a local group of “Thugs against Thugs.”

Then my computer explodes, my house burns down, my dog bites me and a tree falls on my car. A few years later the post office delivers a letter from the Governor stating that I’m under investigation for the crime of “Thinking for Myself!” It also requests back taxes for the new retroactive cryptocurrency pretax or one major organ to be ‘donated’ to the Congressman of my choice.

And we’ve all been there. We google a topic, only to be served ads, not in the margins, but as a direct result of our search – in our collective faces. No, I don’t want vitamins. No, I don’t wear dresses. And how did you know I wanted a cookie? Did the NSA tell you? Alexa? That bitch, she always laughing these days.

Which is okay if you are shopping. Not so fun if you are researching. And there are other search engines that don’t garbage up your user experience like Google does. But none have the reach. Google is that 700 lb. gorilla. But he’s been sitting much too long and he’s getting fat and sloppy and he just shat upon thy rug.

Google…has about 74%…

Google, if you check, has about 74% of the international search engine market. Bing comes in second – maybe at 5 to 8%, depending upon which article you believe. I mean, these figures are only estimates, right? All the rest are far below that, however.

But nothing lasts forever. If you do not give the people what they want, you will – eventually (in a free market) – lose.

Maybe in North Korea, Iran, the New Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and China – censored search engines and closed Internets are all the rage. But in less unfree nations, people will become a bit friskier.

Google’s bill is paid by advertisers. And Google’s advertising policies are influenced by its major shareholders, i.e., the voters. We get that.

The shareholders own stock, the sales of which are regulated by the U.S Government, i.e., the straw bosses. A no brainer.

The government, of course, issues the money that people use to purchase stocks in the first place, i.e., he who owns the fiat money makes all the rules. Gold is passé.

You see the problem then. We are screwed.

Google is in a tough spot regarding cryptocurrencies. They can be investigated by governments for advertising a competitive monetary system. No such competition is allowed – at least in the U.S. We have “In God We Trust” money now. Heavenly regulated, infused with special powers – pumped out of our banks, at the discretion of the Fed. (That’s where they keep the Monopoly Game Board and the booze.)

Google can be sued by happy lawyers, for advertising investment vehicles that are not approved by governments. Remember: regulation. You must first bow, kiss the Pope’s ring, then pray that you didn’t slobber on his dress.

You are not allowed to make financial decisions on your own. You must (should) purchase “investments” from trained professionals and not “mine” your own cryptocurrency. Who the hell do you think you are anyway?

Free and unfettered markets do not exist in the U.S. It’s a pay to play system – a mixed bag at best. Keep your head down. Work hard, grovel, pay your taxes and die – and then pay more taxes, as a zombie.

And, whole communist dictatorships, such as China, can’t stand cryptocurrencies anyway. Google would lose business in Beijing, Hong Kong and… potentially, AMC Theaters.

China owns AMC now. That’s why I’m not going to AMC to watch movies any longer. Don’t want to enrich dictators. Does “AMC” mean the “Authoritarian Movie Company” now?

The fact that Chinese political prisoners are involuntarily donating their organs also bothers me. If I visited China, would I be placed on the “involuntary organ donor” list? I’m not going to find out.

For the same reason, many of us will voluntarily not use Google any longer. We have dumped Facebook. Why make either of them richer, if they have no spine? The thing is, do any of us have spines?

So, as we approach June of 2018, a reasonable person would think that cryptocurrencies are about to take a nose dive.

Or…will the ones that capitulated early on, survive and conquer? Like Ripple? Didn’t they start dating the banks early on? Then coddled up to the regulators? Isn’t Hedera Hashgraph (SAFT) taking a similar road? Cardano ADA?

Or…will Google fall, as us naughty searchers go elsewhere? Already, I’m seeing more and more readers of my blog bouncing in from other search engines.

Welcome, wanderers from the non-Google worlds. I hope your visit was not unpleasant.

Tell, me – have you found greener pastures?

 

The Non-Blockchain Hedera Hashgraph ICO “SAFT” Tokens — News Flash

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Well, we finally got the news thanks to Jeff Kauflin at Forbes – in his great article about Hashgraph, minutes ago.

Is it an investment? A coin? What’s the price? How many altcoins will they “create?”

We’ve been hearing about Hashgraph over these past months, some of us a bit longer.

It’s a competitor to bitcoin and the blockchain and promises far faster transaction times and/or volume, without using a blockchain.

It’s called a DAG or directed acyclic graph.

You can read more about on their new website here.

Suffice to say…it does not appear to be “open source” and you will need to be an accredited investor to buy into the “SAFT” pre-sale opening soon…

Perhaps Hedera Hashgraph can snag some wind from the sails of the more decentralized, but less professional, cryptocurrencies.

The upshot is that this system will be governed by a “global governing council” from blue chip companies – 39 in all. Currently, these companies are not named. Care to speculate?

It also remains to be seen how the new Hedera Hashgraph will cooperate with governments to provide them “with the oversight necessary” and what that entails.

To state that the process is decentralized, does not wash when it is compared to things like bitcoin.

On the other hand, it may give Ripple and similar – a run for the money.

 

Clif High: Ideas Unmasked, Not the Man; and March 2018 Alta Report — Blockchain Highlights

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This is an Open Letter to Commenters. You know who you are. And I suspect, I know who you are.

Seeing the Future (Hint: You Can’t)

Many cryptocurrency enthusiasts have come across Clif High. He sells predictive reports – what might happen in the future. Most people can determine if Clif’s reports are nonsense or not. We can judge his videos.

Clif is a regular on YouTube. He gives interviews and interrogates others regarding their cryptocurrency projects. So, although I may disagree with Clif’s ideas, and label those as fiction, he is not the focus of my investigation. I’m not after the individual. I’m after his ideas. Or some lack of them, anyway.

Redaction, Redaction

I blog about Clif’s ideas occasionally and have had to go back and redact the comments made by others. Some of them get rather nasty. I’ve even edited my own blogs to try to keep it as neutral as possible. After all, free speech is one thing, but intentionally or unintentionally aiding others to discredit Clif as a man, is not my intention here.

Be Critical, Not Personal

We are not living in a free world, where we can disparage others for the fun of it. Even if every bit of it is true.

I probably should not call my neighbor a stalker, say he has criminal records, drinks too much and looks like he will kick the bucket soon. Why? Because my neighbor might hire a lawyer and sue my ass off. He might say I ruined his life, destroyed his marriage, made his dog sick, caused the moon to “hollow” and tore up his mail – his Alta Report.

Worst of all, I should not post my neighbor’s name all over the internet. That’s his job.

So, let us not disparage the character, but the content of Clif’s mind – if I may borrow and reverse the phrase from Martin Luther King, Jr. (American Civil Rights Leader.)

I simply want to discredit his ideas. That, at least in my country, is still allowed. I understand that in some countries, like Canada, they censor things like hate speech. So, the battleground itself, becomes the very right to speak at all. You can get into hot Canadian water if you disparage groups.

For example…in Canada:

Section 319 prescribes penalties from a fine to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years for anyone who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace. (Source: Wikipedia)

Pretty vague huh? Anyone can apply it. How does one incite hatred?

By saying anything that others may not like. Your words become time bombs. Stating, gesturing, dancing, flirting, or even silly walking could become suspect.

Full of It (Fiction, I mean)

I say Clif’s ideas are often full of fiction. Am I inciting hatred against Canadians then? No. Could my statements lead to a breach of the peace? Sure. Just take a walk in downtown Orlando, Florida – near me – in a bad neighborhood. Flip off a passing car off. Now sit back and wait for the breach of the peace. Better yet, tell a French-Canadian that Quebec is not a separate country. Riots in the making. (That’s a joke.)

I have disparaged many eastern religions – and their philosophies in my blogs. I wrote about Clif’s ideas. Buddhists. I Ching-ers. And I certainly did not incite love. But, I’m not after the people, only their propaganda. I even called the Alta Report – Clif High’s Webbot Special – fiction. I dare say that a good comedian could use them as “one liners.”

But, someone keeps commenting on my blogs about Clif. The response seems rather canned and almost identical each time. Not funny. This gives me the impression that this person does not like Clif or is planting an anonymous word “time bomb” on my blog.

Why? Controversy? As evidence that I like to scandalize people’s lives? To entice me to dig deeper? I have, but I will not publish it. In fact, any reference a commenter makes regarding legal names, addresses, emails, past employment and so on, I will not post. In general, I may make fun of Canadians, but they started it.

Sure, I might “read” your responses, Mr. Truth or Patience, but from now on – for my own freedom and yours – I will have to delete them. That is, if I feel your responses are attacking the person, rather than the inane ideas dripping from Clif’s sandalwood scented ‘stash. (Is that personal? Okay – humor is excepted.)

Privacy is a big thing these days. I respect that. If Clif High is a pseudonym, so be it. I’m not after the man – or his name. Additionally, if he breaks any laws in his neck of the woods, I’m sure the local authorities can handle it – and if he violates laws in other countries, there is always extradition. For now, Clif is free to roam the internet, gather his views, suck in advertising dollars and Woo-Woo the unsuspecting.

Latest Alta Report Review (Highlights)

Here’s a video review of the latest Alta Report. Bring out your foil hats and here we go!

  • Beware of unrest, blue lights in the ocean, turncoats (?) with the “temporal marker” as “blue”
  • Whistle-Blowers will arise within Social Media companies, about censorship
  • Look for an equity drop around April 25, 2018(?) and a crypto boost; trust in crypto?
  • Church issues arise. Healing machines (hidden technology) upsets fundamentalists who then attack hospitals; these “terrorists” are later caught
  • A disturbing scientific schism will develop; maybe around climate change — cooling not heating
  • Social media will attempt to induce a cultural shift via algorithm(s); they will also play a part in earthquake detection(?) and assist the “Deep State”
  • As it relates to earthquakes, the North Pole will be of interest — something up there
  • A new social order is being created from the “old boys network”
  • Extreme freezing events/crop destruction
  • Deep State Organs in US, will be examined(?) for their cost/necessity (FBI?)
  • Whole countries will begin to finance themselves with blockchain tech?
  • Use hardware wallets for cryptocurrencies (old news)
  • Use of cryptocurrency for medical records (old news)
  • Use of cryptocurrency to combat fraud in the metals equity industry; no more 250 notes to claim the same ounce of silver — which will boost values — reflect the real supply and not an artificially inflated one
  • Not a good time to be a “bank”
  • Blockchain will be used for payroll as well as used for payment systems
  • Legacy corporations will attempt to “buy” the cryptocurrency companies to maintain dominance (Lawsuits follow)
  • Some blockchain/cryptocurrency companies become multinational mammoths
  • Bitcoin to test $38,008 this year (April through July) or $28,008 or $64,000 or $100,000 (Seriously?)
  • The 38,008 is also a “temporal marker” for a revolution in the banking system
  • Runaway fiat (government) money inflation fears are realized (Could happen)
  • Ethereum hits upward streak from March onward with new businesses/models
  • Litecoin will be on par with Ethereum, not price-wise (Huh?)
  • Competition from EOS and OmiseGo (No kidding?)
  • Governments will create sovereign tokens of their own; accounting problems will plague them; the public will lose confidence and governments will label crypto as “out of control”
  • “Out of Control” is another “temporal marker” which helps to confirm this Alta Report?
  • “AI” will start by taking over the soft tasks; and grow, but will “never” take over the world

Now we sit back and wait for the aliens. Did you hear that?

 

Sincerely,

 

Your Pal,

Jack Shorebird

Will Caesar Assassinate Bitcoin and all Blockchains, This Time Around?

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Dear Readers,

As the Ides of March approach, but this time Caesar lives?

In 44 BC Julius Caesar was assassinated. It was March 15th. Senators stabbed him to death next to a theater. Why? Because he dared to be king.

He had it coming.

Bitcoin, in the sphere of crypto, has been a dominant force since its inception. It was the first “successful” mover.

But it was never a bloody dictator. It never ordered you to buy it.

The ever-growing number of cryptocurrencies, vie for dominance. They want bitcoin dead. So does today’s Caesar. And you can name your own Caesar.

Certainly, the selection of contenders is vast. And there appear to be no experts about. Yes, there are those who code. The programmers. The computer wizards. The black hat hackers.

And there are the economists, bankers, government agencies, detractors and dictators.

Then the rest of us, holding onto our wallets, stocks and bonds, silver coins, collectibles, and homes. We are not the Caesars, however. We are the commoners – the Plebeians.

Maybe, as Plebeians, we’ve placed our crypto bets.

We know the score. We know that the dollar markets are volatile. The debasement of our currency ongoing. Inflation the result. Gold and silver prices, manipulated. The Catch-22 of the modern era. Until the “catch” breaks.

The only real market left – one with some measure of freedom – are the cryptocurrency markets. All others, to my knowledge, are regulated. Even my local flea market is regulated, somewhat.

In February of this year (2018) cryptocurrency bounced off a new low. I wondered then, if it was a reset of some sort. Now, over a month later, it appears to be doing it again. I fear another reset is looming. A much deeper one.

Some like to look to the past.

In 2013, bitcoin increased in value from a hundred dollars to over a $1000. It sparked the imagination of millions — do you doubt it? After three years, as a nerdy plaything, suddenly, it was here. But you ask – what exactly was here?

Then bitcoin sank in value. Giving back half. Yes, it could have been speculation. Mt. Gox. Whales. Take your pick.

In 2014, bitcoin seemed like it was dying. It lost over 60% of its value. Fluctuated. Maybe they were worth $300 buy years end. We wondered. Was it over?

Then 2015 came. Bitcoin gained at least 25% by years end. It was looking to match the latter part of 2013’s values. Could it once again hit $1000?

Many of us reinvested.

Then June of 2016 came. Bitcoin decided to go up. By years end, it was once again looking at the $1000 mark. People – investors took notice. Would it pop again?

What if?

That was the biggest question. What if this thing keeps on going? Where will it stop? Will the snake-oil salesman come out and paint the rosy pictures? They did. Millions each, they shouted.

In 2017 everything changed. The banner year – so far – for bitcoin. Exchanges, as bad as they were, slow, cumbersome — lit the fire. Bitcoin took off. Over 19 times in value. Almost holding at $20,000. But before the year was over…shaking.

And 2017 was like 2013 all over again. By years end, bitcoin was off almost 25% from its highs. The banner year was over. We felt deflated. Betrayed. We looked for scapegoats.

They were easy to find…

The financial world, which had been ignoring it, at least publicly, began kicking it steadily – and copying the technology. They were to blame. And the tax men. And the regulators. And China, Russia…and the endless bitcoin debates…and the bitcoin clones…and stiff competition from other altcoins…

Now 2018 arrived. From the highs of late 2017, bitcoin nosed over. No longer treading water, it sank. It halved and then some. Percentage-wise, 2018 – so far – has eaten bitcoin’s lunch.

If you hold (or hodl) you should be concerned. No other altcoin has yet to muscle in on BTC’s turf. There is no trusted replacement.

And this time, Caesar is sharping his sword.

If anyone can honestly say that bitcoin is not the touchstone of the cryptosphere, even as its “dominance” fades, beware.

Anyone can see the wag of that bitcoin’s tail. But he is a free dog. He survives in the wild. The Plebeians are his friends, but he has no master. Whether that dog lives, is the question. For Caesar hunts.

To those altcoins that joined them – you know who you are – you have not solved any problems. You have merely profited from the Plebeians and serve the Caesar. But Caesar is bankrupt, and you live in his kennel.

The joiners are like loyal dogs. They will serve any Caesar. Drink from any poison fountain, so long as it is sweet.

For now, I hope the joiners succeed, that I may profit from their folly. Then plow that money into the honest cryptos, if any still exist.

Caesar has sent his troops in. His tax collectors. His regulators. One by one. In plain sight. Brazenly. He knows not to attack the Plebeians directly. He attacks the places they frequent, instead. The watering holes, the bazaars, the money tables.

Right now, Caesar is cutting the supply lines. The flow of water — crypto. The great cisterns – exchanges – are being brought to heel.

Back to the kennels now, you Plebeians. No more dreams of roaming free.

Perhaps it’s time for the wolf. But even a good wolf needs his Spartacus.

 

Media Source: William Darby

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