Blockchain

United Nations agency to upskill thousands of staff in blockchain tech

The UN Development Programme, which is tasked with eliminating poverty in over 170 countries, wants to educate its 22,000 staff on distributed ledger technology.

A United Nations agency tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty is set to upskill its 22,000 staff in blockchain technology, with the ultimate goal of helping countries achieve “sustainable development” growth.

According to a Nov. 30 statement, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the Algorand Foundation to launch a blockchain academy in 2024.

The academy will serve the UNDP’s 22,000 staff members across 170 countries, educating them about distributed ledger technology and blockchain, including how it could be used for financial inclusion, supply chain transparency, real-world asset tokenization and digital identity applications.

During the Algorand Impact Summit in New Delhi, UNDP’s expert for alternative finance and low-carbon development, Robert Pasicko, told the audience the partnership will enable the organization to “upskill, empower, and inspire UN practitioners around the world.”

The curriculum will include lectures, workshops and hands-on assignments and will be “instrumental in equipping our team with the tools needed to address complex global challenges using blockchain technology,” said Pasicko.

Doro Unger-Lee, head of education and inclusion at the Algorand Foundation, added that education was a “critical first step toward identifying and delivering actionable, on-the-ground use cases of blockchain to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in a number of areas.”

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Blockchains like Solana brag about ‘speed’ — but it’s misleading

Developers love to tout the number of transactions that blockchains can process per second. Unfortunately, that fixation often distracts from other important issues — such as network security.

The throughput of blockchains — namely, their ability to process X number of transactions per second (TPS) — is often touted in such a way as to downplay other considerations, such as decentralization and security. The blockchain trilemma, of course, acknowledges that succeeding in all three areas is challenging, though not impossible.

There is no denying that throughput and scalability are important, indeed vital if blockchains are eventually to become the rails on which the financial system is run. However, there is a major misconception surrounding the metric used to assess the scalability of layer-1s and 2s.

Although super-fast blockchains love nothing more than to trumpet their TPS numbers, it is a rather inadequate method for assessing throughput and fails to accurately represent legitimate blockchain transactions. What’s more, numbers are often reported in inconsistent or haphazard ways, making it tricky to compare projects and obscuring what matters most in practice.

So, when networks brag about five-figure TPS speeds, take their audacious claims with a healthy pinch of salt.

A missold metric

If blockchain technology is ever going to be adopted at scale, it must be capable of handling huge volumes of data at high speed. That way, people can access the network when they need it, without contending with logjams or having to pay eye-watering transaction fees. This is clear.

However, a high TPS doesn’t necessarily assure this, as the figure is usually measured by dispatching a protocol token from one wallet to another, as expeditiously as possible. This is the most basic transaction that can be made on a blockchain. Transferring protocol tokens is not a very computationally intensive transaction, which is why it is cheaper to send Ether (ETH) than, say, transfer an ERC-20 — the latter contract contains much more complex data.

Related: Programming languages prevent mainstream DeFi

Indeed, the majority of transactions are more complex than simple transfers. DeFi transactions, for instance, are resource-intensive, which explains why token swaps cost more in gas than simple transfers. Moreover, some chains include transactional data that isn’t usually calculated as transactions on other networks.

In the case of Solana, around 80% of transactions are made up of its own consensus messages, which are needed to coordinate validators. Despite being processed separately from on-chain transactions, they are confusingly batched with user transactions on Solana’s blockchain, giving an inaccurate measure of its true TPS.

Throughput isn’t the only gauge of blockchain performance, of course: Latency refers to how quickly a transaction can get confirmed after it is submitted. This, too, has its own unit of measurement — namely, block time (the time between blocks being added to the chain) and time to finality (when a block passes the threshold beyond the risk of reversion).

Although throughput is seen as the big-ticket number, users actually care more about latency — how quickly their transactions execute — and how much they have to pay in transaction fees. Like throughput, latency is complex, as it varies according to numerous factors, including transaction fees (on some chains, you can pay more to get a higher priority of inclusion), system demand and batching rules.

Swaps per second > TPS

Given the frenzied activity we have witnessed in decentralized finance over recent years — swapping, lending and collateralizing — such transactions are more reflective of how blockchains are actually being used to transfer value. Unlike a simple A-to-B transfer that doesn’t require much computation or data reading, swaps are highly complex.

In such a transaction:

  • The balance of the liquidity pool must be measured/read to determine the swap rate
  • Token A is sent from the end-user to the swap pool
  • Token B is sent from the swap pool to the end-user
  • The pool must then be rebalanced
  • A fee is typically taken out, and the yield is transferred to yet another account

If it isn’t already obvious, this process calls for an entirely new method of measurement — one that does not account for non-transactional data a la Solana: swaps per second (SPS). As evidenced by research compiled by consumer insights agency Dragonfly, a perfect benchmark to assess throughput is to fill an entire block with Uniswap v2-style trades and assess how many trades actually clear per second. The effect is to produce a simple apples-to-apples comparison of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) blockchains, more so than any TPS measurement could attain.

Related: The world could be facing a dark future thanks to CBDCs

Dragonfly’s research found that Solana’s mainnet can likely perform around 273 swaps/second on an automated market maker — a far cry from its advertised 3,000 TPS. BNB Smart Chain, meanwhile, managed 194.6 TPS (claimed: 300 TPS) and Avalanche a maximum of 175.68 (claimed: 4,500 TPS).

Better benchmarking is required

For the avoidance of doubt, no metric is perfect. Any comparison of blockchains must necessarily account for different elements, such as decentralization, usability, security, tooling, etc. But it’s quite clear that swaps per second are a better gauge of performance and throughput than transactions per second.

Based on the findings of Dragonfly, not to mention the EOS Network Foundation’s similar benchmarking for the EOS EVM, blockchains have a long way to go before they’re ready for mainstream adoption.

Zack Gall is the co-founder and chief communications officer of the EOS Network Foundation. He previously co-founded Dappiness Development Studio and worked as the head of community and developer relations for LiquidApps. He graduated from Muskingum University in 2009 with a BA in communication and media studies.

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

9 Tech YouTube channels to follow

Discover nine tech-focused YouTube channels covering topics such as programming, machine learning, cybersecurity, blockchain and Web3.

Learning tech via YouTube channels can be a great way to supplement traditional learning methods, as it provides a more interactive and engaging experience. Many YouTube channels dedicated to tech provide in-depth tutorials and explanations of complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand, making it accessible to learners of all skill levels.

Additionally, YouTube channels often provide access to industry experts, giving learners the opportunity to learn from individuals with real-world experience and knowledge. For instance, Cointelegraph’s YouTube channel provides news, interviews and analysis on the latest developments in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries. The channel’s content is well-produced and features engaging visuals, making it an accessible and entertaining way to learn about these topics.

Here are nine other YouTube channels to follow and learn beyond cryptocurrencies.

Ivan on Tech 

Ivan on Tech is a popular YouTube channel focused on blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies and decentralized applications (DApps). The channel is hosted by Ivan Liljeqvist, a software developer and blockchain expert.

Liljeqvist offers educational material on his YouTube channel on a range of subjects relating to blockchain technology, such as crypto trading, the creation of smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi) and more. Also, he offers updates on the most recent events and trends in the sector.

Liljeqvist also maintains an online school called Ivan on Tech Academy in addition to his YouTube channel. This school includes classes on blockchain development, cryptocurrency trading and other relevant subjects.

Andreas Antonopoulos

Andreas Antonopoulos’ YouTube channel is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking in-depth knowledge and insights into Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrencies, featuring a wealth of informative talks, interviews and Q&A sessions.

Antonopoulos is a renowned advocate, speaker and author in the field of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. He is widely regarded as a leading expert on blockchain technology and has written several books on the subject, including Mastering Bitcoin and The Internet of Money.

He is renowned for his fervent defense of decentralized systems and his capacity to concisely and clearly convey difficult ideas. Since the beginning of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, Antonopoulos has been a vocal proponent of their development and use.

Crypto Daily 

Crypto Daily is a popular YouTube channel dedicated to providing daily news, analysis and commentary on the world of cryptocurrencies. With over 500,000 subscribers, the channel covers a broad range of topics, from the latest developments in cryptocurrencies to initial coin offerings and blockchain technology.

James, the host of the channel, makes his insights interesting for both inexperienced and seasoned crypto aficionados by combining wit, humor and intellect in his delivery. The channel also offers interviews with industry leaders, product reviews and educational content, making it a well-rounded resource for anybody interested in the world of cryptocurrency.

Cybersecurity Ventures 

Cybersecurity Ventures is a YouTube channel focused on providing educational content on cybersecurity, cybercrime and cyberwarfare. The channel offers in-depth analyses of new trends and technology, news updates on the most recent cyber threats and assaults, and interviews with top industry experts.

The channel, which has over 20,000 members, offers guidance and best practices for people and businesses wishing to safeguard themselves against online risks, making it a useful tool for both inexperienced and seasoned cybersecurity professionals.

Related: Top 10 most famous computer programmers of all time

Machine Learning Mastery

Machine Learning Mastery also has a YouTube channel that complements its website by providing video tutorials on machine learning topics. The channel, which is hosted by Jason Brownlee, provides a range of content, including lessons, interviews with business leaders, and discussions of the most recent developments and difficulties in the field of machine learning.

The videos are well-made and very educational, covering everything from the fundamentals of machine learning to more complex subjects, such as neural networks and computer vision. The channel, which complements the substantial materials already offered on the Machine Learning Masters website, has a growing subscriber base and is a great resource for anybody wishing to learn about machine learning in a visual format.

Two Minute Papers 

Two Minute Papers is a popular YouTube channel that summarizes and explains complex research papers in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer graphics in two minutes or less. 

The channel, hosted by Károly Zsolnai-Fehér, provides an easy way to stay up-to-date on the most recent developments and discoveries in these areas. The professionally made videos include simple visual explanations and can help viewers understand even the most challenging studies.

In order to personalize the information, Two Minute Papers also includes interviews with researchers and subject-matter experts. Two Minute Papers, a popular and useful resource for people interested in cutting-edge research and advancements in AI and related subjects, has more than 1.5 million subscribers.

 Web3 Foundation

The Web3 Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and building the decentralized web, also known as Web3. Its YouTube channel provides educational content and updates on the latest developments in Web3 technology, including blockchain, distributed systems and peer-to-peer networks.

Related: What are peer-to-peer (P2P) blockchain networks, and how do they work?

The channel offers talks by prominent authorities in the field, including programmers, researchers and businesspeople, as well as discussions and interviews on subjects pertaining to Web3 technology. Also, it provides updates on the progress of the Polkadot network, an open-source platform for constructing interoperable blockchain networks. Overall, the Web3 Foundation YouTube channel is a great resource for anyone interested in the decentralized web’s future because it has over 20,000 followers.

Dapp University 

Dapp University’s YouTube channel complements its educational platform by providing video tutorials on blockchain development, smart contracts and decentralized application (DApp) development. Hosted by developer and entrepreneur Gregory McCubbin, the channel features clear and concise explanations of complex topics in blockchain technology, making it accessible to beginners and experts alike.

The videos cover a wide range of topics, including Ethereum, Solidity and other blockchain tools and technologies. With over 300,000 subscribers, the Dapp University YouTube channel is a valuable resource for individuals looking to learn how to develop decentralized applications on the blockchain.

Tech With Tim

Tech With Tim is a popular YouTube channel dedicated to teaching programming and computer science concepts to beginners and intermediate learners. The channel offers tutorials on a range of programming languages, including Python, Java and C++, as well as web development, game development and machine learning.

It is hosted by Tim Ruscica, a software engineer and seasoned tutor. The well-produced videos have straightforward explanations and examples of programming topics, making them understandable to a variety of students. Tech With Tim is a great resource for anybody wishing to learn programming and computer science skills, with more than 800,000 members.

Privacy, scaling drives use cases for zero-knowledge technology

Zero-knowledge technology has seen significant growth in adoption within the blockchain space in 2023, according to an inaugural quarterly report published by ZKValidator.

A quarterly report focused on zero-knowledge (ZK) technology indicates that privacy, scaling and identity solutions are significant drivers of adoption in the blockchain space.

Validator service provider ZKValidator’s report titled “The State of ZK” explores insights from the zero-knowledge space, highlighting major and emerging use cases, research, product launches and notable investment rounds.

The key takeaway focuses on use cases of zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs). The cryptographic method allows one party to verify data or a statement without exposing the information. Privacy stands out as the industry’s most significant driver of adoption at 12.9%. Scaling is the second most prominent use case for zero-knowledge technology, with 9.46%.

Identity solutions and new zero-knowledge use cases rank third and fourth, indicating that the blockchain ecosystem is interested in exploring how zero-knowledge technology can be applied in identity management and other novel applications. Zero-knowledge machine learning (ZK-ML) was also identified as the space’s most attractive new use case.

Insights were driven by the company’s work with industry participants, including ZK Hack, zkSummit, rhino.fi, Geometry and University College London. ZKValidator also gleaned data and information working with participants in the production and management of the Zero Knowledge Summit 9 in Lisbon on April 4.

The launch of Polygon and zkSync’s zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine’s (zkEVM) was also highlighted in zkValidator’s report, with key data from the two Ethereum scaling protocols.

A comparison of zkSync Era and Polygon zkEVM users and total value locked since their mainnet launches in March 2023. Source: The State of ZK: Q1 2023

Having launched over a month ago, zkSync Era has attracted more daily active users than Polygon’s zkEVM. The report speculates that rumors of a possible zkSync airdrop later in 2023 may be a reason for the gulf in user numbers between the two zkEVMs.

Related: Polygon’s ‘holy grail’ Ethereum-scaling zkEVM beta hits mainnet

The report also covers the development of new products, including Geometry’s Semacaulk, a new zero-knowledge set membership protocol that offers gas savings over Merkle-tree constructions, while ensuring proofs can be generated quickly and verified for roughly the same gas cost.

2022’s $7 million ZPrize competition helped drive innovation of ZK technology, with multiscalar multiplication (MSM) on Android mobile devices stemming from the development competition aimed at fostering ZK solutions. According to ZKValidator’s report, MSM improved proof generation time from 2.4 seconds to around half a second, making mobile payments in ZK easier.

Related: Zero-knowledge proofs coming to Bitcoin, overhauling network state validation

The report also mentioned a paper proposing a fast GPU-accelerated zero-knowledge proof system that reduces proof generation time in ZK-proofs by leveraging hardware similarities of GPUs. Graphics processing units (GPUs) have become highly useful hardware for cryptocurrency miners, given its ability to process data simultaneously, and its use for machine learning, video editing and gaming.

Various other zero-knowledge projects were also identified in the fields of decentralized identity, interoperability and payments within the Ethereum and Polkadot ecosystems in 2023.

This includes Telepathy, a Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-interactive Argument of Knowledge (zk-SNARK) interoperability protocol for Ethereum. The protocol allows users to read Ethereum state on any chain while retaining the security of Ethereum’s light client protocol.

Sismo Connect was also mentioned, which is a privacy-preserving single sign-on method for applications on both Web2 and Web3. The technology allows developers to implement ZK technology in their applications.

Lastly, the Manta Network also expanded its ZK capabilities, allowing for privacy support for nonfungible tokens and soul-bound tokens.

Investments were also highlighted, with Ethereum research and development firm The =nil; Foundation raising $22 million to continue the development of the Proof Marketplace. The solution allows layer-1 and layer-2 blockchains to outsource the production of ZK-proofs.

Zk-proof developer Proven raised $15.8 million in a seed round, while Polyhedra Network raised $10 million for its blockchain interoperability infrastructure platform.

Zero-knowledge rollups have been in the spotlight throughout the first quarter of 2023. Polygon released its open-source zkEVM Ethereum scaling technology to mainnet on March 27, while several Ethereum decentralized finance protocols have adopted zkSync since its alpha launch in March 2023.

Magazine: ZK-rollups are ‘the endgame’ for scaling blockchains: Polygon Miden founder

Generative AI can deliver life-changing disease treatments

Scientists are using the same AI foundations to make drug discovery faster, safer and more effective.

Generative artificial intelligence may be having its banner moment, but the technology existed long before ChatGPT and DALL-E. It began in 2014 with a paper by Ian Goodfellow and several other researchers entitled “Generative Adversarial Networks” (GANs). Goodfellow is a computer scientist who worked for Google Brain and Apple and is currently with DeepMind. Today, his paper has been cited more than 55,000 times and underpins several AI tools.

Nearly a decade ago, Goodfellow uncovered a breakthrough: by using technology to draw on large amounts of data, AI tools can generate “synthetic” data under the right conditions. Over time, with constant training and feedback, the system learns to provide synthetic data closely aligned with the desired output. Today, these synthetic data might include smart contract code, fraud detection algorithms, and of course, hyperrealistic avatars with your face in the metaverse.

Generative AI not only solves challenges like coding and risk management but also drives powerful biotech innovations. Despite advances in manufacturing and discovery, it still takes 10-15 years and costs millions of dollars to bring a drug from discovery to market. And instead of declining with technological advances, the cost to bring a drug to market is only increasing.

AI can optimize speed and efficiency in drug discovery by streamlining new targets, designing new drugs, and even determining the likelihood of clinical trial success.

Generative AI enters the chemistry world

In 2016, Dr Alex Zhavoronkov, founder of drug discovery unicorn Insilico Medicine, made waves in the chemistry world by presenting generative AI technology at conferences from London to San Francisco. His research findings seemed farfetched to some but transformative to others–GANs, combined with reinforcement learning, could generate novel molecules for treating diseases.

Seven years ago, many still found AI a sci-fi, futuristic concept. Zhavoronkov brought examples of the technology’s ability to make something new to change people’s minds. He added petals to photographed flowers and generated unique faces to explain how AI can create new molecules. The chemists were skeptical, but Zhavoronkov was undeterred. AI was going to transform our health experiences; it just needed time.

Insilico eventually showed that its AI could find new disease targets. Using generative AI technology to produce and evaluate candidates and drug targets, their platform designed new molecules that could be synthesized, tested and developed into potential treatments.

WuXi AppTec joined Insilico to develop its first generative AI-produced molecules and later invested in the company for further acceleration. Their first drug targets may surprise you: rare disease treatments. Because these diseases are so uncommon, scientists know very little about their chemical structure. AI filled in the gaps to design potential candidates where no structure was available.

They targeted the JAK3 isoform, a DNA sequence related to rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The system generated 300,000 molecules and narrowed the selection to 100 promising targets. Humans joined the process here, with medical chemists choosing the best candidate for further development. The results were published in 2018 in Molecular Pharmaceutics with a clear promise: generative AI was here to disrupt the drug discovery space.

When will AI reach our pharmacies?

Insilico secured patents on its AI technology, but it also received patents for its work on biological aging biomarkers. The company strives to leverage AI to discover powerful anti-aging treatments. While we’re several years from these reaching our medicine cabinet shelves, Insilico is also looking closely at how we age, including measuring our biological age. Aging clocks provide researchers with valuable insights into individual aging processes.

In 2020, Insilico Medicine’s generative chemistry work launched as Chemistry42. The platform uses deep learning and reinforcement learning to generate chemical structures for treating predefined medical targets. Chemistry42 identified a completely new and potentially first-of-its-kind molecule, PandaOmics, for treating fibrosis. The Insilico team designed and synthesized 80 molecules, with one small molecule showing outstanding promise for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a rare and devastating progressive lung disease.

The company had broken new ground by uniting deep learning and chemistry. Major pharmaceutical companies noticed, too, with Pfizer, Arvinas, Fosun Pharma, and Sanofi establishing partnerships with Insilico.

By February 2022, Insilico crossed another threshold by bringing its IPF drug to Phase 1 clinical trials in under 30 months. In January 2023, those Phase 1 trials announced positive topline results, and in February 2023, the IPF drug received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA. It’s time for Phase 2 clinical trials, where actual IPF patients will enter clinical trials and test the potentially life-changing treatment option.

Next up for AI-generated drugs? COVID-19. Insilico’s oral treatment, ISM3312, will soon enter clinical trials in China. The drug offers protection against mutations and poor outcomes for COVID patients. The world desperately needs rapid solutions to emergent diseases.

Generative AI transcends creative images and in-depth coding. It will change how physicians treat diseases and save countless lives. There’s plenty of room for blockchain too–drug discovery scientists can use DLT to securely exchange clinical research data.

My advice for the crypto community? Join the movement. Your determination brought crypto, blockchain and stablecoins to the mainstream. You can envision a future that other people can’t, and the longevity field needs your unique perspective to help bring this next generation of tech to the fore. Test AI tools in your workspace, read up on AI tokens and monitor medical news for future discoveries. We live in a unique time for technological progress, and it’s our responsibility to support its life-changing outcomes. Merging cutting-edge technology with traditional research and discovery is what will bring all of these life-changing inventions to more people.

Arizona governor vetoes bill targeting taxes on blockchain node hosts

The bill aimed to have only state authorities impose regulations and taxes on individuals and businesses running blockchain nodes, as opposed to those at the city and county level.

Katie Hobbs, the governor of the American state of Arizona, has vetoed legislation that would have largely stopped local authorities from imposing taxes on individuals and businesses running blockchain nodes. 

In an April 12 decision, Governor Hobbs issued a veto to Arizona Bill 1236, first introduced in January. The legislation aimed to revise sections of statutes pertaining to blockchain technology, largely reducing or eliminating regulation and taxation of node operators at the state level.

“A city or town may not impose a tax or fee on any person or entity for running a node on blockchain technology in a residence,” said the Senate version of the bill. “The imposition of a tax or fee on a person or entity running a node on blockchain technology in a residence is of statewide concern and not subject to further regulation by a city or town.”

Under the bill, the same restrictions for cities and towns on node operators would have also applied to counties. Following approval in the Arizona Senate and House, lawmakers sent the bill to Hobbs’ desk, where she vetoed the legislation on her 100th day in office.

Related: Colorado governor says he expects state to accept tax payments in crypto by summer

Some Arizona lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at making the U.S. state a pro-crypto regulatory environment for both companies and individuals. State Senator Wendy Rogers proposed Arizona’s government make Bitcoin (BTC) acceptable as legal tender and joined with other lawmakers in a resolution having crypto be a tax-exempt property under the state’s constitution.

Magazine: Best and worst countries for crypto taxes

Ethereum price turns bullish ahead of next week’s Shanghai and Capella upgrades

ETH price found news bullish momentum as traders gear up for next week’s major network upgrades.

With one week to go until the Ethereum Shanghai and Capella upgrades on April 12, all eyes are on Ether(ETH). The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization shrugged off rumors and regulatory action against exchanges to hit a seven-month high of $1,922 on April 5. 

Ether price has momentum, and here are three strong reasons why.

Multiple positive price achievements

According to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, Ether price has posted gains on the seven-day, one-month and three-month timeframes despite market volatility. Ether price gains are also notable from the year-to-date perspective, showing 59% growth.

ETH/USD price chart. Source: Cointelegraph Markets Pro

Ether’s ability to break resistance levels is leading some analysts to believe a $3,000 price target is on the horizon in Q2 2023. The trend shows that whale accumulation remains strong, growing by 0.5% in March, according to data from analytics provider Santiment.

The bullish buying activity may prove on-chain data correct that Ether sell pressure after the Shanghai hardfork will be a non-event.

Related: US enforcement agencies are turning up the heat on crypto-related crime

The uptick in proof-of-stake validation by placing Ether in staking contracts is bullish for the Ethereum ecosystem. Since launching on Aug. 4, 2021, the Ethereum network has witnessed over 18 million ETH staked on the blockchain.

Total Ether staked. Source: TradingView

The emergence of liquid staking derivatives has reduced the barrier to entry to participate in Ether staking. Lido, the leader in LSDs and the largest single entity by value, has close to one-third of all staked EtTH. Including interest received, Lido contracts hold 5.9 million ETH from 137,000 unique depositors.

Lido Ether deposits overview. Source: Nansen

Ethereum network TVL surges

The total value locked in the Ethereum network is also rising, partially as a result of Lido’s protocol comprising 22.4% of the TVL on the Ethereum network. Despite the TVL starting to drop on March 10 due to regulatory and macro headwinds, the decentralized finance market seems to be recovering.

Related: 3 key Ethereum price metrics cast doubt on the strength of ETH’s recent rally

On April 5, TVL reached $50.8 billion, nearly reaching the yearly high of $51.4 billion from Feb. 21.

TVL dashboard. Source: DefiLlama

The strength of Ether price ahead of the Shanghai and Capella upgrades is visible on-chain through increased usage, whale accumulation and a steady uptick in staking. With only seven days remaining until the upgrade, traders expect continued volatility in Ether price.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed here are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Top 5 books to learn about blockchain

Discover the fundamentals of blockchain technology, its use cases and its impact on various businesses through the top five books about blockchain.

Reading blockchain books can be an effective way to understand blockchain technology comprehensively. These books can provide insights into the history and principles of blockchain, and how it works in practice. By reading these books, you can gain a deeper appreciation of the potential of blockchain technology and its various use cases across different industries.

Furthermore, these books can help you understand how blockchain can be used to solve real-world problems and transform existing business models. By staying up-to-date with the latest blockchain developments, you can position yourself for success in this emerging field.

Here are five books to learn about blockchain:

“Mastering Blockchain: Distributed Ledger Technology, Decentralization, and Smart Contracts Explained” by Imran Bashir

This book provides an in-depth overview of blockchain technology, its workings and its various applications. It covers both the technical and non-technical aspects of blockchain, making it suitable for readers of all levels. Moreover, it covers the latest trends and developments in the blockchain industry, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the field.

“Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps” by Daniel Drescher

This book provides a simple and easy-to-understand introduction to blockchain for readers who do not have a technical background. It covers the basics of blockchain, including its history, terminology and potential use cases.

The book offers a detailed introduction to blockchain technology and is simple to read. Everything is covered, from blockchain’s origins to future uses across various industries. If you want to delve more deeply into the technical components of blockchain, reading this book will provide you with a strong foundation on which to develop. Anybody interested in learning more about blockchain technology and its potential effects on many businesses should start here.

“The Truth Machine: The Blockchain and the Future of Everything” by Paul Vigna and Michael J. Casey

This book provides an entertaining and engaging look at the potential of blockchain technology to transform various industries. It provides insights into blockchain technology’s economic, political and social impact.

Moreover, the book discusses the opportunities and difficulties that blockchain technology poses, and its potential to revolutionize how we store data, build trust and conduct transactions. It is a must-read for everyone wanting to learn more about blockchain technology and how it will affect our future.

“Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies Is Changing the World” by Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott

This book provides an overview of the potential of blockchain technology to transform various industries. It covers the economic, social and political implications of blockchain technology, and its potential to disrupt traditional business models.

The book explores the potential impact of blockchain technology on society as a whole, including its potential to disrupt traditional power structures and create new opportunities for individuals and organizations.

“Blockchain: Blueprint for a New Economy” by Melanie Swan

This book is a valuable resource for those interested in learning about the potential of blockchain technology and its various applications in business and society. The book covers broad aspects of blockchain technology, including its history, technical details, and potential use cases in finance, supply chain management, healthcare and more.

The author uses plain language and provides plenty of real-world examples to explain complex concepts, making it easier for readers to understand the technology and its potential uses.

Ethereum Archive Node service shuts down saying it ‘succeeded’

ArchiveNode.io has closed its doors following three years of providing archived Ethereum blockchain node data.

Ethereum mainnet Archive Node service, ArchiveNode.io, said it will be shutting down, claiming that the project has been a success.

On April 4, ArchiveNode.io announced it was “sunsetting” its services after more than three years of providing free Ethereum mainnet Archive Node services to developers, students, and researchers.

An Ethereum Archive Node is an instance of an Ethereum client configured to build an archive of all historical states. This type of node is a useful tool for querying historical blockchain data that is not accessible on full nodes.

Additionally, Archive Nodes are not required to participate in block validation so they can theoretically be built from scratch, however, they do require much greater storage capacity.

The announcement was made by “DeFi Dude” who initiated the project and claimed the project was being shut down as “we succeeded,” before adding:

“Our service is no longer necessary and other alternatives exist today that did not exist when we got started.”

He added that nobody was running Archive Nodes when the project started. The only option was to pay Ethereum infrastructure provider Infura $250 monthly to access archive data.

The goal of the project was to “get archive data into the hands of developers, students, and researchers who wanted to build cool shit, but didn’t have the time, money, or resources available to run their own archive node.”

He confirmed the project was never to “make money or profit.”

Related: SEC lawsuit claims jurisdiction because ETH nodes are ‘clustered’ in the US

He added there is currently a robust remote procedure call (RPC) provider market offering access to archive data making the project obsolete.

ArchiveNode.io thanked the Ethereum Foundation for their initial grant of $10,000 in Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits to get the project off the ground.

According to a Cointelegraph report in August, just three centralized cloud providers account for more than two-thirds of Ethereum nodes. More than half of the total nodes were hosted on AWS, according to data at the time.

Features: ‘Account abstraction’ supercharges Ethereum wallets: Dummies guide

Ethereum Archive Node service shuts down, saying it ‘succeeded’

ArchiveNode.io has closed its doors following three years of providing archived Ethereum blockchain node data.

Ethereum mainnet archive node service ArchiveNode.io says it will be shutting down, claiming that the project has been a success.

On April 4, ArchiveNode.io announced it was “sunsetting” its services after more than three years of providing free Ethereum mainnet archive node services to developers, students and researchers.

An Ethereum Archive Node is an instance of an Ethereum client configured to build an archive of all historical states. This type of node is a useful tool for querying historical blockchain data that is not accessible on full nodes.

Additionally, Archive Nodes are not required to participate in block validation so they can theoretically be built from scratch; however, they do require much greater storage capacity.

The announcement was made by “DeFi Dude,” who initiated the project and claimed it was being shut down because “we succeeded,” adding:

“Our service is no longer necessary and other alternatives exist today that did not exist when we got started.”

He added that nobody was running Archive Nodes when the project started. The only option was to pay Ethereum infrastructure provider Infura $250 monthly to access archive data.

The goal of the project was to “get archive data into the hands of developers, students, and researchers who wanted to build cool shit, but didn’t have the time, money, or resources available to run their own archive node.”

He confirmed the project was never to “make money or profit.”

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He added there is currently a robust remote procedure call (RPC) provider market offering access to archive data making the project obsolete.

ArchiveNode.io thanked the Ethereum Foundation for their initial grant of $10,000 in Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits to get the project off the ground.

According to a Cointelegraph report from August, just three centralized cloud providers account for more than two-thirds of Ethereum nodes. More than half of the total nodes were hosted on AWS, according to data at the time.

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