12 predictions about blockchain in 2018

In 2017, blockchain became as hot a topic as AI. Now, in 2018, where is the blockchain going? There are twelve predictions about what might happen in the coming year. First, some projects that once seemed promising may fade away. For example, Ripple has a strong business model, but it doesn’t necessarily need a protocol token. Many other protocols, even those with high market caps, don’t require tokens either. These will eventually be weeded out by the market. Ripple could still be a valuable company due to its services, but the protocol itself might not hold much value. The valuation of the protocol is significantly higher than the company itself. Second, the Lightning Network faces a major test. If it works well, Bitcoin could regain its position as the world’s default digital currency. However, if the Lightning Network fails, Bitcoin could drop sharply and end up just being another form of currency. In that case, Bitcoin Cash might emerge as the real Bitcoin. This is a matter of probability. Third, the privacy war is about to begin. As people become more aware of the difference between pseudonymity and true anonymity, competition among anonymous currencies will intensify. Zcash was the first permissionless cryptocurrency, while Monero uses RingCT for enhanced privacy, making it popular on dark networks. Dash has strong marketing, but it still faces challenges. PIVX has an interesting team and a responsive trading system that can integrate with platforms like Slack. I believe one or two of these coins could gain mainstream attention as the next generation of Bitcoin. The winner will likely depend on who offers better security, but this will only become clear after several rounds of competition. Fourth, the data access interface market is set to take off. Companies like Aragon, Colony, 0x, and DAOStack are leading the way. They’ll soon introduce proof-of-concept interfaces. The metrics they track—such as time-to-market, user base, and activity levels—will be very interesting. There are huge opportunities in this space, although the vision may be ahead of current technology. If around 50 legal projects launch in 2018, the industry could grow rapidly. Fifth, more blockchain-based AI startups will emerge. SingularityNet, a blockchain-powered AI service, raised $36 million in just 60 seconds through an ICO. After receiving a $360 million funding request, the company capped its raise at $36 million. More such ICOs will follow. As investors chase returns, we may see many professionals leaving high-paying jobs at big tech companies like Google or Facebook to invest in the next big encrypted AI project. We could see at least ten encrypted AI ICOs, each raising over $50 million. Sixth, whether Ethereum becomes the standard remains uncertain. CryptoKitties caused significant congestion on the Ethereum network, and Vitalik Buterin is fully aware of the challenges ahead. While he may be overpraised, his thoughtful approach and communication skills make him a key figure. Other blockchains like NEM, QTUM, EOS, and AION may not surpass Ethereum, but they could narrow the gap. If any of them support over 100 projects, they could become serious competitors. Otherwise, Ethereum will remain the leader. Seventh, interoperability protocols are still immature. Projects like Polkadot, Cosmos, Lamden, and Metronome aim to enable cross-chain transactions. While I support their efforts, they’ll take time to mature. In the long run, they could create a multi-chain world, but in the short term, they may increase the load on major blockchains like Ethereum and Bitcoin, which won't receive much support from those communities. I hope they stay low-key for now. Eighth, new blockchain non-profit organizations will emerge beyond "Crypto Valley" in Zug, Switzerland. Governments in places like Oman and Panama are reaching out, wanting to establish similar innovation hubs. They’ve studied what Zug did and want to replicate it. This reflects how second- and third-tier economies view blockchain as a way to leapfrog traditional systems, much like Estonia did in the 1990s. Some of these regions could become new Crypto Valleys, possibly in unexpected locations like Bratislava, Florianópolis, or Muscat. Ninth, encryption will become a general trend. Top U.S. retail brokers may start allowing customers to buy 1–5 cryptocurrencies directly from their websites, similar to buying stocks today. Coinbase, currently the most popular crypto exchange, supports only four currencies. To avoid losing market share, it needs to expand its infrastructure and develop a solid growth strategy. Tenth, ICOs will become more mainstream. By February or March, we could see the first legal ICO on Indiegogo. Throughout the year, at least nine more could launch, bringing the total number of ICOs in 2018 to around ten. Eleventh, reverse ICOs will become more common. Kik launched the first reverse ICO, and YouNow is preparing to do the same. I expect at least 15–20 reverse ICOs in 2018. Unlike traditional ICOs, reverse ICOs involve existing companies decentralizing and issuing tokens to their users to fuel a circular economy. This requires new roles like token-based consultants, which we may see more of in 2018. Twelfth, regulation will become stricter. I’m cautiously optimistic. U.S. authorities are likely to remain tolerant to encourage innovation, but companies that mislead investors will face consequences. ICOs must comply with KYC/AML rules, and solutions will need to evolve. SEC Chairman Jay Clayton emphasized the importance of innovation while also addressing decentralized projects, showing a balanced approach. If you thought 2017 was wild, get ready for even more dramatic changes in 2018. The momentum of blockchain is just beginning.

Earphone

Tws Earphone,Sport Eaphone,Wireless Earphone,Lightweight Wireless Headset

Shenzhen Ruidian Technology CO., Ltd , https://www.wisonen.com