Traditional financial services like loans and payments were only offered by banks and financial institutions. It changed with the advent of blockchain technology. As cryptocurrency became more popular, discussions shifted to a new set, which included decentralized and central finance (CeFi).

What is Centralized Finance?

Prior to DeFi, Centralized Finance was used for trading cryptos. It has a strong hold on the cryptocurrency market. All crypto trade orders in centralized finance (CeFi) are processed through a central exchange. The central exchange is responsible for managing funds. This means that you do not have a private key to access your wallet.

The exchange also lists which coins are available for trading and what fees you will need to pay in order to trade with them.

The concept of Centralized Finance states that you don’t own your cryptocurrency when buying/selling through a central exchange. You are also subject to the rules that a central exchange places on you. You are also subject to rules established by the central exchange.

What is Decentralized Finance? (DeFi)

The decentralized exchange does not involve any exchanges. The entire process is made possible by automated applications built on top of blockchain platforms. Decentralized finance also creates an open and fair financial system that anyone can access. This technology allows people who are not banked to have access to financial and banking services using blockchain technology.

DeFi’s goal is to create an open-source, transparent and permissionless financial services ecosystem. Decentralized financial services include borrowing, yield farming and crypto lending. Asset storage is also available.

DeFi has the advantage over CeFi in that you can control your assets and have access to your key pair. Decentralized applications (dApps), which are built on blockchain platforms, are required for users to access DeFi services.

What is DeFi and CeFi different?

DeFi and CeFi have many similarities, but the real question is whether people should trust technology more than technology.

DeFi users can trust that the technology will deliver what is promised for services. CeFi on the other hand, allows users to trust the people of a business to manage the funds and deliver the services.

Both DeFi and CeFi deliver a wide range of cryptocurrency-related financial services. Let’s look at some of the differences between the two ecosystems.

CeFi Features

• Centralized Exchange (CEX).

Users can send money to a traditional cryptocurrency exchange such as Binance, Kraken, or Coinbase to manage their funds within an internal account. Although funds are stored on an exchange, they are not subject to users’ custody and could be exposed to security breaches.

Security attacks have targeted centralized exchanges as a result. As they trust central exchanges, customers who use centralized exchanges don’t mind sharing their personal data or putting money into their custody.

Large exchanges often have departments that offer customer support. Customers feel more comfortable knowing that they are in good hands thanks to the high quality customer support.

• Fiat Conversion: Flexibility

When it comes to converting fiat into cryptocurrency or vice versa, centralized services offer more flexibility than decentralized services. A centralized entity is required to convert fiat and cryptocurrency. However, DeFi services don’t offer that flexibility.

Customers can be enrolled in the Centralized Finance ecosystem (CeFi) quite easily and offer a better customer experience.

• Cross-chain services

CeFi services allow you to trade LTC, XRP and BTC on independent blockchain platforms. DeFi services are unable to support these tokens due to the complexity and latency of cross-chain swaps. CeFi can solve this problem by obtaining custody of funds from multiple blockchains. CeFi can take advantage of this opportunity as many of the most traded and high-market-cap coin are on their own blockchains. They don’t have to implement interoperability standards.

DeFi Features

• Permissionless

DeFi is available to all users without their permission. To access CeFi, users must complete a KYC process. This means that they will need to deposit money or share personal information.

The services can be accessed directly via a wallet without the need to provide personal information or deposit money with DeFi. DeFi is accessible to everyone, without discrimination or barriers.

Individuals who want to build on top a decentralized platform are also allowed to do so freely. It allows for high accessibility and encourages collaboration within the community. The DeFi ecosystem is designed to help each other. DeFi products are sometimes called money legos.

• Trustworthness

DeFi services offer a significant advantage: you don’t have to be sure that they will work as advertised. DeFi service users can verify that they work as advertised by auditing their code. External tools like Etherscan are available to help determine if a transaction was executed correctly.

• Quick Innovation

DeFi’s rapid rate of innovation is another advantage. The Decentralized Finance Ecosystem constantly builds new capabilities and experiments with new ones. DeFi’s build-centric approach has resulted in a rich ecosystem that offers innovative financial services.

DeFi space has worked to find alternative solutions to problems where central financial services thrive. To overcome DeFi’s inability of facilitating the transfer of incompatible cryptocurrencies like BTC, solutions such as tBTC or WBTC that are compatible to decentralized protocols close the gap by acting as tokens pegged at the value of BTC. This allows DeFi users to access Bitcoin through DeFi without the need to use the token. 

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 Blockchain was created with the vision of expanding its application areas and evolving the possibilities. Although we believe that blockchain can revolutionize various industries such as finance and trading, as well capital market, the non-cumulative nature the ecosystem of the technology continues to be a problem. There are many available blockchain platforms, from first-generation ones like Bitcoin to third-generation ones like Avalanche. These blockchains all have their own isolated chains. These chains are unable to cross over or facilitate token trade or token exchange between different blockchain protocols. This poses many challenges to people who use blockchain to exchange tokens on different blockchains. Many Ethereum-based projects, such as Uniswap, Dave and others, can be interoperable to exchange cryptocurrencies, trade assets and perform trades. Cardano created a unique sidechain protocol for moving values between blockchains that support Cardano. These facilities aside, blockchains cannot allow users to freely exchange tokens on different protocols.

The users began searching for technology that could solve the issues of exchanging or swapping between multiple blockchain platforms. Cross-chain Swap was their solution. This is a crucial part of improving the blockchain ecosystem. This article will cover cross-chain Swap in greater detail in order to highlight its importance in the growing blockchain ecosystem.

What limitations did the Siloed Decentralized System face?

Even the most popular platforms, such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, have their own isolated ecosystem. Even though they are decentralized and autonomous, they still require an ecosystem that allows them to exchange tokens. Also, it is not possible to exchange Ethereum’s native tokens using another protocol like Avalanche.

With the advent of advanced blockchains and the growing trend towards decentralization, this limitation has become a problem for both users and businesses who use blockchain. Avalanche is an example of such a network. The platform was launched in September 2020 and more than 225 projects have been built. AVAX tokens also trade on a large scale.

So people began to invest on different blockchains. They eventually needed technology that could support cross-chain token exchange. Cross-chain swap is a way to make it possible. But how do token holders of particular blockchains deploy their tokens to different ecosystems. Let’s dive deeper to learn more about the technology.

What is the cross-chain Swap?

Cross chain swap (also known as Atomic switch) is a smart-contract technology that allows for the swapping of tokens between unique blockchain ecosystems. It allows users to swap tokens directly between two blockchains without the use of an intermediary or central authority. ERC-20 tokens can be exchanged with BSC tokens. A cross-chain swap allows people to exchange tokens among members of the blockchain network. Additionally, the swap takes place directly from the wallet which speeds up the process.

Tier Nolan was the first to propose peer-to-peer exchanges between blockchains. Charlie Lee, a prominent computer scientist and creator Litecoin, was the first to implement this technology. He converted LTC to BTC and explained the cross-chain swap mechanism.

Cross-chain Swap is an atomic method for completing transactions between participants. Computer science has given rise to the term “atomic” which is used to describe indivisible transactions. It refers to the transaction being executed according to the agreement or the entire transaction becoming invalid.

Let’s break this down:

Non-atomic crosschain Swap is when you send one token (say AVAX), and hope to get a different token in return (say Ether). Because the receiver can withdraw from the process after he has received the tokens, this spray-and-pray approach could lead to fraud. An atomic swap on the other hand confirms that the recipient has received valid tokens within the specified time frame or the transaction will become null. The sender will receive the exact amount of tokens he has put into the swap. Cross-chain swap is a way to eliminate manipulation and fraud.

What are cross-chain Swaps?

Cross-chain swaps are made possible by smart contracts. They allow token exchange between parties on different blockchains. These smart contracts are powered using a technology known as Hash Time Lock Contracts. (HTCLs). This locks the transactions with unique combinations to ensure that verification takes place on both ends. The following security features are available with HTCL technology

Hashlock

Hashlock technology is used to secure smart contracts. It allows you to lock your coins with a secret code (the combination of data). Only the swap initiator has access to this secret key. The secret combination is revealed after verification of the deposit has been completed on his side. The receiver can see the combination on his side to unlock the deposit once he has revealed it.

Timelock

The timelock mechanism uses time restrictions to ensure that transactions are completed on the blockchain network. It allows for fast transactions. It states that the transaction must be completed within the specified time frame or funds will be returned.

An example of a practical example:

• Jack deposits his ADA coins into an HTCL account. The HTCL acts as a virtual safe. Jack can unlock it only by using the secret combination he has created and kept confidential.

• Lara will verify that the deposit is in the correct amount of tokens before she can swap it. Jack gave her the cryptographic hash for the unique combination. She can then deposit her tokens, Ether, to the same HTCL address.

• Jack takes the deposit and reviews the amount. He then reveals the secret code to unlock the deposit. Lara will also be able to see the combination once he has disclosed it.

• The cross-chain exchange is completed when each party receives the tokens.

Read More : https://www.leewayhertz.com/what-are-cross-chain-swaps/

The number of fraudsters has increased with the development of technology. Maintaining security protocols is a key task in order to ensure transactions are secure. Blockchain is a promising innovation, but we still need to maintain security in transactions. Zero Knowledge Proof, or ZKP, is a good choice in such situations. Since its inception, cryptography has been closely associated with blockchain. The combination of cryptography and blockchain has been a popular choice since ZKP was launched. To fully secure a transaction on a blockchain platform, cryptographic techniques are used. The combination of cryptography and blockchain has created a secure mode for financial transactions.

What is Zero-Knowledge Proof and what are its implications?

Zero-Knowledge Proof (or Zero-Knowledge Proof) is a cryptographic technique that does not reveal any information during transactions, except the exchange of some value to the prover and the verifiers (the other ends of the transaction). Zero-knowledge proof allows users to prove that they have an absolute value, without having to reveal any additional information.

These are the three intrinsic properties of ZKPs:

Completeness

The transaction’s completeness property indicates that the transaction has been verified and that the prover can proceed with the transaction. If the transaction statement is true, then the verifier can authorize the prover to provide the input he requested earlier.

Soundness

The soundness property indicates that the transaction is true and not part of any fraudulent case. This means that the verifier can’t be convinced if the transaction is different and the statement is incorrect. In such a situation, the verifier can’t certify or allow the prover to request the inputs.

Zero-knowledge

The verifier can only have the current statement and whether or not the authenticity of the statement is true or false. All other information or private data from different parties will be kept secret.

What are the two basic types of Zero-Knowledge Proof proof?

These are the two basic types of ZKPs:

Interactive ZKP

These actions deal with mathematical probability. Interactive ZKP requires that a prover convinces a particular verifier, and then repeat the process for every verifier. Interactive ZKPs require that the prover completes a series actions in order to convince the verifier of a particular fact.

Non-interactive ZKP

Non-interactive ZKPs have no voluntary interaction between the prover and verifier. Non-interactive ZKPs have a prover who creates proof that anyone can verify. The verification process can also move to a later stage. They need specific software to make non-interactive ZKPs more efficient.

Let’s now look at the ZKP concept and how it is used with technology. Zcash is a prominent Zero-Knowledge proof. Zcash is both the first application of zk-SNARKs, and the fundamental form Zero-Knowledge cryptography.

We now need to know what zk-SNARKs is. Zk-SNARKs stands for Zero-Knowledge Success Non-Interactive Argument Of Knowledge. zk-SNARKs refers to a technology that does not use interactive ZKP.

zk-SNARKs is able to work with the following algorithms.

Key Generator

A key generator creates a parameter that will generate a key pair. After generating a public or private key pair, trusted sources can remove the private information. The public information is used to generate another key pair. One pair would be used to prove and one for verification.

Prover

The prover receives the proving key and must prove his knowledge. The prover will verify and receive the private key, then he shall forward the statement.

Verifier

The prover will provide the input to the verifier, who will verify the authenticity of the statement.

Zk-SNARKS must also maintain the following properties.

• The statement will be the only thing that the verifier can learn. A challenge that is short and concise should only take a few seconds to execute.
• Non-interactive: The process should not be interactive.
• The proof must be consistent with the principle of soundness and have zero-knowledge encryption.
• Without a trusted witness, the verification and verification process cannot continue.

Read More : https://www.leewayhertz.com/zero-knowledge-proof-and-blockchain/

 “HBAR-Hedera Hashgraph Cryptocurrency for building and deploying dApps On Hedera Platform”

Leemon Baird is the creator of Swirlds’ revolutionary Hashgraph algorithm. It allows you to reach consensus quickly, in a secure, fair, and fair manner. The Hashgraph algorithm uses the virtual voting mechanism and gossip protocol to create the robust platform.

Hedera Hashgraph framework is designed to address the market needs for distributed applications. It allows micropayments, smart contracts to be built, and file storage.

Developers don’t need any license to use this platform, but they do require the platform token Hbar, which is a utility token that grants token holders access the distributed applications available on the platform.

Hedera Hashgraph cryptocurrency has been designed to be extremely fast. This allows for low network fees and micropayments. Hedera Hashgraph allows users to earn Hbar for managing the node within the network.

This article is meant for innovators and entrepreneurs who are interested in Cryptoeconomics by Hedera Hashgraph.

Hedera Hahgraph’s cryptoeconomics use two types of mechanisms

• Staking
• Proxy staking

Staking

Staking refers to the purchase and holding of crypto-coins in an account. Users can stake coins and receive rewards for running the network.

To achieve transparency and the performance benefits of shardings it is important to allow individuals to become network nodes. Sybil attack prevention is achieved by implementing the system in a way that each node can have an influence on consensus. The amount of Hbar each node owns is proportional.

Hbars are also essential to ensure that the network is running continuously.

The proof-of stake is used by the Hedera ledger. A node must declare which account it controls when joining a network. Every account should also have its own private keys. The stake earns interest by the node acting as a node. It will be paid a proportional amount of Hbars in its account.

Proxy Staking Mechanism

The proxy staking mechanism allows anyone to own the coins and not have any nodes. Proxy staking an account to a node allows users to stake the coins and earn interest. It allows the user to provide additional account credit for their coin and allows a node that has that stake to use it.

The payment made to run the node is split between the owner of the coin and the owner. You can negotiate the percentage of the profit split between proxy stakers or nodes.

Hbars are still being proxy staked and the owner controls them. They can at any moment turn off or redirect proxy staking to another network. They have the right to spend cryptocurrency at anytime, which will reduce the amount they/she receive as payment for staking.

You must have at least one cryptocurrency in your account for the following tasks to be possible:

• Construct consensus
• For operating as a Node, you will receive payment
• To send transactions to the ledger, you will need to pay fees

Proxy staking is a better way to earn interest and not run nodes.

Let’s now talk about the fees and payment methods used to access distributed applications via Hedera Hashgraph.

Payments and fees

Users have to pay fees to the platform, whether they want to add items or transfer crypto coins.

Because the Hedera network offers high throughput, and doesn’t require proof of work (POW), the expected fee for this platform is much lower than those on the market. Hedera nodes get compensated for their bandwidth, computing, and storage services in order to reach consensus or provide services.

Here are the fees and payment options for Hedera Hashgraph.

Node Fees:

The user can access the platform’s services through interaction with the node. This will send the transaction to their account. To transfer Hbar from an account to another user, for example, the user will need to approach the mode to provide the signed transaction.

The node will then add this transaction to an event it creates and tell (gossipout) it to the network for inclusion in the consensus. The node is compensated by the user with a fee. Hedera is not responsible for setting the fees.

Service fee:

Users will pay a fee to use any Hedera services. The fee for the storage of a file will be calculated according the Hedera schedule.

The storage fee is calculated as a combination of fees per file and an amount per byte per minute. If there aren’t enough Hbars in the account, neither the file nor the user’s charge will be applied. However, if sufficient funds are available, the user is then charged and the file is placed.

Network fee:

Each network handles a transaction charge. Each transaction by the network is charged a fee, from the cost to gossip transactions to the storage of it in the memory and the calculation of consensus.

The transaction fee plus the transaction’s byte count are the two factors that determine the fee. If a node includes a transaction in an existing event, the network fee will be charged by that node.

If the user initiates the transaction, the user will then pay the pay node network fee to the node.

Hedera collects network fees and services for the nodes. They process the transactions and perform the services. Hedera collects the fees for two types of payment:

Incentive Payment:

Hedera will make a payment to the node from its account once per day to incentivize them into becoming a node. To be eligible for payment, a node must stay online for at most 24 hours according to Hedera thresholds. A node will receive a proportional amount of Hbar depending on how much it stakes.

Dividend Payment:

Hedera provides payment to the Governing Members for fulfilling their roles in governance. Hedera will divide the fees it collects between dividend payments or incentive payments as determined by Hedera.

Read More : https://www.leewayhertz.com/hedera-hashgraph-cryptocurrency-hbar/

We can help you create your NFT marketplace so that your customers have a seamless purchasing experience. Our NFT developers can create a robust NFT platform that tokenizes any asset, including artwork, software licenses and digital collectibles.

NFT Marketplace Development empowers you to make the virtual assets of tomorrow a reality

We create reliable NFT marketplace platforms that include multiple security layers and all the features necessary to launch a marketplace. Our NFT development services will help you grow your business.

NFT Marketplace Development Services

NFT Marketplace Design and Development

Our team has a deep understanding of ERC-721 standards and ERC-1155 smart contracts, and IPFS protocols. We design and build a user-centric marketplace for NFTs where users can trade and create them.

NFT Smart Contracts Audit

NFT smart contract audits are offered by us to thoroughly test contracts and ensure there are no bugs or breaches.

NFT Marketplace Support and Maintenance

We offer support and monitoring for third-party updates, new OS releases, and make sure nodes are up and running.

NFT Development

As a service to the NFT marketplace, our NFT development team offers a token creation function. This allows users to create tokens on the platform for their assets.

The Features of Non-Fungible Coins

Tradability

NFTs can be traded in virtual environments or marketplaces thanks to their interoperability feature. NFT token holders can benefit from trading capabilities, bundling and bidding, as well as the ability to sell NFTs on markets.

Scarcity

Developers can use smart contracts to place large capital on NFTs, and enforce properties that can’t be modified after tokens are issued. Your asset’s uniqueness is enhanced by the fact that a developer can limit the creation of rare items.

Indivisible

NFTs are not like other currencies and tokens. They cannot be broken down into smaller pieces or fractions. An individual can either pay for an entire item or purchase nothing. NFTs are not able to provide division and remain unique at all times.

Standardization

NFT development allows developers to create reusable, common, and inheritable standards that can be used for all non-fungible tokens. This allows for the standardization and display of collectibles represented by NFTs.

Read More : https://www.leewayhertz.com/nft-marketplace-development-company/

Permanence and invariance are essential parts of the irreplaceable and unique NFT industry. Market capitalization is projected to reach $710 Million by 2021. The non-fungible token market (NFT) is experiencing steady growth. These fundamental flaws in design make it impossible to provide these characteristics for NFTS that are targeted at consumers. Additionally, the increasing number of assets are minted with NFTs at-risk.

NFTs were intended to remain on the blockchain for a lifetime. Due to limited space and cost, NFTs are only stored as an ownership record. However, metadata linking original NFT content is also kept. These links can be fragile and direct users to a particular location (using HTTP protocol), instead of an asset. This implies that the linked content is susceptible to being changed or removed at any time (due to broken links, rug pulls and 404 errors) which can lead to permanent loss of original assets.

Blockchain is an excellent tool for managing minting, bookkeeping and immutable metadata across many nodes. It is also very expensive to replicate large amounts of data using blockchain. This makes it difficult to store data on the platform. This is why the launch of IPFS, or Interplanetary File System (Interplanetary File System), was necessary to store and secure off-chain NFT information.

IPFS is an IPFS that can address these issues and provide NFT data storage in a permanent and accessible manner on a decentralized network. It acts as a peer-to–peer version-controlled data system and hypermedia protocol to store, retrieve and manage the data. IPFS can identify every file in a global NFTs namespace to allow NFTs link the NFT metadata of the digital asset with its content addressing feature. IPFS is more persistent than other centralized services, such as Dropbox and Google Drive.

What is IPFS, and how can it store NFT information?

IPFS, an open-source hypermedia protocol, allows peer-to–peer (p2p), decentralized data storage through:

• Simple sharing

• Censorship Resistance

• It is easy to retrieve

IPFS makes it possible to move data throughout the network and locate what you need using its content address and advanced file versioning data structures.

These three basic steps, which are built upon each other, make up an IPFS ecosystem.

Step 1: Content Addressing via unique identification

When users upload NFT information to IPFS they get an IPFS hash, also known as aCID. CIDs can be described as unique identifiers, or addresses, of NFT data used to refer the content regardless of its location. CIDs are generated from the content. CIDs are used to refer NFT data and prevent issues such as fragile links or rug pulls.

IPFS follows certain data-structure preferences, conventions and IPLD. This IPFS address uniquely identifies content within the IPFS network. The next step is to examine how links between content can be embedded within that content address via a DAG information structure.

Step 2: Content Storage and Linking via DAGs

IPFS offers decentralized data storage options and retrieval methods to keep NFT data long-term. IPFS’s permanence layer is cryptographic and ensures long-term persistence and durability of NFT information.

IPFS uses a Merkle DAG for NFT data link. It is optimized to represent files and directories. You can structure a Merkle DAG many different ways.

IPFS first splits the file into blocks to create a Merkle DAG representation from your NFT data. The ability to split it into blocks allows for different parts of the file to be authenticated quickly and can come from different sources. Merkle DAGs provide another important feature. When you have similar files, Merkle DAGs from different sources can be used to reference the same data subset.

It makes it easier to transfer multiple versions of large datasets (such a genomics research data or weather data). This is because you can only transfer the new parts and not create completely new files each time. Merkle DAG is used to link all NFT data.

Step 3: Content retrieval via Distributed hash tables

IPFS uses a distributed haveh table to identify peers that host NFT data. A hashtable is a database of keys and values. This hashtable is distributed among peers within a distributed network. The libp2p manages connectivity and interactivity among peers.

The libp2p querying the DHT allows you to determine which peers hold each block that makes up the NFT Data. Once you’ve found the content, you will need to connect to it (NFT Data) and retrieve it.

IPFS uses Bitswap for this purpose. It establishes connections with peers to send a wish list (a list containing all blocks containing NFT data) and sends them a connection. After receiving the requested content blocks, you can verify their authenticity by hashing them and comparing their CIDs. These CIDs can also be used to deduplicate blocks.

How does Libp2p support multiplexing?

It’s not easy to establish a connection and manage its expenses. Libp2p enables multiplexing between peers with high interoperability. It also eliminates the need to establish multiple connections for different services. The DHT that libp2p provides is used to retrieve the content. After this, the user can then download it through a multiplexed link. The stack’s middle is what holds it all together, and links them with unique identifiers.

Read More : https://www.leewayhertz.com/decentralized-data-storage-nfts/

In recording the value of tangible assets digitally, tokenization is a revolutionary invention for quick transactions and capturing of data. With the emergence of the first crypto-token Bitcoin, the development of Blockchain has traversed a long way in the field of tokenizing tangible and non-tangible assets digitally. The fundamental purpose of Blockchain and distributed ledger invention has served as the granting and exchange path of tokens.

The platform of Tokenization is constantly being analyzed beyond enterprises and decentralized protocols for safety, transparency, digital currency, and easy flow of virtual transactions. Tokenization has helped the market mechanisms and transactions initiated through its transparency. It allows every person from all industries to participate in the easy flow of digital transactions. This results in the enhanced liquidity of transactions and real-time assets.

It was estimated in research done by a firm that the growth of the tokenization market will expand from US$983 million in 2018 to US$2.6 billion by 2023, showcasing a compound yearly expansion rate of 22 percent. Recently one of the leading accessible online remittance platforms, PayU, initiated the mechanism of token-based payments for all the merchants, in association with Google Pay UPI. PayU also talked about the tokenized attribute that will help the payment platform of 4.5 lakh merchants engage debit cards, credit cards, or Google Pay UPI in case of recurring payments without providing any card credentials.

The online payment and banking industry is advancing to support and initiate new remittance form methods that involve excessive security against forgery, account hacking, account mishandling, and all sort of fraud activities. Hence protection is required for a card, noncard and hybrid exchange mechanism to help reduce unauthorized handling and access of cardholder account information and avoid cross-channel fraud activities. Tokenization as a fundamental concept has made a substantial promise to serve this need of the digital world.

In the year 2001, Trust Commerce had invented the concept of Tokenization to secure sensitive and confidential payment information of their client named Classmates.com. Afterward, the actual application of Tokenization was introduced to payment card information by Shift4 Corporation. It was then laid out to the general public during an industry Security Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2005. Card tokenization has also acquired positive affirmation throughout the world with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay initiating all sorts of retail payments through cellphone devices, with the collaboration of card web, namely the VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB and a lot more.

What is Tokenization?

Tokenization refers to the mechanism of issuing blockchain tokens in exchange for real-time assets. Tokenization also generates different tokens such as equity, utility and payment tokens, depending upon the nature of the industry involved.

It is the process of converting ownership rights and real assets into digital assets, recorded on a distributed ledger. It can transform how multiple trillion dollars operate. The increasing demand for tokenization relies on public networks that support compliance, cost and performance needed to achieve mainstream adoption. Hedera Hashgraph overcomes these limitations by introducing Hedera Token Service.

Types of Tokens and their use cases:

Fungible Tokens

Based on the attributes such as decentralized mechanism, safety, and invariability; Blockchain is understood as an efficient technology for managing various digital assets. Though with the advent of such interchangeable tokens, these attributes would not have been possible. Such types of tokens are acceptable for cryptocurrency, and the truth is that the attribute of fungibility is the base of any currency.Tokens with such a feature are created so that every part of them is equivalent to the part of the next token. For example, Bitcoin is an approved cryptocurrency with the attribute of fungibility, which explains that a Bitcoin is equivalent to another Bitcoin and hence is equal to all the subsequent Bitcoins. Such kind of tokens is the ones which possess the quality of being divisible and being interchangeable.In layman terms, these tokens are the ones identical in nature with similar base components. They can be interchanged with the other similar tokens without any technical barrier. Such tokens are similar to the objects we use in everyday life, and their application can also be made to the real world and digital assets.

Non-Fungible Tokens

Non-fungible tokens are unique tokens that portray different items. They are different so that they cannot be divided or precisely changed for the other additional non-fungible tokens of a similar category. You can understand NFTs as tokens with absolutely no fungibility that serves you with various ways of using a blockchain network. Crypto Kitties is the most prominent example of non-fungible, acquirable tokens.Every CryptoKitty is different, and no two CryptoKitties can ever possess similar attributes; it is practically impossible to break a CryptoKitty into smaller parts, exchange them in the transaction, and rearrange them to make an equivalent and unique CryptoKitty, unlike fungible token Bitcoin.

Use Cases

CryptoKitties have been recorded as the first example of non-fungible tokens. The invention of crypto kitties has created a new level of standard and protocols for the Blockchain platform. Non-fungible tokens have multiple use cases across a variety of domains. Similar to crypto kitties, such tokens initiate the creation of a new and unique type of collectibles. Along with the above-mentioned use cases, these tokens also have their essential application use in KYC processes, voting & election mechanism, loyalty events, art creations, real-world assets, virtual assets, copyrights, supply chain assessment, medical information, and a lot more.

With the emergence of tokens, various use cases of the tokens are used as per the market needs. These include all the parts from decentralized governance tokens to regulated securities. This part will explain such tokens that initiate application drive for the mechanism of Hedera Token Service.

Utility Tokens serve the holder with access to a product or assistance. This can be some of the technical assistance, just like the cloud credits, or the actual world products and services like permission to a farm or estate for a holiday.

Security Tokens are those which explain the trading of the token as the trading of that same value. These tokens act for the shares held up in a company or authority/possession of an estate. Most importantly, these tokens must adhere to relevant safety and other financial protocols and fetch their value from the fundamental asset.

Read More : https://www.leewayhertz.com/create-hedera-hashgraph-tokens/

For a long time, the finance industry has been using different technologies to serve their clients. Fintech is one the fastest-growing sectors globally. It offers convenience and high-level security over traditional forms financial services.

The Business Research Company projects that the Fintech sector will reach USD 158014.3 millions by 2023. This study shows that in the USA, 69% of credit unions believe partnerships with fintech are important. 49% of banks also agree. This shows how fintech is transforming the finance industry. These apps help to facilitate this growth.

What is Fintech?

Fintech apps can be described as web- or mobile-based applications that offer financial services. Fintech apps are very common these days because many financial services are now being done digitally in order to meet their needs efficiently and quickly.

What features should a fintech application have?

Simplicity

Fintech apps are designed to protect sensitive data. Therefore, the app should be as easy as possible. Users shouldn’t have to look for directions in the app. It’s important as it means that users won’t need to spend much time to learn the fintech app.

Push Notifications

Effective communication between customers and bank officials is possible through push notifications. They ensure users receive timely updates on new policies and discount information. It allows financial service providers to keep in touch with clients and keeps them informed about everything.

Personalization

Personalization becomes an option when fintech apps have artificial intelligence. AI analyzes user patterns to provide relevant inputs regarding new policies, updates, and other benefits offered by the financial institution. These recommendations and significant inputs are personal and help retain clients and increase revenue.

High-Level Security

Fintech apps must have high-level security. Fintech apps are responsible for the security of users’ financial information. Any data breach or security loopholes could result in significant financial loss to their users. Multi-layered security features such as Biometrics or data encryption are necessary to protect users’ financial and financial information.

What are the different types and uses of fintech apps?

Digital Payments

Digital payments allow you to make payments quickly and securely, in cashless mode. Digital payments can be made using fintech apps, which include e-wallets, online payment systems and digital currencies.

Digital payments are a prominent branch of the fintech sector. Statista predicts that the global value of digital payments will exceed USD 6,685,102M by 2021.

Digital Banking

Banks create fintech apps for clients. Digital banking has become very convenient for both their customers and bank employees to manage their data.

Digital banking fintech app allows users to manage their bank account online, without having to visit banks.

Digital Lending

Apps for digital lending, such as loan apps and software, facilitate communication between lenders and borrowers. Fintech apps allow financial institutions, such as banks, to streamline the loan process and manage them efficiently.

Digital Investment

The digital investment fintech app allows investors to research and place investments in various stock markets and financial assets. Such apps offer relevant and informative data that allows users make informed decisions regarding their investment plans. They also act as a platform for investments.

Consumer Finance

Fintech apps for personal finance help their users to manage their finances. These apps give users the tools and features they need to manage their money, budget and spend wisely.

Read More : https://www.leewayhertz.com/build-a-fintech-app/

Cosmos blockchain, a decentralized network consisting of independent parallel blockchains is supported by BFT consensus algorithms such Tendermint. Cosmos offers tools and SDKs that allow you to develop and host your dApps in the Cosmos ecosystem.

Before Cosmos, the blockchains were not interconnected and could only be used in isolation. Cosmos solved the problem, giving a new vision for the blockchain industry.

What is Cosmos?

Cosmos is an ecosystem of connected apps and services that is constantly growing. It was created for a decentralized future. It is a community-owned network of connected services. Cosmos uses Inter-Blockchain communication (IBC) to connect the apps and services. It allows for the free exchange of data and assets across sovereign, decentralized blockchains.

Cosmos’ primary focus is on customizability, interoperability. Cosmos does not prioritize its network. Instead, it fosters an ecosystem of networks that allows tokens and data to be shared programmatically without any central parties.

Every new Cosmos independent blockchain is named Zone and is tethered back to Cosmos Hub. The Cosmos hub keeps track of the status of each Zone. It is a proofof-stake blockchain powered by ATOM, the native cryptocurrency.

The Vision

Cosmos’ mission is to assist developers in building blockchains quickly and remove any barriers between them, allowing them to interconnect. The ultimate goal of Cosmos is to build a network blockchains that can interact with each other. Cosmos allows blockchains maintain sovereignty, to process transactions efficiently, and to connect with other Blockchains in the ecosystem.

Cosmos employs open-source tools like Tedermint (Cosmos SDK), and IBC to accomplish its goals. It helps you build secure, robust, interoperable, and custom blockchain applications.

What problem solves Cosmos?

Scalability

The shared rate for 15 transactions per second is an inhibitory factor in decentralized applications built on Ethereum blockchain. This is because Ethereum still uses the Proof of Work mechanism and its decentralized applications compete for limited resources of the one blockchain.

This is not just a problem with Ethereum. It applies to all blockchains that create a single platform that can fit all use cases.

Cosmos’ solution

Cosmos has two types of scaling:

Vertical Scalability

It provides methods to scale blockchains. Tendermint BFT can process thousands of transactions per minute by optimizing its components, and moving away form Proof-of-Work.

Horizontal Scalability

Even if applications and consensus engines are extremely optimized, transaction throughput in a single chain can drop, which it cannot exceed. This is due to vertical scaling limitations. Multi-chain architectures are the answer to this problem. Blockchains theoretically can be infinitely scaled by having multiple parallel chains running the same application, and operated by the same validator set.

Cosmos’ vertical scalability is available at launch. This is a significant improvement on existing blockchains. It will also implement horizontal scalability solutions once the IBC module has been completed.

What are the important tools/ frameworks/ SDKs Cosmos uses to make their work easier?

Agoric Swingset

Agoric’s Cosmic SwingSet enables developers test smart contracts built with ERTP within different blockchain setup environments. ERTP, or Electronic Rights Transfer Protocol (or Electronic Rights Transfer Protocol) by Agoric is Agoric’s token standard for transferring digital assets and tokens in JavaScript.

CosmWasm

It allows developers to write multi-chain smart contract in Rust.

Ethermint

The Ethereum Virtual Machine is a Cosmos module that makes it possible to deploy proof of stake blockchains that support Ethereum smart contract.

Cosmos SDK

It’s a library of SDKs which allows anyone who is interested in blockchain protocols to easily create, run and execute the code.

Protocol IBC

Inter-Blockchain Communication, another protocol, allows one blockchain protocol and another to communicate. It is used for a wide variety of cross-chain application, such as atomic swaps, token transfer, multi-chain smart contracts, and data and sharding.

Read More : https://www.leewayhertz.com/everything-about-cosmos-blockchain/

With the advent of tokenization, there could be a shift in how we invest assets. Everything is being tokenized on blockchain, regardless of whether it’s real estate, painting, precious metal, or company shares. Asset tokenization is the conversion of real assets into digital assets. Let’s take an example to illustrate the process.

An Example explaining Asset Tokenization

For a moment, let’s forget about smart contracts and blockchain. Imagine that you are looking to invest in real estate properties but have only $5000 available for investment. It may be a good idea to start small and increase your investment gradually. You might want to invest just a few thousand each two or three months. This might seem like a strange thing to do in real estate. It has been difficult for people to afford apartments larger than four or five square metres.

Reverse the situation. Now you have an apartment and need money. Your apartment has a value of $200,000 but you only have $30,000. You have $200,000 in your apartment, but only $30,000.

Tokenization is a way to do this. Tokenization can also be defined as the process of converting ownership rights in assets into digital tokens. A $200,000 apartment can be converted to 200,000 tokens. Each token equals 0.0005% of the apartment. Tokens can then be issued on any blockchain platform capable of supporting smart contracts such as Ethereum. A token is a token that a user purchases. This means they own 0.0005% of an asset’s ownership. A person who buys 80,000 tokens owns 40% of the asset. They become the 100% owner of the property if they purchase all 200,000 tokens.

Blockchain is an immutable public blockchain that guarantees that once you have purchased tokens, ownership cannot be deleted, regardless of whether it is registered on a government-run registry. This is why blockchain is used in these services. We took an asset and tokenized it. Then we built its digital representation on blockchain.

Tokenization is able to provide increased liquidity, lower costs, and faster settlement. This has fueled investments across all industries. Let’s look at why the market is moving towards tokenization more in detail.

These are just a few of the many reasons that the market is moving to tokenization

No territorial restrictions

Investors can invest in property anywhere in the world, without ever having to visit it. Asset tokenization on blockchain makes it easy to invest in property that is secure and fast.

Elimination of middlemen

It can take days or even months to settle assets trades. External entities are required to verify the documents and determine the eligibility of investors. This adds additional costs. Tokenization eliminates the need to have intermediaries because blockchain has the ability to provide transparency and immutability.

Fractional Ownership

Assets that are digitalized become highly disintegrable. Investors can therefore invest in tokenized assets in very small amounts. You can purchase 10% of tokenized real property properties. This dramatically reduces barriers that prevent billions of investors from entering the market.

Liquidity has improved

Blockchain technology makes it easy to invest in a low-risk environment. Asset tokenization allows for the automatic transfer of ownership and ensures compliance. Tokenized assets are simpler and cheaper than traditional assets. They allow you to trade on regulated exchanges and invest with fiat money. This can increase liquidity.

Transactions are quick and more affordable

The smart contract handles the transactions and transfers of tokens, making the exchange process automated. Automating the buying and selling process can significantly reduce the amount of work involved. It speeds up the transaction execution and charges less.

Broader Investor Base

The level of fractionalization has been a limitation in the trading of real-world assets. Asset tokenization removes this restriction by allowing tokens that represent fractions of ownership to be sold or bought. This allows for a wider range of investors to participate in the investment process. Tokenization will open up new opportunities for investors and give them the ability to diversify their portfolio into assets they cannot afford.

Read More : https://www.leewayhertz.com/what-is-asset-tokenization/