Learning the friendly way

Parmi les nouveaux crypto-actifs disponibles sur Tap, Chainlink (LINK) fait partie des plus prometteurs. C’est aujourd’hui l’un des plus grands réseaux d’oracles décentralisés, capable de connecter des données du monde réel aux applications déployées sur la blockchain.

Mais pourquoi s’y intéresser, alors qu’il existe déjà de nombreuses plateformes décentralisées ? Parce que Chainlink résout un problème clé : l’impossibilité pour les smart contracts d’interagir facilement avec des données extérieures à la blockchain. On vous explique.

Qu’est-ce que Chainlink (LINK) ?

Chainlink est une plateforme d’oracles décentralisés qui permet aux smart contracts (contrats intelligents) de recevoir des données du monde réel. Ces données peuvent inclure des taux de change, des résultats sportifs, la météo ou encore des cours boursiers.

Sur une blockchain, les smart contracts fonctionnent de manière autonome mais ont besoin d'informations externes pour s’exécuter correctement. Chainlink agit comme le pont entre ces contrats et les sources de données extérieures, grâce à un réseau d’oracles sécurisés et incités à fournir des données fiables via un système de réputation.

Qui a créé Chainlink ?

Le projet trouve ses origines en 2014 avec la création de SmartContract, fondé par Sergey Nazarov et Steve Ellis. L’idée était déjà de connecter les smart contracts à des données et à des paiements bancaires externes.

C’est en 2017 que la première version de Chainlink est dévoilée, accompagnée d’un whitepaper et d’une ICO réussie qui a levé 32 millions de dollars, en vendant 35 % de l’offre totale de 1 milliard de tokens LINK.

Comment fonctionne Chainlink ?

Pour faire simple, Chainlink fournit une infrastructure hors-chaîne (off-chain) permettant aux smart contracts d’accéder à des données extérieures, sans avoir besoin que chaque développeur code ses propres oracles.

Voici les trois étapes clés du fonctionnement de Chainlink :

Sélection des oracles

L’utilisateur définit un contrat de niveau de service (SLA) décrivant les données souhaitées. La plateforme sélectionne ensuite les meilleurs oracles correspondants et verrouille les tokens LINK nécessaires dans un contrat de correspondance.

Collecte des données

Les oracles récupèrent les données auprès de sources externes, les vérifient, puis les transmettent au smart contract sur la blockchain.

Agrégation des résultats

Un contrat d’agrégation analyse les réponses fournies, évalue leur fiabilité et détermine un résultat final à transmettre au smart contract. Il enregistre également la performance des oracles (temps de réponse, taux de réussite, nombre de requêtes traitées, etc.).

Quelle est la différence entre oracle centralisé et oracle décentralisé ?

Contrairement à une solution centralisée où une seule entité fournit les données, Chainlink fonctionne avec un réseau décentralisé d’oracles indépendants. Cela permet de réduire les points de défaillance et de garantir la fiabilité des données utilisées dans les smart contracts.

Chainlink peut aussi interagir avec des oracles externes à son propre réseau, via les modules Chainlink Core et Chainlink Adapter. Et tout cela fonctionne en Proof-of-Stake, avec un système de staking qui renforce la sécurité du réseau.

En quoi Chainlink est utile ?

Grâce à Chainlink, les développeurs peuvent connecter facilement leurs smart contracts à des données externes comme une API, un système interne d’entreprise ou un flux d’information quelconque, sans avoir à réinventer la roue à chaque fois.

Aucune plateforme supplémentaire n’est à apprendre : Chainlink s’intègre directement aux blockchains existantes et n’applique aucun frais d’accès à ses services oracles. Les opérateurs de nœuds sont rémunérés en LINK.

Qu’est-ce que le token LINK ?

LINK est le token natif du réseau Chainlink. Il sert à payer les oracles, à staker pour sécuriser le réseau, et à déterminer la priorité des opérateurs dans le traitement des requêtes.

Le token remplit trois fonctions principales :

• Récompenser les nœuds oracle pour la récupération et la transmission de données
• Inciter les opérateurs à fournir des données fiables
• Staker pour exécuter un nœud Chainlink et garantir la qualité du service

LINK est un token ERC-20 qui alimente tout l’écosystème Chainlink.

Comment acheter Chainlink (LINK) ?

Vous pouvez acheter et stocker du LINK directement dans l’app Tap, en quelques clics :

• Échangez vos crypto ou vos devises fiat contre du LINK
• Achetez LINK avec votre carte Visa ou Mastercard
• Gérez votre portefeuille depuis l’application Tap avec un accès sécurisé

Prêt·e à faire un pas de plus dans l’univers des smart contracts connectés au monde réel ? Chainlink vous attend sur Tap.

MKR, the governance token fueling the network, comes from the same platform that created DAI, the algorithmic stablecoin soft-pegged to the US dollar. MKR serves both the decentralized autonomous organization, MakerDAO, and the software platform, Maker Protocol, both built on the Ethereum blockchain. These two platforms generate DAI and allow users to issue and manage the DAI stablecoin. 

What is Maker (MKR)?

Developed in 2015 and officially launched in December 2017, Maker is a revolutionary project that was built to host and generate DAI, a community-managed cryptocurrency that has its value soft pegged to the US dollar. The MakerDAO forms part of the larger Maker Protocol which allows DAI to maintain its value and operate without the need for a third party. The Maker Protocol requires both tokens to operate: DAI and MKR. 

To understand MKR, one must first be familiar with the DAI stablecoin. DAI serves as a loan option for borrowers, with the platform allowing users to take out a loan in DAI tokens by locking another cryptocurrency, such as ETH. When the borrower pays back the DAI that was borrowed, they are able to reclaim the collateral used for their loan. However, if its value drops below a predefined level it could automatically be sold off.

The Maker ecosystem is one of the first DeFi projects to enter the market, years before the movement took off. The DeFi sector revolves around providing decentralized financial products powered by smart contracts to the masses. 

Though the DAI stablecoin is best known as a service offered by the Maker Protocol, the MKR token is actually the crypto asset that secures changes to maintain its functioning. The governance token MKR gives holders voting rights over the Maker Protocol's development, such as what cryptocurrencies can be accepted as collateral and the price at which these assets will be sold if liquidation is to occur. The MKR price appreciates in value based on the success of DAI. 

The Maker protocol accepts a range of cryptocurrencies, including ETH, MANA, and BAT, as collateral.

Who created the Maker platform?

Established in 2015, the Maker Protocol was developed by a team of tech-savvy developers spearheaded by Rune Christensen. As time progressed, this collective eventually organized and formed into an official entity known as the Maker Foundation, a corporation located in the Cayman Islands.

In 2017, the Maker team raised a remarkable $12 million in funding by selling MKR tokens to some of the most influential venture capital firms at the time including Andreessen Horowitz, Polychain Capital, and 1Confirmation. A year later, another $15 million worth of MKR tokens were bought by Andreessen Horowitz, who expressed the intention to help govern the DAI system by participating in the MakerDAO. 

In 2019, the project raised another $27.5 million from venture firms Paradigm and Dragonfly Capital Partners for expansion to Asia. 

How does the Maker Protocol work?

When the Maker Protocol launched, 1 million MKR tokens were created. These tokens gave holders voting rights on key decisions through a process called Executive Voting.

First, the sentiment of MKR holders is measured on a new proposal through Proposal Polling before committing any changes to the software. The Executive Vote then takes place, and once the highest amount of MKR token holders commits to a proposal and the vote is passed, the winning proposal is implemented into the Maker Protocol. The number of tokens holds more president than the number of token holders, i.e. 10 holders with 1,000 tokens each will outvote 100 token holders with 50 tokens each. 

Non-MKR holders also have the opportunity to participate in the vote via threads in the MakerDAO forum however the MKR holders have the final say.

DAI Savings Rate

MKR holders also have a say in how much DAI holders can earn if they save DAI tokens on the platform, known as the DAI Savings Rate. In previous years this amount has varied between 0% and 8.75%. Following the recent market crash, MKR holders voted to make the DAI Savings Rate zero to encourage holders to sell their DAI and bring the price back into equilibrium.

When the DAI price drops below $1, MKR holders can vote to raise the DAI Savings Rate to encourage more users to hold DAI which increases the price.

What is MKR?

MKR is an ERC-20 token and acts as a governance and utility token to the Maker Protocol with no fixed supply. The token gains value as the use of the Maker Protocol increases as the supply is reduced when the Protocol is working effectively and increased when governed poorly. MKR tokens are created or destroyed through surplus auctions and debt auctions.

Surplus Auctions

The Maker system holds a Surplus Auction when the fees collected exceed an amount decided by MKR holders. DAI that surpasses this threshold must be purchased with MKR in order to settle the auction. This MKR is then destroyed reducing the total supply and thus increasing the token price.

Debt Auctions

Conversely, if the Maker system is underperforming its locked coins are sold for a lower value than before, causing it to raise capital via a Debt Auction. Through this process, new MKR tokens are created and auctioned for DAI. This in turn increases the MKR tokens and reduces the price. 

In this light, MKR holders are incentivized to keep the platform performing optimally in order for it to generate more fees and thereby reduce the MKR supply.

How can I buy Maker (MKR) tokens?

Anyone looking to add Maker MKR tokens to their crypto portfolio can securely purchase Maker tokens through the Tap app. The mobile app allows anyone with an account to conveniently and safely purchase cryptocurrencies through an effortless trading experience. 

Users can buy /sell Maker MKR tokens using both crypto or fiat currencies, and safely store the tokens in the unique crypto wallet integrated into the app. Download the Tap app today to tap into the Maker ecosystem today.

While you’ve likely come across the world of cryptocurrencies, you most probably have stumbled upon the term “blockchain”. But what is the blockchain solution? Blockchain is not only the revolutionary technology behind cryptocurrencies, it also has a large use case outside of the cryptocurrency and even the finance sector.

In the decade since blockchain technologies and digital ledger technology came to light, a host of blockchain networks have been created, most with their own digital currency. As the industry has grown and new blockchain networks have emerged, innovation in the space has increased significantly.

From the Ethereum blockchain providing a platform on which developers can create digital assets and smart contracts to corporate organizations implementing a private blockchain in order to streamline their services, the technology is propelling mankind forward in ways not witnessed in decades.

The blockchain solution provides much more than just digital assets, and industries far beyond just the payment processing ones are catching on. With traditional business networks incorporating the technology, the world of permissioned blockchain is igniting.

What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is a decentralized, transparent, immutable technology that keeps a public record of all information entered. Designed to record and distribute information, not to be edited. Also referred to as a public ledger, a blockchain keeps a record of all information ever inputted and stores it chronologically in blocks.

These blocks are linked to each other through a hashing system, which ensures that no one can ever tamper with the previous records, or try to manipulate the information on them. The “chain” of blocks make up the blockchain database.

The decentralized technology is not typically run by one entity, but rather from a variety of computers (also known as nodes) that make up the network, and work together to validate transactions and all information added to the blocks. Blockchain can be used in two forms, as a public blockchain or as private blockchain networks.

The public version allows anyone to view all information on the network, while the private reserves the information for members granted access.

The Advantages of Blockchain Technology

Powerful Technology

Invented in 2008 alongside Bitcoin by an anonymous entity Satoshi Nakamoto, blockchain is the technology that fueled the new way that money is transacted. Not only that, the technology offers incredible use cases far beyond the financial world. 

Fully Trusted, Fully Automated

One of the key features of blockchain is its ability to function without a central authority. The technology is designed to be maintained by various operating systems on the network, with full autonomy dispersed evenly. Information is stored on the blockchain in such a way that everyone can view it but no one can go back and tamper with it.

Powering Industries

While blockchain is the technology behind crypto, it also offers an incredible backbone to a diverse range of industries outside of this space. Companies like Nestle, Microsoft and Walmart are onboarding blockchain, proving to offer a strong and highly adaptable infrastructure to financial, property, and supply chain management entities. The number of blockchain companies is growing by the day.

The Core Benefits of a Blockchain Network

Decentralized

Blockchain networks are designed to be entirely decentralized meaning that there is no one central authority. The entire network is maintained by nodes (computers) around the world and no single entity has control. 

Immutable

Once the information has been added to a blockchain, no one can tamper, edit, or remove it. As information is verified and added to blocks, this solidifies its presence on the blockchain forever. 

Transparent

Blockchain offers a transparent view of all the activity that takes place on the network. This takes away the need for any checks or balances as all the information is available at any given time, in real-time.

What is the Difference Between a Public Blockchain and Private Blockchain?

When understanding what is blockchain, a common question is whether blockchain is secure. The answer is yes, blockchain is very secure.

Due to its decentralized nature, the technology requires a network of operators (computers) to verify and input all the information. As soon as one tries to input incorrect information or conduct illicit transactions, the network will recognize this and reject it immediately. 

The difference between a public and private blockchain is that public blockchain networks are open for anyone to see, while private blockchains are closed to an organization or a selected group of people.

Cryptocurrency networks are examples of public blockchain networks in that anyone can view all the transaction data. For a private blockchain, however, users will need special permission to access this information.

How is Blockchain Tamperproof?

Each block is made up of three things: the hash code of the previous block, the relevant information, and its own hash code.

When a new block is added, the new block will again have the hash of the previous block, the relevant information, and its own hash. This special sequence of hashes ensures that all blocks are stored chronologically, in a linear fashion, meaning that you cannot tamper with one block's information without tampering with every block after that.

Tampering with blocks would take an enormous amount of computing power and is largely considered impossible. Hence the security of using a digital asset or digital currency.

Blockchain Explained: How Does It Work

At its core, blockchain records and distributes information to a wide network of users that participate in verifying the information and maintaining the network. Let’s take a deeper look at Bitcoin transactions to further explain how blockchain works. 

If one user wanted to send a portion of Bitcoin to another user, they would require the user’s wallet address. Each wallet is made up of two codes, a public and private key, which enable the user to receive BTC (through the public key), as well as access BTC and conduct transactions (through the private key). The sender will then input the receiver’s wallet code and send the amount of Bitcoin they desire. 

This transaction will then enter a pool of transactions waiting to be verified by a miner on the network. The miner will ensure that the sender owns the amount they are sending, and verify the transaction along with a number of other transactions.

On the Bitcoin network, the size of one block is 1MB, which equates to roughly 3,200 transactions able to be stored in one block. When building a blockchain network, the size of the blocks can be increased or decreased to suit the use case. 

Once the transaction has been verified, the miner will record transactions processed and ensure they are added to the chain. The transaction ledger will then be distributed to the rest of the operators on the network. This new version will then override the older versions, and so on as more blocks are added.

Once the block is added to the blockchain and distributed, the funds will reflect in the receiver’s wallet. No need for a bank account or legal contracts, Bitcoin (and other digital currencies) operate entirely separately from traditional banking institutions and allow for the fast, efficient and cost-effective transaction of value.

Fraudulent transactions cannot take place as this will be flagged long before the block is added to the chain. Blockchain work in such a way that network participants can immediately flag ill actors and dismiss fraudulent financial transactions.

Understanding the Difference Between Blockchain and The Bitcoin Blockchain

The burning question: how does blockchain compare to Bitcoin. The answer is that it doesn’t, there are two separate, co-dependent technologies. Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency, is built on blockchain technology and requires it to function. There is no Bitcoin without blockchain technology.

Consider it the backbone of all cryptocurrencies. Blockchain technology, however, is an adaptable technology that can be used outside of the cryptocurrency industry. The technology can be used in any industry, provided that they require a transparent, immutable public ledger. 

One thing the two do have in common is that they were both introduced to the world at the same time. While the concept of blockchain technology was initially invented by researchers W. Scott Stornetta and Stuart Haber in 1991, it was referred to as distributed ledger technology (DLT) and was created purely to store office documents.

The anonymous entity Satoshi Nakamoto built on this and ultimately solved the double spending problem it was plagued with. In 2008, Nakamoto released both blockchain technology and Bitcoin in a whitepaper titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.

The Bitcoin blockchain refers to the network, while blockchain technology refers to the technology as a whole.

In Conclusion

What is blockchain? Blockchain technology is the transparent, immutable storage of information. As mentioned earlier, this technology has use cases far outside of just the cryptocurrency and financial ecosystems.

Industries like renewable energy, supply chain management, and even farming sectors are now incorporating blockchain technology into their business systems, empowering them with a fully automated and safe means of storing records. 

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One of the largest and oldest dapps in the DeFi (decentralized finance) space, Compound Finance has built a reliable reputation among traders looking for lending and borrowing services. Compound operates using its native ERC-20 COMP tokens which provide community governance as well as other services.

What is the Compound protocol (COMP)?

Built on the Ethereum blockchain, the Compound protocol provides liquid money markets offering services such as lending and borrowing. Supporting a number of crypto assets, the Compound protocol allows users to deposit crypto into lending pools providing capital for borrowers on the network and allowing them to earn interest in return.

After depositing funds into the lending pool, lenders are issued "cTokens" (cETH, cDAI, cBAT) which represent the deposit made. These tokens can then be traded or transferred within the platform, or redeemed for the original cryptocurrency deposited. This process is conducted by smart contracts and operates entirely automatically with interest rates algorithmically assigned based on the activity in its liquidity pools. 

The Compound protocol also uses the ERC-20 native COMP token which is distributed to traders that utilize the Compound market, i.e. borrowing, withdrawing or repaying the asset. COMP tokens are distributed each time an Ethereum block is mined proportional to the interest collected from each asset. The COMP cryptocurrency grants COMP token holders governance and voting rights.

Following notable investments from the likes of consulting firm Bain Capital Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and Polychain, the platform has grown and established a strong reputation within the decentralized finance space and the greater crypto world.

The history of Compound and who created it

Compound was founded in 2017 by Robert Leshner and Geoffrey Hayes, who both previously held high-profile jobs at PostMates, an online food delivery service. Leshner holds the CEO position while Hayes remains the CTO at Compound Labs, Inc, the software development firm behind the Compound protocol. Compound Labs is an open-source software development firm creating cutting-edge tools, products, and services for the innovative DeFi ecosystem.

In 2018, the platform raised $8.2 million from notable venture capital firms Bain Capital Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. A year later, Compound raised an additional $25 million from many of the same investors along with new ones including Paradigm Capital.

How does Compound work?

The Compound protocol leverages the power of Ethereum smart contracts and cryptocurrency incentives to benefit lenders and borrowers. Lend and borrow services make up the two main use cases for the platform, as outlined below.

Interest rates on Compound are dynamically managed based on the supply and demand of particular crypto assets within the coin pools. The higher the liquidity, the lower the interest rate. Prices are determined by using the Open Price Feed based on Chainlink's oracles which collect the data from numerous exchanges.

In order to use the Compound DeFi protocol to engage in lending or borrowing services, you will need to connect one of the supported crypto wallets. Currently, the app supports MetaMask, Ledger, WalletConnect, and Tally Ho. The interface has been designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, perfect for traders new to the space as well as seasoned DeFi participants.

Lending/supplying

The process of lending on the Compound platform is called supplying. Lenders are able to earn interest on their cryptocurrency by depositing cryptocurrencies into the Compound platform. Borrowers are also required to deposit digital assets into the protocol, which can earn interest but cannot be withdrawn for the duration of the borrowing period.

The platform currently supports roughly 20 crypto assets, from Basic Attention Token (BAT) to Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), with Ethereum (ETH) and a number of stablecoins (DAI, USDC, and USDT) being the most actively used.

Once users lend assets to the platform, they are issued with ERC-20-based cTokens corresponding to the cryptocurrency deposited (i.e. cETH, cDAI, etc.). These tokens confirm the liquidity providers' deposits and offer a number of other incentives.

Borrowing

After depositing a particular cryptocurrency into the decentralized finance protocol, users are assigned a "borrowing capacity". This is a limit set in USD based on the rate of the crypto asset which is determined by the Open Price Feed. When depositing multiple cryptocurrencies, the borrowing capacity will factor this in.

Users can also borrow cryptocurrencies supported by the protocol based on a coin's collateral ratio. For instance, if DAI has a collateral ratio of 70%, users can borrow DAI up to 70% of the total amount deposited. Typically, collateral ratios are between 60% and 85%.

Similar to the lending process, when borrowing cryptocurrency borrowers are issued cTokens. So when borrowing DAI for instance, borrowers will be issued cDAI tokens, with the interest payable based on these tokens as well.

Withdrawing

After paying back the borrowed debt, users can redeem their deposited funds. Without having to deal with other traders, the protocol seamlessly utilizes a dynamically maintained set of liquidity pools. The platform also does not charge any withdrawal penalties or hold users to minimum investment times.

When users redeem their funds, the cTokens issued are added to the accumulated interest and converted back to the originally deposited cryptocurrency. These funds can then be withdrawn into the connected wallet.

Account Health

The Compound platform uses a system called "account health" to establish whether accounts are in risk of liquidation. This system measures the sum of the deposited funds against the total amount borrowed. If a user's account health falls dangerously low, the account could be liquidated, and some of the collateral forfeited.

This process is managed in a decentralized way where platform users act as liquidators and monitor for risky accounts. Should they liquidate an account they earn a portion of the liquidated funds.

What is the COMP token?

The COMP token is the Compound platform's native token which mainly serves as a governance token, with a built-in incentive for users holding the token. Holders of COMP tokens are able to vote on all important decisions pertaining to the protocol, including interest rates. Much like the cTokens, COMP tokens are based on Ethereum’s ERC-20 token standard. 

Compound tokens have a total supply of 10,000,000 tokens, of which over 70% of Compound coins are in circulation (at the time of writing).

How can I buy COMP tokens?

With Tap's mobile app, users can easily acquire COMP tokens and store them in the integrated wallet with confidence, either to hold long-term, sell, trade or use on other DeFi platforms. Not only does Tap provide an effortless way of trading digital assets, but also a safe space to keep your investments secure over long periods of time.

In order to access the mobile app users will need to download the app and create an account. After a quick verification process, users have access to a wide range of vetted cryptocurrencies as well as fiat wallets where funds can be safely stored or used in the real world. Whether you're looking to buy Compound or sell Compound coins, Tap provides a seamless solution to your crypto needs.

Livepeer est un réseau de streaming vidéo décentralisé conçu pour rendre la diffusion de contenu vidéo plus accessible, plus flexible et moins coûteuse. Lancé en 2017, il s’agit du premier protocole entièrement décentralisé de streaming vidéo en direct, offrant une alternative aux services centralisés traditionnels comme YouTube ou Twitch.

La plateforme met en relation les créateurs de contenu vidéo avec des opérateurs de calcul qui fournissent la puissance de traitement nécessaire. Ce système en pair-à-pair permettrait de réduire les coûts de diffusion jusqu’à 50 à 90 % par rapport aux fournisseurs cloud traditionnels, tout en garantissant une qualité et une fiabilité élevées.

TL;DR

• Infrastructure vidéo décentralisée : Livepeer propose un réseau distribué pour le traitement de vidéos en direct, compatible avec les applications d’IA et les tâches de transcodage.
• Streaming économique : Le protocole sert de place de marché décentralisée pour les développeurs d'applications vidéo, permettant un traitement plus efficace des contenus.
• Technologie Ethereum : Construit sur Ethereum, Livepeer offre une alternative blockchain aux services de streaming centralisés, favorisant l’innovation ouverte.
• Token natif (LPT) : Le token Livepeer (LPT) sert à la gouvernance et au staking au sein du réseau, mais n’est pas utilisé pour les paiements directs.

C’est quoi Livepeer (LPT) ?

Livepeer est un réseau mondial où chacun peut contribuer à la diffusion de vidéos en mettant à disposition sa puissance de calcul. Lorsqu’un utilisateur souhaite diffuser une vidéo, le système répartit le traitement sur un réseau d’ordinateurs indépendants plutôt que sur des serveurs centralisés coûteux.

Le cœur du protocole repose sur le transcodage vidéo : c’est le processus qui permet de convertir une vidéo dans plusieurs formats et résolutions (1080p, 720p, etc.), pour s’adapter à différents appareils et vitesses de connexion.

Traditionnellement, cette opération nécessite des centres de données massifs. Livepeer, en revanche, répartit la charge entre des milliers d’ordinateurs appelés “orchestrateurs”.

Ce modèle profite à toutes les parties :

• Les créateurs de contenu bénéficient d’un traitement vidéo plus économique,
• Les opérateurs de calcul sont rémunérés pour l’utilisation de leurs ressources,
• Les spectateurs conservent une qualité de visionnage optimale.

Livepeer s’avère particulièrement utile pour les développeurs d’applications vidéo, qui peuvent utiliser l’infrastructure sans avoir à construire leur propre système de traitement.

Qui a créé Livepeer ?

Livepeer a été fondé en 2017 par Doug Petkanics et Eric Tang, deux ingénieurs logiciels et entrepreneurs de longue date.

Doug Petkanics, CEO de Livepeer, possède plus de 10 ans d’expérience dans la tech. Avant ce projet, il a cofondé Wildcard, où il occupait le poste de VP Engineering. Il est diplômé de l’Université de Pennsylvanie.

Eric Tang, CTO de Livepeer, s’est spécialisé dans l’application de la blockchain pour optimiser les coûts et la performance du streaming vidéo. Ensemble, ils ont développé une infrastructure comptant aujourd’hui plus de 70 000 GPU actifs pour encoder des vidéos à l’échelle.

Leur constat initial : le streaming vidéo devenait trop centralisé et trop coûteux, dominé par quelques géants technologiques. Leur solution : un réseau ouvert, décentralisé et compétitif.

Comment fonctionne Livepeer ?

Réseau de transcodage vidéo

Lorsque vous diffusez une vidéo, celle-ci doit être convertie en plusieurs formats pour pouvoir être lue sur différents types d’appareils et connexions.
Avec Livepeer, ce travail est distribué entre de nombreux orchestrateurs indépendants, qui sont en concurrence pour proposer le meilleur service au coût le plus bas.

Staking et sécurité du réseau

Les opérateurs souhaitant rejoindre le réseau doivent staker des tokens LPT comme garantie. Cela encourage un comportement responsable : un service de mauvaise qualité ou frauduleux peut entraîner la perte des tokens stakés.

Les utilisateurs peuvent aussi déléguer leurs LPT à des orchestrateurs de confiance, recevant ainsi une part des récompenses générées, tout en contribuant à la sécurité du réseau sans devoir gérer de matériel.

Place de marché décentralisée

Livepeer fonctionne comme une place de marché, où les demandes de traitement vidéo sont automatiquement attribuées aux orchestrateurs proposant les meilleures conditions (prix, qualité, disponibilité).

Les paiements pour le traitement vidéo sont généralement effectués en ETH ou autres cryptomonnaies. Le token LPT, lui, est utilisé pour le staking et la gouvernance, mais pas pour les transactions directes.

Qu’est-ce que le LPT ?

Le token LPT (Livepeer Token) joue un rôle central dans le fonctionnement du réseau. Il est utilisé pour :

• Sécuriser le réseau : les orchestrateurs doivent staker des LPT pour participer.
• Gouvernance : les détenteurs de LPT peuvent voter sur les décisions du protocole.
• Délégation : les tokens peuvent être délégués à des orchestrateurs, qui partagent ensuite les frais générés.
• Preuve de travail : le LPT donne le droit de fournir du service sur le réseau et de recevoir des frais en retour.

Le modèle du token est inflationniste, de nouveaux LPT étant créés pour récompenser les participants. Cette émission est ajustée en fonction de l’usage réel du réseau.

Comment acheter et gérer des LPT ?

Les tokens LPT peuvent être achetés, vendus et stockés via l’app Tap. L’application permet aux utilisateurs vérifiés de gérer leurs LPT avec d’autres actifs numériques, facilement et en toute sécurité.

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Investing has become an increasingly important part of many people's financial plans, as it offers the potential for greater returns than simply leaving money in a savings account. By investing your hard-earned money, you can potentially build wealth over time and secure a better future for yourself and your family.

But what exactly is investing? Put simply, investing involves putting your money into assets with the goal of making more money. There are various types of investments available to individuals, from stocks and bonds to mutual funds and real estate investments. Understanding how each type works is key to making smart investment decisions that will help you meet your financial goals.

Investing can also involve investing in time and labor, especially when it comes to business operations. These investments are similar in that one expects to see returns. While no investment carries a guarantee, understanding what they are and how they operate will assist you in making smart financial decisions. 

What is an investment?

When you invest, you're essentially trading current resources (like time or money) for an asset that has the potential to grow in value. Ideally, if you choose to invest in the right asset at the right time, your investment could gain value. As an example, when you trade on the stock market, you are buying stock with capital in the hope that in time the asset will grow in value and sell for more money than the initial capital investment. 

There are plenty of different types of investments one could use to grow their money, from stocks and bonds to commodities and cryptocurrencies, as well as mutual funds and real estate properties. The concept behind every investment is that it will make more money for the investor in the long term.

A smart investment allows an individual to not only make money but increase their total net worth. However, it's crucial to remember that every type of investment is speculative and there is always a possibility you will lose some or all the money you put in. For example, if you purchase stock shares or a piece of property, the value could decrease soon after you buy it. For this reason it is imperative that one assesses their risk tolerance before investing in something so as not to lose money.

The definition of an investment is not constant and can change depending on the situation. For instance, in macroeconomics, investing refers to purchasing items now that will be used later to generate income. While a company or individual from one nation might invest in business properties located in another country, such as building a factory which is known as foreign direct investments.

What are the different types of investments?

With a variety of options available, each investment type carries its own potential for returns, risks, and other factors such as tax implications and management fees. Below we highlight several options available to the everyday trader that can be used individually or together as part of an investment strategy to contribute to their financial goals.

Stock Market

By investing in stocks on the stock market, you are purchasing fractional ownership of a public listed company. People generally invest in stocks with the aspiration that their value will have gone up by the time they sell them. In order to make a profit from selling stock, the price will need to have grown enough to cover any trading costs and transaction fees associated with the trade. 

Investing in certain stocks might also make you liable to dividend payouts, where a company distributes profits to shareholders (holders of stock) based on the company's performance. 

Read more about investing in stocks in our What Are Stocks article. 

Mutual funds

Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool the money of many investors and invest in a variety of different assets such as stocks, bonds, and other securities. A mutual fund is managed by an investment professional who makes all the decisions about where to put the money within the fund.

These professionals seek to maximize returns for investors while maintaining a certain level of risk. Mutual funds are a great way for investors to diversify their portfolios, as the fund’s holdings may include stocks from many different companies and sectors. Additionally, mutual funds reduce the amount of research required to make an informed investment decision since all decisions are made by the fund manager. Investing in a mutual fund may come with higher fees than other investments.

Bonds

By purchasing a bond, you are essentially loaning money to a government, company, or other borrowing entity. In return for your loan, the debtor (the bond issuer) is required to repay both the debt and any associated interest payments. 

However, it's worth noting that on occasion companies and countries default on their bonds, meaning that they can't make scheduled payments to the bondholders which will result in the investor losing money. This is almost always a last resort option as these establishments know that defaulting will scare off investors going forward.

A bond is a fixed-income instrument that pays periodic interest payments until the agreed-upon end date when the final payment is made and the loan's original amount is repaid.

Commodities

Commodities are raw materials that can be traded for one another, such as gold, beef, and gas, expanding to foreign currencies and indexes. Funds that invest money in commodities will typically invest in resources such as precious metals (silver, gold), energy resources (natural gas, oil), and primary agricultural products (wheat). 

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that are operated on decentralized networks free from government or financial institutional control. While considered high-risk, several cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin) have shown incredible gains over the last decade. Various investment accounts in mainstream firms are starting to incorporate cryptocurrencies into their portfolio.

Other investment options (real estate investments, etc)

Other investment options include real estate, options, futures, and certificates of deposit. 

Before investing in any of the asset classes mentioned above it is imperative that one understands the financial instruments and their own risk tolerance entirely, as well as the terms involved in the investment, the fees or transaction costs and the risks involved. 

It is also important for savvy investors to understand the tax implications of their investments and the capital gains tax they might be required to pay on any investment returns.

How do investments work?

While each asset class might differ slightly, they all require an upfront investment of capital. The intention is that this will later create a return in a monetary form of higher value. 

When investing in financial products such as bonds, stocks, or a mutual fund, investors will typically have to set up an investment account with a professional such as a brokerage firm or money manager. This person can then advise on which products to invest in and manage your portfolio.

Investing in real estate will involve buying a house, usually done by making a down payment or investing in real estate investment trusts. These properties can either be used to live in or rent out and generate future income. The intention here is that the house appreciates in value over a certain period of time and can later be sold at a higher price. Depending on the property and area these types of investments can range from high risk to low risk.

How investments drive economic growth

Investments are not just for personal or corporate benefits, they play a big role in driving the broader economy. Through factors like building consumer demand and job creation, investing can play a direct role in economic growth. 

For instance, a company might decide to sell stocks and issue corporate bonds in order to raise capital. This capital can then be used to build a factory, create a new product line and hire new employees. This then drives the greater economy while also building the company's and investors' wealth. 

In another example, governments might use the funds raised from corporate bonds to fund public projects, fix the roads, or build social programs in communities. Or individuals might use gains made from investments to further their education or save for retirement. With more income comes more consumerism, in turn contributing to economic growth.

How to start investing

If you're ready to start investing, you will first need to determine your risk tolerance and which asset class you wish to pursue. If you're just starting out, start small and grow instead of taking on too many things at once. Gaining an understanding of your risk tolerance will help you to navigate where start investing.

Research

Before you begin, ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the market you wish to invest in, and understand all the associated risks. Always do your own research, and don't rely on one outlet or individual to be the sole source of information. If the option is available, consider hiring a professional to assist you. 

Understand market movements

Another important aspect to understand before investing is that markets will always have fluctuations. Even if they grow over long periods of time, they will still go through periods of increases and declines. Don't rely on past performances to dictate future outcomes. 

Open an account

To get started in investing you will need to open an investment account that allows you to both buy and sell the financial instrument. Looking at investing in stock, some investors will open a brokerage account that will execute trades on their behalf, while others might use a portfolio manager who oversees all their investments. Always do your research before parting ways with your money.

Have your financial affairs in order first

While investing is designed to create wealth, it is important to have a grasp on your personal finance beforehand, and ideally have an emergency fund set up for any unforeseen expences (so that you won't have to tap into your investment accounts).

Conclusion

An investment is the act of buying an asset with the intention that it appreciates in value over time. Before people invest it is imperative that one establishes their risk tolerance to establish how much risk one has to navigate.

Investments can be managed by professionals or individually, depending on the investors preference. It is also important to note that return on investments will typically be imposed by capital gains taxes, depending on the jurisdiction. 

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