Tech Takedowns & Creative Comebacks

Volume 1 | Edition 26 | December 21, 2023

Opening Thoughts

Hey Chain Reaction crew, good morning, and happy Thursday!

The holiday spirit is in the air! Christmas trees are up, lights have been hung, and last-minute shopping is in full effect. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, this time of year is the best for reflection, growth, and family time.

Before everyone settles in for the long weekend, let's talk about something that might surprise you more than finding out your neighbor does NPC streams.

This year, Coinbase has been pulling off some major moves. Their stock (COIN) didn't just climb the charts; it rocketed, outperforming not just the big tech giants but also leaving ETH in the dust.

We're talking about a whopping 400% increase in gains.

But here's where it gets juicier. COIN also left behind Nvidia, the tech monster that usually sets the tone for the industry. And let's not forget Ethereum – while ETH has had a decent run, up around 85% this year, it's still lagging behind Coinbase's sprint​​.

Now, even as COIN is stealing the limelight, some big players like ARK Invest are trimming their COIN holdings, which dropped about 11% in their ARK Innovation ETF this December alone​​.

Makes you wonder, is Cathie Wood seeing something we're not?

And amidst all this, Coinbase's CEO, Brian Armstrong, is doubling down on the future of crypto. He's bullish about the whole crypto scene in 2024.

The man's even backing it up with some serious political moves, joining forces with other crypto giants, such as Ripple and Brad Garlinghouse, to support pro-crypto election candidates to the tune of nearly $80 million. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is​​.

The current user-base of blockchain focuses heavily on the decentralized aspect of the technology, while the centralized entities are providing tangible support to grow the space.

So, as we watch COIN's rise and the big plays in the crypto-political arena, it's clear that the only predictable thing about crypto is its unpredictability.

World Of Web3

Navigating the immense amount of nonsense in this space, bringing you only the good stuff.

Google's AI Playbook: Navigating the 2024 Elections or Manipulating the Narrative?

Google's stepping into the 2024 U.S. elections with a tech-heavy game plan that's both intriguing and a tad concerning.

They're deploying AI to tackle misinformation and policy violations on their platforms. With advanced Large Language Models, they're aiming to police content at lightning speed.

But the real eyebrow-raiser?

Google's limiting the types of election-related queries Bard and its Search Generative Experience will answer. It's a cautious approach, sure, but it begs the question: What's getting filtered out, and who decides?

For those deepfake dilemmas, Google's rolling out labeling tools for AI-generated content. Think of it as a digital tag, letting you know when you're dealing with a machine's creation.

Cybersecurity's not taking a backseat either. Google's fortifying defenses with their ‘Titan Security Keys’, aiming to keep election-related cyber threats at bay.

This blend of AI oversight and digital safeguards at Google implies we will see an election cycle unlike any before.

Curious about what this means for the future of elections and digital integrity? Check out the full story on Google's blog and see where you stand in this unfolding narrative.

Bird's Swift Decline: A Scooter Fad's Fall from Grace

Back in 2017, as a Sophomore at the University of Michigan, I remember waking up to find our campus and city suddenly swarmed with Bird scooters. It was an instant craze, like a modern-day gold rush on two wheels.

Within a day the entire campus was using them. The convenience was undeniable, for less than a dollar you could simply scooter to your destination with absolutely no responsibility for the device once you got off it.

Fast forward to today, and Bird Global Inc., the pioneer of those electric scooters, has filed for bankruptcy, a stark contrast to their $414 million fundraising just two years ago​​.

It's a tale that resonates beyond Bird. The company went public during the blank-check merger frenzy, a path tread by many who are now facing similar fates. Shares plummeting by 97% this year, and the NYSE delisting Bird, reflect not just a faded fad but also the harsh reality of rapid market shifts​​​​.

This story mirrors that of several media companies who jumped on the blank-check bandwagon around the same time. Back then, it was all about fast growth and expansion, but now, amidst stricter regulations and changing market dynamics, they're struggling. It's like watching a wave you rode to the shore suddenly pull back, leaving you stranded.

Despite the downturn, Bird's not out of the game yet. They're restructuring, bankrolled by lenders and possibly heading towards a sale. But as they navigate these choppy waters, one can't help but wonder: Is this a salvageable situation, or a glimpse into the challenging reality for businesses that soared too high, too fast?

For a deeper look into Bird's journey from campus sensation to bankruptcy, and the lessons it holds for the tech world, check out the full story at Yahoo Finance.

Solana's Strategic Leap: Overtaking XRP in the Crypto Race

Solana's native token, SOL, recently hit a significant stride, leaping over $82 and marking a 33.5% rally in two weeks. This surge propelled Solana past Ripple (XRP) to become the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, excluding stablecoins​​.

What's driving this surge?

It's a mix of increased network activity, successful SPL token launches, a frenzy of airdrops— and notably, the complete sell-out of Solana's Saga phone. Solana's total value locked (TVL) shot up from $654 million to $1.28 billion in just three weeks, underscoring its growing influence in the DApps (decentralized applications) sector​​​​​​.

This uptrend is bolstered by Trezor's support for Solana and its SPL tokens, and a bullish report from Binance Research on parallel computing, citing Solana as a key example. These factors are forming a sustainable growth trajectory for Solana, setting it apart from competitors and sparking honest debates about its potential to challenge Ethereum's dominance​​​​.

For a deeper dive into Solana's market surge and its implications in the evolving crypto landscape, check out the full story on Cointelegraph.

CryptoLink Connect
Sponsored

These guys make “cross-chain” as easy as opening Chain Reaction.

Revolutionizing Blockchain Interoperability with CryptoLink's messagev3

Cross-chain is the only future for blockchain technology, though the current landscape is riddled with inflated costs and outdated technology.

Enter CryptoLink's messagev3 technology – a beacon of innovation casting light on a new path forward for decentralized applications (DApps). With this proprietary and lightweight technology, CryptoLink is not just breaking barriers; it's reshaping the landscape of blockchain interoperability.

At the heart of CryptoLink's breakthrough is the simplicity and efficiency of its messaging infrastructure. The integration involves just two primary methods: sendRequest() and messageProcess(), simplifying the complex process of sending both value and data across multiple blockchains​​​​. These functions, paired with parameters like chain ID, amount, source address, and custom data, make the cross-chain messaging process intuitive and accessible​​.

The implications of this technology are profound. For developers, the integration is straightforward: create a contract, download CryptoLink's Solidity interface, and import it into the contract. This process opens up a world of possibilities, allowing DApps to transcend the limitations of their native blockchains and interact across an ever-expanding network of supported chains​​.

CryptoLink's messagev3 technology stands as a testament to the potential of an omnichain future. It offers the most scalable cross-chain tech on the market, with the lowest possible barrier to entry. In a world where other solutions are bogged down by outdated tech, CryptoLink shines as a beacon of modern, efficient, and accessible blockchain interoperability.

For developers and enthusiasts eager to be at the forefront of this blockchain revolution, diving deeper into CryptoLink's developer documentation reveals a treasure trove of possibilities.

Discover more about how CryptoLink is forging a new path in blockchain technology and join the movement towards a truly interconnected blockchain ecosystem at CryptoLink Developer Documentation.

Tech Trends

For that cousin at holiday dinners.

The Gaming Monopoly: Innovation's Decline in the Shadow of Giants

The gaming industry in 2023 has been a theatre of the absurd – a plotline worthy of a AAA game itself.

The gaming world has become a playground for the big players, with Microsoft, Sony, and Tencent leading the pack. Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, making it the third-largest video game studio, is more than just a financial flex. It's a byproduct of the ongoing consolidation in the gaming sector, where mid-market game developers and publishers are being pushed to the brink of extinction​​.

Sony, although bigger than Microsoft by revenue, isn't far behind in this acquisition race. Owning 21 development teams, including Bungie and Insomniac Games, Sony's strategy is clear – dominate the market with big titles and live-service games. The strategy might be working financially, but it's stifling creativity and innovation​​.

Meanwhile, Tencent is larger than both of them. Owning significant stakes in numerous gaming companies, Tencent's reach is far and wide, influencing a large chunk of the games we play today. This monopolization of the gaming market, while profitable for the big corporations, has led to a drought in innovation and creativity​​.

But there's a silver lining. The availability of high-quality game creation tools is empowering smaller studios, potentially bringing about a new era of innovation.

However, for this to materialize, both gamers and developers must break the cycle of consuming and creating 'more of the same.' The big companies, with their sequels and remakes, have made us complacent consumers. It's time for the gaming community to actively seek and support smaller studios that may not boast the best graphics but offer fresh, innovative gameplay​​.

A fantastic example of a developer working on breaking this cycle is Pirate Software. Thor, the founder, worked at Blizzard for many years and is now using his experience to inspire young programmers and build innovative games.

Check out his YouTube here:

The looming question remains: Can the gaming industry, now overshadowed by giants, rediscover its creative spark? For a more in-depth look at this shifting gaming landscape, delve into the full story at Engadget.

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Gauss Gazette
Sponsored

Your favorite brand will build on Gauss one day.

IP Security in the Blockchain Era: Navigating the Good, the Bad, and the Curated

Blockchain technology, applauded for its ability to revolutionize industries, has a complex relationship with intellectual property (IP) rights.

While it offers new avenues for protecting and managing IP, it also presents significant challenges, particularly on decentralized platforms like Ethereum, which offer no inherent IP protection. This is a critical concern for major brands seeking to leverage blockchain for beneficial purposes.

Blockchain's key feature, a distributed ledger, creates a secure, time-stamped, and immutable chain of information. This has already seen applications in brand protection, tracking the progress of goods in supply chains, and fighting counterfeit products – all vital for IP-intensive sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, and luxury goods​​.

However, the decentralized nature of platforms like Ethereum poses a risk to IP rights, as there's no centralized authority to prevent the unauthorized use or replication of IP.

For IP-heavy industries, blockchain can offer protection and registration, serve as evidence in legal disputes, and facilitate digital rights management. The technology enables tracking the distribution of both registered and unregistered IP, ensuring authenticity and first use in trade, which are crucial in IP disputes​​. Smart contracts, a notable aspect of blockchain, can enforce IP agreements and licenses, transmitting payments in real time to IP owners, and encode IP rights in digital content​​.

However, the decentralized nature of some blockchains raises concerns and creates a roadblock for IP security. Without a central authority, the enforcement of IP rights can be challenging. This is where a curated, centralized chain like Gauss comes into play.

Gauss can offer the benefits of blockchain while ensuring the protection of IP rights for major brands. By preventing the launch of fake coins or unauthorized products on its network, Gauss provides a secure environment for IP-intensive industries. It can track goods on an immutable blockchain, helping brand owners enforce contractual arrangements, spot leaks in distribution systems, and identify unauthorized activities​​​​.

In contrast to decentralized chains like Ethereum, Gauss's curated approach offers a controlled environment where IP rights are respected and protected, ensuring that blockchain technology is used for the greater good of both creators and consumers. This curated approach may be key to fostering innovation and creativity in the blockchain space, offering a balance between the open nature of blockchain and the need for IP security.

For a comprehensive understanding of blockchain's potential and challenges in IP law, delve into the insightful article on WIPO.

Final Byte: Wally’s Wisdom

As we close the digital cover on today's stories, let's take a moment to reflect on the wild world of tech and crypto.

We've dived into the high stakes of gaming industry monopolies, the pivotal role of IP protection in the blockchain universe, and the revolutionary potential of CryptoLink's messagev3 technology. It's clear that we're part of a digital renaissance.

But let's not forget the human element in all this tech talk. Behind every line of code, every blockchain transaction, and every gaming achievement, there's a person with a story. Like those Bird scooters that once seemed to magically appear overnight, innovation often comes from the most unexpected places. It's a reminder that the future isn't just written by the big players but also by the dreamers and doers who dare to think differently.

As we sign off, a huge shoutout to all of you – the thinkers, the gamers, the innovators, and yes, even the skeptics. You're the heartbeat of this newsletter. Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly, keep sharing your passion with others.

If you've enjoyed this edition, pass it along using the referral link below. Spread the word, grow our community, and let's continue this journey together.

Until next time, stay curious, stay bold, and remember – in the world of tech and crypto, the only constant is change. Embrace it.

Best,

Wally
Marketing/Branding — CryptoLink.Tech
Co-Founder — Decent Media

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If you are catching today’s edition on the web and you are not already subscribed, do us a favor and click the button below! Subscribing is free and it is the #1 way to support the Chain Reaction newsletter. In the future, we will be exploring the possibility of subscriber and referral rewards.