Thursday, January 19, 2023

Cardano Daily Discussion - January 20, 2023

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the Cardano Daily Discussion!

The standard sub rules apply here (see sidebar), with the exception that price discussion is allowed in this thread, though we encourage you to try not to make this the focus and talk about the project itself. Please ask questions, help others and be civil - be sure to get involved in Project Catalyst too!

If you're new, please make sure you're read through the newbies guide and share it with others (use the ?newbies comment command to reference it).

⚠️ Scam Warning ⚠️

Please read the Cybersecurity guidelines for Cardano Users.

There are ongoing giveaway scams on youtube and many scammers lurking in Cardano's social channels impersonating ambassadors/moderators/official staff contacting users via direct messages.

For example, searching 'cardano' on youtube and sorting by most recent upload date shows several giveaway scams running (all videos in screenshot are scams):

Ongoing 'giveaway' scams on Youtube

The youtube scams are automated; use stolen footage usually of Charles Hoskinson and are restreamed so to appear to be 'live'; appear to have many watchers (which are bots); use bought hacked channels and are edited to appear like official channels.

Do not be fooled!

To be clear:

  • ⚠️ There is no such thing as a Cardano giveaway
  • ⚠️ Never share your seed phrase with ANYONE
  • ⚠️ Never send ADA to someone promising to send you more ADA back
  • ⚠️ You will never be contacted by ambassadors/moderators/staff

Please report scams on the Cardano Fraud Detection Bureau.

⚠️ Scam Warning ⚠️

https://preview.redd.it/60ofludzpq8a1.png?width=284&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=7d58fc8aaa2eb5f125624608b97bdd7b943a1111

Midnight Subreddit

In anticipation of Input Output's new data protection blockchain 'Midnight', I've managed to acquire r/Midnight through some negotiation and repurpose it for the Cardano Community (the sub was created for a card game back in 2011 but was mostly unused).

I decided to do this as I thought the project will eventually need a home on reddit and best to setup now before any scammers do. Obviously there's not much to post about on there right now as it's early days as the project is yet to be released, but if you'd like to be kept up to date on the project please feel free to join the new subreddit if the project interests you and I'll be sure to post updates as and when they become available.

Right now the sub is mostly a carbon copy of r/cardano, I've copied most of the automod and rules over, so certain aspects may seem a little incongruent atm, but I'll tailor and tweak the sub as we go. Feel free to send me or post any input if you want stuff to change.

Cheers all


Crypto News | Russia and Iran explore launch of joint cryptocurrency backed by gold + more

Russia and Iran explore launch of joint cryptocurrency backed by gold

https://finbold.com/russia-and-iran-explore-launch-of-joint-cryptocurrency-backed-by-gold/

Russia and Iran are exploring the development of a joint stablecoin that would be backed by gold. The Central Bank of Iran is considering creating the stablecoin with Russia to be used as a means of payment in international trade. The coin's value would be tied to gold, and it would be usable in a free-trade zone where Russia has started accepting Iranian merchandise. The stablecoin will be discussed at the state level after crypto regulations in Russia are complete, which is expected to happen in 2023. The Russian Central Bank does not support the use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum as a method of payment within the nation, but it allows for their use in business dealings, including international trade. Notably, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Union banned European firms from offering any services related to cryptocurrencies to residents of Russia.

Polygon Announces Proposed Hardfork To Improve Chain Performance

https://bitcoinist.com/polygon-announces-hardfork/

Polygon, a leading Ethereum scaling solution, has announced plans to implement a hardfork on its PoS chain on January 17, 2023. The proposed hardfork aims to improve network performance by reducing the occurrence of gas spikes and eliminating reorgs, which are anomalies in blockchain operations that can cause duplicate or lost transactions and make the network more vulnerable to attack. The hardfork will double the "BaseFeeChangeDenominator" from 8 to 16, reducing the change rate for the base gas fee from 12.5% to 6.25%, and reduce the sprint length from 64 blocks to 16 blocks, allowing for faster block production. The proposed hardfork is still awaiting approval by the Polygon community, and existing infrastructure providers will need to upgrade their nodes ahead of the hardfork. The team also assured that the operations of dApps will not be affected by the network changes and that MATIC holders and network delegators do not need to take any action.

Cardano Primed For Explosive Growth As IOG Announces Toolkit for Developing Sidechains On The Blockchain

https://zycrypto.com/cardano-primed-for-explosive-growth-as-iog-announces-toolkit-for-developing-sidechains-on-the-blockchain/

Input Output Global (IOG), the developer of the blockchain platform Cardano, is working on a toolkit for building customized sidechains to scale the blockchain while maintaining its security. The toolkit allows for interoperability within Cardano and enables the building of decentralized apps (DApps) on top of the blockchain. As a proof of concept, IOG has created an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible sidechain that will be released as a public testnet before the end of the month. The toolkit includes the main chain, Plutus scripts for cross-chain transactions and asset transfers, and a chain follower for tracking main-chain data and events on the sidechain. The sidechain will operate its consensus and deploy its features, all connected to the main chain through a bridge that allows for the inter-chain transfer of tokens, giving benefits such as scalability, testability, interoperability and compatibility.

source: https://deficryptovaults.substack.com/p/defi-vaults-issue-38


Enjoy Odyssey / Ep2 - Rip City Shooters vs The Mane Event vs Bitcoin Boiz vs The Production 4-way tag / MV Young vs Billy Dixon in a Yuletide Street Fight

https://youtu.be/BmRYOjVj7ZU

Bitcoin

Bitcoin trade news refers to any recent developments or updates related to the buying and selling of the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. This can include updates on the value of Bitcoin, new regulations related to Bitcoin trading, and any major events or announcements from companies in the Bitcoin industry. It's important to stay informed about the latest Bitcoin trade news in order to make informed decisions about buying or selling the cryptocurrency.

Some sources for Bitcoin trade news include online cryptocurrency news websites, social media accounts of industry leaders and influencers, and financial news outlets. Additionally, many cryptocurrency exchanges also provide their users with up-to-date market data and news.


Best VPNs for Malaysia in 2023: What you Need to Know

Trying to find a VPN for Malaysia? Whether you want better online security or to stream your favorite shows abroad, one of the best VPNs for Malaysia can help.

https://preview.redd.it/byqs66vex0da1.png?width=403&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=b8a779fa9ccaf1aa939b71a6db372ab1a53c1cca

A VPN is essential for staying safe online whether you are visiting or living in Malaysia. To compile this list of the best VPNs for Malaysia, we conducted extensive testing of VPNs for speed, streaming capabilities, and privacy.

A VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network, encrypts all traffic to and from your device, making it impossible for hackers or government officials to determine your true location. Your data is tunnelled through an intermediary server to ensure its safety and security.

Malaysia's cyber landscape has deteriorated in recent years, as authorities have cracked down on dissent by silencing the press and blocking websites that discuss corruption scandals. Bloggers and social media users have also been arrested for expressing their opinions online. We recommend using a VPN to protect your privacy when using the internet in Malaysia.

If you don’t have the time to read all the details in this article, here’s our list of the best VPNs for Malaysia:

  1. NordVPN Our #1 pick for a Malaysia VPN. A veteran provider that doesn’t compromise on privacy, security, or speed and has thousands of servers in its global network. NordVPN also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  2. Surfshark The best budget VPN for Malaysia. A strong all-rounder with servers in 100 countries. Great security credentials and unblocking ability.

  3. ExpressVPN A blazingly fast and reliable service, this provider has servers located in over 90 countries, including Malaysia, which is great for unblocking geo-restricted sites. Privacy and security are high-grade.

If you like these VPNs don't forget to get them at discount on our community website

The best VPNs for Malaysia

A VPN is also an excellent choice for expatriates living in Malaysia wishing to access content like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Hulu, Sky Sports, or BeIN sports. Malaysian residents traveling abroad can also use a VPN to access channels like Astro.

Our list of the best VPNs for Malaysia is based on the following factors:

  • Speed and stability of service
  • Large network of servers across the world for expatriates to unblock content
  • Strong encryption parameters to minimize the chances of data loss
  • Ease of use

1. NordVPN

https://preview.redd.it/ax99dc0wx0da1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=e1f857a2c380ffe730771bc323508ea9caca5e15

NordVPN has been providing VPN services for over a decade and is a popular choice among privacy advocates due to its consistent service.

It maintains a zero-logs policy by storing no data about user sessions, traffic, or timestamps of any kind. This policy has thwarted government agencies' attempts to obtain its user data. So, if you're looking for privacy, NordVPN has you covered.

The company operates over 5,300 servers in 58 countries, making it an excellent choice for safeguarding your web activity. Several of these are in Malaysia, so residents who are travelling abroad can use the service to watch content from home if they so desire.

NordVPN is one of the few services that categorises its servers by specialty. It has some designed specifically for double VPN, Tor over VPN, and dedicated IP, ensuring fast speeds and strong encryption.

Many streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, are supported by the provider. Torrenting is also supported.

NordVPN encrypts internet traffic by default with the 256-bit AES protocol and 2,048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is also turned on. These are some of the most secure protocols available, so you won't have to worry about data leaks.

There’s support for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

2. Surfshark

https://preview.redd.it/d26ca7kdy0da1.png?width=150&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=c935afb4c36b6d8ae6d9f869de11f08c40e210db

Surfshark operates over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including Malaysia. It has strong streaming capabilities and can securely access services like TV1, Netflix US, and Hulu from abroad. However, what really distinguishes this VPN is that it does not limit the number of connected devices. As a result, you can secure all of your devices with a single account.

This service places a premium on your safety. It protects your activities from snoopers with a kill switch, DNS, WebRTC, IPv6 leak protection, and 256-bit AES encryption. You can also automatically block ads and malware, or enable NoBorders mode to circumvent country-wide internet censorship.Surfshark does not store any personally identifiable information, and you can pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple to sign up almost completely anonymously. In the event of a problem, live chat customer support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Surfshark apps are available for macOS, Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux systems. If you’d prefer, you can manually install it on your wireless router.

3. ExpressVPN

https://preview.redd.it/qtmr1kkoy0da1.png?width=674&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=28ef8f8caa321ff8b47b482d066eea6a33ba54f2

ExpressVPN provides a strong combination of effectively uncrackable encryption, dependable speeds, and efficient connections. The design is clean and minimalist, and the service operates smoothly.

ExpressVPN provides access to over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, including some in Malaysia. It's an excellent option for both foreign expatriates and locals looking to access local content.

The company has stated that it will not store any traffic logs. However, some metadata is retained, specifically the date (not time) of connection, server location selection, and total bandwidth used.

The service employs 256-bit AES-CBC encryption protocols, as well as HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. If the internet connection drops unexpectedly, an internet kill switch temporarily stops all web traffic.

ExpressVPN integrates seamlessly with Netflix. It also works with Hulu and BBC iPlayer and supports torrents.

There are apps for Android and iOS, as well as desktop support for Windows, Linux,  and macOS.

https://preview.redd.it/idh5py9yy0da1.png?width=651&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=9bf1524ad182cb6e8b7a9434fa048cd2fa2f3686

If you like these VPNs don't forget to get them at discount on our community website