About decentralized project management and Bitcoin disputes

    Podcast text - interview with cryptocurrency developer Dash



    CCN
    In this episode we will take an extended interview from Evan Duffield, creator of Darkcoin and lead developer of DASH (the same project under a new name if you missed the moment of rebranding).
    We will also talk about disputes surrounding the increase in the size of the Bitcoin block, what distinguishes the DASH cryptocurrency from other projects and what the future of cryptocurrencies may become.


    CCN
    So, Evan Duffield is in touch with us. Hi Evan - it's nice that you took the time to give us an interview.


    Evan
    Hi, I am very happy about this opportunity.

    CCN
    Our listeners may know that you are the creator of Darkcoin, which later changed its name to DASH and became one of the leading projects in the cryptocurrency world. I would like to know: what did you do before the creation of Darkcoin?

    Evan
    I worked as a software developer for almost my entire conscious life. I started programming when I was 15 years old and I always liked this activity. Later I began to work with companies engaged in social marketing. I wrote utility software for them - I programmed search robots that worked on the same principles as search engine robots for projects such as Google - when the Internet is scanned and the search results are ranked. We used these technologies to support the largest Fortune-500 and even Fortune-100 corporations in the world. In that work, I widely used machine learning methods.
    I became interested in cryptocurrency in the middle of 2010, began to sort it out, and pretty soon I discovered privacy problems with the solutions available at that time. It inspired me to create Darkcoin.

    CCN
    Okay, Darkcoin (“Dark Coin”), which, as I understand it, did not aim to become a “cryptocurrency for dark affairs” suffered a self-identity crisis, and you guys told yourself “we can no longer exist under the name Darkcoin and we need rebranding ". I watched the market at that time and it seems that the market agreed with your position. There were no desperate sales and a significant price collapse. Perhaps you can be congratulated on such a successful outcome ... but how is the renamed DASH project developing now?

    Evan
    Development is going well! We really successfully completed the rebranding, which was a significant relief. Darkcoin was never really going to be a “criminal coin." My idea with the name “Dark Coin” was that the blockchain was hidden from outside observation - in this sense, the old name was suitable. But for most people, the name Darkcoin evoked criminal associations, which significantly slowed down our project. We had to do something with this - and we solved this problem quickly and efficiently, having the opportunity to move on without obstacles.
    The next important stage of development is associated with the imminent release of version 12, in which decentralized budgeting will work and the reference node, which remained a significant drawback of Dash and Darkcoin, will be removed from the architecture - so we are very enthusiastic about this.

    CCN
    Well, tell me more about this “reference node” ...

    Evan
    DASH uses additional features that are not in the Bitcoin project. One of these possibilities is the anonymization of user’s funds, and anonymity is realized using a network of so-called Masternodes. These Masternodes are launched by those who want to support the Dash network - basically, they contain the traditional full node of the network to which any users can connect - for example, to perform anonymization operations. And as a reward for providing this and other services aimed at ensuring a fully functional network (for example, synchronizing wallets, etc.), Masternodes receive part of the reward for new blocks, along with miners. To coordinate the payment processes for masternodems, since this is not easy to implement in a decentralized way, we initially used a specialized node, which coordinated the sequence of these payments - the so-called reference node. Finally, we came up with a way to coordinate decentrally without loss of reliability, which allows us to remove the reference node from the Dash architecture.

    CCN
    I imagine that the reference node was probably a cause for doubt, in the sense that people were afraid of the sole control over it and other possible vulnerabilities.

    Evan
    Yes, the philosophy of cryptocurrencies requires the maximum decentralization of all aspects of functioning, and the removal of the reference node has always been only a matter of time. This was initially a temporary solution, and finally we got to the system without its participation - this is just great.

    CCN
    The main reason we invited you today is the desire to learn about the decentralized management system that came with the Dash project. Your implemented voting system, which allows Masternode operators (as you said - many can become such operators) to vote on all important issues of the further development of the project ... Well, I think there is no need to hide what we are all thinking about now - the problem with the size of the Bitcoin block that divided and paralyzed the community with the question “can we increase the size of the Bitcoin block?” - and it turns out that there are reasonable arguments both for and against such a solution ... It turns out that DASH now has a mechanism for solving such problems ...

    Evan
    There are two aspects of decentralized management of development options, and one of them you mentioned - Masternodes can really vote “For” - “Against” on any issue. So we can vote on the issues “how to distribute the issued new coins”, or “should the block size be changed” ... In fact, any important issue can be put to the vote and get an accurate picture of how the community relates to a particular proposal - reliably and without the possibility of fraud.
    Using the same principle, we also included the so-called decentralized budgeting in the project management system. The problem that we are striving to solve with this is the task of effectively financing the further development of the cryptocurrency, which until now has been poorly solved. A typical way is the creation of the Foundation (non-profit fund), but usually this results in inadequate funding and, in my opinion, solves the assigned tasks inefficiently.
    In the alternative solution that we are introducing, Masternodes can vote on any proposals that require funding. This can be imagined in the form of a decentralized Kickstarter, or a vote of deputies. Thus, they receive all the proposals on which they can vote “For” - “Against”. Voting results are calculated and proposals that receive the most community support (with the most “For” votes) will be funded first, then less popular development projects, etc. will be funded. - Until the current allotted total budget ends. Payments for approved projects will be made directly from the blockchain.

    CCN
    Well, suppose I don’t have Masternodes, but I have a great idea for developing the Dash project. Can I broadcast it through some owner of the Masternode, or maybe even directly?

    Evan
    The entire system is completely decentralized - which means full implementation at the network protocol level. So if you have access to the Masternode, you can post a proposal, it is transmitted to the network and after that all the other Masternodes can vote for it (or against). We are going to make an additional application available to everyone (or websites) that will work like a decentralized Kickstarter, so that everyone (even those without access to the Masternode) can create an account and post their offers. After that, the Dash community will be able to express their attitude to a particular proposal and you will see how many support votes you are gaining. After that, you can adjust your offer in order to increase its attractiveness and ultimately get that level of support,

    CCN
    Earlier, you stated that Dash was going to become a direct competitor to Bitcoin. Did I understand correctly that the proposed system will become one of the elements of this, ensuring the transfer of part of the authority from you personally and from some other “leadership” to the hands of people who are interested in the success of DASH and are able to offer effective ways for further development, as well as to those long-term investors who can set directions for the further development of DASH?

    Evan
    I see it this way: now Bitcoin has an almost complete monopoly in the world of cryptocurrencies, while I do not think that the strategy and the path along which the “leadership” leads Bitcoin is the only possible and only right one. The world needs a lot of new ideas in the field of cryptocurrencies, and I believe that there should be a healthy “market of ideas” - that's why I created DASH and want to show the existence of alternative development paths that can work. And work very well. One of such ways is to use all the hidden potential of blockchain technology, using the network as a decentralized Kickstarter, when the further development of the system is determined by the system itself. And this is a better solution than receiving grants to support developers, or receiving money to the Non-Profit Fund with their further redistribution between developers, etc. solutions.

    CCN
    I would say that one of the things that the Bitcoin Foundation has succeeded in is to successfully gather in one place all the people you can get mad at. I mean, in terms of regulation, the Fund turned out to be useless, you know ... he did nothing to counter BitLicence.

    Evan
    One of the biggest problems with cryptocurrency projects is that people have great motivation to take part in projects at their initial stages (“the first generation of enthusiasts”), when coins are very cheap and at the cost of relatively modest efforts you can increase the value of your investments quite significantly. We have seen this with Bitcoin, as well as with all other cryptocurrencies. The next generation of enthusiasts - the second, third, fourth, ... are at a disadvantage - all these people can only hope that they can sell more than they bought - but they personally do not get any tangible benefits from the process of long-term support for the development of the project .

    CCN
    So how does DASH solve this problem? You think you can offer some kind of solution?

    Evan
    The truth of life is that if you spend considerable effort on supporting and developing any cryptocurrency, even Bitcoin, you will not get any benefits from this compared to other members of the community who do not provide any such support. For example, if I devote all my energy to full-time work on the Bitcoin project, no one will pay me anything until someone gives me a grant or the Foundation considers it necessary to encourage me, which is almost impossible in modern conditions . And DASH is going to solve this problem just by using its decentralized budgeting system. Anyone can join the development of the Dash project at any time and in any field - and earn real guaranteed money at the same time. So if you are strong in marketing and you have a plan for the development of our project - just make an appropriate proposal, justify it, enlist the support of the community and get paid for the work done. Thus, this mechanism allows anyone to connect to the team at any stage of the project’s life and receive a fair reward regardless of whether you stood at its origins or just decided to join and apply your competence.

    CNN
    There is heated debate in the Bitcoin community that threatens to go far beyond purely technical issues - there are serious disagreements at the ideological level. As a person with rich experience in the field of cryptocurrencies, and as a programmer, please share your vision of the situation and assumptions about how this will all end.

    Evan
    I understand both sides of the emerging disagreements and believe that the arguments of both sides are quite rational. On the one hand, if you increase the size of the block, people who support the operation of full nodes suffer, since no one compensates for them (as implemented in the Dash network) additional traffic, the synchronization time will significantly increase, and a number of other technical difficulties. If you do not increase the block size, but implement facilitation mechanisms - then it turns out that you can conduct most transactions outside the blockchain and then record the final operations in it - this is an alternative way to solve the problem ... And I would rather prefer this second method, since it leaves full node operators happy and allows you to keep the blockchain size smaller.

    CCN
    In the DASH protocol, Masternodes (full nodes) do receive a portion of the reward for new blocks along with miners, right?

    Evan
    Yes, therefore, if in the DASH network we need to increase the size of blocks, full nodes will not be affected, since they get the proper reward for maintaining the network and for the consumed traffic. Therefore, this will not lead to a reduction in the number of full nodes, as would happen with the Bitcoin project.

    CNN
    Suppose someone decides to join the DASH project, what would you advise - how do they act at the current stage?

    Evan
    Anyone can take an active part in our project - just visit our dashtalk.org forum or the official dashpay.io website. You can join our friendly community - help with development and with other initiatives. Already now more than 50 volunteers are working on the project, and the further, the more fun it becomes.

    CCN
    What to expect further from DASH? You guys never get tired of surprising with your initiatives. Then you connected instant payments [instantX], now you have implemented a system that eliminates the need for a “control center” and performs the function of self-financing ... I mean the question: with what help will you continue to capture this world? :)

    Evan
    Our next goal is to use the budgeting system to promote our project - everyone should learn about the solution that we are creating. We want to present a real alternative to Bitcoin and add a competitive spirit to the cryptocurrency world.
    The last thing I would like to see is how Bitcoin developers would make some tragic mistake and the entire cryptocurrency technology sector would lose the trust of users for the next 15 years. But if there are at least two strong projects and one of them develops successfully, and the second fails, we all will not end up in such a tragic situation.

    CCN
    Thank you and have a nice day!

    Evan
    And thank you, thank you for the invitation.

    Original podcast:www.cryptocoinsnews.com/podcast-episode-10-evan-duffield-dash-decentralized-governance-bitcoin-block-size-debate

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