Last Wednesday marked a decade since Satoshi Nakamoto mailed the 9-page white paper to a cryptographic mailing list, proposing a form of digital currency called “bitcoin.”
Not only does Bitcoin changes the way we think about money but it also challenges how we see the future itself.
In January 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto made the Bitcoin software as open source code so anyone can use it, update it and even fork it.
And in 2010, Nakamoto disappeared.
After 10 years, we still don’t know the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto but one thing for sure Bitcoin is the most important invention of the 21st century.
First Decentralized Currency — Bitcoin
Whether you hate it or like it, trade it or HODL it, Bitcoin is here to stay.
It’s the first decentralized currency in the world. The first and only unconfiscatable asset that everyone can now own. Most importantly, Bitcoin may put the power of finance back in our hands.
Entrepreneurs, engineers, and developers across the globe continue to tinker and create over 2000 different cryptocurrencies as well as many other blockchain projects.
All are working towards a better future, building better systems of financial exchange, business transaction, investment, and governance, regardless of nationality, gender, social status, race, belief and whatsoever.
Related Content:
- What is Bitcoin and why all the fuss with Cryptocurrency?
- 10 Legit+ Ways to Earn Free Bitcoin (#3 is My Favorite)
- What is Satoshi?
- How to Invest in Bitcoin: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners 2020
The Year of Preparation -2018
At its peak in late 2017, Bitcoin traded close to $20,000. It’s now dropped to a third of what it once was before.
So is Bitcoin a good investment or a bubble waiting to burst?
Beneath all the price volatility and the hype of “blockchain”, there’s a global movement of decentralization.
And you know it’s serious when financial institutions, corporations, and governments start to get involved.
Big tech companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon have all started to explore and get involved in the space.
For example, Google has partnered with two blockchain startups to improve data security and record user transactions.
Amazon provides a distributed ledger services on AWS.
Facebook has formed a small team dedicated to exploring blockchain technology for the social media platform.
There must be a good reason when the tech giants decided to venture into an entirely new industry.
You simply can’t ignore it when more governments follow suit and embrace the technology. From the United States to China, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, Malta, and Singapore.
For whatever reason Satoshi Nakamoto decided to stop publishing on the internet and retreated even further into anonymity 8 years ago, the concept of decentralization has inspired talented software developers worldwide.
As a result, new models of commerce and business have sprouted up, creating decentralized apps (directly or indirectly) inspired by Satoshi.
Here are 10 awesome decentralized apps that you won’t want to miss!
1. Cryptographics (Digital Artwork)
If you’re a visual artist, you can earn some Ether by designing your own unique graphic elements and put it on sale on the platform.
2. OpenBazaar (Decentralized marketplace using Bitcoin)
Unlike conventional e-commerce website like Amazon, OpenBazaar won’t charge you any fee for selling things on its platform.
There’s no platform fees, no rules, no restrictions. Anyone can create a store and sell absolutely anything to anybody on the free online marketplace.
For each sale made, you can choose to receive payments in Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash or Zcash.
Since it’s open source software, you’ll need to download it to your computer before you can start using it.
3. Pixelfed (A decentralized take on Instagram)
Pixelfed is a great alternative to Instagram!
It provides an ads free, easy to use and decentralized platform for you to share photos and connect with your friends.
That said, it’s still in its early adoption and lacks the features of similar centralized counterparts.
Socializing on ads free, decentralized platform powered by open-source community is the future of social media.
4. Crypto Job List (Blockchain job)
This site focuses on a variety of projects such as sale, marketing, social media, web development, and graphic design.
For those who are looking to hire talents, it lets you list your job post too.
5. Leeroy (A decentralized Twitter built on Ethereum)
It has the basic functionality of Twitter, but you’ll need some ETH to create an account, tweet, follow or perform any action in the network.
However, it also lets you earn tips in the form of Ether for posting good content. I like the idea of incentivizing quality over spammy content.
6. Blockchain Demo (Visual demonstration of blockchain technology)
To get started, I would suggest you go through the demo tour (don’t skip).
Instead of skimming through long articles on the Internet, this site simplifies, summarizes and presents all the important information in an easy-to-read graphic.
While it’s almost impossible to understand the entire blockchain technology in just 10 minutes, but I definitely have a better understanding of how Bitcoin and its network work now.
7. Bisq (Decentralized Crypto Exchange)
Unlike most crypto exchanges, Bisq doesn’t run a centralized server for making and taking offers, so trading on a website isn’t possible.
That means anyone, anywhere in the world can download and run Bisq on their own computers, start trading directly with each other with no ID verification or approval from a central authority.
Plus, Bisq doesn’t provide a fixed market price. Bisq never holds your funds.
A trade will be executed once a mutual agreement reached between seller and buyer.
8. Cryptokitties (Learn and earn with cute kitties)
CryptoKitties can help.
As its name suggests, CryptoKitties is a game centered around collectible, breedable and adorable kitties built on blockchain technology.
Similar to a traditional collectible, you can buy, sell or trade your crypto kitty in the network.
Be warned CryptoKitties can become very addictive!
9. Donut (Turn spare change into Bitcoin)
Looking for more ways to invest your spare change into Bitcoin? Donut App makes investing and trading cryptocurrencies absurdly easy.
Open the app and connect your credit/debit cards, the app will automatically round up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar, take the difference and invest it into Bitcoin.
You can even schedule weekly and monthly buy to average your entry point to grow your crypto portfolio.
Currently, Donut is invite-only, so you need to use a friend’s handle to sign up.
Register on the Donut App with the handle @tmaverick in order to signup.
- Download Donut App on the App Store
- When asked for a friend’s handle, type in ‘tmaverick‘
- Complete the signup process and verify your identity
- Start earning Bitcoin with your spare change when you shop.
With the simple, easy to navigate and user-friendly interface, this micro investing app is perfect for both amateur and expert cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
You can download the apps for free on your phone (Android and iPhone) and manage your crypto assets on the go.
10. Blockchain Curated (Listen to podcasts of the top crypto articles)
Every week, Blockchain Curated will select the best blockchain article and convert it into a free podcast.
For those who want to stay up to date with the technology but dread of reading, Blockchain Curated can be a great way to consume high-quality content whenever you want.
Bonus: Earn Free Bitcoin
If you’re looking for easy ways to earn free Bitcoin without spending money, check out this list of 10+ Legit Ways to Earn Free Bitcoin.
Conclusion
In this relatively short period of time, Bitcoin has challenged the way we look at global banking, finance, and government.
However, we’re still in the early stage of adoption curve.
Compared to centralized systems, these decentralized apps typically launch half-baked, without clear use cases. But they can grow exponentially as they continue to attract new talents, users and contributors from all over the world.
At the same time, I’m excited over the endless possibility that lies ahead of us with this global decentralization movement.
I live and breath making an income online.
I’ll be sharing more of ideas and guides soon. Stay tuned.
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