Patricia Rothstein – VLSI Conference

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11/18/2017

2012 Cryptocurrency Conference

Patricia Rothstein / Cryptocurrency Conference / 2012, Conference, Cryptocurrency / 0 Comments

In the year of 2012, we organized Cryptocurrency Conference. The main focus was on educating people and startups on this relatively discovery. Our attendees were professionals from academic groups, industry startups, financial services institutions, and investment firms. The goal was to create an event that is educational driven, with talks, workshops, and high profile and special guest speakers.

In the July of 2011 Bitcoin had a value of 31 USD dollars, and it was a top of it first „bubble“ followed by the first price drop. In December od 2011, it had a value of 2 USD dollars, and it was a minimum after few months. In 2012 he slowly raised and we at the Conference talked about that, but no one predicted that after a price of 13 dollars that year, he would be valued 266 dollars the following year, with its value growing by five to ten percent daily.

Our guests

This new currency made not from paper, but information, was created four years before our Conference, and in 2010 the Bitcoin Market came into existence. As people become interested, the value raised, in 2011 media turned their attention to it. In the year of our Conference, everybody was talking about how Bitcoin could change the world, and how it could make them rich.

Among enthusiasts, there was a few miners, students of the economy, programmers, lawyers, people wanting to create new cryptocurrencies. Guests were idealists dreaming of everyday purchase without banks, credit cards, additional costs, and even few talked about a system where the money would never be printed. Others were profiteers looking a way to earn and turn cryptocurrency into „real“ money. But both groups had a shared demeanor – to keep cryptocurrencies alive. Security was also one of the main topics, in the correlation that online wallets were different from the tra

ding site. Because cryptocurrency affected the economy in one day, there were a lot of talks about its stability.

Discussions

The main discussion themes were about the release and rise of Bitcoin, its usability, the way it could be purchased and sold. How to predict its value, and potential of its widespread. There was a series of panels on the distributed ledger as a blockchain – how does it work, how the information is shared, how can it be advanced and how to make a better optimization and security of a blockchain. We had discussions on how does mining works, with the special turn on growing demands for your hardware and software maintenance costs.We raised questions about a hard limit to some possible coins overall, and what that means to the mining community.

Our speakers presented their take on the future of transactions, with the technical details how does it work in a cryptocurrency systems. Our attendees had some discussions about the future of bitcoin, and the possibility for creations of new cryptocurencies.

Overall

Our Conference brought together near 300 enthusiasts for two days. This high content discussion presented a series of top-level speakers. The conference was designed to create an atmosphere of solution-based case studies and panel discussions that were focused on building partnerships and encourage learning. We explored the industries that were influenced by this new technology.

11/13/2017

How is cryptocurrency value established?

Patricia Rothstein / cryptocurrency / Cryptocurrency, established, How, is / 0 Comments

Some of the currencies have value because they are backed by some types of precious metals. And some have value only because people believe it is valued. Similar to most kinds of precious gems have. Cryptocurrencies are no different in that. They were designed as a type of unit that will be used for exchange without centralization of its value – without central bank or governments. This is a list of all the things that are influencing a value of cryptocurrencies.

Supply and demand

Price for this types of currency is defined by their limited supply and by the level of demand there is for them. This is a basic economic factor, and it is affecting the value of everything. With each block completed the value of this currencies goes higher because there is a limited and finite supply of them.

Energy and Usability

The value also comes from the energy that is used to continue a blockchain. With every completed block, the next one needs more computer power and energy to be verified. Because miners are spending a certain amount of energy and time, and that amount is continuously rising, the costs to finish a single block are higher than before. The explanation for usability is straightforward, If you cannot use a currency to buy or pay for something, it loses its value. The same is true if it is not easy to store and preserve the currency.

Finishing a single block

Because the difficulty of finishing a block and continuing the blockchain is getting higher, the value of a currency is rising. People need to invest more and spend more time mining to get a smaller portion of the reward. That is why its value is rising.

Bitcoin

The first cryptocurrency that became mainstream is the Bitcoin, so the value of the rest currencies of the same type is influenced by the Bitcoin value.

Investors

They can manipulate prices of cryptocurrencies as same as they can manipulate stock options. By buying large quantities and pumping prices to sell high, they earn for themselves and are directly influencing its value.

System and government

If people are losing confidence in the traditional systems, the value of decentralized currencies rise. But if they are going back to paper money, losing interest in cryptocurrencies, it values go down. With rising taxes, a government can oppress and trivial cryptocurrencies. They can also decide to ban this types of currencies or make it official.

The rest

The effects on the value of this type also have the media attitude, which has the power to change the public perception. It is also important how widespread the currency is trough out the market and how innovative it is. In the end, the main thing that can change a value is a public perception. If the majority of people show their trust in these types of currencies and leave traditional centralized systems if they invest in mining, and innovative new ideas of cryptocurrencies, its value will considerably rise.

11/08/2017

VLSI design Conference Competition

Patricia Rothstein / cryptocurrency / Competition, Conference, design, VLSI / 0 Comments

This is an official invite to all universities around the world and to students of bachelor, master or doctoral studies younger than 30 years, whose area of expertise is within “VLSI design,” to participate in our competition which will be held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in April 2018.

Problems within this competition are adapted to students and their level of experience. The competition will be held in two phases. In the first phase, four-member teams should present the proof of concept and the idea itself to the members of the jury. All the teams that pass into the second phase will be required to turn their concept into a functional, technical work.

The assigned areas of this contest are:

– the design and testing of digital analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits

– semiconductor components

– and mathematical and algorithmic problems that arise in software-hardware design.

All of the submitted solutions should have their real applicability be demonstrated in the second phase of the competition. The ultimate goal is not only the development of existing ones but also the introduction of new conceptual solutions. In addition to one of the main and two side prizes that will fundamentally and technically help develop and implement your solutions, all interested people will be provided with internships in the leading companies in the field. All competitors are invited to our next VLSI Conference, at which point the awarded teams will be able to hold short presentations of their work.

Evaluating

The jury consists out of six experts from related industries. In addition to awarding three prizes and internships, the jury can award prizes for the works that are the most innovating, as well as the best-implemented idea. These awards consist of monetary incentives as well as consultations regarding the improvement of innovation/ideas. The jury also has the right not to give out any reward, if they conclude that none of the submitted work satisfies their expectations.

How to submit

To participate in this competition, you need to register via our site. After that, it is necessary to create a profile of the team. Please enter all the members: names, country, faculty, and experience.

Applications are received automatically after publishing this text. Applications for the competition are accepted in the next four months counting from the date of the publishing of this text and closing with the last day of the last month in the deadline. You will find all the necessary details regarding the competition in the files after registering the team.

Details

All of the teams that progress into a second phase of the competition will have all their expenses paid, regarding the accommodation and transfer from their hotels to the place in which the competition will be held. For this competition the sponsors are leading hardware and software companies, that will each offer an expert in the field to each team, to act as a mentor. To all the registered applicants we wish all the best in the following competition,

Our team.

11/03/2017

Legality of Cryptocurrency

Patricia Rothstein / cryptocurrency / Cryptocurrency, Legality, of / 0 Comments

Many countries still don’t give a legal framework for cryptocurrencies and these new technological innovations, even though it exists for almost ten years. There are questions about taxation, the legality of these currencies in different countries, money laundering, legal status, and other issues.

Legality of a cryptocurrency

Depending on the country there are several various aspects to consider. Is cryptocurrency in the same class as other currencies like money. Is it an asset, is it illegal or a specific country doesn’t even have legal frameworks in place.

Russia, Ecuador, China and Bangladesh are for the moment banning Bitcoin as a cryptocurrency. In Iceland, it is banned because of already existing laws. But in many countries such as in the United Kingdom, the cryptocurrencies are unregulated, and there is no legal framework in place. In the European Union, these types of virtual money are exempt from VAT taxes, like gold. These are the countries who consider cryptocurrencies illegal for now: Ecuador, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Iceland, China.

Taxation on cryptocurrencies

Because exchanging cryptocurrencies is anonymous, it hides assets and can help in reducing taxation. It makes it easy for anyone to bring foreign money past borderlines, and then cash it by bypassing taxes.

Money Laundering

Money Laundering is a big problem with cryptocurrencies because you can easily move money between countries, the process is decentralized, and if it is done right, it is also anonymous. But it is risky because of the decentralized ledger – blockchain technology. Money laundering is illegal everywhere in every way, so countries that don’t understand how blockchain and cryptocurrencies work are banning it all together. But because of allowing people to exchange their goods, without the regulations from authorities freely, cryptocurrencies have a great potential in becoming the global currency. Regulating its usage without internet censorships is tough. The fear everybody has about this technology is coming only from not understanding it. If institutions allow themselves to learn about it, they can provide a legal framework that can correct any misusage.

Legal status in countries

Coluntries where the use of cryptocurrency is still unregulated, or it is deregulated for free use with some legal restrictions are: Hong Kong, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Croatia, Italy, Pakistan, Denmark, Philippines, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Singapore, Belgium, Indonesia, Brazil, Portugal, Iran, Barbados, Columbia, Greece, Chile, Nicaragua, Romania, North Korea, Papua, New Guinea, Cyprus, India, Ireland, Slovakia, Israel, Lithuania, Estonia, The Netherlands, Slovenia, Malta, Poland, Somalia, South Africa,Oman, Turkey, Iraq, Nepal, Antigua, Egypt Qatar, Saudi Arabia.

Countries, where cryptocurrencies are legal and regulated by the tax are Lebanon, France, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Spain, Germany, Jordan, Finland, Sweden, Japan, Luxembourg, Switzerland. These type of currencies are legal but restricted in some usage in the following countries: Iceland (mining is legal, but it is illegal to buy/sell), Taiwan (ATMs for Bitcoins are not legal), China (Private Individuals may transact, corporations and banks cannot). These are the countries where cryptocurrencies are banned: Russia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Kyrgyzstan, Summary.

10/28/2017

How cryptocurrency works

Patricia Rothstein / cryptocurrency / Cryptocurrency, How, Works / 0 Comments

Imagine now; you made a ledger on the internet. You shared this document with everyone, and everyone can write into a ledger. Now, imagine the money exchanged and written in the ledger isn’t money we all know for. No. It is some new made up money.

Now, let us explain:

Cryptocurrency is a digital money that is produced only on the internet. No government is in charge of it. It is a freely moving currency that no central bank can touch it. It is explained in the article about mining all the questions one can have about this kind of currency (how it is made, how it is controlled..). For now just imagine there are rules about cryptocurrencies that are making it functional, real, valued, but independent currency.

Blockchain

Ledger in which everyone can write and is shared with everyone is a list of transactions. Like banks have a list of transactions from every user, the same way there is a list on the internet, and it contains all the transactions made by people using a specific cryptocurrency. But, to make it fair, to make it safe so no one can control it, the bits of information about this ledger are distributed everywhere. So everyone has the same list, but no one can change it. This ledger is called a blockchain.

Blocks in a Blockchain

As it says above, ledger contains transactions of people using cryptocurrencies. Imagine the list of a thousand transactions like:

Sally pays Ben 10 Cryptocurrencies

Igor pays Johan 100 cryptocurrencies

And so on…

Each transaction is written by the people paying and approved by people receiving currencies. It is done by signatures made of a string of numbers that are depending on persons in transactions, time, number of currencies… So no one can ever duplicate, change, or steal someone’s signature. Now, because this indefinite list of a transaction is so big, it gets divided into blocks that need approval, proof of truth so to say. So, every block is approved by generating a number, let us call it „proof,“ that contains in its formula all the transactions in one block and „proof“ from the last block. The process of generating this “proof” is called mining.

In short…

So, everyone that has access to a ledger will receive from time to time a block of transactions that are validated by this „proof“ number which is always different for each block. That is how people now that transactions are valid, that currencies are valid, and that transaction is valid from the moment you receive it, until forever.

And for the value of a single coin of some cryptocurrency? It is determined by supply and demand on the market. It does not change in the correlation of the paper money, or in the correlation of the value one currency against some other. But the number of each type of cryptocurrency is limited, so there can never be a runaway currency inflation.

10/23/2017

What is mining?

Patricia Rothstein / Mining / is, Mining, What / 0 Comments

As we explained in the article „How cryptocurrency works,“ each online transaction regarding a specific cryptocurrency is written on a ledger that is shared with all the users, and which bits of information are distributed through an indefinite number of computers, so the information cannot be changed to commit fraud.

Ledger is called a blockchain, because, you guessed, it is made of blocks. Each block has some transactions, and each block needs to be validated.

How is it done?

Through mining. Using a computer power, a person can try to mine for a specific cryptocurrency, and it is done by trying to validate blocks of transactions. Each block contains a specific number, „proof“ which is made of transactions in it, and of a „proof“ number a previous block has. By mining, the computer tries to find a „proof“ of the next block. It happens every 10 minutes to someone in the world. When a block gets its „proof“ it is transmitted to all the users’ through a ledger, so they know these transactions are approved and true.

To commit a fraud by altering any data on the block, changing any transaction, you need to be the first in the world who would generate a „proof“ for that block to be the first who will transmit it to the world ledger. But not only that. You now need to be first forever in trying to generate „proofs“ for each block that will exist, and they get „proofs“ every ten minutes. But, now, you are not just trying to be first forever. You are also trying to find „proofs“ that contain a faulty number from your block that you change to commit fraud. And that is not possible. So, when someone in the world does finish a block before you, and someone else finishes the next one before you, and the next one, your blocks will be revealed as fraudulent, and they will be removed from the blockchain (ledger).

And how you earn with mining?

Every time you finish a block, you get rewarded by a cryptocurrency. That is how new cryptocurrencies are made. But finishing a block is harder every time a new one is „proofed“ because the next block contains a number that is longer than the number of a previous block. So, the time to find a block, the computer power you need, the electricity, these requirements get longer and larger in time.

And your reward? It gets smaller. Because there is no infinite number of a cryptocurrency. Why? Because having an infinite tokens or bills makes them worthless. So, you are getting less and less with each block you finish, but its value gets bigger and bigger. Why? Cause each time you get rewarded, the number of currency left to find gets smaller, and it gets harder to find it. So, how to be good enough in mining so you can earn currencies, and not just pay for electricity and computer power indefinitely? You need to invest in the semiconductor industry.

10/17/2017

Basic requirements to start mining

Patricia Rothstein / Mining / for, Mining, requirements / 0 Comments

Hardware setup

Once you build a basic mining setup, you can upgrade it as much as you want. This guide will show the steps you need to take to build it for less than a thousand dollars.

The computing power that computers nowadays use for mining comes from a graphics‘ card, instead of the central processor, because the graphics card is much faster at processing instructions. A processor has to deal with many other instructions and controls regarding the rest of the functions of a computer. So, a good graphics card is faster in solving the algorithms that produce the hash numbers needed to complete a block. Your processor should only run the operating system, so it doesn’t influence the performance of the mining process. The same goes for the hard disc. Mining also does not require a lot of internal memory.

You will need a strong power supply. If you have more than one graphics card, you should get a power supply of at least 750 watts. If you are planning to expand, it is good that you have 1000 or more watts. Considering the motherboard, try to get one with at least three slots for your video cards so you can later expand. Considering the amount of energy used in the mining process, you could have troubles with cooling down the components. It is the best to don’t even have a case or at least build it the way that air can flow through and around the components, so the cooling is better.

Software setup

The four things that you would need are a very basic:

– Good connection to the internet

– You need to update your operating system to the latest

– Also, don’t forget to update software and drivers for the video cards

– Instal the mining software: there is a bunch of applications for this purpose, choose whatever you prefer, installation is simple.

– If you are mining alone, you need coin wallet: this is a client on your computer that allows mining. When you are choosing which cryptocurrencies to mine, bear in mind that bigger currencies are a lot harder to mine, and you will have the least chance of succeeding. It could take years to mine a single block in time.

Types of mining

You can mine for coins solo or through network pool. If you choose to solo mine, your machine will do it by itself, and coins you get will be only yours. But it can take months or years to finish, at least one block, first, especially for currencies like Bitcoins. Network pool mining is a collaboration of a group that is mining the same block. When the block is found, the reward is divided by the work. With this option, your payouts can be stable. After choosing your method, you need to configure your miner and point it to a chosen wallet. If you have lower results than everyone else, you need to optimize your machine. Your components may be undervolted or overclocked.

10/12/2017

No one should ignore blockchain anymore.

Patricia Rothstein / cryptocurrency / Blackchain, Dont, Ignore / 0 Comments

Bitcoin startups have raised over $343 million in the first half of 2017 and more than $2.2 billion from all sorts of investors. Cryptocurrencies evolved so much that they now pose a threat to centralized control systems such as banks, payment systems, law firms, insurance companies, and governments. With now more than a thousand new cryptocurrencies, they are here to stay. With Bitcoin at value over six and a half thousand USD dollars, early users earned millions.

Big businesses drive innovation. And the newest is that blockchains are now the middleman used to execute complex business deals, agreements, and automated data exchange. IBM and Microsoft are using this technology for customers, and researchers are exploring it for projects that include various fields, from digital identity to insurance and medical records. Even more startups businesses are using this, from global payments to tracking diamond sales. The potential is vast because you can put anything on a block in a blockchain.

Ignoring is loosing

The threat that this kind of currencies poses for traditional financial systems, central banks, and governments is the fact that cryptocurrencies undermine authority, and decentralize the system. It surpasses banking process and all the third parties. So it seems counterproductive ignoring this technology and all that it promises. Instead of ignoring it, or not knowing how to act, governments should be adapting for the benefit of humanity, and evolve.

There are so many countries that are still not taking seriously this new modern world we are living in. They are averse to using even some of the elements blockchain technology has to offer. The real threat is this – if they continue to fail in understanding cutting-edge technologies, and they start putting rules and boundaries, they will lose. Not only that they will be one step behind, but they will also lose control over the money supply.

Instead of trying to regulate this almost ten-year-old world of virtual currencies, central banks are just warning of its risks. In the meanwhile, they are trying to get some advantages from a blockchain technology, or distributed-ledger system as it is called, for their payments systems.

Policy

Cryptocurrencies are still growing and developing, but yet central banks doubt the overall stability, value, and privacy of digital money. It is almost ten years since Bitcoin was created and now there are over a thousand new cryptocurrencies. And it is still developing. The government will be forced at some point to draw clear policies about the use of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The doubting period should be over. In Japan, Bitcoin is a legal method of payment. This is a technology from which global economy could benefit.

This unregulated currency is used to store wealth, and it can do it for very long periods of time, with its price now six times larger than a year before. And it has the promise of being more reliable and faster than the current currencies, banks, and governments. And the greatest thing is that it is unregulated by government institutions.

10/07/2017

Where and how can you store cryptocurrencies?

Patricia Rothstein / cryptocurrency / Cryptocurrencies, How, Store, To / 0 Comments

There are 6 ways to store your bitcoins or your private keys in the wallet addresses. Because Bitcoin works on a public-private key pair, storage of the private key is essential and they are stored in a „wallet“. Wich wallet will you choose depends on your preferences for security.

Bitcoin-QT Wallet

This wallet is original and it is created by developers of bitcoin. It is designed to be used on both desktop computers and laptop devices, and it stores private keys on your computer. It has to store a full copy of that blockchain. This wallet can send and receive coins, encrypt and receive and send addresses, so the private key gets a password. Bitcoin-QT Wallet is good for the beginning but is not a good option for computers with small hard discs. This way is not so good for storing large amounts of cryptocurrencies.

Web Wallet

It is hosted through a provider who is external and it stores private keys too. Web Wallets are really easy for using and are handy for new users. But you can be hacked for your details of login just as you can be hacked for the same details when you are logging into your bank account. The Web Wallet provider can also steal coins. Along with desktop wallets, this is a most unsecured way to store your cryptocurrencies.

Multi-Signature Wallet

These wallets have not got just a private key but also they have two additional keys. One key is held by coin-base, one by your machine and the third yours. You need only two keys to access your currencies. This is safe if you wish to keep your currencies long term. The government cannot seize coins kept this way.

Hardware Wallet – Ledger and Trezor

They can look like a USB memory disc, and are untouchable by malware. The brand Ledger has its own application and plugins. When you are in a transaction, if you enter a PIN three times incorrectly it will wipe your wallet. It is a top security system. Ledger must be on a secure machine so it can repair the wallet and the keys if they are damaged. It is for keeping an incredible amount of cryptocurrencies. Trezor is similar to a previous one described, but it is larger. The security of this hardware wallet is the highest of any wallet solution that is hardware based.

Paper Wallet

This is a secure way because you will print out private-public key pairs and QR codes for scanning. They are secure just as hardware wallets are.

Mobile Bitcoin Wallets

These can be stored not only on your mobile phone, but also on a tablet, iPod touch, or any other portable device. They are usually protected by a PIN and can be further secured by encryption. These wallets are for everyday use and spending and are good for keeping a small amount. They are no less secure than an average wallet online.

10/02/2017

4 Cryptocurrency Facts on why you need to step up

Patricia Rothstein / cryptocurrency / 4, Cryptocurrency, Facts / 0 Comments

For almost ten years now cryptocurrencies are here. The person who owns 10 Bitcoins now has more than sixty-five thousand USD dollars. This online type of payment is faster, anonymous, decentralized – not in control by governments, banks, and for ten years not even by taxes. Times are not changing, they have changed. Rules for the payments, earnings, technology, economy, database, and everything else has changed. Entrepreneurs who are looking to stay in the game should focus their attention on this everpresent change that is shaping our world of tomorrow.

We are here to tell you 4 facts that you need to know so you can decide for yourself is this something worthy of your time.

New players

Bitcoin is not the only cryptocurrency in play. There are a lot of others as Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin that are getting strong too. Thousand of new cryptocurrencies exist now on this anonymous financial market. You should always pay attention to new players in this game because you can never know when their values will go significantly up, as it happened to Bitcoin.

Where is the hassle?

These new currencies have sophisticated systems which allow for efficient and uncompromised exchanges. Blockchain technology is evolving so quickly that with it other businesses are significantly growing too. And a type of payments that this new technology has to offer is so convenient to the old systems, that most of the people are preferring paying in cryptocurrencies rather than in other currencies.

This popularity is here to stay

Bitcoin is now at more than six hundred USD dollars, it exists for almost ten years, and it has a really small, almost nonexistent chance it will go down. Etherum side by side also gathered so much support and its value is over 300 USD dollars. The growth is permanent and continues.

Banks are still one step behind

Banks are still rejecting this technology, and they need to step up. But some of them are partnering up with various cryptocurrencies and implementing blockchain technology. But this is not enough. If they want to stay in the money game, they need to go where the money is, not wait around for the future to fail. Because this future is here to stay. Money is taking a different form, and it has been like that for almost a decade. People are becoming rich because they are investing in the right cryptocurrencies at the right time. And the banks? They cant afford to be that one step behind, and they are for almost ten years.

Catch a train

A lot of time has passed since cryptocurrency and blockchain technology was introduced to the internet. But it is still caching its momentum, and this isn’t even at its peak. Businesses are just starting to implement this new technology, and there is still time to implement it in your world. There are a place and time for everything, and if cryptocurrency is something you can be interested in, dive right in.