DEV Community: Maya Walker

Notes from non-developer

Maya Walker — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 12:16:06 +0000

Just over a year ago, my ex-boyfriend introduced me to the world of cryptocurrencies and crypto exchanges!
I got so drawn into it that I started registering and using various exchanges to compare them!
As per his advice, the first crypto exchange for me was, of course, the one with Ukrainian roots - WhiteBIT!
By the way, it helped me a lot to understand everything thanks to its user-friendly interface and the ability to try trading with demo tokens!
Then there were crypto exchanges Binance, Bybit, OKX & Coinbase.
What's your story of getting into crypto?

If you are not a developer, how can you gain respect on Dev.to?

Maya Walker — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 13:02:45 +0000

Women in Web3: Empowering Diversity and Inclusion in the Blockchain Revolution

Maya Walker — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 11:02:10 +0000

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Web3, women are playing an increasingly vital role in driving innovation, fostering diversity, and championing inclusion. As the blockchain revolution continues to unfold, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in shaping the future of technology.

One of the most significant aspects of Web3 is its potential to break down barriers and empower individuals from all walks of life to participate in the digital economy. Women, who have historically been underrepresented in the tech industry, are now finding new opportunities to thrive in the decentralized world of blockchain.

From developers and engineers to entrepreneurs and community leaders, women are making their mark across every aspect of the Web3 ecosystem. Their diverse perspectives and unique experiences bring fresh insights to the table, driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Moreover, women are actively working to create more inclusive spaces within the Web3 community, advocating for greater representation and equity. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, networking events, and educational resources are helping to support and uplift women in the blockchain space, paving the way for future generations of female leaders.

However, despite the progress that has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure that women have equal opportunities and representation in Web3. By fostering a culture of inclusion and actively supporting women in tech, we can create a more vibrant, diverse, and resilient ecosystem that benefits everyone.

As we continue to navigate the exciting possibilities of Web3, let us recognize the invaluable contributions of women and work together to build a future where everyone has the opportunity to participate, innovate, and succeed. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable digital world for all.

Why Bitcoin?

Maya Walker — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:55:44 +0000

Bitcoin is undeniably a groundbreaking and valuable asset for several reasons:

Decentralization: Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network of computers, known as blockchain. This means no single entity or government controls it, providing a level of financial autonomy.
Security: Bitcoin transactions are secured by cryptographic techniques, making it highly resistant to fraud and hacking. The decentralized nature of its blockchain ensures transparency while maintaining robust security.
Limited Supply: Bitcoin has a capped supply of 21 million coins, creating a deflationary aspect. This scarcity is designed to combat inflation, making it a hedge against traditional fiat currency devaluation.
Financial Inclusion: Bitcoin allows individuals without access to traditional banking systems to participate in the global economy. Anyone with an internet connection can send and receive Bitcoin, promoting financial inclusion on a global scale.
Borderless Transactions: Bitcoin transactions are not restricted by geographical borders or traditional banking hours. This makes it a practical and efficient means of transferring value internationally.
Ownership and Control: Bitcoin provides users with complete ownership and control of their funds. Users hold private keys, granting them exclusive access to their Bitcoin holdings without reliance on intermediaries.
Transparency: All Bitcoin transactions are recorded on the blockchain, which is a public ledger. This transparency reduces the risk of corruption and provides users with a verifiable transaction history.
Inflation Hedge: Bitcoin is often referred to as "digital gold" because, like gold, it serves as a hedge against inflation. Its fixed supply and increasing demand can protect against the erosion of purchasing power over time.
Innovative Technology: The underlying blockchain technology of Bitcoin has paved the way for various applications beyond currency, including smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi).
Community and Adoption: Bitcoin has garnered a significant global community of users, developers, and advocates. Its growing acceptance by businesses and institutional investors further solidifies its role in the financial landscape.
In summary, Bitcoin's unique combination of decentralization, security, limited supply, financial inclusion, borderless transactions, ownership control, transparency, inflation hedging, innovative technology, and a strong community make it a genuinely powerful and beneficial asset.

Battle to Approve First Spot Bitcoin ETF Begins as BTC Price Approaches $48k

Maya Walker — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 11:12:04 +0000

Major asset managers are vying to be the first to get an exchange-traded fund (ETF) for spot bitcoin approved by the SEC. This coincides with a rise in the price of Bitcoin to over $43,500 and higher profits for those who retain it for an extended period of time.

Important Points

Due in major part to spot Bitcoin ETF registrations stepping up marketing operations ahead of anticipated approvals, the price of bitcoin has increased to $43,500.

By January 10th, 2024, the SEC may approve the first spot bitcoin ETF, which would be a historic step to encourage mainstream adoption.

Approximately 50% of family offices questioned have made investments in cryptocurrency assets, and more than 33% intend to increase their blockchain and cryptocurrency holdings.

The price of bitcoin is still rising; it is presently trading at $43,686, with resistance at $43,512 and support at $42,159.

Long-term investors' holdings of Bitcoin just reached a record high of 14.9 million BTC, surpassing break-even point as 90% of the supply is now profitable.

By January 10, 2024, the SEC is reportedly need to make a decision on multiple spot bitcoin ETF applications. Rivals such as Fidelity and BlackRock have stepped up their marketing initiatives, and Bitwise and Hashdex have just released significant advertising campaigns. It is anticipated that the first approval will greatly increase mainstream access.

Increasing optimism, SEC Chair Gary Gensler recently stated that he was in favor of regulating cryptocurrencies. Another limitation on his reach is a court decision that gives Grayscale the upper hand. A green light would increase Bitcoin's credibility and adoption rate.

The information supports Bitcoin's spectacular comeback following a terrible bear market in 2022. Encouraged by the surge in the fourth quarter, Bitcoin has broken through the crucial $43,000 barrier mark. It is now aiming for $44,697 and even $48,000 as its next targets.

An increase in holder profitability is what propels gains. Currently holding 14.9 million BTC, the biggest amount in 2023, are long-term holders who have added over 800,000 coins this year. Ninety percent of the circulating supply is now positive due to unrealized profits above break-even.

If momentum persists, upcoming favorable events like the 2024 halving might lead to additional upside. The rise of Bitcoin among institutions confirms its status as a maturing asset class, even in the face of persistent macroeconomic uncertainties.

Nearly half of family offices have allocated to cryptocurrency and blockchain assets, and over a third aim to grow their exposure, according to a new Grant Thornton poll. This indicates a more widespread acceptance of digital assets as diversifiers for portfolios.

Bitcoin Layer-2 Project Stacks (STX) Surges Amid Market Correction

Maya Walker — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 15:43:52 +0000

While most cryptocurrencies kicked off the week in the red, Stacks (STX), a leading Bitcoin scaling solution, bucked the trend and posted gains.
$STX, the native token of Bitcoin layer-2 project Stacks, soared over 15% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinGecko. The network is reportedly getting close to the launch of its Nakamoto testnet scheduled for later this month. This testnet is expected to significantly reduce block times, bringing the network’s performance to par with leading Ethereum scaling solutions.
In addition, the Bitcoin-based project completely minted out its first STX-20 in the last few hours. The inscription triggered a surge in network activity, resulting in a massive increase in transactions and temporary network congestion.

The surge came amid the hype surrounding BRC-20 and Bitcoin Ordinals. Earlier this month saw a record hike from around $5-$7 to an average of $27.55 per transaction. The rising transaction fees were driven by the rising demand in block space, wherein people were etching non-financial data onto the Bitcoin blockchain.
The high volume of inscription messages overloaded the network, causing blocks to become full and transactions to be delayed.
Bitcoin Ordinals have been the headlines since the start of 2023. The goal is to bring more use cases to the Bitcoin network, instead of solely Bitcoin. Following the idea of Bitcoin Ordinals, the introduction of the BRC-20 tokens has sparked interest among the community members.
A number of BRC-20 tokens became big winners in recent weeks. For example, Ordinals (ORDI), the first BRC-20 token, has skyrocketed by 600% in the last 30 days.
However, the concepts have also been the subject of debates as their adoption is far from widespread, and some argue they deviate from Bitcoin’s core principles of simplicity and focus on fungibility. Moreover, scalability remains an issue as the main functionality of BRC-20 is to create memecoins.

Film industry and Cryptocurrency

Maya Walker — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 08:44:49 +0000

The world of film financing has seen a significant shift in recent years, with the emergence of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. These new developments are changing the game by providing innovative ways to fund, produce, and distribute films. In this article, we will explore the impact of cryptocurrency on film financing, how it is revolutionizing royalties and revenue distribution in the industry, and how blockchain-based solutions are being explored for film production and distribution.

Cryptocurrency and the Future of Film Financing

Cryptocurrency has emerged as a game-changer in the film financing landscape. This new form of digital currency has the potential to revolutionize the way films are financed, produced and distributed. Cryptocurrency allows filmmakers to bypass traditional financing models and raise capital directly from investors around the world. This means that filmmakers can retain more creative control over their projects while also accessing a wider pool of funding. Furthermore, cryptocurrency provides a secure and transparent way to track revenue generated by films. It eliminates the need for intermediaries and ensures that all parties involved receive their fair share of profits. As such, it is no surprise that more and more filmmakers are turning to cryptocurrency as a viable alternative to traditional film financing methods.

Revolutionizing Royalties and Revenue Distribution in the Film Industry

Revolutionizing royalties and revenue distribution in the film industry is one of the significant changes brought by cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. With the traditional financing system, filmmakers have to rely on distributors to get their share of revenue. However, blockchain technology offers a transparent and decentralized system that eliminates intermediaries, allowing filmmakers to receive their fair share of profits. Blockchain-based platforms such as SingularDTV and FilmChain use smart contracts to ensure secure and automated revenue distribution among stakeholders. This innovative approach helps filmmakers to retain more control over their intellectual property, while also providing greater transparency for investors and other stakeholders. The use of blockchain technology in film financing is an excellent example of how new technologies can revolutionize traditional industries and bring about positive change.