Scaling: Is there actually a problem?

Notes from Satoshi Roundtable - Bitcoin volumes - SmartPool - Cambridge Blockchain funding - Microsoft's Project Manifest View this email in your browser January 25th, 2017 "It ain't the heat, it's the humility." – Yogi Berra Got this from a friend? SUBSCRIBE HERE Scaling was high on the agenda yesterday, as the third annual Satoshi Roundtable – an annual gathering of bitcoin's thinkers and doers – kicked off in Cancun, Mexico. CoinDesk was there to bring you the most important points.   Rather than a concrete solution, what emerged from the discussions was the acknowledgement that the scaling problem itself is not clearly defined.   Is it an economic matter of transaction fees and volume growth? Or is it a political issue, based on distrust and control?   Perhaps the root of the problem is philosophical, as in, is there even a problem? Some participants argued that the debate seems to be made up of different factions trying to make bitcoin into what they think it should be, rather than focusing on what it is. Meanwhile, bitcoin seems to be chugging along quite nicely.   Read the whole story Tweet Share Countdown time!!! With less than one week to go, we're getting really excited for the launch of our first developer conference CONSTRUCT. Come and join us in San Francisco, USA on January 30-31 for two days of workshops, panels, demos and networking with leaders from all major blockchain communities: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Hyperledger, Blockstack, Zcash, and more.  REGISTER NOW  Wait, there's more: Microsoft Unveils Project Manifest, A Plan For Product Tracking Via Blockchain In conversation with CoinDesk, the firm's global business strategist, York Rhodes, indicated that the focus will be visibility in the supply chain through RFID tracking on the blockchain. The aim is to reduce costs, mitigate product losses and enhance provenance transparency, while creating a platform for future IoT development. Read more. Real Volumes Revealed? How Bitcoin is Reacting to a New Age of Trading Fees CoinDesk spoke to market analysts on their outlook for bitcoin after the trading fee-induced volume decline. Some believe that the disappearance of "fake volume" will be positive for the market, due to a more genuine price discovery and expected lower volatility. Others are more pessimistic, concerned that the changes could drive away Chinese buyers. Read more.   How Ethereum Smart Contracts Could Replace Mining Pool Managers CoinDesk talks to Loi Luu, lead developer of SmartPool, an ethereum-based decentralized mining pool that hopes to address the intensifying problem of mining centralization. Read more. China's Central Bank to Continue Bitcoin Exchange Inspections The People's Bank of China has said that it will oversee the sector more closely, and issued a warning to investors to be aware of financial security and other risks. Read more. Blockchain-Friendly Congressman Faces Hearings for Trump Budget Role Representative Mick Mulvaney, one of two members of Congress to back the Congressional Blockchain Caucus last year, defended his nomination and outlined the approach he would take as US budget chief. Read more. Bank of Japan to Host Distributed Ledger Forum Next Month On the agenda are presentations from a central bank think tank and the settlements department, IBM, the Nippon Exchange Group, Mizuho Bank, bitcoin exchange bitFlyer and blockchain firms Soramitsu and R3. Read more.   Identity Startup Cambridge Blockchain Raises $1.7 Million This is part of a declared $2m round, indicating that funding efforts are ongoing. Read more.   Hong Kong's BitVC Adds Fees For Exchange Traders The bitcoin exchange is joining Chinese giants BTCC, OKCoin and Huobi in charging 0.2% to both sides of international bitcoin trades, as well as domestic. Read more.   Go to CoinDesk BTC: $893.42 -1.1%  ETH: $10.51 -0.8% @10:00 EST - More price details WHAT DO YOU THINK? Will blockchain disrupt venture capital? Is the lack of legal framework a barrier? Do you think they're safe? We would really appreciate your feedback for our forthcoming State of Blockchain 2016 report. 🎉 TAKE THE SURVEY 🎉 PRESS RELEASES   23, Jan - Press Release: Deribit Options & Future Exchange Announces Quarterly Future And Rebate For Makers 23, Jan - Press Release: The Blockchain Event Invites Industry Leaders to Speak at Fort Lauderdale Event 23, Jan - Press Release: CD Key retailer CJS CD Keys now Accepting Bitcoin How are we doing? Can you think of anything we can improve on? Just hit "Reply" and let us know! Copyright © 2017 CoinDesk, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you subscribed for updates on our website. Our mailing address is: CoinDesk 636 Avenue of the Americas New York City, NY 10011 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list