Category Archives: Smart Contracts
Heather Rae Doyle: Florida in the lead in emerging blockchain … – Florida Politics
Recent layoff turmoil in Silicon Valley has compelled some pundits to ask is tech experiencing a midlife crisis?
Interest rate hikes have had an impact, of course, but the larger question, at least according to many industry watchers, is whether tech has lost the scent for the next big thing. After creating the Uber of nearly everything, what challenges lie on the horizon?
Thankfully, technological innovation is alive and well, creating jobs and boosting local economies. The best news is that some of the most exciting developments are happening right here in Florida.
The driver behind these gains is blockchain, a technology known for making independent cryptocurrencies possible but also an emerging industry with much more to offer.
Dont fall asleep with the mention of blockchain. As with most truly novel inventions, blockchain can be confusing at first but also exciting enough to make its proponents, myself included, run on about its potential.
Just as I dont need to understand how money is transferred electronically by tapping my credit card at Starbucks or when using my banking app, detailed knowledge of how blockchain works under the hood is not required to innovate on where it will go and how it will benefit all of us.
For instance, blockchain can provide fraud-proof traceability for the raw materials that go into the products we buy, from a small cotton farmer in India all the way into the sofa we bring home from High Point Market. If you care about fair wages and environmentally sensitive practices, blockchain will soon help you direct your consumer dollars in accordance with your values.
There are abundant use cases for blockchain. Blockchain can verify the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain, improving the safety of our medicines. It can protect our personal and confidential information, reducing identity theft and cybercrimes. It enables smart contracts that are more readily enforceable, a boon for businesses that need partners to abide by agreed-upon terms. There are national security possibilities, substantial economic benefits, and advantages for consumers and families in the blockchain.
Blockchain is also being applied to the financial services realm, securing money transfers, preventing money laundering, and providing the basis for cryptocurrencies. The latter is especially exciting as a means to decentralize financial systems and thereby enhance resilience. Even as leaders in Washington, D.C., play chicken with the debt ceiling, threatening the value of the U.S. dollar, cryptocurrencies are establishing themselves as a viable alternative to traditional, nationally backed (and politician-susceptible) currencies.
As our financial assets turn digital in the 21st century, however, the shifts are challenging legal and regulatory structures built in and for another era. From accounting standards to oversight rules to tax laws, much needs to be modernized to pave the way for blockchain. Clarity and consistency should be the watchwords for policymakers as they strive to foster innovation and protect consumers. Workforce needs, too, must be revisited and updated.
Fortunately, our state is ahead of the pack. We already have a Florida Blockchain Task Force within the Florida Department of Financial Services. This organization was established to explore and define a master plan for the blockchain industry. Theyre crafting a road map to prepare the labor force and deliver economic growth and development opportunities for all Floridians.
Now we need the Joe Biden administration to join the effort. The U.S. prides itself on being the world leader in innovation. With the right policies, we can blaze a trail in the emerging blockchain industry, capturing advantages ahead of the global competition and keeping our economy, jobs, and opportunities pointed toward the future. All with Florida leading the way.
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Heather Rae Doyle is the founder of CoinQueens and a Web3 adviser & investor.
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Heather Rae Doyle: Florida in the lead in emerging blockchain ... - Florida Politics
EYWA Protocol Announces Partnership with Curve Finance – InvestorsObserver
Road Town, BVI, May 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EYWA , the cross-chain liquidity protocol that allows for seamless interoperability, has announced a partnership with Curve Finance. EYWA is a DEX and liquidity protocol that allows new projects to make their token accessible across chains.
Projects can launch with just a few clicks, without any of the headaches associated with centralized exchange listings. Tokens can be swapped on a variety of blockchains through the EYWA DEX.
Curve Finance is DeFis leading automated market maker (AMM). Hundreds of liquidity pools have successfully launched through Curve Finance, with high liquidity, low slippage, and low fees. Curve has over $4.5 billion in locked assets and has an extremely high transaction volume globally. Speaking about the EYWA/Curve partnership, Curve CEO Mikhail Egorov stated:
EYWA builds a very interesting solution: it's not just your typical bridge. They solve the problem of liquidity fragmentation between chains by creatively composing Curve meta pools and the actual bridge. Having one liquidity pool working across multiple chains sounds like magic, and it is exciting to have Curve AMMs in the core of this magic.
The partnership will promote collaboration between the developers of both decentralized liquidity providers. Curve Finance will be the EYWA Oracle Network validator and will participate in EYWA multi-signature management.
EYWAs cross-chain pool liquidity will be located in Curve's smart contracts and the EYWA DAO will receive a share of commissions from exchange transactions. EYWA expands Curve's functionality by unlocking the ability to make cross-chain exchanges and provide cross-chain liquidity using Curve smart contracts.
Within the EYWA ecosystem, four stablecoins on various blockchains are supported for transaction purposes - USDT, USDC, TUSD, and DAI. The exchange process for tokens is ultimately facilitated through the EUSD stablecoin, the core token on EYWA.
The first derivative token is the sToken, and the second derivative is the eToken. The EUSD native stablecoin then functions at the top layer for easy swaps between tokens across all major blockchains.
Tokens can be exchanged between all blockchains in any direction, and the user is the liquidity provider. EYWA currently supports six major blockchains - Ethereum, BNB, Polygon, Arbitrage, Arbitrum, and Fantom. The protocol is powered by the Fantom Hubchain.
The Curve partnership is an important milestone in the evolution of EYWA, as it increases both market publicity and the functional effectiveness of the protocol. Existing Curve users can use EYWAs DEX for increased liquidity across blockchains, through a single liquidity pool that works like magic, according to the Curve Finance CEO.
It could also have major implications for new Web3 projects that launch on EYWA, no longer having to go down the route of a CEX exchange listing, and ultimately allowing for supreme operability between tokens cross-chain.
About EYWA
EYWA is a cross-chain liquidity provider that enables effortless token swapping across chains. Its an all-in-one liquidity solution that cuts costs and increases exposure for new Web3 startups. The major products include EYWA Cross-Chain Liquidity Protocol (EYWA DEX, EYWA Token Bridge) and EYWA Cross-Chain Data Protocol.
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Disclaimer: There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. This is not investment advice. Please do your own research.
Media contact :
Contact person: Boris Povar
Email: ceo@eywa.fi
Location :Tortola, BVI
Source: EYWA
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EYWA Protocol Announces Partnership with Curve Finance - InvestorsObserver
World Bank turns to blockchain for tokenizing infrastructure process … – CoinGeek
The World Bank could be pivoting to blockchain technology in the future following the release of a report exploringtokenizationfor infrastructural projects.
The49-page reportshines the spotlight on the benefits of digitizing the debt financing processes for global infrastructure projects using blockchain. A large chunk of the report gravitated toward the application of blockchain by the World Bank in the face of dwindling funding sources but pointed out several challenges plaguing a full-scale adoption.
Right out of the gate, the report identified two ways tokenization with blockchain could improve the processes of the World Bank. The first is to democratize funding to a wider class of investors by tokenizing infrastructure securities and reducing the cost and time of issuances.
The second application identified by the reports authors is the use of blockchain toimprove the transparency of processes, particularly those related to budgets. By relying onblockchainandsmart contracts, the World Banks contractors and subcontractors can avoid disputes by relying on the immutable nature of blockchain-based transactions.
Smart contracts enable the programming and auto-execution of various operating scenarios to transparently verify invoices as per the terms of the contract, read the report. This increases transparency in contract administration and reduces the need for a full-time contract administrator.
While there are several benefits associated with tokenization for the World Bank, the report highlighted numerous challenges line up against its adoption. The first of such challenges is the lack of a globally recognized tokenized standard characterized by varying anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes.
Other challenges associated with their usage include cybersecurity concerns and the legal status of smart contracts and digital tokens. The report hailed the U.S., Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the European Union as jurisdictions with a robustlegal frameworkto support tokenization.
Emerging markets bear the brunt
According to the findings of the report, emerging markets and developing economies face the gravest challenges of implementing tokenization due to a lack of regulatory frameworks and an absence of pilot programs.
However, the authors maintained that emerging markets stand to gain the most from tokenization, given its ability to improve private sector confidence. Other benefits include automated auditing, lower financing costs, and detailed project monitoring.
To achieve these benefits, the report suggests harmonizing regulation across different jurisdictions, capacity building, and increasing pilot testing and sandboxing to gain practical insights.
Watch: Tim Draper talks tokenization with Kurt Wuckert Jr.
New to Bitcoin? Check out CoinGeeksBitcoin for Beginnerssection, the ultimate resource guide to learn more about Bitcoinas originally envisioned by Satoshi Nakamotoand blockchain.
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World Bank turns to blockchain for tokenizing infrastructure process ... - CoinGeek
Exploring the Rise of DAO Projects: A Deep Dive into Core DAO and … – Cyber Kendra
The advent of blockchain technology has catalyzed a series of disruptive trends in the world of finance and governance. Of these emerging paradigms, perhaps none is more transformative than the Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). DAOs promise a future where governance is both transparent and participatory, minimizing the need for intermediaries while maximizing trust and efficiency.
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, or DAOs, have been gaining popularity in the cryptocurrency ecosystem as they offer a unique way of organizing and managing decentralized projects. In this article, we will explore the rise of DAO projects, focusing on Core DAO and its competitors, and provide an in-depth understanding of their functionalities, governance structures, and tokenomics.
Before diving into Core DAO and its competitors, let's first understand what a DAO is and how it works.
Before we deep dive into Core DAO, it's important to understand what a DAO is. A Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) is an organization represented by rules encoded as a computer program that is transparent, controlled by the organization members, and not influenced by a central government. DAOs are a novel form of digital governance, where decision rights and operational management are guided by smart contracts on the blockchain.
DAOs have several advantages in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Firstly, they offer a way for decentralized projects to raise funds without relying on centralized institutions, such as banks or venture capitalists. Secondly, they provide a transparent and democratic way of decision-making, which ensures that all stakeholders have an equal say in the project's direction. Lastly, DAOs enable fast and efficient execution of decisions, as all stakeholders can vote on proposals and execute them without the need for manual intervention.
Core DAO operates as a distributed network of token holders who vote on proposals to direct the use of the organization's treasury and other key decisions. As a token holder, you have a direct say in the organization's governance. Importantly, the structure of Core DAO is designed to give every participant an equal voice, regardless of the size of their token holdings.
The unique aspect of Core DAO is its commitment to continuous innovation and development. The DAO frequently sponsors proposals for research and development into new blockchain technologies, ensuring that the organization remains at the cutting edge of the industry.
The core is a new blockchain platform that aims to offer a unique combination of proof of work (PoW) and delegated proof of stake (DPoS) mechanisms. The goal is to provide a platform that is scalable, secure, and independent.
By combining PoW and DPoS mechanisms, Core intends to achieve a high level of security while also ensuring faster transaction times. PoW is known for its robust security features, while DPoS enables faster transaction processing.
Core's main objective is to tackle the blockchain trilemma, a complex technological challenge. This challenge is rooted in the fact that it is nearly impossible to create a blockchain that is both secure, scalable, and decentralized. Developers face a trade-off where they must sacrifice one of these three attributes when creating a blockchain. For example, Bitcoin is secure and decentralized, but it is not as scalable.
To address this problem, Core's network utilizes the Satoshi Plus consensus mechanism. This mechanism allows the Core blockchain to combine the features from multiple blockchains at the same time, achieving decentralization through the PoW model and scalability through DPoS. The consensus mechanism of the whole network ensures that the blockchain maintains optimal security.
Core places a strong emphasis on decentralization, and this is reflected in its use of a DAO to manage various components of the platform. The Core DAO has the ability to make proposals, suggest upgrades, vote on ideas and implement plans. It has control over a wide range of factors, including transaction fees and governance parameters. However, it is important to note that the Core DAO is still in its early stages. Currently, the Core team is overseeing the DAO until there are enough users to create a fully decentralized governance structure.
The CORE blockchain will use its own native token, the CORE crypto token, which will have a hard supply cap of 2.1 billion tokens. To prevent centralization, a portion of the block rewards and transaction fees will be burned in a model similar to Ethereum's "Ultra Sound Money" model.
The team is focused on distributing tokens fairly and has allocated them into six categories. Contributors will receive 15% of the tokens to compensate the development team. 25.029% of the tokens will be distributed through an airdrop to create the initial Core DAO. Node mining will account for 39.995% of the tokens, which users can acquire through staking or contributing computing power. 10% of tokens will be held in reserve, while 9.5% will be placed in a treasury for managing the blockchain's ecosystem. Finally, 0.476% of tokens will be used to compensate relayers who help maintain enhanced security, in the form of transaction fees.
While Core DAO is a prominent player in the DAO ecosystem, there are several other competing projects that offer similar functionalities. Let's take a look at two of the most popular ones, Aragon and MakerDAO.
Aragon: Features, Goals, and Key Differentiators
Aragon is a decentralized platform that enables the creation and management of DAOs. Its main features include a customizable governance system, token management, and fundraising tools. Aragon aims to provide an easy-to-use platform for creating and managing decentralized organizations, with a focus on community-driven decision-making.
Aragon Features:
MakerDAO: Features, Goals, and Key Differentiators
MakerDAO is another well-known DAO that operates on the Ethereum blockchain. MakerDAO's primary goal is to create a decentralized stablecoin called Dai. Unlike traditional stablecoins, Dai is not backed by any fiat currency. Instead, it is backed by collateral in the form of cryptocurrency. Some of the features and differentiators of MakerDAO include:
In terms of market capitalization, MakerDAO is the largest of the three DAOs, followed by Aragon and then CoreDAO. However, the market cap does not necessarily reflect the value or quality of the project. The performance of each project is subject to various factors such as market sentiment, adoption rate, and competition.
While DAOs have many advantages, there are also several challenges that need to be addressed for their widespread adoption.
One of the significant challenges faced by DAOs is the lack of clarity in regulations. Most jurisdictions do not recognize DAOs as legal entities, which can create regulatory and legal challenges for DAOs. There is a need for more clarity in regulations to provide a conducive environment for the growth of DAOs.
DAOs are still in their nascent stage, and there are several scalability and governance issues that need to be addressed. As the number of members in a DAO grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to make efficient decisions and reach a consensus. DAOs need to develop efficient governance models to ensure effective decision-making.
DAOs have immense potential to revolutionize the way businesses operate by creating decentralized and transparent organizations. CoreDAO, MakerDAO, and Aragon are three of the most popular DAOs in the market, with CoreDAO leading the pack in terms of market cap. However, DAOs also face several challenges that need to be addressed for their widespread adoption.
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Exploring the Rise of DAO Projects: A Deep Dive into Core DAO and ... - Cyber Kendra
Vitalik Buterin urges caution when it comes to re-staking on Ethereum – The Block – Crypto News
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin expressed concerns about overcomplicating the Ethereum consensus mechanism beyond its original design, specifically in terms of re-staking.
In a new blog post, Buterin voiced reservations about initiatives that could unnecessarily introduce risks into the ecosystem and complicate the roles of Ethereum validators beyond their primary duty of verifying the core protocol rules. Buterin was concerned about re-staking, a mechanism being developed by Eigen Layer, among others, which broadens the responsibilities of Ethereum validators to include securing external chains. He was worried that re-staking might introduce risks that could affect the safety of the network.
We should tread lightly when application-layer projects aim to extend the scope of blockchain consensus beyond the validation of essential Ethereum protocol rules, Buterin stated in the post.
In Ethereums proof-of-stake model, validators are selected based on the number of ether they hold and are willing to stake. The network has the largest validator set among all proof-of-stake chains, both in terms of the number of validator entities and the total value of staked ether, some 18 million ETH (~$34 billion). This considerable size has prompted the development of systems to leverage this network security to secure third-party chains. However, Buterin advocated for a cautious approach.
Buterin noted that while re-staking can be used for low-risk purposes, there are situations where it could compromise the mainnets security, such as when Ethereum validators face slashing on third-party chains. Slashing is a punitive measure for validators who engage in undesirable activities, like improperly maintaining their stake or incorrectly processing transactions.
We should instead preserve the chains minimalism and support uses of re-staking that do not seem like slippery slopes towards extending the role of Ethereum consensus, Buterin suggested.
Buterins comments elicited responses from Sreeram Kannan, co-founder of Eigen Layer. Kannan agreed with Buterins analysis and acknowledged that Eigen Layer should avoid building complex financial primitives with the help of re-staking, as they can spiral out of control. Nevertheless, he stated that re-staking can be used for low-risk scenarios.
Kannan agreed that Eigen Layer can extend the functionality of validators beyond Ethereum but said these should be developed without the need for slashing, which would introduce unnecessary complexity. He further emphasized that Eigen Layer is cautious about not impacting Ethereums security in any way, aligning with Buterins blog post.
Buterin discussed a 2015 proposal from Martin Kppelmann, the co-founder of Gnosis, for an ultimate oracle, deriving security from ETH stake. In the context of smart contracts, oracles are vital as they supply off-chain data. However, Buterin said that if the security of these data feeds were intertwined with Ethereums stake, it might contribute to increased complexity.
Buterin suggested that such expanded roles or duties added to Ethereums consensus mechanism could magnify the challenges and risks involved in operating as a validator. He emphasized, Validators are required to exert significant human effort in terms of monitoring, running, and updating additional software to ensure their adherence to any newly implemented protocols.
2023 The Block Crypto, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
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Cardano defies crypto downturn as transaction volume soars 200% – Finbold – Finance in Bold
Despite the prices of most assets on the cryptocurrency market recording a bearish streak in recent weeks, Cardano (ADA) is recording impressive results in other departments, including transaction volume and count, active crypto wallets, and accumulation by large holders.
Indeed, Cardano has recorded a significant increase in daily transaction volume, growing by 205.01% since the years turn, with more than 26 billion ADA transacted per day, according to the Cardano blockchain analysis by crypto monitoring platform IntoTheBlock shared in a Twitter thread on May 22.
As per the platforms observations, the transaction count has remained stable during bear market conditions, witnessing a 33.45% increase from the yearly lows and a recent notable peak in daily transaction volume, reaching a three-month high of 98,000 transactions in one day.
Furthermore, the most engaged group of users within the network during the observed period were those involved in trades between $10 and $100. Specifically, during the above-mentioned three-month high, these traders accounted for 28% of all transactions on the chain.
Finally, Cardano has also recently seen spikes of more than 1,500% in net flows by large holders over the previous 30 days, signaling that ADA whales were accumulating. As the chart indicates, on April 27, this net flow spiked to 969.72 million ADA in a single day.
In the meantime, the price of Cardano currently stands at $0.37, demonstrating an increase of 1.42% on the day, as it is trying to reverse the losses of 0.44% across the past week and of 6.35% in the last month, as per data retrieved by Finbold on May 22.
Meanwhile, Cardano was recording substantial results in more areas. Earlier, Finbold reported on the Cardano ecosystem approaching a total value locked (TVL) of 400 million ADA tokens and $148.55 million in USD on May 19 with these values currently standing at 429 million ADA and $155.03 million USD.
On top of that, the seventh-largest digital asset by market capitalization has made an impressive stride in the blockchain space, achieving a milestone by adding more than 1,000 Plutus V1 smart contracts to its network since the beginning of this year, as Finbold reported on May 18.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
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Cardano defies crypto downturn as transaction volume soars 200% - Finbold - Finance in Bold
AIchaintify (ACTY) Launched, Revolutionizing Blockchain with AI … – InvestorsObserver
AIchaintify (ACTY) Launched, Revolutionizing Blockchain with AI and Machine Learning Integration
Palo Alto, CA, May 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a groundbreaking development, a team of leading blockchain developers and AI researchers have announced the launch of AIchaintify, a cryptocurrency that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to create a more efficient, secure, and user-friendly blockchain ecosystem.
Dubbed the "smartest cryptocurrency" by its creators, AIchaintify aims to transform the way transactions and smart contracts are processed by leveraging advanced AI and ML algorithms. These cutting-edge technologies enable network optimization, faster transaction times, and improved security, distinguishing AIchaintify from other cryptocurrencies in the market.
The development team behind AIchaintify is a diverse group of experts in the fields of blockchain, AI, and data science. Their goal is to reshape the world of decentralized finance by combining the best aspects of these rapidly growing technologies.
AIchaintify's AI-powered smart contracts are set to revolutionize the way contracts are executed on the blockchain. By using machine learning to analyze and optimize contract execution, the platform can reduce fees, increase speed, and minimize the risk of errors.
Additionally, AIchaintify's data analysis capabilities offer users an unprecedented level of insight into market trends and user behaviors. Users can access real-time analytics and predictive models, allowing them to make more informed decisions when trading and investing in the crypto space.
Security is a top priority for AIchaintify. The platform employs advanced AI algorithms to identify and mitigate threats, such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and potential vulnerabilities in smart contracts. The result is a more secure and resilient blockchain network.
AIchaintify (ACTY) Would launch its Pre-Sale on Digitradedepot.com
ACTY is now in its pre-sale phase as an initial coin offering (ICO) on Digitradedepot.com, an emerging exchange known for its rigorous vetting process to ensure only high-quality projects gain access to their community of investors. The ICO is divided into three presale phases:
Presale 1: May 15th, 2023 to June 15th, 2023
Presale 2: June 16th, 2023 to August 16th, 2023
Presale 3: August 17th, 2023 to September 17th, 2023
AIchaintify (ACTY) is expected to be listed on major cryptocurrency platforms starting October 2023.
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AIchaintify (ACTY) Launched, Revolutionizing Blockchain with AI ... - InvestorsObserver
Managing the agricultural supply chain: Contract negotiation and … – Lexology
According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), Australia achieved a record $90 billion in agricultural production in 2022/23.
While this is tipped to fall in the short term (to $81 billion 2023/24), it should not be considered an aberration but a new benchmark of the value the agri-sector can create.
While the COVID-19 pandemic and much of the disruption it caused is now history, like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, new disruptors are on the horizon. As a result, supply chain contract best practices are also evolving, with a focus on responsible and sustainable practices.
This article explores four key areas undergoing generational change and the contractual developments in post-COVID agribusiness supply chains.
Why is the Agricultural Supply Chain (ASC) special?
When we speak of ASCs, we speak first of primary production (including the inputs necessary to achieve that production), transport and logistics (including storage and export) of that production, and processing of that production (including packaging), primarily but not perhaps exclusively which takes place in Australia.
Supply chain contracts
A challenge inherent in any ASC is that it consists of a matrix (or patchwork) of separate contracts. Many participants will be both a user of goods/services, and a supplier of the same or similar goods and services to someone else in the chain. Attempting to achieve consistency of product and service levels (including ESG reporting, traceability, and time-slotting) along the chain can be challenging.
That matrix can also have a pyramid shape; accumulation is a common feature of ASCs. This means that greater numbers of lower value contracts will contribute towards higher value contracts, with the value and sophistication of contracts increasing toward the apex.
The challenge is that lower value contracts are likely to be poorly administered (with inconsistent or non-existent terms and conditions), may not be documented, and if documented, may not be signed.
While there is an understandable tendency by some participants to press the use of proprietary contract forms with terms and conditions that favour the interests of that participant, the result can be counterproductive (and have in some cases resulted in or contributed to mandatory codes of conduct). Proprietary forms may not be industry standard; they may be overly complex and so more readily misunderstood, and may provoke disputes.
Industry associations can play an important role in developing and promoting the use of standard form contracts, contracting processes and dispute resolution mechanisms that reflect industry standard best practices. These standard forms provide a contracting platform that can then be supplemented by special or bespoke terms and conditions to more accurately reflect the particular needs of a contracting party.
In the absence of industry standard forms, there is scope for the development of voluntary industry codes of practice, or in cases of need, mandatory industry codes under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
Key areas undergoing generational change
1. Regional roots
Most of our production comes from regional areas. While there is a traditional image of the man on the land, production is increasingly corporatised, often involving venture capital or foreign direct investment and sophisticated technologies.
ASCs routinely feature the largest international corporates (Viterra or Cargill) and the smallest service providers (truck owners or drivers). This can create contractual and regulatory challenges. For example, industry codes of conduct in horticulture, sugar (cane) and dairy have addressed market power imbalances in sectors where producers have historically been perceived to be vulnerable and unsophisticated.
The same applies to the unfair contract terms provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.
Codes may however be less relevant/unwarranted where the producer is a corporation with sufficient sophistication and scale to bargain competitively. This process of corporatisation may also have been accelerated by the codes which impose compliance obligations on farmer producers and processors.
Infrastructure (and sometimes the lack of it) and sophistication of that infrastructure is also transforming the regional production landscape. ASCs continue to rely on local and country road networks, which can suffer from poor maintenance (particularly after heavy rains and flooding) and may not be certified for use by some classes of heavy vehicles.
Rail is the obvious alternative to heavy vehicles, and the use of rail should be more attractive when greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are taken into account.
2. Local roads to global markets
We regularly produce commodities surplus to domestic needs so export markets are important and demand from and access to those markets can drive investment and production.
However the era of free global trade is over. Export markets will increasingly be subject to geopolitics resulting in regulation often with a political overlay. Politics and policy will also direct production towards new friendly markets. Politically motivated tariffs and sanctions will be commonplace and must factor into any exporters risk assessment tools.
How we approach existing and cultivate new markets will have a significant impact on ASCs who should increasingly look to tailor production to demand from particular end-users.
While this may have historically been the concern of exporters and government, increasingly, entire ASCs are export-focused, starting with the farmer.
Global trends will also impact local supply chains. The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act is one such example. The law requires large German companies to conduct supply chain due diligence to identify, prevent and address human rights and environmental abuses within their own and their direct supplies operations.
3. Sustenance and sustainability
Nothing is more sensitive than food. However, so is the health of the planet and increasingly, domestic and export markets want to know that food production is both green and sustainable.
Concepts such as food security have been given fresh relevance by (first) the pandemic and then by the war in Ukraine. This is happening at the same time that concerns over the climate and decarbonisation have reached the front of consumers minds.
ESG is no longer an emerging issue it is now shaping supply chains. Both transport and agriculture are key sectors for carbon reduction targets and potentially for offsets.
4. Technology and innovation
Despite some perceptions, ASCs are highly innovative and rely on the latest technologies to remain locally and globally competitive.
In addition, we can say that artificial intelligence (AI) will change everything, but we dont know how yet.
One likely effect of AI is that it will both accelerate new developments and reduce their cost, because smaller groups of people will be able to do more, and do it more quickly.
We can expect to see new varieties of plants and animals coming to market, with particular health and environmental claims, more often and more quickly than in the past.
Contractual developments in post-COVID agribusiness supply chains
Flexible but resilient
Supply chains must be flexible but also resilient. Above all, they must be profitable, reliable and enforceable.
Due to the pandemic, supply chain contracts now incorporate provisions for contingencies such as disruptions in transportation, production, or distribution. Additionally, contracts should include provisions for emerging issues and legislative changes, such as ESG.
Force majeure (FM) clauses are key. Contracting parties must re-evaluate the events of FM stipulated in contracts. They must outline the parties' current obligations and allocate current and foreseeable risks of disruptive events.
Dispute resolution clauses should also be tailored towards the best outcomes. In particular, they must be designed to:
Contract planning and management in the procurement process
Effective contract planning and management is critical to the success of any supply chain. This includes identifying the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure supplier performance and incorporating them into the contract.
Additionally, contracts and standard terms and conditions should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain relevant and aligned with business goals.
Lawyers should consider whether provisions should be drafted as:
E-platform contracts
It has become common for freight and commodity procurement contracts to be negotiated and (perhaps unwittingly) concluded over text messages and platforms like WhatsApp.
As this is probably now unavoidable, companies should attempt to put policies in place to clarify whether this practice is acceptable and if it is, how it should be regulated so that appropriate terms and conditions are incorporated into those contracts and/or whether such exchanges should be expressly subject to contract.
Training should be provided to traders so that they fully understand the risks inherent in less formal contracting processes.
Model responsible supply chain standards to inform contract negotiation
Various organisations have developed responsible supply chain standards that can be used as a model for contract negotiation. These standards typically cover issues such as:
As mentioned above, these standards should align with a companys value statements. They can be recorded in policies and standard terms and conditions, and more broadly, a voluntary code for an industry sector.
Smart contracts for management of sustainable supply chains
Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of code. They can be used to manage sustainable supply chains by automating processes such as verifying sustainability criteria and tracking products throughout the supply chain, particularly where a product will be comingled and/or used in other production.
While a blockchain is probably the best-known example of smart contracting, it is inevitable that generative AI will provide alternative and smarter solutions.
Particularly in the case of export contracts, thought should be given as to whether smart contracts are enforceable against your counterparty in its home jurisdiction.
Implementing ESG plans through supply chain contracts
Environmental and social due diligence involves evaluating the potential environmental and social impacts of a project or business activity.
ESG plans can be incorporated into supply chain contracts to require suppliers to meet environmental and social standards. However, the drafting of appropriate provisions and their enforcement will present challenges.
The transition to lower carbon production will be uneven. Some producers can invest more readily in carbon reduction technologies than others. Similarly, certain producers will be able to take advantage of lower carbon rail transport compared to others.
Capturing any value associated with lower carbon production, including through segregation, will prove challenging. Greenwashing, or the tendency to exaggerate ESG compliance, will also feature in ASCs.
Agriculture and transport are two of Australias largest emitters, meaning there is significant scope for emissions reduction. This will be driven both by government regulation and consumer preference for green products.
More ambitious ASCs will recognise and seek to incorporate references to the UN Millennium Development Goals in broad-based sustainability plans.
To defend against claims of greenwashing, companies will need to be able to verify claims, demonstrate that they are accurate, made in good faith, and backed by thorough due diligence to ensure that GHG claims are fairly and accurately monitored and reported.
Risk-based due diligence along responsible supply chains
Risk-based due diligence involves identifying and assessing risks along the supply chain and taking steps to mitigate them. This can include conducting supplier audits, monitoring compliance with environmental and social standards, and implementing risk management strategies.
Supplier audits can be contentious. They require both a will and the means to actively audit suppliers, and permission from the supplier to submit to ad hoc audits.
The better path is to adopt an industry standard, administered and audited by a third party or third parties. Suppliers who wish to achieve that standard may do so voluntarily and display a certificate of compliance. Customers who prefer to contract with certified suppliers may then do so.
Incorporating supply chain standards and risk-based due diligence provisions into a contract
Risk-based due diligence provisions are currently in place for most workplace safety legislation and the Heavy Vehicle National Law, so most participants in ASCs will be at least familiar with the concepts.
Supply chain contracts should incorporate provisions for responsible and sustainable practices, including the use of sustainable materials, compliance with environmental and social standards, and adherence to labour laws.
Perhaps the most current example under Australian laws is the incorporation of modern slavery provisions into supply chain contracts.
Not all Australian companies are currently required to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2018. However, as noted above, aggregation of contracts is common in ASCs. As part of their compliance, companies with over AU$100 million annual turnover (who bear the primary compliance obligations) may require compliance assurances from smaller suppliers (a secondary obligation).
This raises the following issues:
Looking into the future, we should expect to see risk-based due diligence laws applying to ESG and particularly, carbon emissions and GHGs.
As mentioned above, Germanys Due Diligence Supply Chain Law (Leiferketterngesetz) may provide an example of developments we might expect to see in Australia and elsewhere. Under this legislation, companies with more than 3,000 employees are required to monitor their suppliers and subcontractors and to take action to prevent or mitigate harm. The law applies to a wide range of human rights and environmental issues.
Key takeaway
In summary, the latest developments in supply chain contract best practices in the agribusiness sector reflect a growing emphasis on responsible and sustainable practices. To effectively manage supply chains, it is important to plan and manage contracts, incorporate responsible supply chain standards and risk-based due diligence, and use smart contracts and ESG plans. By doing so, companies can ensure that their supply chains are resilient, sustainable, and meet the needs of all stakeholders involved.
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Managing the agricultural supply chain: Contract negotiation and ... - Lexology
Best Staking Tokens in 2023: Diversify Your Crypto Holdings – CryptoTicker.io – Bitcoin Price, Ethereum Price & Crypto News
Staking has become a popular method for earning passive income from cryptocurrencies. By locking up your tokens and supporting the security and functionality of a blockchain network, you can receive rewards in return. While Ethereum remains the dominant proof-of-stake (PoS) network, there are other promising staking tokens worth considering in 2023.
Staking refers to the process of holding and locking up cryptocurrency tokens in a wallet or a smart contract to support the operations and security of a blockchain network. In return for staking, participants are rewarded with additional tokens or cryptocurrency. Staking is commonly associated with proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanisms, where token holders participate in block validation and governance decisions based on the number of tokens they hold and are willing to lock up. By staking, individuals contribute to network security and decentralization while earning passive income through the rewards distributed by the network. Staking offers an alternative to traditional mining methods used in proof-of-work (PoW) blockchains like Bitcoin.
Ethereum, with its upcoming transition to full PoS, offers potential returns of up to 10% APY. However, other PoS projects provide competitive yields, innovative features, and strong fundamentals. Lets explore some of the best staking tokens in 2023:
Cardano is a well-established PoS platform aiming to create a global platform for smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and digital identity solutions. Led by its founder Charles Hoskinson, Cardano offers a robust research and development process. Stakers can earn approximately 5% APY on their ADA tokens, which can be delegated via the Daedalus or Yoroi wallets.
Solana is a high-performance blockchain known for its speed, scalability, and low fees. With a capacity of over 50,000 transactions per second, Solana supports a vibrant ecosystem of DApps, particularly in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Stakers can earn around 7% APY on their SOL tokens, staked through the Solana web wallet or third-party services.
Polkadot is a multi-chain platform facilitating interoperability and scalability across different blockchains. Its Relay Chain connects to specialized networks called Parachains, offering diverse features such as DeFi, gaming, identity, or privacy. Polkadot also supports cross-chain communication with Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Cosmos. Stakers can earn up to 14% APY on their DOT tokens through the Polkadot.js web wallet or third-party platforms.
Polygon is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, providing faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions for DApps. Polygon combines PoS and Plasma technologies, and supports various scaling techniques like zkRollups and Optimistic Rollups. Hosting popular DApps like Aave and SushiSwap, Polygon offers stakers up to 20% APY on their MATIC tokens through the Polygon web wallet or third-party platforms.
Avalanche is an innovative blockchain platform merging the best features of PoS and PoW systems. Its Snowman++ consensus mechanism ensures high throughput, low latency, and robust security. Avalanche supports multiple subnets and custom blockchains, along with smart contracts, DeFi, NFTs, and interoperability with Ethereum and Bitcoin. Stakers can earn up to 12% APY on their AVAX tokens through the Avalanche web wallet or third-party platforms.
Consider adding these top staking tokens to your portfolio to diversify your crypto holdings and generate passive income. As with any investment, thorough research is crucial, as staking involves lock-up periods, slashing penalties, inflation rates, governance considerations, and technical risks.
Staking provides an opportunity to support innovative blockchain networks while potentially earning rewards. Evaluate the benefits, risks, and characteristics of each staking token before making informed investment decisions. Happy staking in 2023!
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New Religious Cryptos Pump – Are They Scams? God, Mary, Baby … – Cryptonews
Three new meme coins with a religious theme were listed on Uniswap today, May 22nd - $GOD, $MARY and $BABYJESUS - making the top crypto gainers list on DEXTools.
Each has a low DEXTscore and some warnings under the contract details section of their DEXTools links - exercise caution when buying new DEX coins.
Jesus Coin (JESUS), launched last month, is also among the top trending cryptocurrency assets today on CoinMarketCap.
Often a large percentage gain on a decentralized exchange is a sign of low liquidity, more so than real interest from buyers - meaning there aren't enough sell orders in the order books to stop the price from exploding, and a low buying volume can cause a pump in the thousands of percent.
At the time of writing all three new meme coins have a liquidity under $100,000, and a fully diluted market capitalization under $1 million:
Experienced traders can still profit from new tokens, but beginners often lose out - since as soon as a significant selling pressure comes in from early holders, the price can crash just as fast as it rose, the 'pump and dump' chart pattern.
DEXTools provides an automatic audit of all tokens' smart contracts. It can be a useful resource when reviewing new Uniswap listings, which are attracting increasing numbers of investors - something analysts say could signal that Bitcoin has topped.
$GOD token has been flagged as having a blacklist function in its contracts, as has $BABYJESUS.
$MARY has been flagged as having the function to modify the maximum amount of transactions or the maximum token position.
These warnings - while not always 100% accurate - and low liquidity issues don't apply to other popular meme coins such as $PEPE, $COPIUM, $RFD, $SPONGE and others among the most trending cryptocurrency assets on DEXTools.
When those more established meme tokens make the top crypto gainers or 'hot pairs' list, the percentage gain tends to be in the two or three figures, with four or five figure gains being much rarer when measured over a 24 hour period.
To avoid crypto scams it's also worth checking to see if any major crypto influencers have mentioned a new coin listing.
Most of the cashtag mentions for $MARY and $BABYJESUS on Twitter appear to be smaller accounts that may have botted engagement.
We were only able to find a large well-known account mentioning $GOD token, Wizard of Soho in the tweet above who has 60k followers.
See our reviews of the best new cryptocurrency projects of 2023.
Yesterday RefundCoin (RFD) spiked over 1,000%. It has a liquidity of $14 million and no DEXTools warnings.
Jesus Coin (JESUS) is up approximately 25% today, 2,300% this week and 4,800% in the past month.
Also making the most trending cryptocurrencies on CoinMarketCap are Pepe, Wagmi Coin, and SAUDI PEPE - up 85% in the past day. Those meme coins dominate the top three spots.
Other meme coins in the top ten are Shiba Inu and Love Hate Inu - recently listed on OKX.
This week Copium token has also ranked among the top trending cryptos on DEXTools.
Visit Copium Site
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New Religious Cryptos Pump - Are They Scams? God, Mary, Baby ... - Cryptonews