Everyone is talking about digital arts and NFTs. Let’s start with some fundamentals

A non-fungible token (NFT) is a type of token representing a unique asset kept on the Ethereum blockchain. NFTs are the latest trend in the crypto world after reaching a market value growth of 299 percent in 2020.

Some have said NFTs are a mix of art and crypto, given that these assets are unique and non-replicable, very much like an art piece in digital form. Unlike crypto coins, which represent money, NFTs represent a type of collectible asset.

This new type of marketplace has indeed only…

At the very dawn of crypto technology, around a decade ago, the question of mainstream adoption seemed far-fetched. However, after several financial disruptions and growing scepticism towards the traditional market system, today there is a strong push — led by younger generations — towards alternative methods of finance. With the momentum in the crypto and DeFi space gaining speed, questions are being raised about the feasibility of turning such a new technology into a user-centred service.

One such question is whether current blockchain networks can process the large surge in demand. It turns out that many cannot. …

Decentralised protocol Umbria Network launches into the DeFi universe

Umbria Networks is a new community and open source project, which will enable DeFi (Decentralised Finance) applications on the Ethereum blockchain. A user of Umbria will in due course be able to swap tokens and earn interest on their cryptocurrency positions on the Umbria website.

Today (January 25th, 2021) is an important milestone for the project. Its Umbria utility governance token has officially launched on Uniswap. You can now buy UMBRIA with ETH (and vice versa) and provide liquidity to the ETH UMBRIA pool to earn interest.

As a decentralised protocol…

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, we can see numerous changes in consumer behaviour and priorities. Change and uncertainty have prompted people to take a more holistic approach to their overall well-being, factoring in what makes them feel happy and healthy.

There has also been a collective realisation around excess weight and associated health conditions, and their link to increased risk of the effects of COVID-19 and other serious illnesses.

As health and lifestyle awareness grows and people make real shifts in their behaviour, the wellness market is expanding. Market activity is expected to heat up in nutrition and fitness…

Among the many changes we witnessed in 2020, the placement of sustainability at the core of many business strategies is one of the most urgent and promising. Companies all over the world pledged to reduce carbon emissions: Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, committed $3.6B to curb emissions and boost sustainability.

A report from the Financial Times pointed out that eco-friendly products are ‘green gold’ and that sustainability is a ‘trend that will intensify as companies seek to meet evolving consumer expectations.’

The fashion industry had come under fire for its high carbon footprint for years. According to the World…

A new advancement in the digital economy is starting to take shape: the rise of digital identity. The use of digital identity is establishing itself as one of the foundations of an increasingly digitised economy, with many governments putting it at the top of their agendas.

Beyond the convenience and security aspects, there are economic benefits to setting up a digital ID system: a study by McKinsey showed that full digital ID coverage could unlock economic value equivalent to 3 to 13 percent of GDP in 2030 as it increases inclusion, formalisation and transparency. …

Last week, the Prime Minister unveiled plans to start the Green Industrial Revolution in the UK, which encompasses clean energy, transport, nature and innovative technologies. According to the official announcement, the initiative “will mobilise £12 billion of government investment to create and support up to 250,000 highly-skilled green jobs in the UK, and spur over three times as much private sector investment by 2030.”

This is an ambitious and encouraging plan, showing the government’s commitment to sustainable growth and the transition into a green economy. …

Cybercrime in DeFi is growing: A report by crypto intelligence company CipherTrace showed that hackers are targeting the trendy DeFi sector to exploit infant projects in an unregulated industry. The study revealed that while hacks, thefts and frauds in the crypto space have declined in general, crimes in the DeFi sector have risen in 2020.

In the two years following the 2017 crypto boom, cryptocurrency exchanges were hackers’ primary victims. …