Thread by @mwill_crypto

0/ Whilst we were all catching up with family and friends, unwrapping presents, and stuffing our faces over #Christmas, many developments took place in the #crypto/#blockchain space.

Below is a 15-part thread covering what you may have missed over the past 24-48 hours. Enjoy!

1/ 🆕 @TeamHYCON [ $HYC ] unveiled the world's first implementation of the SPECTRE* protocol! Click to watch the team reflect on their development process.

*short for Serialization of Proof-of-work Events: Confirming Transactions via
Recursive Elections.

2/ 🛒 @OntologyNetwork [ $ONT ] revealed that its ONT_Dev_Platform #dApp has been added to Microsoft's @Azure and Amazon's @AWSmarketplace.

The #Ontology team expects to be listed on Google's online software store next month, too! medium.com/ontologynetwor…

3a/ 📢 The @LTCFoundation announced that #Litecoin [ $LTC ] has been named as 'Official Cryptocurrency Partner' for Saturday's #UFC232!

The Litecoin logo will feature on the octagon canvas as part of this first-of-its-kind deal in the #crypto space. litecoin-foundation.org/litecoin-ufc/

3b/ 🏆 Oddly enough, Litecoin's sponsorship isn't the only #crypto-based #UFC232 connection.

That is, the @_PIVX-sponsored @CrisCyborg is scheduled to take on @Amanda_Leoa for the Featherweight title on Saturday.

4/ 🌊 @WAVESplatform [ $WAVES ] has launched v2.0 of its #blockchain explorer!

The major update features a bolstered UI/UX (particularly for #smartphone users) and several stability patches. Also, users can now easily switch between mainnet and testnet. blog.wavesplatform.com/waves-launches…

5/ 🏦 Japanese public banking holding co. Mizuho Financial Group is planning to (next March) introduce a ¥-pegged digital currency to be used for shopping and remitted at zero cost.

Participating retailers will be charged fees significantly lower than for credit card services!

6/ ✍️ @CZ_Binance (Founder & CEO, @Binance) penned a comprehensive EoY letter. One helluva sweeping update on all things #Binance-related!

Easy to forget just how much this company has achieved in 17 months. binance.com/en/blog/284296…

7/ 📣 @HuobiGlobal's newly launched #cryptocurrency contract trading service, Huobi DM, added support for EOS [ $EOS ].

Users can now place long and short positions on the EOS #cryptocurrency, allowing for arbitrage, speculation, and hedging!

8/ 🇫🇷 Starting today, you can donate to @UNICEF_france using @MakerDAO's $DAI stablecoin!

These donations will go toward creating bounties and funding research for open-source #tech and infra. projects aimed at helping the world's most vulnerable. lp.unicef.fr/donate-dai/

9/ 🚢 #Blockchain-based social networking protocol @TTC_Protocol launched TTC Pay, a payment tool designed to make digital payments easier (think #PayPal, #Alipay etc).

Allows eCommerce platforms and software/game devs to accept $TTC-denominated payments! medium.com/ttc-official-b…

10/ 🎙️ @Coinbase intern-turned-@DharmaProtocol co-founder @NadavAHollander appeared on ep. #267 of popular #crypto podcast, @EpicenterBTC.

Chatting to hosts @crainbf and @tw_tter, Nadav details the inspiration behind Dharma, how it all works, and more!

11/ 📚 @BreakerMag's @MarkYarm shared his top 2018 long-reads.

Comprises 14 pieces featuring everything from peak #crypto mania (@NellieBowles), Blockchain Terminal's pseudonymous founder (@FintechFrank) and an industry-wide assessment (@NickPaumgarten). breakermag.com/the-best-crypt…

12/ 🗣️ @MarkBeylin (CEO, @EthBounties) pieced together a refreshingly contrarian thread on the NFT space and its supposed 'use cases'.

At a time when pro-NFT discourse dominates #crypto #Twitter, this thread is well worth the read!

https://twitter.com/MarkBeylin/status/1077574898917068801

13/ 📺 As 2018 comes to a close, @APompliano (Founder & Partner, Morgan Creek Digital) appeared on @SquawkCNBC to discuss the current state of the #bitcoin-led #cryptocurrency market.

14/ 🎧 @TheCryptoLark published a terrific 37-minute-long interview with Yanislav Malahov (Founder, @aeternity [ $AE ]).

Yani details æternity's approach to scalability, how it is solving the oracle problem, and the various partnerships signed to date!

15/ 🔧 Rounding out today's thread, we've got the below piece from @TheBlock__'s @Dogetoshi mapping out 2018's major #crypto infrastructure launches. A quality resource to keep handy as a reference.

What a year it was for #blockchain devs!

{fin} theblockcrypto.com/2018/12/26/map…