Thread by @baconesq

Overview of @WithoutTheRope weekly AMA in the $STRONG Discord ⬇️⬇️⬇️

$STRONG Q: The initial thoughts were that grants given by different chains joining the STRONG nodes will help in sustainability. Since the grants are disappointing, has the team thought of other ways these chains can support SB?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope StrongBlock’s mission to make blockchains stronger assumed that most blockchains did NOT have support for full nodes baked into their protocol. Our goal was to convince those protocols to provide support to full nodes through ongoing grants. (1/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope After talking with dozens of protocols, we’ve come to the conclusion that, if you’re not a validator on a blockchain, they will most likely not support you. We then moved to talking with chains about being validators. (2/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Most blockchains have reserved spots, its hard to become a validator unless you were in at the beginning. You know whales, oligarchs, insiders

That's not a very welcoming or democratic way to run a decentralized protocol - not very decentralized (3/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Yet there are some blockchains that do welcome new validators. For example, we are already a validator on $DVPN. We have been accumulating rewards from Sentinel to be used in a new “validator” node type that will work just like the current (4/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope StrongBlock node types The rewards will either be in DVPN (which is not ERC-20, so that’s problematic), or we will regularly convert them to stable coins or ETH, so they will retain value. (5/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Were exploring having one validator node type for each validator we run or- to keep it simpler - we may just consolidate all validator rewards into the validator node type. The code for this is in the Service 2 smart contract and is tested & ready (6/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope That's what Service 2 is all about: it provides the ability to test a lot of different node, contribution and reward types within the same smart contract. Prior to this, each new protocol required a new smart contract. (7/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Long story short: We will use validator earnings to provide non-STRONG rewards to node runners, through new node types and pools.

Whew - long answer, but it goes to the heart of what we're doing for sustainability. We ALL want sustainability. (8/9)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope So, before the next question: We know that markets sometimes flash crash. It's the nature of 24/7 public markets. We appreciate the loyalty and support for STRONG when markets dip. (9/9)

$STRONG Q: Has the team given consideration to taking loans against nodes?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope The collateralization of nodes is an ongoing discussion. The way to do this is likely to provide both a marketplace and a synthetic token that could be traded and used within our protocol.

The $ETH blockchain is still too expensive to do that, (1/3)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope although we are excited about EIP-4488 - as well as the strong (pun intended) possibility that we will have our own chain. It looks pretty likely that the marketplace and node collateralization will move forward in 2022. (2/3)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Like everything we discuss, it would need to work for the community and increase sustainability. (3/3)

$STRONG Q: Any update on @binance? Their network is really struggling bc of their crappy nodes $BSC $BNB

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Well, that's kind of the main point, isnt it? Most protocols ignore their full nodes. Yet their chains are circulatory systems, with arteries, organs, nerves -a complex system. Ignoring the importance of nodes is why we're on this mission, because (1/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope you can see exactly what happens when there aren't enough reliable nodes with full copies of the blockchain.

We have built and tested an ERC-721/1155 bridge between $ETH and $BSC, $FTM and $MATIC. We can launch and support all three node types (2/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope and many more - since they're all EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) compatible.

Yet it's a paradox: we certainly see the need to support $BSC, and we could just go ahead and do so in 2022. We have the technology. Does $BSC want us to? (3/4)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope And does that even matter? What do you think, #NodeArmy? Is this something we should support, knowing that $BSC will be unlikely to provide meaningful rewards, and would not allow us to become a validator? @binance @cz_binance (4/4)

$STRONG Q: Any development update on strongchain?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Yes, lots of developments. The main goal of a new chain - which would most likely be EVM-compatible - is to democratize participation for the community in the validators and nodes needed to run a chain. (1/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope A side-benefit would of course be much lower gas fees, and added sustainability.

We are working with a highly respected external team - as well as our advisors and our team - on the solution. It's looking very likely that (2/3)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope we will have a huge announcement soon about what we will be doing, along with one or more major partnerships to support it.

That's all I can say right now. (3/3)

$STRONG Q: Can we help the XRPL with some nodes and what’s the deal with cosmic wire? $XRP @TheNodeCatcher

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope We see a lot of merit in working with and supporting XRPL. We are not in discussions with them yet. We would be happy to have those conversations. We're looking forward to discussing opportunities with them. (1/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope For Cosmic Wire, that's something that I am personally involved with - at least for now. CosmicWire has an amazing team and has amassed a large amount of NFT content from people like Ruby Mazar (the artist who did the Rolling Stones "Mouth and (2/4)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Tongue" logo) to actor Corey Feldman , to legendary bassist Leland Sklar. That's just the tip of the iceberg for what they have coming. I am an advisor to Cosmic Wire because I used to be directly involved in the music business, and know a lot of (3/4)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope people there. Long term, there is a possibility that they will move to StrongChain (placeholder name, but we like it). For now, it's just fun advising these amazingly creative people. (4/4)

$STRONG Q: When do polygon nodes go live? $MATIC

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Everyone has been asking about $MATIC. So, here's the inside scoop:

Polygon nodes go live next week. We’re treating it as a pilot for the new S2 contract. The good news is that anyone with a metal NFT will be whitelisted to create a Polygon node (1/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope - $MATIC nodes will be a 10 STRONG contribution, just like $ETH and $DVPN nodes.

Yet Service 2 has the ability for the protocol to vary initial contributions and rewards, and also offer rewards in multiple ERC-20 tokens - not just STRONG. (2/3)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope That's what's taken us a while to get right. And we're still being cautious when we first unleash it next week. (3/3)

$STRONG Q: How did the audits go? Can service 2 be deployed?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope The audits went great. According to Hacken, ETH 2.0 is ready to go. As of Thursday, the Service 2 audit was complete, and we’ve already submitted all of the Service 2 updates that Hacken asked for. Weve tested the changes, & everything looks ready to go

$STRONG Q: David, thanks for your vision and work. Can you please talk to the cost and rewards schemes for ETH2 validator staking and MATIC nodes?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope For $ETH 2.0 validator nodes, we’re creating a pool for the rewards that are generated from those nodes. You will stake - not contribute - STRONG to earn ETH rewards. The pool works very much like the Strong Pool, except the rewards will be in ETH (1/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope I say “very much like”, because no $ETH 2.0 validator nodes can claim rewards yet. That won’t happen until after the cutover to Ethereum Proof of Stake, which will be some time in 2022. (2/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope That’s a less familiar way than people are used to when they stake in StrongBlock pools, where rewards are calculated per block. But we are big believers in the power of the Ethereum 2.0 blockchain, so we are staking a LOT of ETH in ETH 2.0 nodes (3/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope (each node requires 32 ETH) to have a perpetual rewards-generating machine for sustainability, as well as the first where rewards are in ETH instead of STRONG. As I mentioned, there will be also be other node/validator types where you will (4/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope contribute STRONG and receive rewards in stable or native tokens.

For $MATIC nodes, we’re keeping it simple: 10 STRONG contribution, rewards in STRONG. (5/6)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope The $MATIC grant will be used to support the one or more "validator" node types I was discussing earlier (along with $DVPN, etc.) (6/6)

$STRONG Q: What are you doing with $HEC and if you are talking with Prometheus if anything?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope We do a lot of vetting and due diligence before talking with potential partners and collaborators - and especially before we announce anything. We are scheduled to talk with one of the founders of $HEC next week. (1/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope No promises on either side - just exploring the opportunity. We haven’t spoken with anyone at Prometheus yet. If anyone knows someone on the team, we’re happy to have a discussion. (2/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Speaking of which, I was disappointed to hear that someone from FiscusDao stated I would be a multisig signer for their DAO. Let me be clear: I have NOT been approached by, or had any discussions with, anyone from this protocol. (3/4)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope I and StrongBlock have no affiliation with them whatever.

Stating that I would be a signer for something was very not cool.

$STRONG Q: David, what’s the most exciting thing that strong will launch this year? And in Q1 of next year (assuming the stars and git commits align)?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Next week we will be launching $MATIC nodes running under the Service 2 contract, AND the $ETH 2.0 pool - so that’s very exciting for us. The team has been working their butts off for months getting both ready. They proposed a few weeks ago that (1/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope we release them together - which made a lot of sense. So that’s what we’re going to do. Two releases in one next week!

For 2022? StrongChain. We are in discussions for a big partnership to help build and launch the chain. We’re determining the (2/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope best way to drive value for existing STRONG holders. It’s highly likely that we would have only STRONG to power the chain. We are looking at a second token, but ONLY if that would increase value to STRONG, node holders and stakers while also (3/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope increasing value for the second token. One of the centerpieces will be fractional ownership of validators -decentralized democracy. That’s a core philosophy for us: validator and node participation and rewards should be accessible to everyone, not (4/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope just whales.

We’ll still be adding many more validator and full node opportunities for the #NodeArmy in 2022. We’ll also be adding two new suites of NFT’s: Earnables, and collectibles from our milestones. Both have had a lot of work done on them (5/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope and could have gone out this year. We just needed to make sure the foundation was there first. Now we're ready to rock in 2022.

And of course we will continue our focus on sustainability. That will be enhanced by a new chain, rewards in other (6/x)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope ERC-20 tokens, partnerships, new node protocols, and much more. We almost wish there wasn’t a holiday break coming up! But a bit of rest after $MATIC and $ETH 2.0 release will be welcome. (7/7)

$STRONG Q: Can we expect any new partnerships in 2021?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Not just any, but many. And the partnerships will expand beyond node and validator partnerships.

$STRONG Q: The Helium network is quite parallel to Strong block.

This creates a self sustaining demand and utility for the tokens. Has your team considered using that structure at all, rather than just having the strong token eventually become nothing more than governance?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Yes. One of our team members has Helium nodes. We are interested in both learning from what they are doing, and in partnering with them. However, we don't see ourselves getting into the node hardware business...

$STRONG Q: Good morning Mr. Moss any info on migrating existing nodes to service 2 once it goes live next week or when do you anticipate us being able to migrate and what would the rewards look like for that?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Migration from Service 1 to Service 2 will not immediately go live next week when ETH 2.0 and Polygon go live. It's being tested. Right now, it's within the same wallet. We are working migrations to other wallets, (1/2)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope but it is fraught with issues - not technical, but in fraud. (2/2)

$STRONG Q: when is the tier 1 exchange listing coming?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Well, @kucoincom is #7. Soon. They look for how widely held the token is, number of wallets, daily volume. Let's get that all pumped up to impress them in 2022!

$STRONG Q: Eth 2.0 nodes require 32 ETH (6 figures+)

How many ETH 2.0 nodes do you plan to operate/run ? How much revenue will this generate for the pool for stakers? How will the revenue generated keep the StrongBlock community happy?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope We have already prepared to operated up to 32 $ETH 2.0 nodes, requiring 32 ETH each, for up to 1024 ETH. We've already set that amount aside.

$STRONG Q: Hi mr Moss. Is there a way to save compromised nodes before transferring to service 2.0?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope We are working on that. It's sensitive, as some of the people asking for that (not you!) are the ones that comprised and took over wallets!

$STRONG Q: Have you thought about working with secret network?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Yes. We have not spoken with them yet.

$STRONG Q: David, thank you for taking your time to participate AMA in here. Appreciated it. Anyway, what is the reward like for the $MATIC Node?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Exactly the same as it is for Ethereum 1.0 and DVPN.

Well, not exactly. Service 2 introduces a slow decline after breakeven.

$STRONG Q: Hi David and good morning, thanks for everything you do. Is this the wallet address responsible for selling the "future use" STRONG tokens into stablecoins? What are those funds being used for and why do they end up at Coinbase?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Not sure what you're asking. We don't even have a Coinbase account. We do convert some ETH to stablecoins to balance holdings and keep them stable - especially when flash crashes happen.

$STRONG Q: Are fractional nodes going to be rolled out? I think we will have a lot more investors

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Yes, see my AMA answers. The idea is that we will create a Node type that represents rewards from one or more validators, and you can create one of those nodes the same way you create a Polygon, Ethereum 1.0 or other nodes (1/2)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope -but you will get an ERC-20 other than STRONG - either a stablecoin, ETH, or both (2/2)

$STRONG Q: Would our $BSC nodes be private, or contribute to the public BSC network capacity?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope If we were to launch them, they would most likely be public. @binance @cz_binance

$STRONG Q: When will eth nodes likely move to decay rewards to increase sustainability?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope That will happen in Service 2.

$STRONG Q: How many strong can be staked to earn ETH 2.0?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope I believe the minimum will be 1 STRONG.

$STRONG Q: When will users without nft get access to polygon nodes?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Within a few weeks after the pilot launches. There are 5k NFT holders who will be in line first.

$STRONG Q: Any news about migration of compromised wallets?

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope Not yet. It's a complicated question. I've even advised someone in law enforcement last week about the difficulty of what happens if you let your wallet key get compromised. I explained to them that it's not a hack, since their is no code that (1/2)

$STRONG A: @WithoutTheRope can "crack" your secret phrase. (2/2)

That's it from this weeks AMA - a lot of things coming up! Thank you @WithoutTheRope

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