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Re:Ask HN: Are there any real world blockchain / crypto use ... by katella on Thursday March 28, 2024 @02:35PM (#39855663)
I don't understand how people make these statements. None is a very strong word, just need one counter example to disprove his argument.
Re:Ask HN: Are there any real world blockchain / crypto use ... by talldayo on Thursday March 28, 2024 @02:43PM (#39855766)
I can name a lot of counterexamples, however most of them are illegal under US federal law so it's a bit of a moot point.

There are legal counterexamples, but the majority that come to mind are equally well-served with fiat. If you ask me to come up with a good, legal reason to hold cryptocurrency, I may well tell you that there is none even if there are a few marginal situations that justify it.

Re:Ask HN: Are there any real world blockchain / crypto use ... by RetroTechie on Thursday March 28, 2024 @04:26PM (#39856888)
See PurpleRamen's comment above. Blockchain != cryptocurrency.

For blockchain, there exist some good (and legitimate) applications.

Cryptocoins otoh... lots of gray area there. If not outright Ponzi schemes.

I hope some day, some crypto coin(s) will fulfill their original promise. But that day is not today.

Re:Ask HN: Are there any real world blockchain / crypto use ... by talldayo on Thursday March 28, 2024 @05:47PM (#39857747)
Distributed blockchain applications are normally unnecessary when they are used though, and absolutely overkill when applied with distributed proofs. Very often a network only needs a secured channel to operate, which can be established with much lower overhead than a blockchain. Currency seems to be the only application that would respect such extreme security measures, and that's really only highlighted the low throughput and capacity problems.

I really do feel the same about blockchains as I do about cryptocurrency. Both have extremely limited applications that appear marketable and attractive to nerd-adjacent circles, but only show their drawbacks once fully invested.

The intention behind creating a blockchain (or even some cryptocurrency) is pure in it's inception. The application of both technologies is so messy that I would recommend most people stick with simpler options.