Tech
Crypto? AI? Internet co-creator Robert Kahn already did this… decades ago
Robert Kahn has been a constant presence on the Internet since its creation – obviously, since he was its co-creator. But like many technology pioneers, his resume is longer and indeed his work prefigured seemingly modern ideas like artificial intelligence agents and blockchain. TechCrunch spoke to Kahn about how, in reality, nothing has changed since the 1970s.
The interview was conducted on the occasion of the awarding of Kahn (who is called Bob in the conversation) with the IEEE Medal of Honor: you can watch the ceremony and speeches here.
Sound familiar? Last year the IEEE awarded the medal to Vint Cerf, Kahn’s partner in creating the protocols underlying the Internet and the web. They have taken different paths but share a moderate optimism about the world of technology and a sense that everything old is new again.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Many of the problems, technical and otherwise, that we face today in computing and the Internet are problems that we have already seen and perhaps even solved before. I’m curious if you find anything particularly familiar about the challenges we face today.
Kahn: Well, I don’t think anything really surprises me. I mean, from the beginning I was worried that the Internet could be misused. But in the beginning it was a very willing group of collaborators from the research community who mostly all knew each other, or at least knew each other. And so there wasn’t much that went wrong. If you just have 100 people who don’t know each other, maybe that’s doable, but if you have a billion people, you know, you get a little bit of everything in society.
[CERN leadership] in reality they contacted me proposing the possibility of creating a consortium, which they then set up at MIT… and I had too many questions, most likely discouraging, like: what about disinformation? How will you control what happens? I thought there were approaches; in fact, we were working on some. And so, in a way, I’m not very surprised: I’m disappointed that approaches that could have made a difference weren’t taken.
I was reading about your “knowbots” – it’s a very similar thing to an AI agent, which has the power to interact in a less structured way than an API call or a simple scan.
The whole idea was launched in the form of a mobile program [i.e. the program is mobile, not for mobiles]; we called them know bots, which was short for knowledge robots. You told him what you wanted to do and you threw it: you know, book a plane, check email, watch the news, let him know things that might affect you, you just freed yourself; it would be to execute your orders over the Internet.
We basically made it available at that time, it couldn’t have been more unfortunate, right when the first real cybersecurity threat was happening: the Morris worm, in the late 1980s. It was done by accident by some guy, but you know, people looked and said, Hey, when these bad things happen, we don’t want other people’s programs appearing on our machines. As a formality, we just put it on the back burner.
But something came out of that that I think was very helpful. We called it digital object architecture. You probably follow some of the cryptocurrency work. Well, cryptocurrency is like taking a $1 bill and getting rid of the paper, right, and then you can work with the value of money online. Digital object architecture was like taking mobile programs and getting rid of the mobility. It’s the same information, except you get there in different ways.
Image credits: IEEE
It’s interesting that you talk about the architecture of digital objects and cryptography in the same kind of sentence. We have the DOI system, I see it mainly in scientific literature, obviously it is extremely useful there. But as a general system, I saw a lot of similarities with the idea of cryptographically signed ledgers and sort of canonical locations for digital objects.
You know, it’s a shame that people think that these digital objects should only be copyrighted material. I wrote an article called Representing Values in Digital Objects… I think we called them digital entities, just for technical reasons. I believe it was the first article to actually talk about the cryptocurrency equivalent.
But we’ve talked about connecting blocks since the last… back in the space age, when you wanted to communicate with the distant parts of space outside, you didn’t want to go back and wait for minutes or hours of delay in transmission to Earth to fix something. You want to have blocks in transit connected to each other. So you know, when the next block that might come a millisecond later, you can figure out what went wrong with the block before it was released. And that’s exactly what blockchains are for.
In digital object architecture, we talk about digital objects that can communicate with other digital objects. It’s not about people sitting at keyboards. You know, you can send a digital object or a mobile program into a machine and ask it to interact with another digital object that might be representative of a book, to go into that book and work and interact with that system. Or, you know, like an airplane: people think that airplanes have to interact with other airplanes in order to avoid collisions and such, and cars have to talk to cars because they don’t want to crash into each other. What if cars were to communicate with airplanes? Since these objects can be anything you can represent in digital form, you potentially have everything interacting with everything. This is a different conception of the Internet than that of a high-speed telecommunications circuit.
Exactly, the question is whether objects should talk to objects and enable that as a protocol, whether it’s a plane in a car. In the so-called Internet of Things you have a connected doorbell, a connected oven, a connected refrigerator, but they are all connected via private APIs to private servers. It’s not about a protocol, it’s just about having a terrible software service living in your fridge.
I truly believe that most entities that would have a natural interest in the Internet hoped that their approach would be the one that would take over [rather than TCP/IP]. Whether it was Bell Systems, IBM, Xerox or Hewlett Packard, each had their own approach. But what happened is they hit rock bottom. You had to be able to show interoperability; you couldn’t come in and ask everyone to get rid of all their old stuff and take your stuff. So they couldn’t choose a company’s approach, so they were stuck with what we did at DARPA. It’s an interesting story in itself, but I don’t think you should write about it (laughs).
If every house you enter had a different outlet, you’d have a big problem. But the real problem is that you can’t see it until you implement it.
I don’t think you can count on the government taking the lead. I don’t think he can rely on the industry to take the lead. Because you might have 5 or 10 different industries that are all competing with each other. They cannot agree on whether or not to set a standard until they have exhausted all other options. And who will take command? We need to rethink it at a national level. And I think universities have a role to play here. But maybe they don’t know it yet.
We are seeing a lot of reinvestment in the US chip industry. I know you were involved closely in the late ’70s, early ’80s, with some of the practicalities and working with people who helped define the computing architecture of the period, which informed, obviously, the architectures future. I’m curious to know what you think about the evolution of the hardware industry.
I think the big problem right now, which the administration has clearly noticed, is that we have not maintained a leadership role in semiconductor manufacturing here. He is from Taiwan, South Korea, China. We are trying to fix the problem and I applaud that. But the biggest problem will probably be the staff. Who will manage those sites? I mean, you build manufacturing capabilities, but do you need to import people from Korea and Taiwan? OK, let’s teach it in schools… who knows enough to teach it in schools, will you import people to teach in schools? Workforce development will be a big part of the problem. But I think we were there before, we can get there again.
Tech
Harvard Alumni, Tech Moguls, and Best-Selling Authors Drive Nearly $600 Million in Pre-Order Sales
BlockDAG Network’s history is one of innovation, perseverance, and a vision to push the boundaries of blockchain technology. With Harvard alumni, tech moguls, and best-selling authors at the helm, BlockDAG is rewriting the rules of the cryptocurrency game.
CEO Antony Turner, inspired by the successes and shortcomings of Bitcoin and Ethereum, says, “BlockDAG leverages existing technology to push the boundaries of speed, security, and decentralization.” This powerhouse team has led a staggering 1,600% price increase in 20 pre-sale rounds, raising over $63.9 million. The secret? Unparalleled expertise and a bold vision for the future of blockchain.
Let’s dive into BlockDAG’s success story and find out what the future holds for this cryptocurrency.
The Origin: Why BlockDAG Was Created
In a recent interview, BlockDAG CEO Antony Turner perfectly summed up why the market needs BlockDAG’s ongoing revolution. He said:
“The creation of BlockDAG was inspired by Bitcoin and Ethereum, their successes and their shortcomings.
If you look at almost any new technology, it is very rare that the first movers remain at the forefront forever. Later incumbents have a huge advantage in entering a market where the need has been established and the technology is no longer cutting edge.
BlockDAG has done just that: our innovation is incorporating existing technology to provide a better solution, allowing us to push the boundaries of speed, security, and decentralization.”
The Present: How Far Has BlockDAG Come?
BlockDAG’s presale is setting new benchmarks in the cryptocurrency investment landscape. With a stunning 1600% price increase over 20 presale lots, it has already raised over $63.9 million in capital, having sold over 12.43 billion BDAG coins.
This impressive performance underscores the overwhelming confidence of investors in BlockDAG’s vision and leadership. The presale attracted over 20,000 individual investors, with the BlockDAG community growing exponentially by the hour.
These monumental milestones have been achieved thanks to the unparalleled skills, experience and expertise of BlockDAG’s management team:
Antony Turner – Chief Executive Officer
Antony Turner, CEO of BlockDAG, has over 20 years of experience in the Fintech, EdTech, Travel and Crypto industries. He has held senior roles at SPIRIT Blockchain Capital and co-founded Axona-Analytics and SwissOne. Antony excels in financial modeling, business management and scaling growth companies, with expertise in trading, software, IoT, blockchain and cryptocurrency.
Director of Communications
Youssef Khaoulaj, CSO of BlockDAG, is a Smart Contract Auditor, Metaverse Expert, and Red Team Hacker. He ensures system security and disaster preparedness, and advises senior management on security issues.
advisory Committee
Steven Clarke-Martin, a technologist and consultant, excels in enterprise technology, startups, and blockchain, with a focus on DAOs and smart contracts. Maurice Herlihy, a Harvard and MIT graduate, is an award-winning computer scientist at Brown University, with experience in distributed computing and consulting roles, most notably at Algorand.
The Future: Becoming the Cryptocurrency with the Highest Market Cap in the World
Given its impressive track record and a team of geniuses working tirelessly behind the scenes, BlockDAG is quickly approaching the $600 million pre-sale milestone. This crypto powerhouse will soon enter the top 30 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
Currently trading at $0.017 per coin, BlockDAG is expected to hit $1 million in the coming months, with the potential to hit $30 per coin by 2030. Early investors have already enjoyed a 1600% ROI by batch 21, fueling a huge amount of excitement around BlockDAG’s presale. The platform is seeing significant whale buying, and demand is so high that batch 21 is almost sold out. The upcoming batch is expected to drive prices even higher.
Invest in BlockDAG Pre-Sale Now:
Pre-sale: https://purchase.blockdag.network
Website: https://blockdag.network
Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetwork
Discord: Italian: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu
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- Space and Time uses zero-knowledge proofs to ensure secure and tamper-proof data processing for smart contracts and enterprises.
- The integration facilitates faster development and deployment of Distributed Secure Services (DSS) on the Karak platform.
Karak, a platform known for its strong security capabilities, is enhancing its Distributed Secure Services (DSS) by integrating Space and Time as a zero-knowledge (ZK) coprocessor. This move is intended to strengthen trustless operations across its network, especially in slashing and rewards mechanisms.
Space and Time is a verifiable processing layer that uses zero-knowledge proofs to ensure that computations on decentralized data warehouses are secure and untampered with. This system enables smart contracts, large language models (LLMs), and enterprises to process data without integrity concerns.
The integration with Karak will enable the platform to use Proof of SQL, a new ZK-proof approach developed by Space and Time, to confirm that SQL query results are accurate and have not been tampered with.
One of the key features of this integration is the enhancement of DSS on Karak. DSS are decentralized services that use re-staked assets to secure the various operations they provide, from simple utilities to complex marketplaces. The addition of Space and Time technology enables faster development and deployment of these services, especially by simplifying slashing logic, which is critical to maintaining security and trust in decentralized networks.
Additionally, Space and Time is developing its own DSS for blockchain data indexing. This service will allow community members to easily participate in the network by running indexing nodes. This is especially beneficial for applications that require high security and decentralization, such as decentralized data indexing.
The integration architecture follows a detailed and secure flow. When a Karak slashing contract needs to verify a SQL query, it calls the Space and Time relayer contract with the required SQL statement. This contract then emits an event with the query details, which is detected by operators in the Space and Time network.
These operators, responsible for indexing and monitoring DSS activities, validate the event and route the work to a verification operator who runs the query and generates the necessary ZK proof.
The result, along with a cryptographic commitment on the queried data, is sent to the relayer contract, which verifies and returns the data to the Karak cutter contract. This end-to-end process ensures that the data used in decision-making, such as determining penalties within the DSS, is accurate and reliable.
Karak’s mission is to provide universal security, but it also extends the capabilities of Space and Time to support multiple DSSs with their data indexing needs. As these technologies evolve, they are set to redefine the secure, decentralized computing landscape, making it more accessible and efficient for developers and enterprises alike. This integration represents a significant step towards a more secure and verifiable digital infrastructure in the blockchain space.
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Iconic Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari has announced the expansion of its cryptocurrency payment system to its European dealer network.
The move, which follows a successful launch in North America less than a year ago, raises a crucial question for CFOs across industries: Is it time to consider accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment for your business?
Ferrari’s move isn’t an isolated one. It’s part of a broader trend of companies embracing digital assets. As of 2024, we’re seeing a growing number of companies, from tech giants to traditional retailers, accepting cryptocurrencies.
This change is determined by several factors:
- Growing mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies
- Growing demand from tech-savvy and affluent consumers
- Potential for faster and cheaper international transactions
- Desire to project an innovative brand image
Ferrari’s approach is particularly noteworthy. They have partnered with BitPay, a leading cryptocurrency payment processor, to allow customers to purchase vehicles using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC. This satisfies their tech-savvy and affluent customer base, many of whom have large digital asset holdings.
Navigating Opportunities and Challenges
Ferrari’s adoption of cryptocurrency payments illustrates several key opportunities for companies considering this move. First, it opens the door to new customer segments. By accepting cryptocurrency, Ferrari is targeting a younger, tech-savvy demographic—people who have embraced digital assets and see them as a legitimate form of value exchange. This strategy allows the company to connect with a new generation of affluent customers who may prefer to conduct high-value transactions in cryptocurrency.
Second, cryptocurrency adoption increases global reach. International payments, which can be complex and time-consuming with traditional methods, become significantly easier with cryptocurrency transactions. This can be especially beneficial for businesses that operate in multiple countries or deal with international customers, as it potentially reduces friction in cross-border transactions.
Third, accepting cryptocurrency positions a company as innovative and forward-thinking. In today’s fast-paced business environment, being seen as an early adopter of emerging technologies can significantly boost a brand’s image. Ferrari’s move sends a clear message that they are at the forefront of financial innovation, which can appeal to customers who value cutting-edge approaches.
Finally, there is the potential for cost savings. Traditional payment methods, especially for international transactions, often incur substantial fees. Cryptocurrency transactions, on the other hand, can offer lower transaction costs. For high-value purchases, such as luxury cars, these savings could be significant for both the business and the customer.
While the opportunities are enticing, accepting cryptocurrency payments also presents significant challenges that businesses must address. The most notable of these is volatility. Cryptocurrency values can fluctuate dramatically, sometimes within hours, posing potential risk to businesses that accept them as payment. Ferrari addressed this challenge by implementing a system that instantly converts cryptocurrency received into traditional fiat currencies, effectively mitigating the risk of value fluctuations.
Regulatory uncertainty is another major concern. The legal landscape surrounding cryptocurrencies is still evolving in many jurisdictions around the world. This lack of clear and consistent regulations can create compliance challenges for companies, especially those operating internationally. Companies must remain vigilant and adaptable as new laws and regulations emerge, which can be a resource-intensive process.
Implementation costs are also a significant obstacle. Integrating cryptocurrency payment systems often requires substantial investment in new technology infrastructure and extensive staff training. This can be especially challenging for small businesses or those with limited IT resources. The costs are not just financial; a significant investment of time is also required to ensure smooth implementation and operation.
Finally, security concerns loom large in the world of cryptocurrency transactions. While blockchain technology offers some security benefits, cryptocurrency transactions still require robust cybersecurity measures to protect against fraud, hacks, and other malicious activity. Businesses must invest in robust security protocols and stay up-to-date on the latest threats and protections, adding another layer of complexity and potential costs to accepting cryptocurrency payments.
Strategic Considerations for CFOs
If you’re thinking of following in Ferrari’s footsteps, here are the key factors to consider:
- Risk Assessment: Carefully evaluate potential risks to your business, including financial, regulatory, and reputational risks.
- Market Analysis: Evaluate whether your customer base is significantly interested in using cryptocurrencies for payments.
- Technology Infrastructure: Determine the costs and complexities of implementing a cryptographic payment system that integrates with existing financial processes.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that cryptocurrency acceptance is in line with local regulations in all markets you operate in. Ferrari’s gradual rollout demonstrates the importance of this consideration.
- Financial Impact: Analyze how accepting cryptocurrency could impact your cash flow, accounting practices, and financial reporting.
- Partnership Evaluation: Consider partnering with established crypto payment processors to reduce risk and simplify implementation.
- Employee Training: Plan comprehensive training to ensure your team is equipped to handle cryptocurrency transactions and answer customer questions.
While Ferrari’s adoption of cryptocurrency payments is exciting, it’s important to consider this trend carefully.
A CFO’s decision to adopt cryptocurrency as a means of payment should be based on a thorough analysis of your company’s specific needs, risk tolerance, and strategic goals. Cryptocurrency payments may not be right for every business, but for some, they could provide a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Remember that the landscape is rapidly evolving. Stay informed about regulatory changes, technological advancements, and changing consumer preferences. Whether you decide to accelerate your crypto engines now or wait in the pit, keeping this payment option on your radar is critical to navigating the future of business transactions.
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The world’s largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC), suffered a significant price decline on Wednesday, falling below $65,000. The decline coincides with a broader market sell-off that has hit technology stocks hard.
Cryptocurrency Liquidations Hit Hard
CoinGlass data reveals a surge in long liquidations in the cryptocurrency market over the past 24 hours. These liquidations, totaling $220.7 million, represent forced selling of positions that had bet on price increases. Bitcoin itself accounted for $14.8 million in long liquidations.
Ethereum leads the decline
Ethereal (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency, has seen a steeper decline than Bitcoin, falling nearly 8% to trade around $3,177. This decline mirrors Bitcoin’s price action, suggesting a broader market correction.
Cryptocurrency market crash mirrors tech sector crash
The cryptocurrency market decline appears to be linked to the significant losses seen in the U.S. stock market on Wednesday. Stock market listing The index, heavily weighted toward technology stocks, posted its sharpest decline since October 2022, falling 3.65%.
Analysts cite multiple factors
Several factors may have contributed to the cryptocurrency market crash:
- Tech earnings are underwhelming: Earnings reports from tech giants like Alphabet are disappointing (Google(the parent company of), on Tuesday, triggered a sell-off in technology stocks with higher-than-expected capital expenditures that could have repercussions on the cryptocurrency market.
- Changing Political Landscape: The potential impact of the upcoming US elections and changes in Washington’s policy stance towards cryptocurrencies could influence investor sentiment.
- Ethereal ETF Hopes on the line: While bullish sentiment around a potential U.S. Ethereum ETF initially boosted the market, delays or rejections could dampen enthusiasm.
Analysts’ opinions differ
Despite the short-term losses, some analysts remain optimistic about Bitcoin’s long-term prospects. Singapore-based cryptocurrency trading firm QCP Capital believes Bitcoin could follow a similar trajectory to its post-ETF launch all-time high, with Ethereum potentially converging with its previous highs on sustained institutional interest.
Rich Dad Poor Dad Author’s Prediction
Robert Kiyosaki, author of the best-selling Rich Dad Poor Dad, predicts a potential surge in the price of Bitcoin if Donald Trump is re-elected as US president. He predicts a surge to $105,000 per coin by August 2025, fueled by a weaker dollar that is set to boost US exports.
BTC/USD Technical Outlook
Bitcoin price is currently trading below key support levels, including the $65,500 level and the 100 hourly moving average. A break below the $64,000 level could lead to further declines towards the $63,200 support zone. However, a recovery above the $65,500 level could trigger another increase in the coming sessions.
“You Only Need 0.02 BTC to Retire Forever – Here’s Why” – Willy Woo
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“You Only Need 0.02 BTC to Retire Forever – Here’s Why” – Willy Woo
Inside the Banana Zone: The Cryptocurrency Trend Everyone’s Talking About – Raoul Pal
DIGITAL BLOCK! You Live in a Virtual Prison Without Knowing It: The 2025 WARNING by Whitney Webb
“Many Bitcoin Investors Will Be Multimillionaires Before 2030” – Michael Saylor
Raoul Pal – “This is a huge achievement! This is where I see Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies by 2030”
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