Get the weekly summary of crypto market analysis, news, and forecasts! This Week’s Summary The crypto market ends the week at a total market capitalization of $2,17 trillion. Bitcoin continues to trade at around $62,300. Ethereum experiences no changes and stagnates at around $2,400. XRP is down by 2%, Solana by 1%, and Dogecoin by 3%. Almost all altcoins are trading in the red, with very few exceptions. The DeFi sector decreased the total value of protocols (TVL) to around…
Hedera – A Comprehensive Guide to a Revolutionary Consensus System
Blockchain is the digital environment supporting cryptocurrencies and decentralized apps (DApps). You may know it as one of the greatest innovations of the 21st century. However, this remarkable invention has its shortcomings. For instance, it is difficult to scale and consumes too much energy, making it bad for the environment.
Fortunately, some projects aim to solve these issues. One of them, Hedera, has come up with a potentially better alternative to blockchain: Hashgraph consensus. Consequently, Hedera used it to open up various applications and opportunities for developers.
So, what is Hedera, and how does it work? Why is Hedera a better alternative to blockchain and other technologies? Here is a comprehensive guide to answer all of your questions.
What is Hedera?
Hedera is one of the most popular enterprise-grade public networks. It uses a new consensus system, Hashgraph consensus. This system functions on a rotating governing council comprising 39 world’s leading organizations in different industries. Some of the most notable names in the group include:
- Boeing
- IBM
- LG
- Standard Bank
- TATA Communications
- Shinhan Bank
These corporations manage the platform. Also, they have responsibilities, such as directing the codebase, operating the initial nodes, and voting in important decisions. The council’s decisions prioritize the system’s best interests. Consequently, they ensure the users’ preferences come first.
Hedera’s primary purpose is to enable users to create decentralized applications (DApps), like the blockchain. This includes developing and managing fungible and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Also, the platform has a native token, HBAR, which it uses to operate and transact on the platform.
Furthermore, Hedera Hashgraph eliminates most of the challenges that the limitations of blockchain technology cause.
For instance, Blockchain technology process transactions slowly to prevent fraudulent activities. Consequently, transactions consume a lot of energy and use a lot of the network’s bandwidth, which results in costly fees. These shortcomings compromise the performance of decentralized applications running on the blockchain.
In contrast, Hedera Hashgraph is lightning-fast and uses minimal energy and bandwidth.
For example, you can transact more than 10,000 Hedera tokens (HBAR) per second. On the other hand, Bitcoin transactions can barely reach three per second. Consequently, transaction fees are more than 10,000 times on Hedera.
More importantly, Hashgraph consensus achieves the highest security level possible: asynchronous byzantine fault tolerance (ABFT). Overall, users have the guarantee of fast, affordable, and secure transactions. So, Hedera rewards their DApps with a better competitive edge against other DApps running on the blockchain.
Hedera Native Tokens (HBAR)
One of Hedera’s most unique properties is its native token, HBAR. The token’s primary goal is to facilitate transactions between users. To this end, participants in Hedera can use the token to pay for digital products and services through the platform. Lastly, the tokens facilitate network protection by helping reach consensus by weighing votes on transactions.
HBAR has a maximum supply of 50 billion units. About seven billion HBAR tokens (equivalent to about 14% of the total supply) are already in circulation. The project will unlock more tokens over time. Also, Hedera ensures to publish public reports detailing every release. The token has registered positive performance so far, having greatly appreciated in value compared to its ICO prices.
Hedera has integrated its HBAR tokens with a wide range of wallets. Some of the most notable names include BitGo, Fireblocks, Hex Trust, Ledger, and Atomic Wallet.
Hedera Use Cases
Hedera has a range of uses and applications. Some of the most notable ones include:
Payments
Hedera users can make payments using the platform’s native tokens (HBAR) or their cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. As a result, payments on the platform are fast, secure, and affordable.
Tokenized Assets
Hedera enables developers to create decentralized apps and fungible and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These applications and tokens are faster and have lower transaction fees than blockchain-based apps. Also, the decentralized apps are easily configurable and easy to manage.
Decentralized Identity
Hedera is also helpful in verifying users’ identities in various applications and industries. Also, users can issue, verify, and revoke identity credentials for other users, including inanimate subjects such as devices. This feature is scalable to the Internet of Things (IoT). This platform’s role is promising as one of the next revolutionary technology milestones.
Permissioned Blockchain
Permissioned blockchains are ideal for preserving transaction privacy by sharing information within a closely controlled set of parties. Famous examples include Quorum and Hyperledger Fabric. These blockchains can connect to Hedera and enjoy the convenience of a decentralized platform’s trust and privacy.
Data Compliance
Data privacy is a significant concern for many people when organizations use big data to understand and manipulate people. Hedera helps users comply with data privacy laws. In addition, it enables them to log their actions and open them to the public for transparency. Lastly, this feature helps organizations simplify auditing and reduce liability, in addition to dozens of other benefits.
Fraud Mitigation
Fraud on the internet is rising, and organizations that fall victim to scams incur substantial financial costs and credibility. Fortunately, Hedera’s purpose is to record business transactions, verify users’ identities, and more. Overall, it can help augment fraud mitigation for users’ digital commerce and online applications.
Hedera Industrial Applications
Hedera is applicable in a wide range of applications. For example, the healthcare industry uses this platform’s distributed ledger technology (DLT) to augment patients’ information. Moreover, it does so while ensuring compliance with data privacy laws. It has also been widely adopted in the enterprise and gaming industries.
How to Start Using Hedera
Anyone can register on Hedera and start using its various features in minutes. Registration is simple; you can do it via one of more than a dozen popular third-party cryptocurrency wallets. Also, the process is short and straightforward. So that you know, all you have to do is provide accurate information as the registration form requires.
Final Thoughts
Hedera is already proving to be a popular alternative to blockchain. It is a versatile platform for users to create decentralized apps and fungible and non-fungible tokens. Additionally, the apps running on this platform are universal. Furthermore, they perform better regarding security, transaction speeds, and overall operating costs. Fortunately, thanks to its intuitive and easy-to-use interface, anyone can start using Hedera in minutes.
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