Bitcoin Q&A: Bitmain and the ASICBoost allegations
Channel: aantonop
Date: 2017-04-20

ASICBoost and the allegations against Bitmain. What implications will this have on breaking the impasse between Bitcoin Core and Bitcoin Unlimited. I don't know if the allegations on covert mining are true, but we do know that there is an energy consumption advantage and Bitmain owns the patent for these chips. They claim they've only used them on the testnet but not the mainnet, 'for the good of the network.' However, if they didn't use it and won't use it, then they shouldn't mind if we disable it in a counter-optimisation. Covert ASICBoost threatens to derail protocol development. It's not a free market if this invention is patented under the threat of state force. The source of the drama for many actors in this scaling debate is about bruised egos, not scientifically supported arguments on the technology.

Chapters
0:00 ASICBoost and the allegations against Bitmain
2:03 If you're not using it, turn it off
3:54 The debate is not just about profits and technology, it's also about bruised egos and hurt feelings 
5:15 20% advantage in energy consumption

This talk took place at the Silicon Valley Bitcoin meetup on April 11th 2017 at the Plug and Play Tech Center (@PlugandPlayTC) in Sunnyvale, California: https://www.meetup.com/Silicon-Valley-Bitcoin-Users/events/233760417/

Funny remix: https://youtu.be/PgSb48zoqik

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Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a technologist and serial entrepreneur who has become one of the most well-known and well-respected figures in bitcoin.

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He is the author of two books: “Mastering Bitcoin,” published by O’Reilly Media and considered the best technical guide to bitcoin; “The Internet of Money,” a book about why bitcoin matters.

THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-Money-collection-Andreas-Antonopoulos/dp/1537000454/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

MASTERING BITCOIN: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Bitcoin-Unlocking-Digital-Cryptocurrencies/dp/1449374042

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