great


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not so good


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clear video


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needs more details


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for an adult


nice


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some intro message needed


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expected a caption for the video though


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expected a video


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visual could have been clearer


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Ethiopia is set to become a new hub for Bitcoin mining, signing agreements with 21 companies, including 19 from China, as reported by Bloomberg. The country's low-cost power and government permissions, despite a ban on digital asset trading, are attracting miners looking for a stable base outside China. However, concerns arise regarding the availability of electricity and potential public opposition, given that half the population lacks access to electricity.

 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707821143517-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


Breaking News: Bitcoin (BTC) has seen a historic surge, with nearly $40 billion pouring into its market capitalization in just 24 hours, following its breakthrough at $50,000. This marks the start of a new bull cycle, with Bitcoin currently valued at $982.41 billion, up 3.93% from the previous day. Crypto enthusiasts and traders are watching closely for further developments, especially with the upcoming Bitcoin halving expected to trigger more activity.

 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707820526997-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, a UN AI advisory body member and key player in Senegal's digital transformation, has highlighted the dual-edged sword of AI in Africa—promising transformation in sectors like agriculture and healthcare, yet warning of the risk of foreign corporations exploiting local data and sidelining indigenous innovators. The UN's AI advisory group aims to ensure Africa's voice is heard in global AI discourse and promotes international scientific collaboration for mutual benefit

 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707819493993-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


Coinbase, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has unveiled a new advertising campaign to advocate for the digitization of the U.S. dollar on blockchain, aligning with National Lost Penny Day. The campaign highlights the annual loss of $1.2 million worth of pennies and suggests that stablecoins could revolutionize the fiat currency system. Despite the imaginative appeal, the U.S. Mint plans to continue minting pennies in 2024. Coinbase's campaign underscores the ongoing conversation about blockchain's potential to transform financial transactions, while recognizing the challenges of integration with traditional banking systems.

 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707817958574-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


Bithumb, South Korea's leading cryptocurrency exchange, has launched a new altcoin, Mantle (MNT), trading against KRW. MNT, once known as BitDAO, is a layer 2 scaling solution with high network throughput and EVM compatibility. Following Bithumb's announcement, MNT surged by up to 15%, reaching $0.716. Deposits and withdrawals for MNT started on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, marking a significant milestone in South Korea's cryptocurrency space.
 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707816523063-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


Adedeji Owonibi, co-founder of A&D Forensics, is advocating for stricter cryptocurrency regulations in Nigeria to prevent financial crimes. He warns that the absence of regulation enables illicit activities, including money laundering and terrorism financing. Owonibi urges the Nigerian government to fully regulate crypto-assets and establish laws to combat financial crimes. Despite the Central Bank of Nigeria lifting the ban on crypto transactions, Owonibi cautions that banks could still be used to launder money unless proper checks are in place. He calls for financial institutions to ensure compliance with VASPs and to employ compliance officers to report any suspicious activities.
 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707747669141-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


The Sui Foundation is collaborating with the American University of Sharjah to establish a blockchain academy, aiming to raise awareness about blockchain technology among students. The initiative is part of Sharjah's goal to become a hub for blockchain research and education.

 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707735403077-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


Charles Hoskinson, Cardano's founder, spoke about the platform's significant growth despite skepticism and initial "ghost chain" labels. He credits the community's effort and impressive total value locked (TVL) to Cardano's success. Hoskinson also refuted criticisms, highlighting Cardano's unique approach to scalability, governance, and innovation, with advancements like recursion and rollups expected to make Cardano a leader in zero-knowledge proofs.
 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707732605194-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


Major Security Incident Impacts Binance-Listed Gaming Altcoin

PlayDapp, a prominent blockchain gaming platform, suffered a significant security breach where an unidentified attacker mined  200 million PLA altcoins, valued at around $31 million. The attack led to immediate market turmoil, causing a  10.87% drop in the value of PLA, with the altcoin trading at $0.1618 at the time of reporting. In response, PlayDapp moved all PLA assets to a new secure wallet. The incident highlights the need for robust security measures in the blockchain industry and has raised concerns about the security of other platforms.
 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707579367935-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


New York Attorney General Letitia James has upped the ante in her lawsuit against crypto firms Gemini Trust and Digital Currency Group (DCG), aiming for $3 billion in damages. Initially valued at $1.1 billion, the lawsuit claims that Gemini and DCG misled investors about the ease of withdrawing funds from Gemini Earn and the stability of Genesis Capital. With the number of affected investors swelling to  230,000, James is pushing for stricter regulations for cryptocurrencies. Simultaneously, Genesis is grappling with its own financial issues and has recently prevailed in a legal dispute with Gemini over share ownership. The legal battles could shape the future regulatory landscape for digital currencies, with calls for a balanced approach that safeguards investors while fostering innovation.
 https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/f504a0425dc744e8534cb8faa52edc639a864c1cb96d610b3b72699541456fc6/files/1707570624433-YAKIHONNES3.jpg


A draft to delete


**Introduction**

Decentralisation is a vital concept in blockchain technology, offering a distinct method for data management and transaction processing. It means transferring control and decision-making from a centralised entity, be it an individual, organisation, or group of people, to a distributed network.

Decentralised networks aim to minimise the degree of trust that participants need to have in each other and prevent the possibility of exerting authority or control over one another that could compromise the network’s functionality.

This article confidently explains the significance of decentralisation in blockchain technology like NEAR Protocol, for businesses and consumers. Decentralisation helps to distribute power and control away from a single authority, making the system more secure and transparent. By utilising blockchain technology, businesses can confidently enjoy increased security and transparency while consumers can trust a more efficient and trustworthy system.

**Comparing the Technology Network Architectures**

Decentralisation can be applied wherever it is logical and beneficial. It’s important to note that not all applications which use blockchain technology need to be entirely decentralised. The primary goal of any blockchain solution should be to fulfil the needs of its users, which may or may not require a certain degree of decentralisation. To understand how decentralised networks work, It’s best to start with the basics and build on that knowledge. These will help you get a better grasp of how everything fits together.

There are three main network architectures to consider when building a technology solution: centralised, distributed, and decentralised.

Centralised, distributed, and decentralised systems differ primarily in the manner they handle data and tasks.

**Centralised Systems:**

- Data and control are concentrated in a single central node or server. This server handles all tasks and manages all data.
- They are easier to control and manage due to the single central node.
- They offer superior performance because resources can be optimised for specific tasks.
- They are simple to implement because they require less complex algorithms and protocols.
- They have a single point of failure. This means if the central node goes down, everything else fails.
- They have limited scalability as the central node can only handle a limited number of clients at a time.
- They offer less transparency since the central authority has control over the system.
- They offer less transparency since the central authority has control over the system.
- They pose security risks as the central authority has complete access to the data.

**Distributed Systems:**

- Data and tasks are divided among multiple nodes. Each node performs its tasks and stores its data.
- They are more resilient to failures as there are multiple nodes handling tasks and storing data.
- They require more complex algorithms and protocols for data synchronisation and task distribution.
- They offer higher scalability as more nodes can be added to handle increased load.
- They are more transparent as data is stored across multiple nodes.
- They have better fault tolerance as the failure of one node does not affect the rest of the system.
- They have lower latency compared to centralised systems as there is no delay in communication between different nodes.

**Decentralised Systems:**

- They are similar to distributed systems in that tasks and data are spread across multiple nodes. However, unlike distributed systems, there is no central authority controlling the system.
- Each node operates independently and makes decisions based on consensus with other nodes.
- They offer the highest level of security as no single node has complete control over the system.
- They have the best fault tolerance as the failure of one node does not affect the rest of the system.
- They have the highest level of transparency as all nodes are equal and operate openly.
- They can offer the highest level of resilience against attacks as there is no central point of failure.
- They may require more complex algorithms and protocols for consensus and data verification.

Centralised, distributed, and decentralised systems approach data and tasks differently. Understanding these differences will help you choose the best system for your needs, Keeping in mind that a centralised system stores data and performs tasks in one location. A distributed system spreads them across multiple locations. On the other hand, a decentralised system doesn’t rely on a central authority to make decisions. Knowing these distinctions can give you a competitive edge in today’s tech-driven world.

**Significance of Decentralisation in Blockchain Technology**

Decentralisation brings several significant benefits to blockchain technology. Let’s take a look at some of them.

1. **Trust:** In a blockchain network, people can trust each other because it is a way to keep track of things. If somebody tries to change something, most people in the network will know and stop them. These make it very hard to cheat or lie. It can help us do things faster and cheaper, making things fairer for everyone.
2. **Data Accuracy:** Storing data in a decentralised blockchain ensures that it remains consistent as it has a copy of the transaction across multiple ledgers. This system stores data across multiple locations, reducing the risk of being changed or lost. Minimise the risk of data manipulation or loss by avoiding reliance on a single location.

3. **Reducing Downtime:** Decentralised networks don’t have a single point of failure. If one source goes down, others can take over and reduce downtime.
Transparency and Control: Decentralised Blockchains are transparent because they are open to the public. This means that users can control who can access their information.

4. **Security:** Are you concerned about the security of your data? Decentralised blockchains have the solution. Using encryption for data protection, decentralised blockchains provide higher security than centralised ones. Trust in decentralised blockchains to keep your data safe.

**Implications of Decentralisation for Businesses and Consumers**

Decentralisation has several implications for both businesses and consumers.

**Business Implications:**

1. **Employee Autonomy:** Decentralisation enables teams and departments to operate independently, responding quickly to changing requirements and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and engagement. It encourages experimentation and risk-taking, leading to increased efficiency and new opportunities. Decentralised organisations often have higher employee engagement, job satisfaction, and retention rates.

2. **Cost Efficiency**: In terms of cost efficiency, decentralisation can have positive and negative effects. On one hand, it can increase efficiency and lead to cost savings. On the other hand, it can result in duplication of work or costs, which may ultimately reduce profits. In contrast, a centralised structure proves more cost-efficient as it allows organisations to take advantage of economies of scale by centralising services.

3. **Compliance and Consistency:** When businesses need to comply with strict regulations, centralised management and oversight can help. These reduce risks caused by inconsistent decision-making from decentralised teams. Consider the target audience when writing. Different audiences have different needs and therefore require different information. The text should be organised logically, with the most important information mentioned first. Sentences should be short and only include necessary information. The vocabulary should be simple and familiar, avoiding acronyms, jargon, and legal language. Plain language favours the verb form of a word over the noun form and uses the active voice to increase clarity.

4. **Organisational Silos:** Organisational silos can pose a risk to a business when teams or units become isolated from the rest of the organisation, overly focused on their objectives, and neglectful of the overall goals of the business. Therefore, it’s important to manage teams carefully to ensure that they are all working in the same direction.

**Consumer Implications:**

1. **Customer-Eccentricity**: Decentralisation is a business approach where organisations delegate decision-making authority to lower levels of the organisational hierarchy. This approach often results in greater customer-eccentricity as businesses operating in a decentralised manner, are better equipped to meet the specific needs of their local communities or markets. The reason is that decentralisation allows for greater flexibility and adaptability, enabling businesses to respond quickly to changing market conditions and customer demands. By empowering local managers and employees to make decisions and take action, organisations operating in a decentralised manner can create a more customer-focused culture where the needs and preferences of a customer are at the forefront of decision-making processes. These can result in more satisfied and loyal customers, which leads to increased sales and revenue over time.

2. **Innovation and Customisation:** Decentralised businesses can be more flexible in meeting their customers’ unique needs by innovating and customising their products or services. This is because they have the freedom to adapt to the changing demands and preferences. Simple and direct language is used to convey this information clearly and concisely.

3. **Empowerment:** Decentralisation can give consumers more power to participate in the economy. These can be through peer-to-peer platforms or consumer cooperatives. It allows people to take a more active role in the economy.

4. **Access to Services:** Decentralisation can improve access to services, especially in regions or communities not served well by traditional centralised entities. This means that more people can get the services they need.

**How NEAR ecosystem leverages blockchain technology**

NEAR ecosystem uses blockchain technology to improve the Web3 environment and make it more trustworthy. This technology also helps to promote Zero-Knowledge technology adoption by a wider audience.

There are various ways in which the NEAR ecosystem uses blockchain technology to enhance its capabilities. Here are some important areas:

1. **Interoperability and Multi-Chain Communication:** NEAR connects with other blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum, using Wormhole. This allows different blockchain networks to communicate with each other and ensures secure and efficient transactions. This improves the functionality and user experience of Web3 applications.

2. **Decentralised Applications (dApps):** NEAR helps create hundreds of decentralised applications (dApps) that run on a network of computers instead of just one. These dApps can have different functions such as social media platforms, games, and financial services. NEAR is responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure and tools to build these dApps.

3. **Community Engagement:** The NEAR community consists of developers, token holders, validators, and members from all around the world. They support the platform, ecosystem, and applications of the NEAR protocol. This community plays a crucial role in the growth and development of the NEAR ecosystem, helping to create advanced blockchain solutions for the public.

4. **Venture Support:** NEAR helps projects grow into successful businesses by providing financial support, advice, and networking opportunities. Proximity Labs is one such organisation that supports NEAR and Aurora DeFi ecosystems by offering grants, advisory services, and open-source software for developers.

5. **Regional Hubs:** NEAR has set up regional centres in countries such as the Balkans, Vietnam, and India to provide assistance and resources to developers, entrepreneurs, and businesses in those regions who want to use or create on NEAR.

**Conclusion**

Decentralisation is a key aspect of blockchain technology, offering numerous benefits. It enhances security by distributing information across multiple nodes, providing real-time data access, promoting democracy, and enabling users to choose application components as per their needs.

However, decentralised systems are complex to set up and maintain, and there is a risk of misuse if not managed correctly. Despite the challenges, the potential benefits are immense, and we can expect to see more innovative and trans formative applications in various sectors as we continue to explore the potential of decentralisation.


**Introduction**

Starknet is a rising star of scalability solutions,  gaining much traction in the blockchain space. Cairo is used as its programming language. A lot of users are onboarded into the Starknet ecosystem daily. However, newcomers might be confused by some important terminology, especially as a developer.

One of such confusion is the differences between Starknet programs and contracts. While both entities play important roles within the Starknet ecosystem, they serve distinct purposes and possess unique characteristics. In this article, we will delve deeper into unveiling the key differences between Starknet programs and contracts.

**Starknet Programs**

You can look at Starknet programs as multipurpose tools that can perform any computation allowed by the Starknet virtual machine. They serve as the building blocks for more complex functionalities.

```
use debug::PrintTrait;

fn add(num_1: u32, num_2: u32) -> u32 {
   let result: u32 =  num_1 + num_2;
   result.print();
   result

}
fn subtract(num_3: u16, num_4: u16) -> u16 {
   let result: u16 =  num_3 + num_4;
   result.print();
   result
}
fn multiply(num_5: u16, num_6: u16) -> u16 {
   let result: u16 =  num_5 + num_6;
   result.print();
   result
}
fn divide(num_7: u16, num_8: u16) -> u16 {
   let result: u16 =  num_7 + num_8;
   result.print();
   result
}
fn return_bool(num_9: u16, num_10: u16) -> bool {
   let result: u16 =  num_9 + num_10;
   if result % 2 == 0 {
      true
   } else {
      false
   }
}
```

Above is an example of a Starknet program, that performs simple calculations.

**Features of Starknet Programs**

Versatility: This means they can perform a wide range of tasks as long as those tasks are compatible with the Starknet VM. Examples of such tasks include;

Mathematical calculations, such as  Solving complex equations, performing cryptographic operations, and more

Data manipulation like  Sorting, filtering, and transforming data sets.

Algorithmic execution: such as Implementing and running any algorithm compatible with the Starknet VM.

Limited Scope: Although  Starknet programs are powerful, they have a limited scope compared to Starknet contracts. Some of such limited scopes are;

Storing data: It is impossible for Starknet programs to directly store information on the Starknet network. Meaning they have no access to the Starknet state.

Interaction: They cannot interact directly with other contracts, such as send transactions or calling other contracts.

System calls: Starknet programs are restricted from accessing certain system functionalities.

Standalone: Starknet programs are designed to run independently of  external contracts for their functionality. This explains why they can perform computations without needing additional dependencies.

**Starknet Contracts**

Starknet contracts are an integral part of the Starknet ecosystem. It enables developers to build powerful and versatile decentralized applications (dApps). It is designed specifically for the Starknet platform, with some unique characteristics that make it different from its counterparts on other blockchain platforms.

```
#[starknet::interface]
trait IHelloStarknet<TContractState> {
    fn increase_balance(ref self: TContractState, amount: felt252);
    fn get_balance(self: @TContractState) -> felt252;
}

#[starknet::contract]
mod HelloStarknet {
    #[storage]
    struct Storage {
        balance: felt252,
    }

    #[external(v0)]
    impl HelloStarknetImpl of super::IHelloStarknet<ContractState> {
        fn increase_balance(ref self: ContractState, amount: felt252) {
            assert(amount != 0, 'Amount cannot be 0');
            self.balance.write(self.balance.read() + amount);
        }

        fn get_balance(self: @ContractState) -> felt252 {
            self.balance.read()
        }
    }
}
```

The above code snippet is a simple Hello Straknet implementation.

**Features of Starknet Contracts**

Specialized Functionality: Starknet contracts are not general-purpose, unlike Starknet Programs. They are designed with specific functionalities, such as:

Tokenizing assets: Creating and managing digital tokens representing various assets.

Facilitating exchange: Starnet Contracts enable decentralized trading of various assets through DEXes.

Implementing lending protocols: Starnet Contracts allows the creation of systems for borrowing and lending digital assets.

Building interactive applications: Developing complex dApps with engaging user experiences.

Full Access: Starknet contracts unlike Starnet programs enable unrestricted access to the Starknet ecosystem. Such that they can:

Store data: Persist information on the Starknet network, enabling continuous operation.

Interact with other contracts: Send transactions and call other contracts for collaborative functionality.

Perform system calls: Access various functionalities provided by the Starknet system.

Persistence: Starknet contracts maintain their state across transactions. This allows them to retain information and continue functioning seamlessly even after multiple interactions!

**Examples of Starknet Contracts**

- Non-fungible tokens (NFTs): Represent unique digital assets like artwork or collectables.

- Decentralized exchanges (DEXes): Enable peer-to-peer trading of crypto assets.

- Lending protocols: Facilitating borrowing and lending of digital assets with interest.

- Games: Creating interactive and engaging gaming experiences on the blockchain.

**Choosing between programs and contracts**

Using Starknet programs is your option if;

you require just computing power and don't want to engage with the Starknet environment.

For isolated computations, you need a small, effective solution.

You have to run particular algorithms, manipulate data, and do mathematical computations.

Your goal is to create the foundation of a more intricate contract.

Use Starknet contracts if:

You have to do system calls, store data, and communicate with other contracts within the Starknet ecosystem.

You wish to develop a sophisticated application with specialized features, such as games, DEXes, lending protocols, or tokenised assets.

For your application to remain in the same state between transactions, persistent data storage is required.

**Conclusion**
In conclusion, Starknet programs and contracts, while both integral to the Starknet ecosystem, serve distinct purposes and have unique characteristics. Starknet programs, as multipurpose tools, can perform a wide range of tasks compatible with the Starknet virtual machine, making them versatile and standalone. However, they have limited scope, and are unable to store data, interact directly with other contracts, or access certain system functionalities.

On the other hand, Starknet contracts are designed for building powerful and versatile decentralized applications (dApps) on the Starknet platform. They offer specialized functionality, full access to the Starknet ecosystem, and persistence, allowing them to store data, interact with other contracts, perform system calls, and maintain their state across transactions.

Choosing between Starknet programs and contracts depends on the specific needs of the project. As highlighted above.

Understanding the differences between Starknet programs and contracts is crucial for developers onboarding into the Starknet ecosystem, as it helps in making informed decisions based on the specific requirements of their projects

Exploring the Difference Between StarkNet Programs and Contracts


Diamond Standard contract by [Nick Mudge]() leverages on using EIP 2535. It aims towards achieving modular smart contract systems that can be upgraded/extended after deployment.

One of the limitations of smart contracts is the maximum contract size. A smart contract can be a maximum of 24KB or it will run out of gas. Diamond on the other hand has no size limit. It means when next you have code that has a very large base, you can try out diamond standard. A diamond contract has external functions that are supplied by contracts called facets.

**Diamond Terminologies**

The following are some of the terminologies used in a diamond contract.

A diamond is a facade smart contract that delegates call into its facets to execute function calls. A diamond is stateful. Data is stored in the contract storage of a diamond.

A facet is a stateless smart contract or Solidity library with external functions. A facet is deployed and one or more of its functions are added to one or more diamonds. A facet does not store data within its own contract storage but it can define state and read and write to the storage of one or more diamonds. The term facet comes from the diamond industry. It is a side or flat surface of a diamond.

A loupe facet is a facet that provides introspection functions. In the diamond industry, a loupe is a magnifying glass that is used to look at diamonds.

An immutable function is an external function that cannot be replaced or removed (because it is defined directly in the diamond, or because the diamond’s logic does not allow it to be modified).

A mapping for this EIP is an association between two things and does not refer to a specific implementation.

An implementation of the diamond standard is done below, using Foundry. Feel free to check it out on this GitHub link. You are free to explore and have a feel of Diamond!!!

[ERC20_Diamondtandard](ERC20_Diamondtandard)

**Conclusion**

The Diamond Standard contract, developed by Nick Mudge, is a game-changer in the realm of smart contract systems. It uses EIP 2535 to create modular, upgradable systems post-deployment, overcoming the 24KB size limit of traditional smart contracts. The Diamond Standard introduces key terminologies like diamonds, facets, loupe facets, and immutable functions, enabling complex, scalable, and adaptable software development. Implemented using Foundry, it's an open-source project inviting developers to contribute. This standard is a testament to the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize software development.


**Introduction**

Ethereum is one of the top blockchain platforms in the cryptocurrency space. It enables the creation of decentralised apps (DApps) and the execution of smart contracts. The demand for smooth and seamless experiences throughout the ecosystem is at an increasing rate as Ethereum continues to grow. Ethereum seeks ways to better user experience. This brought about the incorporation of the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) into Ethereum wallets.

**What is ENS?**

The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a distributed, open, and extensible naming system based on the Ethereum blockchain. ENS’s job is to map human-readable names like ‘esther.eth’ to machine-readable identifiers such as Ethereum addresses, other cryptocurrency addresses, content hashes, and metadata. ENS also supports ‘reverse resolution’, making it possible to associate metadata such as canonical names or interface descriptions with Ethereum addresses. Imagine you have to log into your LinkedIn account at every point with a direct ID generated by LinkedIn. That will be boring and hard to use. A user name has made it easy to log into the site, and share addresses with others without a blink.

You can pay for an ENS name on the ENS App or buy it on the secondary market if someone else has claimed a name that you want. ENS names are essentially Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), so you can trade them on marketplaces like OpenSea. This is similar to having to bid for your preferred domain name on GoDaddy. Because of the hierarchal nature of ENS, anyone who owns a domain at any level may configure subdomains for themselves or others as desired. For instance, if esther owns 'esther.eth', she can create 'pay..eth' and configure it as she wishes.

**Importance of ENS Integration in Ethereum Wallets**

The significance of addresses within the context of an Ethereum/cryptocurrency wallet cannot be overstated. Addresses serve as the fundamental link between users and the blockchain, as they are the primary means through which transactions are both received and sent. In essence, they act as the bridge connecting our digital assets to the vast and complex network of the blockchain. Nevertheless, these addresses, while pivotal, often pose a considerable challenge to users. They typically manifest as a convoluted combination of seemingly random letters and numbers, a cryptographic string meticulously designed for security purposes. While this level of security is paramount, it inevitably presents a usability hurdle. The impracticality of trying to memorise or physically record these long alphanumeric strings of 20 bytes(eg, ‘0x6405A46E53680Eae9cC68228ec3a459c3CEDD972’) becomes evident. This inconvenience becomes even more pronounced when one finds themselves in a situation devoid of electronic devices, rendering it nearly impossible to communicate their wallet address verbally.

ENS integration enhances user experience, improves security, simplifies payments, and strengthens branding.

**Enhanced User Experience**

Human-Readable Names for Transactions: Instead of making use of complicated and long wallet addresses, users can conduct transactions using names they are familiar with, which could be their names, nicknames or any customized letters that they deem fit. Memorizing such names cannot be a problem as compared to having to memorise or copy-paste long strings of letters.

Simplified Address Management: Address management has been an issue since users cannot memorize the long wallet addresses or be assured of error-free copy and paste. With ENS, there are no worries as simpler, so long, error-prone wallet addresses are no longer a worry as transaction processes have been made more user-friendly and unique. Users can register names like "esther.eth" or "myethereum.eth" for their addresses. communication with decentralized applications (DApps) during interaction with DApps connected with ENS, it becomes easy as there is no need to lookup complicated addresses.

**Security and Trust**

Reduced Risk of Human Error: ENS integration into Ethereum wallets has drastically reduced the frequent occurrence of human error that occurs during transactions. Users can now rely on names chosen by them, that they can easily remember. The fewer such errors occur, the fewer error-prone wallet addresses which could lead to grave errors like sending ether to the wrong address. identities or brands use ENS integration to boost the overall security and integrity of the Ethereum ecosystem.

Preventing Phishing Attempts: In the world of cryptocurrencies, an attacker will frequently begin a phishing attack by sending out a bulk email or text message to potential victims. usually, it will appear to be coming from a reliable source, and this poses a hazard. By assigning recognizable identities to addresses through ENS, users can easily prevent such assaults.

**Simplified Payments**

**Quick and Convenient Cryptocurrency Payments:**

Payments in cryptocurrencies can now be made quickly and more conveniently as a result of the introduction of ENS in Ethereum wallets. Instead of users making use of long wallet addresses every single time which could be mistake-prone, they can now request payments using short, memorizable names. This generally reduces mistakes and enhances standard Ethereum network transactions!!

**Streamlining the Process for Non-Technical Users**

Cryptocurrency adoption has been perceived to be hindered by its seeming complexity, especially when we consider non-technical users. What ENS integration has done is to streamline the transaction process for non-technical consumers by providing a user-friendly experience that eliminates the need to interact with lengthy wallet addresses, difficult for them to relate with. The payment process is simplified and this in turn will bring about a wide adoption of Ethereum wallet users.

**Branding and Identity**

**Establishing a Unique Online Presence**

ENS integration allows individuals, businesses, and organizations to stand out about their online presence, by allowing them to associate their Ethereum addresses with distinctive, comprehensible names! Distinctive online presence can be used for professional networking, building a personal brand, and adding an extra level of authenticity to the online platform (this is personally interesting to me)

**Enhanced Marketing Opportunities and Strengthening Brand**

ENS integration avails individuals, companies and content creators new marketing opportunities by registering ENS names that align with their brand or domain, and associating specific goods, services, or marketing initiatives with the ENS, ensuring that they create links that people can remember and share easily!! This approach will no doubt increase the flow of users to their platforms and as a result increase their brand visibility. It will also strengthen them to compete favourably with other brands in the marketplace😎

**Conclusion**

ENS integration in Ethereum wallets we can now say, unlocks several benefits ranging from; enhanced user experience, improved security, simplified payments and strengthened brands, just to mention but a few. ENS associates wallet addresses with human-readable names, managing the addresses to ensure that users have familiar names to interact with. ENS integration reduces the risk of errors and phishing attacks by using addresses recognizable by users to send emails and messages such that the identity issue is solved. ENS integration enables non-technical users to easily adapt to the use of Ethereum wallets since it has ENS that makes it easy to relate with. It opens up new opportunities for businesses, content creators, and crypto communities to have an online presence and enjoy massive adoption through ENS. You can register an ENS today, and be a part of its endless possibilities.

Exploring the Benefits of ENS Integration in Ethereum Wallets


An Ethereum transaction is a message sent to the Ethereum network from one account to another, that causes a change in the state of the blockchain. These transactions can include the transfer of ETH (the native currency of Ethereum) or other tokens from one address to another or interaction with a smart contract. The Ethereum transaction procedure is an important component. Anyone working in the cryptocurrency field has to understand how Ethereum transactions operate. We will go into the specifics of Ethereum transactions in this article, covering their life cycle, different types of transactions, variables influencing transaction speed, and tracking a transaction.

**Types of Transaction**

Before we go further to know how a transaction works, it is expedient to look at the types of transactions. There are three major types of Ethereum transactions that you can perform on the Ethereum blockchain.

1. **Regular Transactions **This is a transaction where an EOA (Externally Owned Account) also known as a wallet address sends ETH directly to another EOA.

2. **Internal transactions:** These transactions are generated by smart contracts. They include the transfer of ETH that is carried out between different accounts within the same smart contract. When viewing an address on Etherscan, this type of transaction will be shown under the Internal Txns tab.

3. **Contract Interaction Transactions:** These transactions involve executing a function in a smart contract. This concept is central to blockchain technology and plays a crucial role in enabling the functionality of decentralized applications (DApps), as well as the automation of various processes within the blockchain ecosystem.

**The Life Cycle of a Transaction**

Understanding the life cycle of an Ethereum transaction provides valuable insights into its journey from initiation to confirmation. Let's break it down into the following stages:

1. **Initiation:** A transaction is created and signed by the sender. The sender specifies the recipient's address, and the amount of Ether (ETH) or tokens to be sent. The transaction is then digitally signed with the sender's private key to ensure its authenticity and security

2. **Broadcast:** Once the transaction is created and signed, it is broadcast to the Ethereum network, meaning the transaction is shared with the network's nodes, allowing them to be aware of the pending transaction.

3. **Pending:** After being broadcasted, the transaction enters the mempool, which is a temporary storage area for pending transactions. Miners select transactions from the mempool to be included in the next block they mine.

4. **Confirmation:** The Miner selects the transaction from the mempool, validates its authenticity and executes the specified action. They then include the validated transaction in a new block, which is added to the Ethereum blockchain. This confirmation means that the transaction is now part of the official transaction history on the blockchain, and it cannot be altered or removed.

5. **Finality:** The finality of a transaction is determined by the number of subsequent blocks added to the blockchain after the one containing the transaction. Each block added to the blockchain is a confirmation, and the more confirmations a transaction receives, the more secure and finalized it becomes.

**Factors that Affect Transaction Speed**

Transaction speed is an important consideration in the Ethereum network. Several factors can influence the speed of Ethereum transactions.

1. Gas price: Gas represents the computational work required to execute a transaction or smart contract. Users specify the gas price they are willing to pay when submitting a transaction, bearing in mind that miners are motivated to prioritize transactions with higher gas prices because they earn more by including them in the blocks they mine. it's a competitive market where users can offer higher gas prices to gain faster transaction processing yet they are advised to strike a balance between paying a competitive gas price for timely execution and not overpaying unnecessarily.

2. Network Congestion: This occurs when the demand for network resources exceeds the network's capacity. During times of high activity, such as ICO launches, decentralized finance (DeFi) yield farming frenzies or popular NFT drops, the network can become congested. which leads to slower transaction processing times, which could also result in extended wait times for transactions to be confirmed, as miners must prioritize transactions based on their gas prices.

3. Gas Limit: The gas limit is the maximum amount of computational work a block can contain. Transactions that require more computational resources, such as complex smart contract interactions, require a higher gas limit. Setting a higher gas limit does not directly speed up transaction confirmation, it ensures that the transaction has sufficient gas to execute all required operations without running out of gas.

**How to Track a Transaction**

Tracking an Ethereum transaction is a crucial process for users to stay informed about the status, progress, and ultimate success of their transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. Let's look at the following methods to effectively track an Ethereum transaction

1. **Etherscan:** Etherscan is a widely used and trusted blockchain explorer specific to the Ethereum network. It has a user-friendly interface for tracking Ethereum transactions. You can viewt transaction on Etherscan, using the following steps:

Visit the Etherscan website (https://etherscan.io/)

In the search bar, enter the transaction hash (also known as a txhash or Transaction ID) of the transaction you want to track.

Etherscan will provide detailed information about the transaction. These include; status, block number, timestamp, sender, receiver, gas used, and more.

You can continually refresh the page to receive real-time updates on the transaction's progress, from "Pending" to "Success" or any other status.

2. **Blockchain Wallets**: Many Ethereum wallet applications and services have integrated transaction tracking features, making it convenient for users to monitor their transactions without leaving the wallet interface.

You can do the following to track a transaction using a blockchain wallet:

Open your Ethereum wallet application.

Navigate to the transaction history or activity section.

Locate the specific transaction you want to track.

The wallet should provide details on the transaction's status and any relevant information.

3. **Third-Party Wallets:** Third-party wallets are digital wallets that are not directly provided by the project itself. Some third-party wallets that support Ethereum and Ethereum-based tokens also offer transaction tracking capabilities. They may include features like push notifications to keep you updated on your transaction's status. If you're using a third-party wallet, refer to the wallet's documentation to track your transactions effectively.

4. **Explorer APIs:** Ethereum explorer APIs can be used to track transactions programmatically. These APIs provide access to blockchain data and can be integrated into custom applications or scripts. You can make API requests to fetch transaction details, monitor confirmations, and receive real-time updates on the transaction's status. This method is particularly useful for developers building blockchain-related applications.

5. **Transaction Hash:** If you have the transaction hash from the sender or service, you can simply search for it on a reputable blockchain explorer using a web browser. Enter the transaction hash into the explorer's search bar, and you'll be provided with detailed information about the transaction's status, history, and associated addresses.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Ethereum transactions is vital for individuals navigating the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. We've delved into various aspects of Ethereum transactions, including their types, life cycles, factors influencing transaction speed, and methods for tracking them. This knowledge equips you with the tools needed to navigate the Ethereum network effectively, make informed decisions, and participate confidently in the dynamic and innovative realm of blockchain and cryptocurrency. As the blockchain space continues to evolve, staying informed about Ethereum transactions remains an essential part of this exciting journey.


**INTRODUCTION**

Before we can discuss this topic, let’s understand what Blockchain and Smart contracts are.

Blockchain is a globally shared transactional database. This means that everyone can read entries in the database just by participating in the network. The participation happens via transaction. Imagine it as an open ledger where all the transactions can publicly be accessed, provided you have access to the internet!

Smart contracts are programs (sets of code) stored on a blockchain that run based on the logic stated in it. It is often said that “Code is law” It means as soon as a smart contract is deployed on the blockchain, it becomes immutable, making it impossible to change its terms.

Security is one of the most important considerations when writing smart contracts. mistakes are costly and easily exploited by bad actors readily available to take advantage of any form of loophole, hence the need to prevent contracts from such attacks. The emphasis in this article is on smart contract functions.

**What is Access Control in Solidity?**

Access control protects against attacks and maintains the integrity of the blockchain ecosystem by guaranteeing that only authorised users can interact with sensitive data and functionalities within a smart contract.

Functions are sets of instructions that must be followed to produce a particular result, it is safe to say there is no smart contract without functions. Functions are collections of actions that frequently require inputs to produce outputs. A function that adds two integers, for instance, may accept two numbers as input, compute them, and then give the result as output. Therefore, the function is where a smart contract's logic is written. Access control ensures that only authorised parties can execute or alter sensitive parts of a function, contract states, or data.

Smart contracts use a mechanism called Role-based access control (RBAC) to offer access and privileges for different roles which may include; admin, manager, and user. The functions can only be called by users with the relevant role.

**Access Control Checks on Critical Function**

Some of the common vulnerabilities related to access control are explained as follows;

********Missed Modifier Validations********

Missed modifier validations can become an attack vector in solidity when developers forget or neglect to include necessary modifiers in their functions. Some of these include modifying the owner, transfer of funds and tokens pausing and unpausing the contracts, among others. Missed validations either in the modifier or inside require or conditional statements may lead to compromise of the contract or loss of funds.

Check out the code snippet below

```
pragma solidity 0.8.19;
contract Ownable {
    address public owner;
    constructor() {
        owner = msg.sender;
    }
    modifier onlyOwner() {
        require(msg.sender == owner, "Only the contract owner can call this function");
        _;  // Continue with the function execution if the modifier condition is met
    }
    function changeOwner(address newOwner) public onlyOwner {
        require(newOwner != address(0), "Invalid new owner address");
        owner = newOwner;
    }
    function getOwner() public view returns (address) {
        return owner;
    }
    function someFunction() public onlyOwner {
        // Function logic restricted to the contract owner
    }
}
```
The onlyOwner modifier restricts access to functions, allowing only the contract owner to call those functions. In a situation where there is a need to change the owner to a new owner, the onlyOwner set in the modifier is still the one that can call the function.

I**ncorrect Modifier Names**

Incorrect modifier name due to the developer’s mistakes and spelling errors in a modifier or function can mislead both the developer and the users of the contract, thereby opening a loophole for malicious actors to call the critical function without the modifier, which may in turn lead to loss of funds or change of ownership depending on the logic in the function.

```
pragma solidity 0.8.19;
contract IncorrectModifierExample {
    address public owner;
 // Incorrectly named modifier
    modifier onlyOwnerOrAdmin() {
        require(msg.sender == owner || msg.sender == admin(), "Access denied");
        _;
    }
    function admin() public view returns (address) {
        // Function representing an admin address retrieval
        // But the modifier doesn't use this correctly
        return 0x123...;
    }
    function someFunction() public onlyOwnerOrAdmin {
        // Function logic
    }
}
```
In the above code, the address of the admin was not declared as a state variable, so there was no proper adminAddress variable to store the admin's address.

The onlyOwnerOrAdmin modifier in the function has a hard-coded fixed address of an admin which cannot be accessed. This is already a vulnerability to watch against.

**Overpowered Roles**

Overpowered roles in solidity refers to a function that grants excessive or unnecessary privileges to a certain role which may extend beyond the intended scope or requirements of that role. Overpowered roles may lead to vulnerabilities. Therefore the practice of least privileges must always be followed in assigning privileges

```

pragma solidity 0.8.19;
contract OverpoweredRolesExample {
    mapping(address => string) public userRoles;
    mapping(address => bool) public isAdmin;
    constructor() {
        // set contract is set as an admin at deployment
        isAdmin[msg.sender] = true;
    }
    modifier onlyAdmin() {
        require(isAdmin[msg.sender], "Only admin can call this function");
        _;
    }
    function addUser(address _user, string memory _role) public onlyAdmin {
        userRoles[_user] = _role;
    }
    // An overpowered function
   // admin can change any user's role, even other admins
    function changeUserRole(address _user, string memory _newRole) public onlyAdmin {
        userRoles[_user] = _newRole;
    }
}
```

Giving the admin(msg.sender) excessive privilege to change userRole and other admin is an Overpowered role, which could give room to attackers.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, developers have to watch out for missed validations either in the modifier or inside require or conditional statements may lead to compromise of the contract or loss of funds. Be keen on naming modifiers and functions to curb mistakes and spelling errors in the modifier or function which can mislead both the developer and the users of the contract, giving bad actors an upper hand. An overpowered role in solidity is not a good practice as it grants excessive or unnecessary privileges to a certain role, thereby making the contract vulnerable.

ACCESS CONTROL AS AN ATTACK VECTOR IN SOLIDITY
Access Control Checks on Critical Functions