The blockchain is about to collide with betting. There’s a huge amount of buzz about how cryptocurrencies will make gambling much more enjoyable, personalizable, efficient, and fair. Negative perceptions and associations are gradually fading away as more people become involved in exploring the potential of blockchain tech.
Relevantly, one of the major gripes people have with institutional transaction services are their inefficiency and their often arbitrary criteria when choosing to limit or restrict individual accounts.

With the arrival of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, unregulated digital stores of value now allow much more breathing room for the development of financial technologies and for the development of the digital sphere’s own unique gaming ecosystem.

Fusion: The Interface Between Blockchain and Betting

Betting and gambling are getting a virtual makeover. As a result of the recent popularity of blockchain along with its direct and strong association with technology, a number of applications have spawned to help relate the value conferred by cryptocurrencies onto commonly enjoyed activities.

Enjoy roulette? How about sports betting? Maybe you just want to bet on the outcome of an event with your friend, like whether or not Donald Trump will be a one-term or two-term policy. Blockchain is immensely powerful when it comes to ensuring that all bets are live and fair, and that they are paid out.

How many times have you won a bet against a friend or told a bookie to make a bet for you only to find out that they either ignore you or that they’ve forgotten completely? As it turns out, binary prediction bets are a perfect fit for a decentralized implementation, making automated and efficient bitcoin casinos possible. The advancements in tech which have led to the popularization of blockchain solutions come at an opportune time, as regulatory controls ease or are generally not well-established.

One major market mover is in this space of bitcoin games is Apollo. With Apollo, when you make a bet, it’s immediately associated with your wallet and the transactions along with the randomness of the bet itself are verifiable using the industry-standard provably fair algorithms. There’s no room for cheating because you can use the transaction information that’s tied to the game to verify that the result is, in fact, genuinely random, and the house edge is a bit lower because there’s no physical upkeep to worry about.

Further, gaming sites employing cryptocurrencies and blockchain tech in this manner offer an immersive experience with all of the sounds, effects, and selections you’d expect to experience from an in-person bet, all from the comfort of your laptop or even your phone.

How The Blockchain Differs: A Shift to Legitimacy

While the blockchain is also a primarily digital mode that allows for the transfer and storage of value, a big differentiator between the blockchain and the other payment methods on the Internet exists in the degree of anonymity it affords to its users. Naturally, this was the reason that it was initially co-opted by criminal organizations and individuals to account for monetary value of illicit activities. In its earliest stages, the face of cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was heavily associated with the illegal purchases of drugs online in association with the online marketplace Silkroad.

Since then, the increased popularity of Bitcoin and a renewed interested in the technical aspects and potential associated with blockchain technology has galvanized an entirely separate crowd of people and experts looking to optimize the technology for practical uses. Because of this presence, people are beginning to open up to Bitcoin as a more popular and commonplace form of currency. This inverted relationship, which has led to its decreasing popularity in criminal circles, is well-documented in a piece featured by The Atlantic.

However, in contrast to the more nefarious intentions of some of Bitcoin’s earlier adopters along with the nebulousness of Bitcoin’s origins, there is now a vibrant and enthusiastic community surrounding the development and support of Bitcoin along with several major altcoins

The space for bitcoin gambling is also undergoing similar changes as a result of its popularity, with regulatory grey areas giving online venues enough structure and safety to efficiently conduct business without putting significant pressure that would work as an obstacle against new market entrants. Let’s take a closer look at how such a relationship between gambling and online platforms developed over time and how it continues to to evolve.

The Historical Relationship Between Gambling and Technology

Because it takes a while for legislators to understand and catch on with the latest and most recent trends in tech, the time for the appropriate regulation and controls to appear and significantly hamper development will also take much longer.

Everyone familiar with the recent Facebook privacy fiasco with Cambridge Analytica and some of the more controversial questions asked by senators understands this gap. Zuckerberg’s excellent showing contrasted greatly with the inexperience and lack of preparation of the part of some members of the Senate during the hearing.

However, this concerns technology in general. Governments usually have a very strong interest in protecting their citizens from taking risks without understanding the relevant underlying consequences. That’s why organizations such as the SEC and FINRA have stringent standards on who can manage wealth. It’s also why strict controls on the definitions of gambling, even online, exist in many jurisdictions.

The Internet itself is actually one of the best examples of a technology that engendered an entire subcategory related to betting when crafty entrepreneurs took to the digital world to offer platforms for a distributed set of individuals to bet against the house, on events, and against each other.

I often think about test-taking as a sport. With practice, or studying in this case, we get better and better. However, without Slot Online Terpercaya proper nutrition, we can’t perform to our full potential.

We often focus so much on studying that we forgo nutrition completely, forgetting to eat or making ramen when our stomachs can’t take the deprivation any longer. So if you’re diet is starting to look like this, its time to reevaluate:

Look familiar? Here are some tips on what to eat before an exam in order to score big, Steph Curry style.

ALWAYS START YOUR DAY WITH BREAKFAST

You’ve heard it before and that’s because it’s true. It’s really easy to run out the door without grabbing a bite to eat first, especially when you have a ton of work to do. But breakfast really is the most important meal of the day and will give you the kick-start you need to have a productive day.

I recommend something with protein like eggs, oatmeal, or Greek yogurt with berries.

EAT BRAIN FOODS

There’s nothing worse than when you spend countless hours studying for an exam but then blank when the question is in front you. That’s why I make sure to eat foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids beforehand. Foods like salmon, tuna, walnuts, flaxseeds, spinach, and pumpkin seeds support cognitive functioning and memory so load up!

COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES FOR COMPLEX LEARNING

Rather than eating refined carbohydrates like white pasta and breads, try healthier whole grains that keep you fuller for longer. Quality carbs like quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal, and whole wheat bread and pasta are all great options to sustain you while you take exams that last 2.5 + hours.

CHEERS

Staying hydrated before and during an exam is absolutely crucial for testing performance. Studies have shown that drinking water can boost your grade. This may be because drinking water alleviates anxiety, increases memory, and allows information to flow more freely between brain cells. Whatever the reason, keep chugging that H2O.

CAFFEINE

Drinking caffeine before an exam can help keep you energized and fully alert. You don’t want to be slow and fatigued when taking a long, laborious exam, so having a cup of coffee is a great way to improve brainpower. However, make sure to stick to one cup or else you may get too jittery or anxious to think properly. If you want to play it safe with something a little less aggressive, try green tea.

How to Swag Out Your Dorm Room 101

August is an exciting time of year when prepping for back to school. For college students, you’re probably starting to think about how you’re going to decorate your dorm room and if you’re anything like me, you want it to look pretty dope. I’m talking string lights, tapestry, faux lambskin rug, mini-bar with rotating liquor dispenser…just kidding (am I though?). ‘Tis the season to get totally pumped for the new school year and unleash your creative side. To help you embrace your inner interior designer, I’ve curated a list of the top stores and websites to scour so you can go from cinderblock to swaggggg city.

1. Target

Okay, so Targét as I like to call it may not be your first thought for anything fabulous but as a rising college senior, I can’t emphasize enough how many times this establishment has been a saving grace in my life. Not only do I go here for basic school supplies but it’s my fall back for cheap living utilities that everyone is going to have to buy at some point (yes, even you will have to buy a toilet plunger at some point).

I recommend making your first stop here and picking up all your basics (towels, sheets, mirrors). You might even notice that they even have some pretty chic décor at pretty affordable prices.

2. Pbteen.com

Once you’ve gotten your basic living necessities, hit up pbteen.com to style up your space. They have some pretty cool dorm room accessories- everything from faux fur lounge seating to mini fridge stands and beachy wall murals. The vibe is pretty young, maybe teetering on the side of too young for a college student at times, but with some weeding, you can do some serious work on this site.

3. Etsy

Lord, how do I begin to describe Etsy and how it’s impacted my life… If I’m shopping for anything and I don’t necessarily need it to have a shiny, designer logo on it, then I’m probably going to be buying it on Etsy.com, an e-commerce platform where people can sell their handmade products.

I’ve randomly found some really sick stuff for my dorm room on Etsy. Who wouldn’t want to buy a handmade dream catcher to hang over their bed instead of paying $80 for one from Free People? When you’re buying pieces to jazz up your space, try to think about if you really need to buy things from big businesses or if you can manage to buy them handmade for cheaper from Etsy or a local flea market.

4. RHteen

That said, if I’m going to drop bank on something for my dorm room, I’m hitting Restoration Hardware. My freshman year, I bought the Belgian linen duvet twin set and will never use anything else. It feels like heaven on my skin and god damn, I deserve it. Seriously though, if you want to splurge on bedding (this goes for people who aren’t going to be drunk eating pizza bites at 4 am on their beds like absolute savages), I recommend Restoration Hardware. Their teen website is geared more for students, offering a younger collection of bedding and décor.

5. Urban Outfitters

You know when you find an Instagram or Pinterest account that just gets your aesthetic and you’re just like fuck yes… well this is how I feel whenever I check out the apartment category of Urban Outfitters’s website. My dorm rooms over the years would not have been swag without the sole existence of UO and all their campus collection glory. Honorable mentions: Firefly string lights, Forest Tapestry, Max Wanger Art Print, Crosley Portable Vinyl Record Player.

6. Ikea

Ikea is just swag in of itself. The Scandinavian ready-to-assemble furniture is reliable, ultra sleek, and multi-purposeful as we can see from this kitchen caddy-turned supply organizer. You can wheel around this RÅSKOG utility cart for only $29.99. I want one in my bathroom to put my towels and shower supplies in…no I actually just want one in every room. Shout out to the Swedes.

If you are like me then it’s too easy to procrastinate and think about a hundred other things you’d rather be doing than homework or studying for a test.

1.  Battlefield 4

In Battlefield 4, demolition has been its distinguishing feature Battlefield 2.  In BF4 it takes the form of massive, shatterable centerpieces in each multiplayer map. A dam you can ruin, a dentable radar telescope, or a crippled Navy Destroyer that with encouraging explosives can be run aground. This nearly open-world war game provides countless variations of gameplay and strategy. Even more recently, a new game in the Battlefield franchise, Battlefield One, released a Beta that had the most users of any Beta launch, for any game, ever.

2. Game of War

Arguably the most successful mobile war game of its time. This game has topped the iTunes charts for years. Build a city, an army, upgrade your Hero and command an army to conquer players from all over the world! Build an account to trap your enemies. Upgrade your Hero, buildings, and gear to assemble the ultimate weapon of annihilation. Get all the best tips, strategies and tricks for playing Game of War.

3.  Call of Duty

If you’ve been walking the earth for at least half a decade then you’ve heard of Call of Duty.  This first person shooter game has taken over the gaming world with crazy weapons and alternate histories, Black OPS 3 or Infinite Warfare is waiting for you!

4.  Mobile Strike

Do you like building an army and commanding it to take over the world? Then you will like Mobile Strike. Since its launch it has taken over the mobile gaming world. This free to play MMO combines elements of base building and all out war similar to Game of War.

5.  Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is anything but a lazy rehash of previous versions. While it keeps the same concept of the 19-year old turn-based strategy intact, it has been given a new breath of freshness. This version is polished and accessible for players of any experience level.

In Civilization, you can lead a civilization from prehistoric times into the future achieving one of a number of different victories. By taking advantage of research, exploration, diplomacy, expansion, economic development, government and military conquest, there is something for every type of gamer in this classic and beloved turn-based strategy game.

6.  Command & Conquer

Set in a gritty, high-tech world Command and Conquer utilizes electronic intelligence and covert surveillance to determine who reigns supreme. Join the forces of either the Global Initiative (GDI) or the Brotherhood of Nod, and fight for what you feel is right!

Command & Conquer is a real-time strategy game which requires the player to construct a base and acquire resources. In order to supply your base and grow your army you must acquire resources by attacking enemy bases.

Tiberium Alliances is the latest title release in the series and is a browser-based and free-to-play.  The option to make in-app purchases is available to reduce time to obtain resources and other materials needed to upgrade your base.

7.  Warhammer: Total War

In a time of conquest, a collective of warriors embark in epic battles as entire races war against one another.  Each faction is led by a hero seeking total dominion over the world. You are in command! Karl Franz leads the men of the Empire, looking to bring together the fractured council under a banner of courage against their common enemies.

The Old World is torn by traitors, betrayal and war, a rising threat still whispers in the winds from the north. Reality itself begins to tear apart!

War games are often the most strategic and thus challenging types of games. The games above require dedication and intelligence to be one of the best, but that’s also what makes them so fun to play. You have the opportunity to outsmart your opponents and dominate them on the battlefield.

An Initial Coin Offering (ICO) is a new form of raising funds by entrepreneurs looking to start their own cryptocurrency venture. Investopedia comments on the motivation for ICOs stemming from the relatively unregulated nature of most cryptocurrencies: “An Initial Coin Offering (ICO) is used by startups to bypass the rigorous and regulated capital-raising process required by venture capitalists or banks.”

Naturally, the unregulated landscape of cryptocurrencies makes lawsuits by investors who’ve lost big much more problematic for founders due to the grey area of the subject. While a lot of investors have begun to turn away from ICOs due to their bad rap, new blockchain-based technologies such as tokens have started to gain traction. This has paved the way for a number of services, such as those involving crypto games, to emerge.

Lawsuits Targeting The Lack of Regulation For ICOs
While the lack of regulations makes ICOs an attractive investment in the sense that almost anyone with money can find a way to contribute, they also make the owners of that funding method an unwitting target for lawsuits. Because of the straightforward nature of ICOs as instruments to gain funding for a particular cryptocurrency, the SEC has actually opened up a number of probes to ensure that there is no foul play occurring.

The Wall Street Journal summarizes the problems with lax regulation in their documentation of the February crackdown on ICOs by the SEC, writing that: “The wave of subpoenas includes demands for information about the structure for sales and pre-sales of the ICOs, which aren’t bound by the same rigorous rules that govern public offerings…” Clearly, the market for cryptocurrencies has attracted enough public interest to the point where the government can no longer simply turn a blind eye to the matter.

One of the major cryptocurrencies currently taking legal fire is Ripple (XRP), as a class-action lawsuit has recently been filed against the founders of the currency. The suit accuses the founders of running a “never-ending ICO” and being dishonest with regard to the exact nature of the investment as well as with regard to how its financials were portrayed. The suit contests the unregulated nature of XRP by claiming that it should be treated and regulated as a security.

Despite these incidents, the relatively thorough reporting coupled with the open-source nature of the technology means that scammers and those malicious intentions usually will be rooted out quickly by the community. For instance, consider how crypto casinos have flourished without the need to put on elaborate airs for investors due to the straightforward nature of the business model and its compatibility with decentralization.

ICOs and Blockchain Exchanges That Actually Are Scams

Now, whether or not XRP deserves to be classified as a security or not is a debatable point that should be given a fair amount of scrutiny. The consequences and the extent of appropriate regulation exist at the forefront of a controversial discussion between supporters and naysayers that is left largely unresolved. However, one thing that is certainly not helping the case of ICOs and blockchain technologies in general are the impersonators and scam artists taking advantage of the regulatory blindspot and hype to defraud investors.

One of the most well-known exit scams in recent days manifested in the Bitconnect debacle, which resulted in regulators in Texas and North Carolina intervening to send out cease-and-desist letters to the operators of the site. Since then, a number of individuals caught in the wake of Bitconnect’s shady business have banded together to file a class-action lawsuit in an attempt to prosecute those responsible for the Ponzi scheme.

Due to the fact that the blockchain community contains people who are genuinely interested in the technology and its potential along with its fair share of bad actors, regulation becomes more and more urgent as governments and individuals try to deal with what should be done to curb bad and unethical behavior. While the XRP and Bitconnect lawsuit are clearly different in quality and context, the fact that they both argue similar points about the necessity of regulating cryptocurrency demonstrates how much of a toss-up the issue of regulation is.

Ignorance is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of cryptocurrencies, since the complex basis of blockchain technology means that the threshold for understanding and literacy in the subject is much higher. This means that a larger proportion of the investors is like to not have done the necessary due diligence before making an investment. It is not uncommon for a group of scammers to round together a set of unwitting investors, raise money through their ICO, and then disappear off the face of the earth. In fact, that’s exactly how exit scammers in Vietnam were able to make off with $660,000 from the investments of 32,000 people in the Pincoin token.

The Future Status of Blockchain’s Legitimacy

A common thread that permeates discussions relating to the value of blockchain relate to the legitimacy of the currencies that branch from that technology. This is because the trust of the people determines the worth of any particular cryptocurrency. Trust, of course, is based on legitimacy. The historical downturn of Bitcoin as a result of the Mt. Gox scandal is perhaps the best evidence of this relationship between legitimacy and value.

At the moment, the prices of Bitcoin appear to have stabilized during the past few weeks. In the midst of this stability, institutional investors such as Goldman Sachs are finally beginning to make their forays into trading cryptocurrencies.

In fact, one area that has been gaining traction involves tokens. The emergence of tokens in ethereum in the form of work tokens and usage tokens to represent a variety of activities requiring fast and decentralized transactions shows a potential pathway forward.

Bitcoin roulette along with a number of other games are the first of many to begin adopting and utilizing this exciting and new tech in a bid to make transactions smoother and more streamlined. As blockchain matures from unreliable or seedy ICOs, the uses of tokens along with other diversity in technological innovation will help drive the industry towards greater acceptance and legitimacy.