EB136 – Arthur Breitman: Tezos - A Self-Amending Crypto-Ledger
Support the show, consider donating: 1GaLQRuaP6Gyrzza3yViW5ZAvZQnBDuJND (http://bit.ly/28K4Blv)
The lack of an explicit governance mechanism has created deep problems for Bitcoin. Ethereum, with the DAO-related soft/hard-fork discussions, may face similar challenges ahead. Yet, already in 2014 Arthur Breitman quietly started working on cryptocurrency network Tezos that has an explicit mechanism to let coinholders vote on protocol upgrades.
Our discussion with Breitman centered around how explicit governance could lead to a more secure and evolutionary protocol. We also discussed Tezos' approach to smart contract that tries to prevent bug-riddled and insecure smart contracts such as the DAO which has thrown Ethereum into a deep crisis.
Topics covered included:
Why stakeholders voting on forks can prevent consensus attacks
The mechanics of Tezos' governance
How an upgrade mechanism could allow Tezos to rapidly and radically evolve
Why the programming language in which smart contracts are written is crucial for security
Why a functional language that allows formal proofs such as OCaml is more suited for smart contracts than Ethereum's solidity
The road ahead for Tezos
Links mentioned in this episode:
Tezos website http://bit.ly/28Jru7X
Tezos position paper [PDF] http://bit.ly/28IRLl8
Tezos whitepaper [PDF] http://bit.ly/28JqNtb
Sponsors:
Jaxx: Wallets that Unify the Blockchain Experience Across Devices jaxx.io
GTEC: Blockchain Innovation Award epicenterbitcoin.com/gtec
Show notes: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/podcast/136
SoundCloud: / eb-136
Epicenter Bitcoin is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain, Sébastien Couture & Meher Roy.
Visit our website: http://epicenterbitcoin.com
Subscribe to our newsletter: http://epicenterbitcoin.com/newsletter
Twitter: / epicenterbtc