Title: Cryptocurrencies: Permissionless, and Open-Source Monetary Systems Post by: Crypo_Ergo on May 28, 2024, 11:10:12 PM Why They Matter…
In an era where control systems pervade every aspect of our lives, it is imperative to champion the principles of privacy, non-fragility, and clear risk assumptions. This manifesto aims to inspire individuals to question existing control mechanisms and advocate for the creation of permissionless, open-source monetary systems. These systems, built on the historically successful principles of sound money, promise to transcend local control structures and promote human freedom. Core Principles 1. Stateless Money and Unstoppable Networks The ultimate goal is to develop monetary systems that exist independently of any state control — crypto networks that cannot be stopped. These systems should be built with clear assumptions of control, ensuring they remain decentralized and free from coercion. Stateless money ensures that financial freedom is not subject to the whims of governments or central authorities. Without this as a goal I do not see much value in cryptocurrencies. These will not be systems that remain free. They will inevitably be captured and controlled. Which under most circumstances a captured system is actually much worse than the basic assumptions we have today as we still have access to physical currencies. Let’s see how long of a lifespan physical cash has left. 2. Public Goods and Transparency Open, Transparent Systems: A Better Alternative to Centralized Authoritarian Systems Open and transparent systems offer a vastly superior alternative to centralized, authoritarian systems in several crucial ways. Centralized systems, by their nature, concentrate power and decision-making authority in a few hands. This centralization leads to several significant drawbacks:
The Advantages of Open, Transparent Systems In contrast, open and transparent systems are designed to function as public goods, benefiting all participants and stakeholders. The advantages of such systems include:
3. Principles of Sound Money Sound Money: A Foundation Built on Work and Reality Sound money is the bedrock of economic stability and personal freedom. It is defined by its adherence to several core principles: scarcity, durability, divisibility, and fungibility. However, beyond these characteristics, sound money must be backed by tangible work and real-world value, ensuring it sustains its worth over time. Intrinsic Value and Work: Sound money derives its value from the work and resources required to produce it. This input-output mechanism links the creation of money to real economic activity, preventing arbitrary inflation and maintaining its value beyond mere financial schemes. In the digital age, this principle is exemplified by mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW) in cryptocurrencies. Historical Examples of Sound Money: Historically, sound money has been represented by commodities such as gold and silver, which possess intrinsic value due to the work required to extract and refine them. These forms of money provided stability and trust in economic systems because their supply was naturally limited by the availability of the underlying resources. Preventing Arbitrary Inflation: One of the key strengths of sound money is its resistance to arbitrary inflation. Unlike fiat currencies, which can be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks, sound money requires real effort and resources to produce. This limitation ensures that the money supply grows at a controlled and predictable rate, preserving its value over time. Economic Stability: By anchoring the value of money to tangible work and real-world resources, sound money provides a stable foundation for economic activity. It prevents the devaluation of savings through inflation and allows individuals and businesses to make long-term financial plans with confidence. This stability fosters a healthy economy where wealth is built through productivity and innovation rather than speculative bubbles and financial manipulation. 4. Backing Money with Hard Assets and Energy The importance of backing money with hard assets cannot be overstated. Historically, money has derived its value from tangible assets, such as gold or silver, which provided intrinsic value and stability. In the digital age, the principle of backing money with hard assets is upheld through mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW) in cryptocurrencies. Proof of Work and Energy: Proof of Work (PoW) is a consensus mechanism that requires miners to expend computational energy to validate transactions and secure the network. This process ties the value of the cryptocurrency to the tangible cost of energy, creating a digital hard asset. The benefits of this approach include:
Preventing Seigniorage: Seigniorage is the profit made by issuing currency, especially the difference between the face value of coins and their production costs. Traditional fiat systems allow central authorities to generate seigniorage by printing money without backing it with real assets, leading to inflation and loss of value. By tying money creation to hard assets like energy, PoW prevents excessive seigniorage and maintains the currency’s value. 5. Self-Sovereignty and Sound Money: Two Sides of the Same Coin Empowering Global Access to Self-Sovereignty and Sound Money Self-sovereignty and sound money are intrinsically linked. One cannot exist without the other. Self-sovereignty empowers individuals to take control of their finances, while sound money provides a stable foundation for this control. Together, they form the cornerstone of a free and fair financial system. Global Access: Providing global access to self-sovereignty and sound money can offset local risks, volatility, and catastrophic events that are beyond the average person’s control. In many parts of the world, people face significant challenges such as hyperinflation, political instability, and economic crises that can erode their savings and limit their financial freedom. Decentralized financial systems offer a lifeline by providing access to stable, reliable, and universally accepted forms of money. Offsetting Local Risks: In countries experiencing economic turmoil, local currencies can rapidly lose value, leading to widespread financial instability. By providing access to sound money that is backed by real-world value and decentralized control, individuals can protect their wealth from local economic risks. This financial stability allows people to make long-term plans and investments, fostering economic growth and resilience. Mitigating Volatility: Global access to self-sovereign financial systems helps mitigate the effects of local market volatility. In traditional systems, local economic conditions can heavily influence the value of currency and assets. Decentralized, global financial systems are less susceptible to these localized fluctuations, offering a more stable and predictable financial environment for users. Protection Against Catastrophic Events: Catastrophic events such as natural disasters, wars, and political upheavals can disrupt traditional financial systems, making it difficult for individuals to access and use their money. Decentralized financial systems, by their nature, are more resilient to such disruptions. By operating on global, distributed networks, these systems ensure that individuals retain access to their funds and financial services regardless of local conditions. Financial Inclusion: Decentralized financial systems promote financial inclusion by providing access to banking and financial services to individuals who are unbanked or underbanked. In many regions, people lack access to traditional banking services due to geographic, economic, or political barriers. Decentralized systems, accessible via the internet, allow anyone with a smartphone or computer to participate in the global economy, thereby empowering individuals and communities. Enhanced Financial Freedom: Self-sovereignty in financial systems enhances individual freedom by removing intermediaries and central authorities that control access to money and financial services. This freedom allows individuals to transact directly with each other, make decisions about their finances without external interference, and protect their wealth from confiscation or censorship. Conclusion: By providing global access to self-sovereignty and sound money, decentralized financial systems offer a robust solution to offset local risks, mitigate volatility, and protect against catastrophic events. This access empowers individuals worldwide to achieve financial stability, freedom, and inclusion, fostering a more resilient and equitable global economy. 6. Social Adoption and the Human Aspect of Money Money is fundamentally a social contract. While code and technology are crucial, we must not forget the social aspect of money. Adoption of new monetary systems depends on social energy, trends, and the collective belief in their value. Engaging communities and fostering social acceptance are critical for the success of any new monetary system. Trends and Populist Narratives: While trends and temporarily populist narratives can drive short-term interest and adoption, they are too unstable to back long-term value. The speculative nature of these trends often leads to volatility, undermining the stability and reliability of the currency. Instead, social adoption should be rooted in the practical use cases of money — specifically, the goods and services that one can exchange their money for. Utility Over Speculation: The true value of money lies in its utility. A sustainable monetary system should be focused on enabling real-world transactions and facilitating the exchange of goods and services. This contrasts with the speculative aspect of money, where value is driven by its perceived worth relative to other currencies or assets. When money is used primarily for speculation, it creates bubbles and market distortions, leading to instability and loss of trust. To foster genuine social adoption, the emphasis must be on building and promoting ecosystems where money can be used effectively in everyday transactions. This includes:
7. The Dangers of Uncontrolled Money Creation The proliferation of new forms of money, such as the creation of 100,000 new cryptocurrencies daily, poses significant risks. This phenomenon can lead to higher risks, imbalances between technical advantages, and insider attack vectors. It is essential to maintain the integrity of money by ensuring its creation and distribution are governed by sound principles. Private Money Experiments and Historical Lessons: History provides several examples of private money experiments where uncontrolled money creation led to inflation and debasement. During periods when private entities had the authority to issue their own currency, the lack of regulation and oversight often resulted in rampant money printing. This unchecked issuance devalued the currency, causing inflation and eroding trust in the monetary system. Notable examples include various periods in European history where private banks issued their own notes, leading to financial instability and economic crises. Money Must Survive Through Time: For money to function effectively, it must preserve its value over time. This means it should not be subject to arbitrary creation or destruction that can undermine its purchasing power. Ensuring that money is backed by hard assets and governed by principles that prevent excessive issuance helps maintain its value and trustworthiness. A monetary system that survives through time provides stability, predictability, and confidence for its users. 8. Compliance as a Threat to Non-Fragility Compliance and Short-Term Benefits vs. Long-Term Rewards of Open Systems Compliance with existing regulatory frameworks can seem beneficial in the short term, offering immediate legitimacy, broader acceptance, and potential integration with traditional financial systems. However, these short-term benefits often come at a significant cost to the long-term vision and principles of a decentralized, transparent, and open financial system. Here’s how compliance can undermine the long-term rewards of an open system free from state control:
Long-Term Rewards of Open Systems: In contrast, maintaining a commitment to an open, transparent, and decentralized system offers significant long-term rewards:
In summary, while compliance with regulatory frameworks may offer short-term benefits, it ultimately undermines the long-term goals of creating a resilient, decentralized, and user-empowering financial system. By maintaining a commitment to open and transparent systems, we can achieve a future where financial freedom and innovation thrive. 9. The Risks of Fiat Stablecoins and Regulatory Control Bearer Assets vs. Non-Bearer Assets: Understanding the difference between bearer assets and non-bearer assets is crucial in evaluating the risks and benefits of various forms of money.
Centralized Stablecoins: The Risk of Becoming Private CBDCs: Centralized stablecoins, while offering the stability of traditional fiat currencies, come with significant risks that align them closely with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). These stablecoins are typically managed by centralized entities that hold reserves to back the stablecoin’s value. This centralization introduces several risks:
The Role of Decentralized Stablecoins: In contrast, decentralized stablecoins aim to mitigate these risks by operating on decentralized networks where control is distributed among many participants. These stablecoins use smart contracts and algorithmic mechanisms to maintain their value, reducing reliance on centralized entities. The Need for Bearer Assets in Decentralized Systems: For a truly resilient and private financial system, the use of bearer assets is essential. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin function as digital bearer assets, where ownership is determined by possession of private keys. This structure ensures that users retain control over their funds without relying on third parties, preserving privacy and autonomy. Conclusion: Fiat stablecoins, with their centralized control and regulatory compliance, pose risks similar to those associated with CBDCs. They have the potential to act as private CBDCs, with the same capacities for control and censorship moving to government entities. To build a resilient, private, and autonomous financial system, it is crucial to prioritize decentralized, bearer assets that operate independently of centralized control. 10. Privacy and Local Programmability Privacy is the bedrock of personal and financial freedom. In an increasingly surveilled world, maintaining privacy in financial transactions is not merely a matter of personal preference but a fundamental right. Privacy ensures that individuals can conduct transactions without fear of surveillance, interference, or retribution from external entities. Privacy in financial systems is essential for:
Local programmability enhances privacy by enabling peer-to-peer (P2P) networks that operate client-side systems. These systems keep user data decentralized and secure. Light wallets that rely on external, centralized infrastructure introduce vulnerabilities and can be exploited, undermining user autonomy. By prioritizing local programmability, we ensure that financial systems remain private, secure, and resilient against centralized control. 11. Continuing What Bitcoin Started, the Money Revolution: Self-Sovereign Banks Bitcoin represents the forefront of the money revolution, offering a blueprint for self-sovereign banks. The concept of being your own bank is revolutionary, empowering individuals to take full control of their financial assets and activities. This paradigm shift redefines the role of traditional banks, highlighting the multifaceted purposes they serve:
By embracing the concept of self-sovereign banks, individuals gain unparalleled control over their financial destiny. This model ensures that financial systems are more democratic, transparent, and resilient. 12. Tradeoffs and Fragility Decentralized Resource Sharing and User Constraints Building decentralized systems requires acknowledging and managing tradeoffs. One critical aspect is ensuring that the sharing of resources in a network remains decentralized. Each peer in the network must act as both a client and a server, contributing to the system’s overall resilience and robustness. Decentralization of Resource Sharing: For a decentralized network to thrive, it must avoid central points of failure by distributing the load and responsibilities among all participants. This means that each peer should ideally be capable of handling both client and server roles, ensuring that no single entity can control or undermine the network. Designs must take into account user constraints and resources, as failing to do so can lead to centralization. Key strategies include:
User Constraints and Resource Management: Recognizing and accommodating user constraints is essential to maintain decentralization. Users may have limited computational power, storage, or bandwidth. Designing systems that can operate effectively within these constraints ensures broader participation and resilience:
Privacy Tools as a Defense Mechanism: To counteract control mechanisms and protect users, privacy tools must be integrated into the design of decentralized systems. These tools safeguard user data and transactions from surveillance and manipulation:
Conclusion: Decentralization requires thoughtful design to ensure that resource sharing is efficient, inclusive, and resilient. By recognizing user constraints and leveraging privacy tools, we can build robust decentralized systems that empower individuals while protecting their privacy and autonomy. This approach not only enhances the resilience of the network but also fosters a more inclusive and equitable financial ecosystem. 13. Network Growth and Circular Economies The growth of decentralized networks and the establishment of circular economies are vital for the success of new monetary systems. Leveraging the social aspect of money through goods and services exchanges fosters adoption and builds resilient, self-sustaining communities. The drive for adoption should focus on making cryptocurrencies useful and creating an economy within the network, rather than merely attracting investors. Scaling a Monetary System vs. Adding More Investors: Scaling a monetary system involves creating real-world utility and encouraging the use of cryptocurrency for everyday transactions. This contrasts with simply adding more investors, which can lead to speculative bubbles and instability. Key strategies for scaling a monetary system include:
Creating Circular Economies: A circular economy within a cryptocurrency network means that participants can earn, spend, and save cryptocurrency without needing to convert it back to fiat currency. This self-sustaining model is crucial for long-term adoption and stability. Steps to create circular economies include:
14. Non-Fragility as the End Goal: Considerations Hardening Against Fragility Non-fragility is the ultimate objective of decentralized monetary systems. Without it, the purpose of cryptocurrencies is lost. A non-fragile system is one that can withstand external pressures, adapt to changing circumstances, and continue to serve its users without compromising its core principles. To achieve this, several strategies can be employed: Running Nodes and Infrastructure: Running nodes is a fundamental way to support and maintain the resilience of decentralized networks. Nodes validate and relay transactions, contribute to network security, and help maintain the decentralized nature of the system. Key practices include:
Creation of Micro Clients and User-Friendly Applications: Micro clients and lightweight applications are essential for broadening participation and enhancing user experience. These tools allow users to interact with the network without the need for extensive resources:
Linux Distribution for Open-Source Infrastructure: A dedicated Linux distribution tailored for decentralized infrastructure can serve as a comprehensive solution for users looking to participate in and support the network:
Leveraging Open-Source Tools and Documentation: Open-source tools and comprehensive documentation are critical for fostering a collaborative and transparent ecosystem:
Conclusion: Non-fragility is the cornerstone of a resilient and sustainable decentralized monetary system. By hardening against fragility through running nodes, creating micro clients, developing user-friendly applications, and leveraging open-source infrastructure, we can build a robust and inclusive ecosystem. These efforts ensure that the system remains resilient, adaptable, and aligned with its core principles, ultimately empowering individuals and fostering a more equitable and secure financial future. Conclusion The journey towards an open, permissionless, and open-source monetary system is fraught with challenges, but the rewards are immense. By promoting privacy, non-fragility, and clear risk assumptions, we can build systems that transcend local control mechanisms and empower individuals worldwide. Let us embrace the principles of sound money, foster social adoption, and strive for non-fragility in all our endeavors. Together, we can create a future where financial freedom and human sovereignty are not just ideals, but realities. Link to Original Article: https://curiaregiscrypto.medium.com/cryptocurrencies-permissionless-and-open-source-monetary-systems-b89f28da0346 |