Happy Ishtar (Easter) to you all, and thanks for your continued support and encouragement. It's always greatly appreciated!

@b1007 - Things were quiet for a long time. I don't blame you.

Kobocoin had a very brief mention on Episode #4 of Blockchain Dynamics Altcoin Talk News and Discussion (Kobocoin's mention is at 39:18:00)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1379730.msg14261267#msg14261267
Not a big mention but it made me smile when they said that they didn't expect us to be around this long. I take that as a compliment

I'm deep in bitcore-lib territory. Yes, it's easier to work with than bitcoinjs-lib, but as usual it's never that easy or straightforward. I've spent most of my spare time researching what needs to be done. The steps are:

- Package the X15 hashing algorithm and publish it on npm (https://www.npmjs.com/) as a package.json.
- It'll be a public package so any other X15 coin will be able to use it.
- I created a working X15 hash for kobocoinj (used by the android wallet) so I'm hoping it won't take too long.
- I've never created a package.json before but the documentation seems straightforward.
- Fork bitcore-lib (https://github.com/bitpay/bitcore-lib)
- Change the network parameters on the forked bitcore-lib.
- Modify the artefacts to reflect the name I give the js library i.e kobojs-lib, kobocoinjs-lib, kobocore-lib, or just koboko (a whipping tool).
- Build the browser bundle
- Test
- Once verified, commit to github

It shouldn't take too long but it's a busy time so it'll be a few days before it's completed. Finding spare time is hard right now.

This is a koboko. Used for maintaining discipline by Nigerian dads and policemen. Sometimes you're made to smell it before the beating starts. They hurt.



 

This is exactly the reason why I'm saying that Africa might surprise everybody.

Barter is very important in Africa. If something has value, then people are happy to exchange it for what they need. I personally think that fiat money is not as important to people the world over as what it can do for them. If you can replace fiat with another form of 'trusted' value transfer then people will be more than happy to adopt it.

The mighty M-Pesa only exists now because people in Kenya were spontaneously using airtime as a proxy for money transfer. They were transferring airtime to their relatives or friends who were then using it, or reselling it. M-Pesa's business model is based on that proxy use of airtime that was going on. This shows that people are happy to use whatever is of value for their own purposes. It doesn't have to be fiat money. There are lots of places in the world where people don't see fiat money as the only way to get what they want/need.

In summary, soon an 'on ramp' will be all that's needed.

For sure, but we're on the right path. My tech role models are Skype, Uber and Pegasystems Inc. They were around for years, didn't lose track of their goal, and they got there in the end.
 

Kobocoin is attempting Mass adoption in Africa which is the largest mobile fintech market on the planet by a very long way. I believe that cryptocurrencies can take on and beat the other offerings available. Mobile fintech from Africa is now being exported to other parts of the globe.

Read more at these links:
Mobile Banking - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/03/why-mobile-banking-is-the-key-to-financial-inclusion
Where is Mobile Banking most popular - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/11/where-is-mobile-banking-most-popular/

Kobocoin has had it's challenges over the last year since being fairly launched on 7th February, 2015, but we're still here putting one foot in front of the other. We're now starting to get recognition and partnering with other projects that are also trying to make it happen.

Kobocoin latest update: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=920290.msg14312587#msg14312587

I know most people on this board only see BTC, and now some of the new 2.0 services. I'm also invested in some of them but Africa might surprise you all and take a real lead in crypto adoption.

EDIT: Also, Kobocoin been listed as one of the Top 100 FinTech companies in Africa and been nominated for an African Fintech Award

The African FinTech 100 and The African FinTech Awards

Update

I was thinking of holding back on letting the community know about these developments until they were set in stone but that would just mean delays to updates, so here's what's currently going on:

Bitsoko - https://bitsoko.co.ke

Bitsoko will be adding KOBO to it's platform alongside BTC. Bitsoko were awarded a grant of $100,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation last year to explore the possibilities of cryptocurrencies as a mobile payment method in the East and West of Africa (and the rest of the world). The project also has the opportunity to have an addon grant of $1,000,000 if successful. They will be launching in Ghana, Zimbabwe & Sierra Leone this year.

As well as KOBO being added to the platform I'll also be working with the project team to see how we can build the blockchain ecosystem in Africa. The project is based in Kenya, the birthplace of the now famous M-Pesa mobile phone-based money transfer, financing and microfinancing service. It's the mighty all-conquering competitor to KOBO and BTC in Africa. It's services have now been exported to SE Asia and South America. That's the power of African mobile fintech.

Blockchain technology is the only thing I see that can disrupt that domination. With our human friendly multiple denominations of KOBO, MAINLLA (mKOBO), COWRIE (uKOBO) and MANSA (satoshi unit) we're all ready for a payments and microtransaction service.

Bitsoko is a product of the Kenyatta University Division of Research, Innovation and Outreach, Nairobi, Kenya
Kenyatta University http://www.ku.ac.ke/
The Bitsoko project http://www.ku.ac.ke/kunew/index.php/62-icecarousel-title
Kenyatta University Startups http://research.ku.ac.ke/index.php/en/english-home/114-spin-off-companies/221-spin-off-companies

Read more about Bitsoko and the $100,000 grant at the following links
http://www.coindesk.com/meet-the-kenyan-startup-trying-to-change-bill-gates-mind-on-bitcoin/
http://disrupt-africa.com/2015/07/kenyan-bitcoin-startup-bitsoko-receives-100k-grant-from-gates-foundation/

UberPay - http://uberpay.io/

UberPay will be adding KOBO to it's platform and also to it's coin swap facility http://doecoins.com/ which offers ShapeShift features. It will give users the ability to swap KOBO with other cryptocurrencies without the need for an account.

Kobojs-lib

I'm in the process of creating the Kobocoin Javascript Client Library. This was requested by the Bitsoko team to allow the integration of kobo on their platform. The library will be based on the bitcore client libraries. This is a new area of development for me so I'll be testing out a few features to verify it before release on github.

The js client libraries will also allow me to look into other areas that the kobo blockchain can be extended. It will mean that iOS crypto services can easily add KOBO to their offerings

Exchanges

It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation here. At the moment on both Yobit and CoinExchange we're looking at a daily volume of about 0.1BTC. I've approcahed other exchanges but with such small volume I don't think they're looking too kindly on the request. You might say that once we're added to the larger exchanges that volume will pick up. Possibly, but this is the chicken and egg situation.

At the moment I'm not too worried about price. Volume is the key to the success of KOBO. Volume will bring price stability which we don't have right now.

Twitter Tipping

The response to the twitter tipping has been very positive. I'm tipping retweets, followers and likes 100 KOBO. The tips are being redeemed and there's even been users tweeting Poloniex to add KOBO to their exchange. Some very prolific African tweeters have been tweeting the KOBO price that goes out once per hour so a larger community beyond this forum is becoming aware of the existence of KOBO.

And Finally...

I've had an interview for the Bitcoindood blog http://bitcoindood.com/bitcoin-blog/ which will be out soon. I'll post a link. Hopefully my answers don't make you all run for the hills!

Hope you all have a great Easter

 

That was a very interesting (and encouraging) watch. Thanks!

LOL! No.

When I've finished the JS library (almost done) and things are agreed I'll confirm them here. One of them is a partnership that will mean a press release (if I can get it all agreed). You'll like it (I think).

There's been interest from two services to include Kobocoin on their platform. They're web services so for this to work I'm going to have to create javascript client libraries for the kobo blockchain.

I'm looking at implementing of one of the following:

1. Bitcoinjs-lib
2. Bitcore
3. Cryptocoinjs

This will allow offline generation of new addresses (which has been requested), and other wallet functions. I'm still investigating which to use but should have something ready soon.

Along with the already available kobocoinj (used in the android wallet), it will allow for further extension of kobo services available for the community.

Thanks, and welcome

Kobocoin has been nominated. Award will be presented to the winners later in the year. If we win I'll shower you both with KOBO

An idea I've been toying with



As ever, exchange volume is required to realise this goal. But the goal now exists.

Good work EBK. Looking forward to all the developments. I hope you're getting some sleep!

Thanks. I'll use it as a springboard for more visibility.

Thanks guys

Definitely good news. We're maturing and getting some good visibility now. I'll be pushing for even more visibility and trying to get more write ups on the project.

 

Kobocoin has been listed as one of the Top 100 FinTech companies in Africa and been nominated for an African Fintech Award

The African FinTech 100 and The African FinTech Awards

There are other cryptocurrency projects listed such as BitSoko, a project that aims to use BTC as a payment method on the African continent and has already received a $100,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Coindesk Article

This is great news for Kobocoin which is now entering it's second year of existence. We've survived a very challenging first year and are looking forward to recognition in the market and growth in the coming years.

No IPO, No ICO, No Premine, No forks, no external investment, and a fair launch on 7th February, 2015. This is a major achievement for a small project aiming to break into the largest mobile finance market on the planet.

Thanks to the Kobocoin Community for all your support and encouragement.

We're getting there!!

 

Kobocoin has been listed as one of the Top 100 FinTech companies in Africa and been nominated for an African Fintech Award

The African FinTech 100 and The African FinTech Awards

There are other cryptocurrency projects listed such as BitSoko, a project that aims to use BTC as a payment method on the African continent and has already received a $100,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Coindesk Article

This is great news for Kobocoin which is now entering it's second year of existence. We've survived a very challenging first year and are looking forward to recognition in the market and growth in the coming years.

No IPO, no ICO, no premine, no forks, no external investment, and a fair launch on 7th February, 2015. This is a major achievement for a small project aiming to break into the largest mobile finance market on the planet.

Thanks to the Kobocoin Community for all your support and encouragement.

We're getting there!!

 

(Original ANN Thread - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=920290.0)

Positive News From Twitter Tipping

The following blog article was published yesterday (15th March, 2016) and Kobocoin gets a very nice mention

I sent a tip to @BitcoinDood, and it sent him on a journey of discovery. In his article we get a very nice mention.



Read the full article here:
http://bitcoindood.com/bitcoin-blog/2016/03/15/dood-reviews-coinwallet-co-tipbot-and-pos-pool/