This will get you started: https://www.stellar.org/developers/learn/concepts/assets.html
You can also jump in our slack channel and ask questions: slack.stellar.org

In Stellar it is possible for the issuer of an asset to set who can hold the asset. So technically what you would do is just give permission to the set of 50 people you want to allow to hold shares in the company. They could buy and sell among themselves freely but couldn't transfer the shares to anyone outside of this set. You would need to set up something for authorizing people to hold shares but you will have to do this regardless.

oaxaca: That's right other assets or currencies in Stellar are backed by some institution so you have to trust that institution but the internal currency "Lumens" is like bitcoin. It is trustless.

The bitcoin on Stellar will have to be backed by some institution. So it will be a safe as putting it in coinbase or wherever. But yeah the transactions will be off of the blockchain so will reduce pressure.

No that is the beauty of lightning is that you can keep the off chain transactions decentralized.
This post was about making lightning transactions work for the stellar network though. But you can use Stellar to send around bitcoin so it could work for bitcoin as well.

If you are in SF this is a great way to understand how this new consensus algorithm works:
http://www.meetup.com/SF-Bitcoin-Devs/events/227871781/
He also explains paxos in the beginning of the talk. Which is great if you have ever tried to read the paxos paper.

Nxtblg:  Yeah you could set this up with Stellar.

The crowdfund is limited to only 50 people?

Yeah this would work for bitcoin but also for any other currency.

Lightning is a pretty cool idea and I think something like it will be necessary to get any of these systems to scale to being used worldwide.
Here is a technical rundown of how you would implement Lightning Networks on Stellar: http://jedmccaleb.com/2015/12/08/lightning-for-stellar/

God27: thanks, yes we need to update that page.

culuuton: you can see the stats here: https://www.stellar.org/stats/

I don't run mtgox any more.

Are silver dimes pure silver? Why not just use XAG then any type of silver can be traded?

r3kmLJN5D28dHuH8vZNUZpMC43pEHpaocV

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It isn't anymore fiat than bitcoin is?

XRP is also irreversible like bitcoin.

Ripple isn't really about loans.

We are still looking for a JS guy. I know you are out there!
There are 7 of us so far and I think we all agree that this is the coolest thing we have ever worked on.

Hi I'm involved in a cryptocurrency related project and we are looking for a talented graphic designer. Some UX experience is a plus.

We aren't ready to release details of the project but it will be pretty awesome.

We are funded and based in the SF bay area. We strongly prefer someone local but can make exceptions for the right person.
please email jed ! open coin dot com if you are interested. Please send a link to your portfolio.

Here is the link to a prior post of us looking for another programmer if you want to read that discussion: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=108782.0

 Nefario: Do you not think tihan *has* mailed them and many times? He is posting this here so everyone can see how uncooperative these guys are.
There is no reason in the world for them not to sign this. All it says is that they don't want to run the business anymore. And they clearly don't want to.