---

---

Introduction
^▄▄▄

The Hoard Masternode program is the mechanism that powers the decentralized exchange protocol codenamed “Smaug Network”. This open-source software enables Hoard community members to create their own exchanges, wherein they either source liquidity for the Smaug Network, or connect users of the Hoard wallet app and other supported applications to these and other liquidity pools. In addition to these capabilities, the masternodes also maintain the off-chain ledgers that represent users’ assets deposited in the Smaug network, either in a publically available ledger or encrypted within a Zero-knowledge ledger, each secured by the Ethereum blockchain. The market matching masternodes set their own competitive rates and can take fees on the trades they make, while the order matching masternodes receive block rewards in the form of the HOARD token. In either case, 5,000 HOARD tokens is required to register as a masternode, in order to provide stake in the correct operation of the network. In cases where masternodes do not behave correctly (misquoting orders, not fulfilling trades, etc.) these HOARD token stakes are forfeited and burned.



Two Types of Masternodes
^▄▄▄
Market-Making Masternodes
Market-making masternodes publish publicly their own individual quotes for each supported asset the masternode owner chooses, and are required to honor these quotes as the order-matching masternodes query them on behalf of users. In this way, each market-making masternode operates as its own individual exchange, competing with the other masternodes within the Smaug network. The market-making masternode software consists of a web-based application that allows the owner to plug in liquidity sources they have access to, and add additional fees to the orders they fulfill to be rewarded for the services they provide. Market-making masternodes are responsible for verifying the deposits within the off-chain ledger, and signing the transfer of ownership in the ledger when users execute trades.

Order-Matching Masternodes
The order-matching masternodes connect to the network of market-making masternodes, and receive block rewards provided they service users’ trade queries and executions correctly and honestly, in the best interest of the users. They also connect to traditional exchange and swap services that are compatible with the Smaug network protocol. These nodes are also responsible for verifying the deposits of users into the Smaug network off-chain ledgers.

Masternode Rewards
^▄▄▄

Masternode rewards will commence immediately following the distribution of HOARD tokens. While the Smaug network and protocol is developed and new features are launched, HOARD token holders will be able to pre-register their HOARD token stakes and immediately be able to earn masternode rewards prior to the masternode software being launched without having to run the masternode software.

The HOARD token masternode rewards are detailed below, but some key points are:

• 20% of Available Masternode Rewards (4 million tokens) will be issued in the first year
• Approximately 49% of Available Masternode Rewards will be issued in the first 3 years
• Approximately 80% of Available Masternode Rewards will be issued in the first 7 years
• Approximately 99% of Available Masternode Rewards will be issued within 20 years

Masternode rewards are distributed randomly to the network of masternodes, resulting in an equal share of block rewards for each masternode over time. Once a certain number of blocks have passed after the most recent block reward, another block reward will be awarded to one of the masternodes registered at that time. The more masternodes that are active, the lower the average reward received over time per node, thus balancing the number of masternodes.
[/size]

Masternode Reward Schedule
^▄▄▄

Immediately following launch, masternode rewards will begin distribution. These rewards will be distributed evenly between each qualified masternode. The amount of masternode rewards distributed over time will decrease by 20% each year.

Masternode Reward Requirements
^▄▄▄

Participation in the Hoard Masternode and earning rewards has two requirements:

      1. Staking 5,000 HOARD tokens within the Masternode smart contract
      2. Running the Masternode software and upgrading the software when required at a future date

Upon the initial distribution of the HOARD tokens, the masternode smart contract will be made available to deposit the masternode stake within. Once the masternode software is available, masternode participants will be required to run the software to continue to receive rewards and connect Hoard’s users to the supported exchanges as well as market-making nodes.  

Following the completion of the HOARD token distribution, a decentralized web application (DApp) will be launched on the Ethereum network that will allow community members to register for the masternode program and begin receiving rewards. Users can use Metamask or a similar compliant Ethereum wallet to interact with the DApp and deposit their HOARD token stake. Detailed instructions along with a video walkthrough will be provided at the official Hoard masternode website.

Once the masternode software is available, registration for the masternode program will operate similarly, with the additional requirement of providing the web address of the Hoard masternode software that the user is running. Hoard will make the installation and operation of the masternode software as simple as possible, eventually providing 1-click installers for popular hosts such as Heroku, as well as providing containerized builds of the software. That being said, at this stage, operating a masternode at this stage will require additional technical know-how. Full details are forthcoming but a familiarity with standard web server software and cryptocurrency nodes will be required to effectively administer a node.

---

Thanks for the nice words! We can't wait for you to see either!

---

---

Meet Hoard!
^▄▄▄

Hoard, the cryptocurrency app you can bank on. An open source mobile wallet that combines peer-to-peer transactions in crypto and cash with a second layer solution connected to decentralized exchanges. We’re being called the killer crypto app; the missing link to mass adoption that’s solving the last mile for consumers and the new crypto economy.



Our Mission.
^▄▄▄

To empower anyone, anywhere in the world to hold, track, transfer and transact with any digital asset from their mobile device, privately and instantly. We’re not building a bank, we’re reinventing banking.

Why Hoard?
^▄▄▄

Traditional banking is slow and expensive. Crypto-tech is complex and stifles adoption. Markets are hard to enter which block participation. Cryptocurrencies aren’t fungible like cash. Systems are missing critical machine learning and automation. Dapps and chains can be extremely fragmented. This is a nightmare for everyday consumers. Who wants to use 7 apps just to manage 4 currencies or transact between 2 parties? Simplicity is not a patent. It’s time for real change.

Hoard App
^▄▄▄

Picture this… an open source mobile wallet developed for iOS and Android phones that can hold any cryptocurrency across any public blockchain while you maintain full control of your private keys. A peer-to-peer payment system that removes copy/paste methods and slow block times and relies on your device contacts, @usernames, email address or phone numbers, even if the recipient doesn’t have the Hoard app or a crypto wallet. Within that same mobile wallet you can instantly swap any asset for any asset without a complex trading experience at minimal fees. Track transactions and market performance of your assets stored on other platforms. Execute fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat buys or sells at macro or micro levels with additional plug and play rule-based automation. And lastly, through QR payment technology, Hoard users have the ability to make purchases directly to merchants using cryptocurrency and the merchant receives payment in the form of currency they prefer, including fiat, at the time of sale. No banks, no card issuers, no middle men.


Blockchain Protocol
^▄▄▄

Our blockchain network (codenamed: Smaug) is a decentralized exchange protocol, solving interoperability and scalability of all public blockchain assets while aggregating the liquidity of decentralized exchanges into a single endpoint for maximum end-user consumption. The Ethereum-based second layer solution is completely decentralized and relies solely on community efforts to provide transaction verification, order matching, and market making through multiple Hoard masternodes. Smaug is comparable to decentralized exchanges like 0x but works across different blockchains and provides both a publically accessible ledger as well
as a private one.

Consensus Algorithm
Masternode Proof-of-Service secured by Ethereum Blockchain

Masternode Program
The Hoard Masternode program is the mechanism that powers the decentralized exchange protocol codenamed “Smaug Network”. This open-source program enables Hoard community members to create their own exchanges, wherein they either source liquidity for the Smaug Network, or connect users of the Hoard wallet app and other supported applications to these liquidity pools. In addition to these capabilities, the masternodes also maintain the off-chain ledgers that represent users’ assets deposited in the Smaug network, either in a publically available ledger or encrypted within a Zero-knowledge ledger. The market matching masternodes set their own competitive rates and can take fees on the trades they make, while the order matching masternodes receive block rewards in the form of the HOARD token.

Token Use
Participation in the Hoard Masternode and earning rewards has two requirements:

      1. Staking 5,000 HOARD tokens within the Masternode smart contract
      2. Running the Masternode software and upgrading the software when required

Upon the initial distribution of the HOARD tokens, the masternode smart contract will be made available to deposit the masternode stake within. Once the masternode software is available, masternode participants will be required to run the software to continue to receive rewards and connect Hoard’s users to the supported exchanges as well as market-making nodes.  

Immediately following launch, masternode rewards will begin distribution. These rewards will be distributed evenly between each qualified masternode. The amount of masternode rewards distributed over time will decrease by 20% each year.

• 20% of Available Masternode Rewards (8 million tokens) will be issued in the first year
• Approximately 49% of Available Masternode Rewards will be issued in the first 3 years
• Approximately 80% of Available Masternode Rewards will be issued in the first 7 years
• Approximately 99% of Available Masternode Rewards will be issued within 20 years

In addition to the Masternode program, end-users who hold the HOARD token will qualify for various benefits provided through the Hoard mobile app, including qualifying for reduced-fee or free add-ons including deploying rule-based and machine learning-based investment tools, as well as reduced fees when accessing our fiat / crypto exchange services.

Current Development
^▄▄▄

The Beta App
The Hoard team has developed our mobile-first cryptocurrency wallet that supports both Bitcoin and Ethereum assets, with support for many more blockchains coming soon. This app allows you to easily and trustlessly interact with the cryptocurrency ecosystem without sacrificing control over your private keys. The app is Open Source, with the source code for the mobile app and our backend services available for all to inspect and improve on.

As we proceed through our token distribution, the team will continue working on our decentralized exchange protocol, as well as building features into our mobile app that allow users to trade and invest directly from their mobile devices, as well as track their funds in real time on supported top-tier exchanges. In addition, we’ll be building our fiat services which will allow users to buy and sell any cryptocurrency with fiat money and send peer-to-peer cash payments. Beyond that, we’re building machine-learning powered investment tools that track crowd sentiment in real-time, as well as building simple rule-based tools that make investing in crypto as simple as using a piggy bank.

Our goals in building this products is to on-ramp as many people as possible into the cryptocurrency ecosystem, but do it in a way where they are empowered to control their own assets, and source liquidity from both high-liquidity, centralized exchanges, as well as our network of Masternode-powered community exchanges. We aim to eliminate exchange insolvency risks which hurt all cryptocurrency services, and provide powerful and innovative tools for experienced traders, as well as simple automated investment tools and payment services for the vast majority of the globe who has yet to join the cryptocurrency revolution.

---

A whitepaper is still necessary to lay out the future of your product, but having an actual product before crowdfunding with an ICO is a very good sign. It means that either the team has made a major commitment of time and money to bootstrap their project, or they have likely raised money from institutional or angel investors (smart money) who make a living by picking the right products to invest in.

Overall there will be a net positive effect, but it's important to note that futures trading has been speculated to bring additional manipulation to the market.

Most ICO's are going to market very pre-maturely but that's only because there are people willing to throw money at them, or at least there were when the market was high. ICO investors and angel investors alike are all being much more picky with their investments. Choose projects that have raised money from angels or those that already have a working product. Investing in concepts and vaporware are a thing of the past.

A working product is not only important in that it proves that a team can produce and has skin in the game before crowdfunding, but investing in projects with a working product can also protect you from fraud. Think back to all of the projects that were going to let you spend money with their crypto debit card. They were all talking about their huge partnerships. Where are they now? Tons of people invested and where are their cards?

It's cyclical. Bull -> Bear -> Bull -> Bear -> Bull -> Bear. At the end of the day it's mainstream coverage of crypto/blockchain, which means people are definitely noticing and taking interest.

Master nodes enable participation on a network via incentivizing / ensuring the network/project has "better health." If done correctly, master nodes are fantastic for cryptocurrency (assuming they have the proper rules in place to make it worth-while/safe for all participants).

Cryptocurrency aside; blockchain technology is revolutionary. It's only a matter of time before all successful/large companies migrate to blockchain tech.

It's new and exciting. It's disrupting major industries. People are making a ton of money from it. The world isn't going "crazy" per say, however some individuals are reacting in extreme ways to something that the world is experiencing for the first time.

A ton of the top projects are built upon the ERC-20 platform. The Ethereum team, along with Vitalik, are top notch. They're constantly improving (read: sharding).

This type of movement is inevitable. Everyday that passes we'll see more news just like this. Definitely interested to see what the rest of the year has in store as far as institutional involvement.

This volatility will eventually lead to stability. Take a deep breath and make sure you're making the right moves and adjusting with the market.

Interesting when you see such huge names in the tech / investment industry say things like this. One of the Winklevoss twins called him out on Twitter, wonder how that went.

By making "money" available and fungible to those without --- through cryptocurrency and blockchain technology of course.

Most crypto ads aren't getting through. A lot of companies are crafty and still able to create something without mentioning key buzz words. For those of us that are legitimate, it can be a pain. However, the amount of scams appearing through boosted posts / ads was not healthy for the community at all.

If you are invested or plan on investing in an ICO, you need to due your due diligence. Do all the research you need and be active within the community. Stay sharp and always communicate red flags with the community.

Go to their website. Read their white paper. Research their team. Join their social channels and interact with them.

A good, informational, respectful community is typically indicative of a solid project. Community should be a top priority for projects, so if its lacking or not there, you may want to look into what exactly the project is doing and why they aren't interacting / promoting a healthy community.