Major Project set to test bitcoins true strengths on Sovereign Tribal Nation

[cr1776]

What kind of mining gear do you want donated? Block eruptor blade? Or only bigger ASIC stuff now?

[kimitsugroup]

Right now we're interested in any and all equipment that parties would consider donating, Block erupters, ASIC units, we've even had a few people offer the lil mini 334 Mhs usb units...those are all fine..like I said...it's about introducing the basic concepts of Algorithm based mining. People on the reservation have a better time understanding something thats running right in front of them then just reading white papers and a tech sheet online. I spoke with a person with the it dept of Oglala Lakota College and they were very intrigued by the idea of being possibly the first college in America to offer a course around Bitcoin technology. if we received the target goal of even 25 BTC we were planning to purchase a KNC Neptune Unit which would allow us to generate enough BTC quickly so we could self fund the second phase involving exchange trading. Now alot of us are speculating on what Congress and federal regulations are in store for the future of bitcoin. This Project gives is a chance to demonstrate a working model which can prove out whether or not Bitcoin can really be a primary source of exchange and commercial trading, and I know people will say we're already doing that with E commerce and Coffee shops in various locations but we have along way to go still...remember the couple that spent their first 90 days on BTC? anyone keep up on the challenges they had in the beginning?  Well this project is working on doing the same thing...only on a wider scale...lets see what happens if a sovereign nation embraces it as their national currency. We're sifting through ALOT of emails with very valid points, comments, and suggestions... I'll share a couple...Crypto Currency Banking...will the project look into a safe and effective Crypto Banking system?  Yes we're looking into that actually, using bitcoin and litecoin checks basicly cold storage notes that could be traded like fiat notes. or even as investment instruments like Crypto CD's of sorts. What about your tribes Casino operations how could BTC impact that market?  We're looking at various ways Bitcoin could increase marketability for our tribal casino...Including Bitcoin/Litecoin Exchange services to possibly working with the Native american gaming device industry to prototype a gaming device that would accept a variety of crypto currencies. So theres alot of potential...

But to answer the main question  what type of gear...Anything   what would we LIKE to obtain in time a KnC Neptune or possibly a BFL 300-600 Ghs ASIC miner...the goal is to develop the mining side up to 1 Ths whether that happens in a week, a month, or 6 months no one knows...
and again...as I've stated a  few times before...as the nay sayers shout that im just looking for free BTC...remember  the Bitcoin community gave a random fan at a football game 22 BTC in donations. Am I looking for the same? yes I am...whats the difference? the results...now I dont know what he did with his...but I KNOW what Im planning to do with 22 BTC if we raise that much...the rest is up to the community...again please keep the Emails coming, questions and advice coming...and feel free to check out out Coinfunder initiative and if you dont feel like donating thats cool   just please share it with others that might feel like supporting the project   https://www.coinfunder.com/project/view/id/118

[codeneis]

There are cases of using local non-official currencies to help poor communities. Or, better saying, there are cases of poor communities helping themselves using local non-official currencies. How this currency would work depends of the reality of the community and can change from place do place.

Here is a case in Brazil:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banco_Palmas

There are many other cases around the world (like Spain, because of the crisis).

The thing about free-market community based solutions is that they don't need external currencies. Maybe a new currency, not necessarily crypto, would work better.

But it is just my opinion. I hope your project works and your community gets out of poverty :]

[bitpop]

Why teach asic, mining ends in a couple years

[virtualmaster]

Yeah. We need some fearless warriors for the Bitcoin network.

[Pentax]

Is this you?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasperhamill/2013/12/19/native-american-activist-wants-to-swap-the-dollar-for-bitcoin/

If so, damn fine work.

[bitpop]

Damn boy, we doubted you

[gortonc]

As a newbie, I have been lurking around here for a while, but am still hesitant to jump into the fray.  I do not pretend to know much about Bitcoin, but it seems that the biggest threat to the success of BC is opposition from nation-states and central banksters.  While it seems the underlying tech can survive their attacks, one is wise to never underestimate their enemy.  

I had to laugh when I read a post by someone who said "Bitcoin is bigger than China." Implying that China could not stop the infiltration of BC or slow its growth. In an ultimate sense that may be true, but it misses the point and does not address the problem.

It can be demonstrated that when push comes to shove, and survival is on the line, few if any states are unwilling to violate their own laws. Central banks survive despite their parasitic nature because they have made the survival of of governments (not states) dependent on their existence.

Here is a sovereign (albeit conquered) nation that is looking to BC and its community for help.  It seems to me that there is tremendous potential for a symbiotic relationship. Servers set up on tribal land could be of great service to the BC community.  Ultimately the Feds may decide to step in and attack them, but this would be a PR nightmare for them.

I do not know enough about the specifics of either the tribal treaties, or Bitcoin to make specific recommendations. However, I hope that those who do will recognize the potential here and step up to the plate.

I suspect there's gold Bitcoin in them thar hills!

[waxwing]

The concept of using Bitcoin for a small quasi-sovereign state is an excellent one, but I had to sigh with disappointment when I saw that the fundamental plan was to implement mining.

This not only misses the real point, but continues to cement in people's heads the idea that they cannot use Bitcoin unless they can mine it.

Mining bitcoin has become an extremely difficult, capital intensive and sophisticated business. Don't get into it unless you consider yourself already expert in some key aspect of it, like electrical engineering, or have some very good connections and strong background in a related trade/business.

The great idea here is that a somewhat autonomous community can use Bitcoin as a currency without interference from those who print money to everyone else's detriment. The fund that you're intending to use to buy mining equipment, but BTC instead, and set up some kind of organization to help people trade in and out of USD-BTC. Maybe it isn't practical right now, but it's at least an idea worth pursuing.

[gortonc]

Maxwing, I agree--mining is not something that is in their favor.  Nonetheless, as one who is ignorant of much (but learning as fast as I can) I think the intrinsic idea has merit.  Their plea for help has the ring of truth (IMHO) and I think they would be open to help and redirection, both in development and implementation of a plan.

I would think that creating a safe zone for exchanges and maybe even their own, would be a place to to start.  Based on the interview I heard with Coinbase's founder I would think they should at least open an office (embassy;-)) there, and even employ some locals and train them. Political as well as geographic diversity should be pursued.

[cypherdoc]

the 2 most important and highest bang for the buck projects they could do in order of most importance would be:

1.  a Bitcoin exchange.
2.  a Bitcoin bank.

[kimitsugroup]

Bitcoin Oyate Project in Forbes  http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasperhamill/2013/12/19/native-american-activist-wants-to-swap-the-dollar-for-bitcoin/

[kimitsugroup]

Maxwing...while yes Mining is a first step in this project is is only one aspect...and designed to be more of a hands on study element for it. Mining IS a fact of this industry so it's important that we look at how bitcoins are generated. It also goes towards Algo research, mining unit design, chipset design, and other parts of that element. the bitcoins generated go towards teaching how the exchanges work and how to trade on them. I think alot of people are seeing this as just a mining project, it's not...it's a fully comprehensive plan where we generate the coins locally, exchange them locally and use them locally. But they have to come from somewhere. 

[waxwing]

But they have to come from somewhere. 

Indeed they do. Please carefully evaluate the economic tradeoff of buying BTC directly vs mining them. There is a VERY high likelihood that the former is a better decision.
I'm not going to try to convince you further. The evidence is there if you choose to pay attention.

[skovbitcoin]

the 2 most important and highest bang for the buck projects they could do in order of most importance would be:

1.  a Bitcoin exchange.
2.  a Bitcoin bank.

I completely agree, not only would this type of business be potentially much much more lucrative, it actually can teach a wide range of transferable skills. Web development, finance, law, risk, customer support, sales and marketing. All of those skills would be extremely useful to enrich such a community. Surely this is the way to go rather than trying to teach the nuts and bolts of ASIC mining? This would engage people with many different interests.

[crazy_rabbit]

the 2 most important and highest bang for the buck projects they could do in order of most importance would be:

1.  a Bitcoin exchange.
2.  a Bitcoin bank.

Really- they are the same thing.

[kimitsugroup]

well true that the mining aspect may be less profitable then buying from a exchange...but this isn't meant to solely be a profit venture. I feel the mining aspect needs to be there to be fully comprehensive. but exchange buying will be covered in the Financial part of the project...already in talks with Oglala Lakota College here to look into a course on Crypto Algorithms,  Dynamic Cryptography, etc.

[bitpop]

Every time you mention mining you make us cringe
Why start with a guaranteed loss?

[skovbitcoin]

well true that the mining aspect may be less profitable then buying from a exchange...but this isn't meant to solely be a profit venture. I feel the mining aspect needs to be there to be fully comprehensive. but exchange buying will be covered in the Financial part of the project...already in talks with Oglala Lakota College here to look into a course on Crypto Algorithms,  Dynamic Cryptography, etc.

I don't mean to sound rude, but are you sure you are not in danger of pushing your own interests onto the community, rather than focussing on the community needs? I was more trying to point out that something like an exchange or broker framework allows for a much wider spread of interest groups.

[FCTaiChi]

1. Get a few local people to confirm the project using a simple video camera, phone, any handheld digital camera, tablet

2. Post it to youtube

Good idea, interview some local merchants that are into the idea