One of the problems often cited when talking about cryptocurrencies is their level of volatility compared to traditional fiat currencies. This makes most cryptocurrencies a poor instrument for storing value, and introduces complexities when making purchases in fiat amounts. Stable cryptocurrencies include mechanisms which allow them to stay pegged to fiat currencies like the US Dollar or Euro. They present a number of advantages, and, in addition to taking the headache out of making purchases, can be used by cryptocurrency traders who need a stable unit of account for hedging their assets. We talk to brothers Pascal and Julien Hamonic, Core Members of the Nu team about the NuBit stable cryptocurrency. Similarly to the mechanisms that keep our body temperature stable, NuBits relies upon the introduction of new coins into circulation when demand increases, and for coins to be taken out of circulation when demand drops. Shareholders (NuShareholder) vote on these measures as the network relies on custodians who bring liquidity into the market in exchange for dividends, and on speculators who “”park”” coins in exchange for potential returns when demand increases again. Topics covered in this episode: What is NuBits and what is the goal it is trying to achieve The different components of Nu (NuBits, NuShares) The economic mechanisms behind the $1.00 USD peg Who are the different participants in the network (NuBits users, NuShareholders, custodians) The important role of custodians in providing liquidity to the network The consensus model used in Nu The initial allocation of NuBits and NuShares The governance mechanisms in Nu Episode links: Nubits NuBits Whitepaper This episode is hosted by Meher Roy and Sébastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/133

One of the foundational problems in payment networks is that they are mostly uninteroperable. This problem exists at all levels, from consumer payment solutions like PayPal, to national and multi-national banks. This complexity is brought on by the proprietary nature of payment networks, and moving value from one to another requires a negotiation between parties on which common payment network to use in a transaction. We saw similar problems in the early days of the Internet, assembled around protocols which allow for data to be routed and move between networks in a standardized way. We’re joined by Stefan Thomas and Evan Schwartz, co-creators of Interledger. This neutral protocol would bring the same level of interoperability we know take for granted around the flow of data, to payments, thus allowing money to move freely across networks. A market maker, who holds accounts in both networks, would receive funds in escrow from a sender, and move funds to an escrow account with the receiver, getting paid by the sender when he shows the proof the funds were delivered to the receiver. Topics covered in this episode: What is Interledger and what problem is it trying to solve Interledger’s architecture How connectors and routing works, and how we may compare it to the way data flows on the Internet Cryptographic Escrow and its role in Interledger Requirements for payment solutions to become Interledger compatible Interledger’s community group at the W3C How Interledger applies to micropayments Ripple’s role in Interledger Episode links: Interledger Interledger Whitepaper Interledger + WebTorrent - Demo by Evan Schwartz Interledger Architecture Interledger Github Interledter Slideshare Ripple Lab Episode 92 with Stefan Thomas This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain and Sébastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/131