For many the promise of decentralized applications and DAOs is to be beyond the limitations and rigidity of the existing legal system. There is no question that where DAOs can roam freely, innovation can accelerate. But can the law, courts and regulations be left behind so easily? Lawyer Stephen Palley joined us to discuss what happens when the new and old worlds collide and how courts will look at what goes on in the land of DAOs and DApps. Topics covered in this episode: Whether trust is reduced, removed or just shifted elsewhere in blockchain systems If creating decentralized applications could create liability risks Why courts will impose a legal structure if a formal one doesn’t exist The concept of jurisdiction and how it could affect DAOs Why one should be careful with saying a DAO provides insurance Episode links: How to Sue A DAO Blockchain Jurisdiction Smart Contracts and Smart Lawsuits Blockchain and the First Law of Lawmodynamics Smart Contracts, Performance and Trust DAO Insurance Company, Inc All of Stephen Palley's LinkedIn Posts EB125 Florian Glatz: Defining a Legal Framework for DAOs EB132 Stephan Tual: A Universal Sharing Network and a $150m DAO This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain and Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/135

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