"We build too many walls and not enough bridges."Although the exact origin of this quote is uncertain, it is often attributed to Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727). Fast forward 300 years, entering the blockchain space, and the quote still seems to hit the mark. As of 2024, there are approximately over 1,000 distinct blockchain networks in existence, encompassing a wide range of applications and industries. So, let's talk about blockchain ecosystems and how they interact.Web 3 LearningVocabularyPer...

Yesterday, our fabulous ALANAmagazine Podcast host, Elahn Danee, held her fifth episode, welcoming amazing guest Lorena Bello Ávila. Lorena has been part of the digital fashion revolution and web3 since day one. She transitioned from traditional fashion to digital in 2020, working with clients and teaching globally. Her work has been featured in renowned publications, including the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Vogue while winning the Vogue Singapore x Metaverse Fashion Week 2023 contest. ...

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a bridge is defined as a structure carrying a pathway over a depression or obstacle. “Bridging the Gap” is a song by hip hop group Black Eyed Peas, released in 2004, about unity, connection, and bridging the gap between different generations, cultures, and musical styles. In Web3, bridges serve as connectors between different blockchain ecosystems, allowing for the transfer of assets, data, and information between them. Since most blockchains opera...

There are sufficient articles on Web3 wallets, but I felt a simplified explanation that was highly relatable was missing. In this unique approach, let's imagine the Internet as a vast city. Web2 is the older, centralized downtown area controlled by a few major corporations, while Web3 is like a new, decentralized suburb where residents have more control over their properties and interactions. It's literally the cool kid's corner. Let's see which metaphors are relevant for capturing a Web3 wal...

Thank you to all of you Valentines who attended ALANA's Webinar last week; we also adore you! Here is a quick summary of the webinar containing the most critical resources for catching up with the live-stream attendees!Why LearnFirst, let's quickly establish why this webinar matters to you. Comfy UI is an open-source and community-driven tool, which means what you generate belongs to you. It is created on your system only and cannot be taken by anyone. As a creator myself, this gives me peace...

In ancient Greece, an oracle was a female priest who gave people advice from the gods. This priestess acted like a medium by revealing knowledge or answering questions. In the modern world, Oracles are essential services that act as bridges between blockchain networks and the external world. They are trusted intermediaries for the exchange of data by enabling smart contracts to access real-world data or connect to external IoT (Internet of Things) systems. Since blockchains are designed to be...

In our last article, we discussed Web3 grants in general and how they can help you drive your project forward. Today, let’s dive deeper into one specific one: Matching Grants. In the crypto space, grants fund projects, research, and development to advance blockchain technology, decentralized applications, and related ecosystems. Recently, more initiatives have been funded around creativity and marketing, as seen by Artizen and Octant. Matching grants are unique because they foster fundraising...

We are currently in the midst of the Gitcoin GG22 Grant season, and it felt appropriate to tell you more about Web3-based grant systems. Similar to DeFi (Decentralized Finance), grants come with their native vocabulary, which is important to know in order for you to get involved. Generally, a grant is a financial award provided by an individual, organization, or government agency to a recipient, typically for a specific purpose, such as funding a project or research. Grants are a particular f...

As you know from our last article, blockchain technology relies on consensus mechanisms to validate transactions and maintain security. Two of the most prominent mechanisms are Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS). To simplify these concepts, we will be using another set of metaphors from the creative world. Ready? Let’s go!Proof-of-Work: The Artisan's CraftMetaphor: A Master Artisan Imagine a master artisan creating a unique piece of art. This artisan must source rare materials,...

In our article “Blockchain Explained,” we used the metaphor of a fashion show to describe the participants and mode of operation of blockchains. The blockchain was visualized as the runway, where the models (aka blocks) are initially lined up, and as they walk down the runway, they will be added to the end of the line, thus building a chain of models/blocks. The audience members represent the nodes (computers) in the blockchain network. They watch the models walk and have a written copy of th...

We are back with more; this time, let’s have a look at centralized vs. decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges, how each works, and how they are different. Imagine two bustling marketplaces in a city, each with its own unique character and offerings. One is a large, well-organized mall, with security guards at the entrance and a central management team overseeing everything. The other is an open-air market with a huge variety of stalls run by individual vendors, each responsible for their own ...

Remember one of our past posts when we explained what "staking" is and how it differs from "liquid staking"? Now, DeFi is evolving, and there is “liquid re-staking”! Are you ready for the next step👀? Once again, think about the metaphor of the decentralized art gallery: When you lend your painting to the gallery and earn a share of the ticket sales, but your painting is locked up in the gallery for a set period, that`s like staking in DeFi. If you receive a special "Art Token" for lending yo...