EDUCATIONAL FRIDAY

A space to Learn,
Connect, and Innovate

BLOCKCHAIN HISTORY & FUNDAMENTALS

Presented by:
Youssef Seghaier
07 - 02 - 2025
 CHAPTER 1:
BLOCKCHAIN HISTORY & FUNDAMENTALS

Blockchain history
Key components of Distributed Ledger
P2P Network & How a block is added ?
Consensus Mechanisms
Proof Of Work and Mining
Researchs for next session

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 Digital timestamps
1991 Like a notary

Blockchain technology was originally described in 1991 by a group of researchers

(Stuart Haber and W. Scott Stornetta) and was originally intended to timestamp
digital documents so that it’s not possible to backdate them or to tamper with them.

However this early work did not involve the decentralized, distributed ledger system
that characterizes modern blockchain technology and went unused.

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 2008

BITCOIN WHITEPAPER
In October 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin whitepaper, titled
“A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System”.
The paper that first introduced Bitcoin.
This document laid the foundation for blockchain technology, forever changing the
financial landscape.

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 BITCOIN GENESIS BLOCK
After the release of the whitepaper in 2008, Bitcoin officially launched in January
2009. Created by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, it became the first
decentralized digital currency, paving the way for the modern blockchain
revolution.

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 BLOCKCHAIN
A CHAIN OF BLOCKS
At the heart of Bitcoin lies the concept of a distributed ledger. This technology
ensures that all transactions are recorded across a decentralized network of blocks,
creating a transparent and secure system where no single entity has control.

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 KEY COMPONENTS
Data: Stores the information within the block.
Hash: A unique digital fingerprint for the block.
Hash of the Previous Block: Links the block to the one before it, ensuring security
and integrity.
These elements work together to make the blockchain secure and tamper-proof.

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The Data that is stored inside a block depends on the type of blockchain.

The Bitcoin blockchain stores transaction details such as sender, receiver, and
amount, but it also includes multiple layers of cryptographic and technical
information to ensure security, verification, and network integrity.

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A block also has a Hash . You can compare a hash to a fingerprint.
It identifies a block and all of its contents and it’s always unique, just as a
fingerprint.
Once a block is created, it’s Hash is being calculated.
The Hash exists to ensure and enforce the immutability, making tampering
detectable and protecting the integrity of the blockchain.

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The third element inside each block is the Hash of the previous block. This
effecively creates a chain of blocks and it’s this technique that makes a blockchain
so secure.

In the second picture, we have an example : a chain with 3 blocks, as we can each
block has a hash and the hash of the previous block. So block 3 points to block 2
and block 2 points to block 1.
Block 1 is a bit special it can’t point to previous blocks because it’s the first one, we
call this block GENESIS BLOCK.

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There’s one more way that blockchains secure themselves and that’s by being
DISTRIBUTED. Instead of using a central entity to manage the chain, blockchains
use a P2P Network.
When someone joins the network, he gets the full copy of the blockchain.

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All the nodes in this network work together to achieve CONSENSUS: They agree on
which blocks are valid by following shared rules, ensuring the blockchain remains
accurate, secure, and trustworthy.

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 NEW BLOCK ADDED
1 Everyone already have a full copy of the blockchain 2 The block is sent to everyone in the network

3 Each node verifies the block 4 Each node adds this block to their own blockchain

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 CONSENSUS MECHANISM

Proof of Work (PoW) Proof of Stake (PoS)

Used by Bitcoin PoW requires miners Used by Ethereum 2.0, PoS selects
to solve complex mathematical validators based on the number of
puzzles to validate transactions. tokens they hold and are willing to
While secure, it’s energy-intensive. 'stake.' It’s more energy-efficient
but introduces new challenges
like the 'rich-get-richer' problem.

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 PROOF OF WORK (PoW)
It’s a mechanism that slowns down the creation of new blocks and it requires
participants that are called Miners.

In Bitcoin’s case (picture 2): it takes about 10 minutes to calculate the required
proof-of-work and add a new block to the chain. This mechanism makes it very
hard to tamper with the blocks, because if you tamper with one block, you’ll need
to recalculate the proof-of-work for all the following blocks.

So the security of a blockchain comes from its creative use of hashing and the
proof-of-work mechanism.

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 MINING - THE PROCESS
OF EARNING REWARDS
Mining is the process of performing the computational work required by PoW

Miners use specialized hardware (like ASICS) to solve PoW puzzle.

The difficulty of the puzzle ensures that adding a new block requires computational
work, which prevents spam attacks and secure the network.

The first miner to find a valid solution to the PoW puzzle gets the right to add a new
block and receive a reward. This reward is made up of two part:

1/ New coins - The system creates new cryptocurrency and gives it to the miner as a
prize.
2/ Transaction fees - The miner also gets small fees that users pay when they send
transactions.
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 RESEARCH TOPICS
1/ Blockchain Use Cases
Pick an industry (cryptocurrency, supply chain, etc.)
Investigate real-world blockchain implementations.

2/ Blockchain Scalability Challenges

Transaction speed limitations
Layer 1 vs Layer 2 solutions
Future scaling technologies

3/ Consensus Mechanism Comparison

Compare Proof of Work vs Proof of Stake
Environmental impact
Technical differences

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 NEXT SESSION FRIDAY

FEBRUARY 14th

HOSTED ON DISCORD

TOPIC

BITCOIN & HEDERA TECHNOLOGY

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EDUCATIONAL FRIDAY
A space to Learn,
Connect, and Innovate

BITCOIN & HEDERA TECHNOLOGY

Presented by:

Youssef Seghaier
Rayen Harhouri
 CHAPTER 2:
BITCOIN & HEDERA TECHNOLOGY

From Bitcoin to Hedera Hashgraph

Governance & Compliance of Hedera
Utility & Tokenomics of Hedera
Hedera Metrics & Ecosystem & Staking
Hedera Technology
Researchs for next session

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 RESEARCH TOPICS
1/ What Are the Real-World Use Cases of Hedera?
Investigate industries and projects currently using Hedera Hashgraph for
applications like supply chain, healthcare, or finance.

2/ What Are the Challenges Facing Hedera Hashgraph?

Research potential obstacles Hedera might face, such as adoption barriers,
competition, or regulatory issues.
3/ What Is the Future of Hedera Hashgraph?
Predict how Hedera might evolve in the next 5–10 years and its potential impact on
the blockchain and tech industries.

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NEXT SESSION FRIDAY

FEBRUARY 21st

HOSTED ON DISCORD

TOPIC

ETHEREUM

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EDUCATIONAL FRIDAY #3
A space to Learn,
Connect, and Innovate

Deep Dive into Ethereum Ecosystem

Presented by:

Youssef Seghaier
21-02-2025
 CHAPTER 3:
DEEP DIVE INTO ETHEREUM ECOSYSTEM

Ethereum Overview
Ethereum Architecture & Key Concepts
Decentralized Applications & Use Cases
Ethereum’s Evolution
Getting Started & Key Considerations
Researchs for next session

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 ETHEREUM OVERVIEW

ETHEREUM ORIGINS & DEVELOPMENT

Founder: Vitalik Buterin

At a young age, The programmer and co-founder of Bitcoin Magazine, Vitalik Buterin,
discovered cryptocurrencies with Bitcoin in 2011 and decided to create a new protocol
using a Turing-complete language rather than burdening Bitcoin's structure—thus, the
idea of Ethereum was born.

Timeline
Conceptualized in 2013: Ethereum was initially described in late 2013 in a white paper
by Vitalik as a way to use blockchain for broader applications beyond mere transactions.
Launched in 2015: Ethereum’s mainnet went live, introducing a flexible and
programmable platform that has since revolutionized blockchain technology.

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 ETHEREUM OVERVIEW
PURPOSE AND INNOVATION

Programmable Platform:
Designed to support smart contracts, Ethereum allows developers to write self-
executing code that automates agreements.
This programmability opens the door to creating decentralized apps (dApps) for
finance, gaming, supply chains, and more.

Beyond a Simple Ledger

Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily functions as a digital currency and store of value,
Ethereum offers a robust framework for building complex decentralized systems.
Its design enables innovation across industries, paving the way for developments such
as decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

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 ETHEREUM OVERVIEW
BITCOIN VS ETHEREUM

Bitcoin Digital Cash & Store of Value:

Bitcoin was the first successful cryptocurrency, focused on peer-to-peer digital
payments and acting as “digital gold.”
Its design prioritizes security and scarcity, making it a reliable store of value and a
means for transferring wealth globally.

Ethereum Native Token – Ether (ETH):

ETH is more than just a currency; it powers the network by paying for transaction fees
and computational services (gas fees).
Its utility incentivizes developers and users to contribute to the ecosystem, fueling
innovation and network security.

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 ETHEREUM ARCHITECTURE & KEY CONCEPTS
Smart Contracts – The Foundation of Ethereum
What is a Smart Contract?
A self-executing contract with terms directly written in code.
Runs on the Ethereum blockchain without the need for intermediaries.

Why Are Smart Contracts Important?

Automation: Transactions occur automatically when predefined conditions are met.
Security: Tamper-proof and resistant to fraud.
Efficiency: Eliminates manual processing and third-party verification.
Transparency: Anyone can audit the contract code on the blockchain.

Examples
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) | NFTs |Supply Chain

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 ETHEREUM ARCHITECTURE & KEY CONCEPTS

Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) – The Heart of Ethereum

What is the EVM?
A decentralized runtime environment that executes smart contracts.
Ensures that all Ethereum nodes process the same transactions in consensus.

Key Functions of the EVM:

Standardization: Allows Ethereum to support multiple programming languages.
Security: Isolates contract execution to prevent malicious attacks.
Determinism: Every node produces the same result when executing smart contracts.

How it Powers Ethereum:

Every smart contract is executed in the EVM.
Ensures Ethereum remains a decentralized and censorship-resistant network.

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 ETHEREUM ARCHITECTURE & KEY CONCEPTS
Gas Fees – The Cost of Computation
What is Gas?
A unit measuring the computational effort required for transactions and smart contract
execution.
Paid in Ether (ETH) to incentivize network validators (stakers in Proof of Stake).

Why Gas Fees Exist?

Prevents Spam: Users must pay for resources, reducing unnecessary transactions.
Allocates Network Resources: High-priority transactions pay higher fees for faster
processing.
Rewards Validators: Stakers earn fees for securing the network and validating
transactions.

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 DECENTRALIZED APPLICATIONS & USE CASES

What Are Decentralized Applications (dApps)?

dApps are applications that run on a decentralized blockchain network rather than a
centralized server.
They utilize smart contracts to automate processes and remove intermediaries.

Key Characteristics:
Decentralization: No single entity controls the application.
Transparency: All transactions and processes are recorded on the blockchain.
Security: Less vulnerable to hacking and data breaches.
Incentivization: Many dApps use tokens to reward users and contributors.

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 DECENTRALIZED APPLICATIONS & USE CASES
Real-World Use Cases of dApps
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Purpose: Provides financial services without intermediaries.
Examples:
Uniswap: Decentralized exchange (DEX) for swapping cryptocurrencies.
Aave & Compound: Peer-to-peer lending and borrowing platforms.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
Purpose: Enables ownership of unique digital assets.
Examples:
OpenSea & Rarible: Marketplaces for digital art and collectibles.
Axie Infinity: Play-to-earn gaming using NFTs.

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 DECENTRALIZED APPLICATIONS & USE CASES

Real-World Use Cases of dApps

Gaming & Metaverse
Purpose: Blockchain-based gaming and virtual worlds.
Examples:
Decentraland: Virtual real estate and digital land ownership.
The Sandbox: User-created virtual environments with tokenized assets.

Supply Chain Management

Purpose: Ensures transparency and authenticity in product tracking.
Examples:
VeChain: Tracks goods and verifies authenticity.
IBM Food Trust: Uses blockchain for food supply chain traceability.

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 ETHEREUM’S EVOLUTION
The Transition to Proof of Stake (PoS)
Why Ethereum Moved from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS)?
Energy Efficiency: PoS reduces energy consumption by over 99% compared to
PoW.
Scalability: Allows for more transactions per second and prepares Ethereum for
future upgrades.
Security: Reduces the risk of centralization and 51% attacks.
The Merge (2022): The event that transitioned Ethereum from PoW to PoS, making
staking the new method for securing the network
How Proof of Stake Works?
Staking: Validators stake ETH as collateral to propose and verify transactions.
Validator Selection: Validators are randomly chosen to validate blocks, eliminating
the need for energy-intensive mining.
Rewards & Penalties: Honest validators earn rewards, while malicious actors risk
losing their staked ETH (slashing).
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 ETHEREUM’S EVOLUTION
Ethereum Scalability Solutions
The Scalability Trilemma
Ethereum aims to achieve a balance between decentralization, security, and
scalability.
Layer 1 solutions alone struggle with high transaction fees and network congestion.

Layer 2 Scaling Solutions

Rollups (Optimistic & ZK-Rollups): Process transactions off-chain and submit
summaries to Ethereum.
Sidechains (e.g., Polygon): Independent blockchains that connect to Ethereum for
faster transactions.
State Channels: Allow instant off-chain transactions with periodic on-chain
settlement.

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 GETTING STARTED WITH ETHEREUM
Setting Up an Ethereum Wallet
Hot Wallets (Software-Based):
MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Rainbow Wallet, Exodus, Phantom.
Best for frequent transactions and dApp interactions

Cold Wallets (Hardware-Based):

Ledger, Trezor, OneKey, Tangem.
Best for long-term storage and security.

Best Practices:
Always store private keys and seed phrases securely.
Never share your private key or seed phrase.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where applicable.
Use a strong password combination.

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 RESEARCH TOPICS
1/ The Role of Smart Contracts in Ethereum
What is Ethereum gas, and why is it necessary?
How do gas fees fluctuate based on network congestion and block size limits?
Compare Ethereum Layer 1 vs. Layer 2 solutions (e.g., Polygon, Arbitrum) in reducing gas
fees.

2/ Understanding Ethereum Gas Fees and Transaction Costs

What is Ethereum gas, and why is it necessary?
How do gas fees fluctuate based on network congestion and block size limits?
Compare Ethereum Layer 1 vs. Layer 2 solutions (e.g., Polygon, Arbitrum) in reducing gas
fees.

3/ Ethereum’s Transition to Proof of Stake (PoS) and Its Impact

Why did Ethereum move from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS)?
How does staking work, and what are the benefits of PoS over PoW?
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EDUCATIONAL FRIDAY #4
A space to Learn,
Connect, and Innovate

Unlocking the Power of

Decentralized Finance

Presented by: *Special Guest:

Youssef Seghaier Issam Saed
 CHAPTER 4: UNLOCKING THE POWER
OF DECENTRALIZED FINANCE

Introduction to DeFi
Core DeFi Applications
Decentralized Applications & Use Cases
Demo: Using a DeFi Platform
Getting Started & Key Considerations
DeFi Risks & Security
Researchs for next session

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 INTRODUCTION TO DeFi
What is DeFi?
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is an emerging financial technology that eliminates the
need for intermediaries by using blockchain and smart contracts.

Traditional Finance vs. DeFi

Centralized control vs. decentralized networks
Banking restrictions vs. global accessibility
Opaque transactions vs. transparency on the blockchain

Key Benefits of DeFi

Permissionless transactions
Greater financial inclusion
Lower costs compared to traditional banking

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 CORE DeFi APPLICATIONS

Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs)

Peer-to-peer trading platforms (e.g., Uniswap, PancakeSwap, Raydium, Jupiter)
No need for intermediaries or KYC verification

Lending & Borrowing Platforms

Platforms like Aave and Compound allow users to lend and borrow assets without
banks
Interest rates are algorithmically determined based on supply and demand

Stablecoins & Synthetic Assets

Stablecoins: USDT, USDC, and algorithmic stablecoins like DAI
Synthetic assets mirror real-world assets like stocks, gold, or fiat currency

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 CORE DeFi APPLICATIONS

Yield Farming & Liquidity Mining

Users provide liquidity to DeFi protocols and earn rewards in return
Risks include impermanent loss and protocol vulnerabilities

Automated Market Makers (AMMs)

Smart contract protocols that facilitate token swaps (e.g., Curve, SushiSwap)

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DECENTRALIZED APPLICATIONS & USE CASES
Lending Platforms
Decentralized lending (e.g., Aave, Compound) allows users to earn interest on
deposits

Trading Platforms
DEXs like Uniswap enable secure and decentralized trading

Yield Optimization Platform

Yearn Finance optimizes yield farming strategies for maximum returns

NFTs & Tokenized Assets

DeFi enables the fractional ownership of assets and art via NFTs

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USING A DEFI PLATFORM DEMO
UNISWAP

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 GETTING STARTED & KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Choosing the Right Wallet
Hot wallets (MetaMask, Trust Wallet) vs. Cold wallets (Ledger, Trezor)

Understanding Smart Contracts & Gas Fees

Smart contracts automate financial transactions
Gas fees depend on network congestion

Security & Private Key Management

Never share private keys or seed phrases
Use hardware wallets for large funds

Regulatory & Compliance Aspects

Some jurisdictions regulate DeFi; research before investing

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 DeFi RISKS & SECURITY
Smart Contract Risks & Exploits
Bugs in code can be exploited (e.g., DAO hack, Poly Network exploit)

Impermanent Loss in Liquidity Pools

Losses occur when asset prices change significantly after liquidity is provided

Rug Pulls & Scams

Some projects exit-scam by removing liquidity after attracting investors

Deep Research
Use reputable DeFi platforms
Regularly audit smart contract interactions

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How is DeFi Transforming
Business & Finance
Raising Funds, Boosting Revenue & Creating New Opportunities

Issam Saed
Web3 Entrepreneur | Co-Founder of
Digidune
 Issam Saed
KOL & Founder and CEO of Digidune
Experience:
10 years of experience in marketing.
Ex-Hedera Marketing Manager.
Launched 30+ crypto & blockchain projects.
Blockchain for sustainability expert.

Previous Projects:
Hedera Guardian for sustainability (Boeing, Service Now, Avery Dennison...).
Netzium Energy Token.
Sherex Dex
CBDCs (Standard Bank, Shinhan Bank, Cathay Bank, SCB TechX...).
What is DeFi?
Definition: Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is a blockchain-based
financial system that removes intermediaries like banks,
allowing peer-to-peer transactions, lending, and investments.
Core Features:
Transparency (Public Ledgers)
Automation (Smart Contracts)
Borderless Access
Lower Fees & Faster Transactions
How is DeFi Changing Our World?
✅ Democratizing Finance: Businesses and individuals can access capital without banks.
✅ New Funding Models: Tokenized fundraising & DAOs replace traditional VC models.
✅ Automation & Efficiency: Smart contracts reduce manual processes & costs.
✅ Financial Inclusion: DeFi opens doors for unbanked & underbanked populations.
✅ Revenue Growth: Staking, yield farming & liquidity mining offer passive income.
✅ Cross-Border Payments: Faster, cheaper global transactions without intermediaries.
Use Case 1:

Fundraising Without Banks

💰 Raising capital via Tokenization & Initial DEX Offerings
(IDOs)

Businesses can tokenize assets or equity and sell

them on decentralized platforms.

Allows global investor participation without relying

on traditional venture capital.

🏢 A property firm tokenized a
$60M New York skyscraper
Fractional Ownership: Investors could buy tokenized shares in the building on Avalanche.

Outcome: More liquidity, global access to real estate investment, and lower entry barriers.
Use Case 2:

DeFi Lending & Borrowing

🔗 Accessing instant loans without traditional credit checks
Businesses can use crypto assets as collateral to get loans via DeFi

protocols like Aave & Compound.

No need for banking approvals—loans are secured via smart contracts.

🏭 African entrepreneurs using
DeFi for microloans
Platforms like Goldfinch finance unbanked small businesses using on-chain credit scores on ETH.

Impact: Faster access to capital, no need for credit history, and reduced interest rates.
Use Case 3:

Automating Payments & Smart

Contracts
⚡ Smart contracts enable trustless business transactions
Automates supply chain payments, royalties, and service contracts.

Reduces fraud, errors, and intermediaries.

🔗 Automating Payments with
Smart Contracts in Gaming
Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based game on ETH where players can collect, breed, and battle

fantasy creatures called Axies. Smart contracts govern the ownership and trading of these unique

digital pets, represented as NFTs.

Use Case 4:

DeFi & Cross-Border Transactions

🌎 Fast, low-cost international payments using stablecoins
Eliminates delays & high fees associated with SWIFT transactions.

Businesses can settle payments in minutes instead of days.

💸 MoneyGram integrated
blockchain for remittances
Used Stellar (XLM) to enable low-cost remittances in Africa & Asia.

Impact: Cheaper transactions, financial inclusion for unbanked users.

Conclusion & Call to Action
DeFi is reshaping business finance.

🔹 Companies leveraging DeFi will gain a massive advantage.

🔹 Now is the time to integrate DeFi solutions into your business!
💡 Want to learn how? Let's talk!
Let’s talk Crypto
📩 Issam Saed
📧 issam@digidune.com
📱 LinkedIn: Issam Saed
 RESEARCH TOPICS

1/ Automated Market Makers (AMMs) vs. Traditional Order Books

Comparing how Uniswap or PancakeSwap works compared to centralized exchanges
Understanding impermanent loss in practical terms

2/ Stablecoins and Their Mechanisms

Analyzing different stablecoin designs (collateralized, algorithmic, hybrid)
Case studies of Terra/UST collapse vs. successful stablecoins like USDC

3/ DeFi Lending Platforms Comparison

Assessing risks and rewards across Aave, Compound, and newer platforms
Understanding collateralization ratios and liquidation risks