Project Update: October — December 2020
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Hi everyone! As we come to the end of 2020, we hope you have been enjoying the festive period and are feeling more positive for the coming new year. After recently completing the original whitepaper and presenting a new roadmap for adoption back in October, iExec has been busy with collaborations, events, and new product releases. Let’s have a look back over some of the news from the past couple of months.
Collaboration updates:
- Intel: iExec becomes Intel service provider: https://builders.intel.com/ai/membership/iexec
Over the past 3 and a half years, iExec has been developing projects with Intel® technologies, primarily focused on Intel® SGX hardware enclaves. In November, iExec has become a key member of Intel®’s ecosystem for AI and is featured on the AI Builder Program website. This program is for iExec to evaluate how Intel® SGX, and Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) in general, provide key security elements of a blockchain in an off-chain infrastructure.
- Nvidia
iExec joined the NVIDIA Inception program. The NVIDIA Inception program provides iExec access to the most advanced expertise and knowledge on GPU computing.
- NCTU
iExec signed a contract to develop a software platform for providing distributed Ethereum-based Off-Chain Trusted Compute Service. iExec will develop a platform for providing Ethereum-based Off-Chain Trusted Compute Services. The platform will use Ethereum and Intel SGX technology, using ARMv8-A™ processors with TrustZone™ support.
- Listing on Crypto.com
iExec RLC (RLC) was listed on Crypto.com. Crypto.com offers a Visa Card, adding additional utility to RLC as users can easily convert cryptocurrencies into fiat currencies to be spent at over 60m merchants globally.
Release Updates
- AMF approval
This year iExec took a major step towards enterprise adoption as iExec obtained a Visa from the ‘Autorité des Marchés Financiers’ (the French equivalent of the SEC) for its new Enterprise Marketplace token swap offering. This optional swap will allow enterprises to exchange cloud resources in a regulated and compliant environment. Enterprises now have the option to use an extra compliant version of the iExec decentralized marketplace for cloud computing resources, if they choose to. The enterprise adoption facilitated by the AMF visa will directly benefit the iExec RLC token economics. This permits even more enterprises to benefit from the innovation brought by iExec.
- Video: Marking the Completion of 2016 Whitepaper and New Roadmap
In September, iExec marked the completion of the original 2016 whitepaper. When iExec and the concept of off-chain decentralized computing were imagined four years ago, it was impossible to forecast how blockchain technology and ecosystem would evolve over the years. Certain emerging technologies such as trusted computing were almost unknown at the time. iExec was able to innovate in some cases even additionally were not initially outlined in the original whitepaper (such as releasing the first full ‘trusted compute’ solution for blockchain with Intel). The world’s first decentralized marketplace for computing resources was successfully delivered and during this time, iExec has evolved from a start-up idea to a fully-fledged enterprise. Watch the video:
New onboarding demos for developers
As part of the recently presented adoption roadmap, iExec is releasing developer demos and walkthrough interfaces for 3 developer types that are key to iExec developer adoption.
You can learn a little more about this here:
Decentralized Cloud Computing — Demo for Beginners
iExec created a cloud developers walkthrough demo. This demo app (Faceswap) demonstrates characteristics of the platform such as finding computing power at the Best Price, No Vendor Lock-in, Easy fund management.
➡️ https://developers.iex.ec
Offering $10 of free credits, this demo has no crypto or technical requirements needed, Just log in with your Google Account and see how simple decentralized cloud computing can be:
iExec Trusted Decentralized Oracle — Demo for Beginners
iExec released a demo for beginner blockchain developers to show a comparison between standard decentralized oracles and iExec Trusted Decentralized Oracles. The demo illustrates how a Decentralized Oracle with an extra security layer added, Trusted Execution Environments (TEE), is essential for any app that relies on external data sources.
➡️ https://blockchain.developers.iex.ec
A sandbox test environment, providing a comparison between standard decentralized oracles and iExec Trusted Decentralized Oracles.
Other publications:
- PoCo series 10: some thoughts on Scalability of Ethereum and layer 2:
- Tutorial: Making a privacy-preserving app in under an hour
iExec has created easy tutorials for developers to make a data privacy-preserving app in 1 hour. It is a simple tutorial to understand how developers can take advantage of technology and the iExec SDK to make a privacy-preserving application.
Events and Promotion
- October Q&A session
Following the new roadmap project update video, iExec hosted a special Q&A session covering topics such as the iExec Vision: beyond the whitepaper, the RLC token, Tech developments, the new Adoption Roadmap and OntoChain (iExec and EU funding innovating projects)
- Crypto.com promotional campaign
iExec made an exclusive campaign for RLC holders to get prizes for trading RLC on the Crypto.com App. The total prize pool for the campaign was $30,000 in RLC Tokens.
- As a member of the Industrial Internet Consortium, iExec was invited to present at the annual Utility and Cloud (UCC) Conference:
iExec also presented at the AI Dev World conference in October:
- iExec presented at a CyptoLyon meetup event, discussing the latest news from iExec & the general blockchain ecosystem in France (video in French).
New Team Members join iExec
- iExec has welcomed a new UX/UI designer, Claudine Daumur, joining the marketing and business development team. With a degree in UX design and an Art Master’s, and over 6 years of experience in the field, Claudine has implemented product design-thinking and UX methodologies for companies in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and New York.
- Another new addition to the iExec team is an apprentice in management, Zhwein Mo, who joining the marketing and business development team. Zhwein has worked for China Merchants Bank for about two years and has a good idea of the Asian market. While still working on business development in Europe, Zhwein will be a key member of the Asian Pacific-focused team, which iExec plans on expanding.
- iExec has welcomed a new International business developer apprentice, Avinash (myself 😃), joining the marketing and business development team. Before doing one internship with iExec during the first half of 2020, I was working in the IT domain for 3 years and have knowledge in new technologies and IT domain in the international market. I’m now joining iExec as an apprentice.
iExec will soon be onboarding a few other senior positions, such as a marketing and commercial director — so we look forward to introducing them when the time comes!
Thanks for reading, have a great new year!
More from iExec:
Best Events of 2020 — iExec Year Review #1:
Decentralized Cloud Computing — Demo for Beginners
➡️ https://developers.iex.ec
Offering $10 of free credits, this demo has no crypto or technical requirements needed, Just log in with your Google Account and see how simple decentralized cloud computing can be:
iExec Trusted Decentralized Oracle — Demo for Beginners
➡️ https://blockchain.developers.iex.ec
A sandbox test environment, providing a comparison between standard decentralized oracles and iExec Trusted Decentralized Oracles.
iExec Confidential Computing — Demo for Beginners
- *Coming in the next few days*
