Alias AMA transcript with Polarity.Exchange
Full Telegram AMA transcript
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:01]
Alright, I would like to take a moment to thank and welcome some members of the Alias project for taking the time to answer some questions today.
Thunder grup, [12.05.21 15:01]
Team Alias Here🥳
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:01]
Feel free to introduce yourselves to the Polarity community before we segway into the session 🎉
Tek, [12.05.21 15:02]
I am Philip Müller, known as “Tek” in the Alias community. I am the lead developer. Hi there!
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:03]
Hi at all! This is Yves Schuman aka Helix, another developer from the Alias community. I’m the one who automates everything, not only there… 😉
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:04]
Hi, I’m Chad or “Rhubarbarian”. Branding and Marketing for Alias.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:06]
Awesome, thanks for joining us today, I know we got a pretty nice list of questions for today, with that we will roll on into the list!
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:06]
sloppy figures… sorry… haha
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:06]
[In reply to Rhubarbarian]
Bots can be tricky 😏
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:07]
The first question is: Does the name Alias relate to anonymity?
Thunder group, [12.05.21 15:07]
Hello For all. Thunder20 Alias Latino Comunity present.
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:07]
A1: Yes! As well as the freedom to interact in a digital world without the need to offer up personal information. Everyone needs an Alias. It is becoming a needed aspect of our lives to protect our data, our finances, and our personal identity.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:09]
[In reply to Rhubarbarian]
Well if there is one thing I know it is that blockchain really encompasses freedom 🏇
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:09]
Freeeeedoooom!
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:09]
Next up on our list is: How do you guys maintain anonymity without hampering security and not violating any illegal transactions types?
Tek, [12.05.21 15:10]
Alias is a dual coin system. There are private coins and public coins. Public coins are just like Bitcoin and can be used for example by exchanges to comply with regulations. Public coins can be converted to private and vice versa at any time. Private coins are very similar to Monero and are fungible.
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:11]
People violate the law — money doesn’t. It’s A-moral.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:11]
[In reply to Tek]
Can you explain also for the users here, what is involved in the process for moving between private and public states? How hard is it to switch between?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:12]
Conversion can be done without any hassle right on your wallet.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:12]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
So it is safe to say, there is no learners curve required?
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:12]
UI/UX is tight!
Tek, [12.05.21 15:13]
It’s quite easy. Some people might miss the balance transfer tab on first sight… probably to obvious 😉
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:13]
click, I’m public…. Click, I’m Private.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:13]
You choose to convert coins, which direction, and the amount. thats it.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:13]
Voila, that indeed does sound accessible 🎩
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:14]
The next question related to the wallet: What are the advantages when you use an Alias wallet compared to others? Why should we choose Alias?
Tek, [12.05.21 15:14]
The alias wallet is simple to use and provides the best possible privacy for you out-of-the-box. For example, the Alias wallet comes bundled with Tor, which protects your internet (IP) address. The Alias network is run exclusively over Tor, you can’t reveal your IP address by accident.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:15]
[In reply to Tek]
So what you are saying is that every participant knows the same amount of information, the privacy is not “opt in” for the blockchain networking of the wallet?
Bulent Ustbas (SuperSistem/SSYS), [12.05.21 15:15]
Why can’t i see circulation and Max supply on CMC.
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:16]
Fast TXs, Rewards via Staking (50% more for Private Staking). Low energy usage and private spend,send, stake
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:16]
[In reply to Bulent Ustbas (SuperSistem/SSYS)]
We opened support ticket at CMC regarding this topic today.
Bulent Ustbas (SuperSistem/SSYS), [12.05.21 15:17]
How much circulation and Max supply?
Tek, [12.05.21 15:17]
You can choose to use public coins, if needed. If you use private coins your transactions are not traceable on the blockchain. Your IP address is always protected though. Tor is not optional, you cant opt out.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:17]
[In reply to Rhubarbarian]
50% more for utilizing the privacy based staking? That is quite an incentive to the protocol users 🥇
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:17]
[In reply to Bulent Ustbas (SuperSistem/SSYS)]
See https://chainz.cryptoid.info/alias/api.dws?q=circulating
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:17]
It pays to be private!
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:18]
[In reply to Tek]
I see, so all the networking is rock solid and secure, brilliant
Thunder grup, [12.05.21 15:18]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
It also offers us the language setting, which is rare in other wallets
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:19]
[In reply to Thunder grup]
Yes — we’re working on translating wallet into 70 + lanaguages!
Tek, [12.05.21 15:19]
As you probably know, you can run Bitcoin over Tor too. But its optional. With Alias you don’t have todo anything. You have always the best possible privacy available.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:19]
Right. We’re working on more translations, every volunteer is welcome at this point! 😉
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:20]
[In reply to Tek]
Thats wonderful, in a time where everyones data is bought and sold to the highest bidder, it is refreshing to know that protocols are out there which take data privacy seriously.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:20]
The next question is: Does Alias have or have plans to add use cases beyond being a currency?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:20]
Actually not but time will tell.
Thunder grup, [12.05.21 15:20]
[In reply to Rhubarbarian]
👍Yes friend
Tek, [12.05.21 15:22]
We have talked about this a lot. We are a small team and our focus is on providing the best possible privacy coin. Other can build upon that and use Alias for any use case they can think of. But basically Alias is “just” a currency.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:22]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
Lots of possibilities come in time, with your recent integration, Alias can now be utilized in DAPPs of any kind, lending, leverage, games, you name it. Community now has many more options to find ways to support the project!
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:23]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
… which is great!
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:23]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
Other side use cases like growing an Arts Community around Alias users. Alias becomes the afinity to many thngs.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:24]
[In reply to Rhubarbarian]
I am a huge supporter of artistic endeavors and think that art is one of the best mediums to convey messages 📈
Thunder grup, [12.05.21 15:24]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
Good news. Excellent
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:24]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
Yes — we have some amazing artists in our community.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:25]
Can you tell the story of how Alias came to exist?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:25]
Well, @Teknex, now long story short please! 😉
Tek, [12.05.21 15:25]
Alias, formerly known as Spectrecoin, was created 4 years ago as a code fork from the Shadow Cash project.
The founder “Mandica” saw the potential of Shadow Cash, but wanted to emphasize more on simplicity and privacy instead of providing an integrated marketplace. So Spectrecoin was created and the first big change to Shadow Cash was inclusion of Tor to protect the users internet address/identity.
Tek, [12.05.21 15:26]
By the way Shadow Cash itself is a code fork. We are proud on our full history of cryptoprojects:
BitCoin -> PeerCoin -> Novacoin -> BlackCoin -> ShadowCash -> Alias
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:26]
[In reply to Tek]
Wow what a journey in lineage 😳
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:27]
So at the core you share the same principals as the Bitcoin project did initially, thats good to hear
Xiri, [12.05.21 15:27]
why the name change/rebranding?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:27]
With the old name we got a lot of “bad” or “dark” associations.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:28]
Up to some kind of fear to invest into the project
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:29]
The brand evolution better reflects what Alias seeks to communicate, and achieve, and is better enabled to fight the stigma of online privacy. At the same time it differentiates us from many other “Spectre” named projects.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:29]
Are all of the founding members still with the project?
Tek, [12.05.21 15:29]
Besides some OG community members, only one community manager is still left from the founders.
Alias was and is a community based project and since its inception 4 years ago, there has been quite some change in and around the core team.
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:31]
improved as we grew. People come and go, but the project gets better every year and it’s due to new people joining the cuase!
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:31]
[In reply to Rhubarbarian]
That is what is lovely about Open Source projects, which leads me to the next question: What are some of your top milestones you have hit as an open source project?
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:31]
Growth in Open Source occurs over longer milestones than traditional ventures.
Tek, [12.05.21 15:32]
We are the first crypto project to implement anonymous staking on a trustless setup using ring signatures! And first to create a fully anonymous mobile wallet with private spend and staking.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:33]
[In reply to Tek]
So your mobile wallet allows for use of both public and private coin sets? What operating systems is that available on currently?
Tek, [12.05.21 15:33]
At the moment its only available for Android.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:33]
For mobile only Android at the moment.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:33]
For PCs a lot of LInux distributions and Mac/Win of course.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:34]
Good coverage window, hopefully iOS version will be down the pipeline 😁
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:34]
Can you talk about the team and their ethicacy related to software development?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:35]
What brings us all together is the need for privacy in a digital world.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:35]
So if you understand the drawbacks of the transaction-visibility on other coins, all the marks you leave behind with each step you take, it’s more or less a “must” to use a privacy coin. Privacy is a fundamental right and we want this fulfilled also here on the crypto sphere.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:35]
As we’re a community project, it is already a lot of fun to work on such a project. On a project with direct usage around the globe, even if that “usage” could be improved and should be improved. It’s not a “must” to work on our team, it’s obviously more an “I like it” and that’s why we’re here.
Thunder grup, [12.05.21 15:36]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
👍
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:38]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
This is one of the highlights I find so fascinating about crypto projects, all the work produced is battle tested in so many diverse environments almost immediately thanks to the internet, it is great to hear your team is motivated mostly by passion more than anything.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:38]
If I talk about myself, I’m in the OSS community since years
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:39]
But in complete different area, which was unfortunately nearly dead the last years.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:39]
So I searched another area with fun and cool people to work with.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:39]
Then I met @Teknex and so the story goes on… 😉
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:40]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
Code is one of the coolest topics which has brought bright minds together if you ask me 😄
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:40]
Does Alias have a community treasury?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:40]
Yes — it’s called a Development Contribution Block (DCB). Every 6th stake lands in a dedicated wallet to cover expenses a.s.o.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:41]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
Thats great to hear, so as the chain continues to grow and develop, its resources will continue to keep up 💴 development is not cheap, that is for sure!
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:42]
How do you plan to market Alias to the masses?
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:44]
We’ve established a strong brand foundation and are developing our brand on all our social channels, gaining followers along the way. We’ve started working with some around the globe to act as Alias Ambassadors to communicate to their region in their language and host events. Launched community groups like Alias Arts to blend art and crypto and grow that community globally. We set up two main communication video series. One is our updates/news series called “Alias Up” and the other is called “Alias Shorts” focused on tips and facts about Alias.
The upcoming release supports multiple languages. So the user can switch the complete UI to his native language.
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:45]
We are a very grassroots marketing project. No piad ads or paid marketing.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:46]
[In reply to Rhubarbarian]
That sounds like quite a comprehensive approach indeed, can you link to where the Alias Shorts are viewable?
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:47]
And I would say very human in our marketing. Nothing hyped, just real.
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:47]
Can we post a Youtube link?
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:47]
Yes, should be okay
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:47]
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKLnCbaJp58Y1OhIFQ-PvoA
Thunder grup, [12.05.21 15:47]
Soon we will have a set of short videos of the Latino community with Alias🥳
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:48]
[In reply to Thunder grup]
Will the Alias Short segments also be localized in language??
Thunder grup, [12.05.21 15:49]
yes The Latino community integrated in the project is working on short videos
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:49]
yes — we are adding sub titles as they are translated. So far ENglish and Spanish
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:49]
The force is strong with our LATAM Community
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:50]
That is great to hear, exposure is key to growth 🗝
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:50]
How did you make staking work on a privacy coin?
Tek, [12.05.21 15:50]
Our privacy system is very similar to Monero, using ring signatures and stealth addresses. The key element of anonymous staking is using the embedded key image in the ring signature. The key image is unique and makes sure that every private coin can only be spent or staked once.
We can’t use confidential transactions like Monero though, because the amount cannot be hidden for staking.
Tek, [12.05.21 15:51]
A personal note, the challenge of implementing anonymous staking was, what got me involved in the first place. Some people in the community thought, it can’t be done 😃
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:52]
Everybody said, it’s impossible. Until that one comes, who did not know this and just implemented it… 😉
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:52]
[In reply to Tek]
This is my favorite type of story in software development, the classic: You can’t | Sure I can watch
😂 😂 😂
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 15:53]
@Teknex is a top crypto coder. We’re lucky to have his wealth of knowledge and skill.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:53]
Dialing in on the privacy portion: Does that anonymity model have any vectors to be compromised?
Tek, [12.05.21 15:54]
Being a ring signature based privacy system, the privacy level of a transaction/coin depends on the quality of the decoy outputs (mixins) and the entropie level when analyzing the history of transactions.
Alias has the most advanced mixin picking algo, solving vectors like the “transaction set” problem, which can reveal the true output if not considered. Please check out our white paper for details.
Further, staking of private coins not only validates the network, but also increases the number of mixins, the level of entropie in the network in general, and makes traceability of your private coins practically impossible.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:54]
https://alias.cash/technology/white-paper/
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:55]
[In reply to Tek]
Thats quite interesting, so you have relied on existing protocol functions to accomplish new things others have not, quite a feat
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:55]
Thanks for linking the whitepaper!
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:55]
What makes Alias special?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:56]
One would say, our community! 😃
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:57]
But:
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:57]
A simple to use wallet with best possible privacy on a trustless setup while being energy efficient. Or see answer above :-) One of the big deals is Alias is the ONLY project with complete user data protection on desktop AND mobile and the only Proof of Stake Project to have Private spend/send and staking on Desktop and Mobile!
Thunder grup, [12.05.21 15:57]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
Team work. Community integration. Mutual support to achieve the objectives. The opportunity to learn and grow within a community of members who excel in a subject such as cryptography.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:58]
You can install the wallet on a Raspberry Pi and let it stake. Works like a charm.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:58]
That’s energy efficient!
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:58]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
Energy efficient, this is a big point of contention among debate in the crypto verse, it is good to know your blockchain does not consume electricity to an erroneous level.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:58]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
Even on a Raspberry Pi? That is low power use for sure
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:58]
Will Alias be at any crypto conventions when they resume?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 15:59]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
Yes, we have a ready to run Raspberry Pi image
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 15:59]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
Users can just grab that from https://alias.cash right?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 16:00]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
Exactly. https://alias.cash/wallets/
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 16:01]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
We hope so! That depends on the community.
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 16:01]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
Eventually, yes. We think the first “convention” will be us core gathering somewhere to meet for the first time in person!
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 16:02]
[In reply to Rhubarbarian]
Be sure to announce that here when you know about it, the international community loves events 🎉
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 16:02]
If I wanted to help out the Alias community how could I best contribute?
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 16:03]
Join our Discord! We can always need a hand. From helping to test a new version of our wallet, providing translations or setup a store with Alias as payment option.
HLXEasy, [12.05.21 16:03]
And all the nice and cool things we can’t imagine at the moment… 😉
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 16:04]
[In reply to HLXEasy]
Very achievable goals for most!
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 16:04]
Where does Alias project see themselves in 2 to 5 years time?
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 16:04]
Older. 🙂
Thunder grup, [12.05.21 16:04]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
Alias is a team that grows more every day. But new members with ideas and the desire to support this Heart Project are welcome.
Tek, [12.05.21 16:05]
[In reply to 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼]
We should be the default choice for transacting in private. The energy efficient replacement for Monero.
𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗 四川狼, [12.05.21 16:06]
[In reply to Tek]
That is the level of aspiration I like to hear, and knowing your teams level of dedication, you have a sure swing at the title ⚾️
Rhubarbarian, [12.05.21 16:10]
GIVEAWAY ALERT. I’ll drop a password in here tomorrow for an oppertunty to win Alias in our Discord. Will give away 200 Alias to 20 new folks. I will aim for this to happpen tomorrow at the same time we started this AMA. Come on back, ya here?!
