Blockstream Expands Industry Reach with Strategic Partnerships

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Blockstream has been making waves in the industry with its strategic partnerships. The company has expanded its reach through collaborations with key players in the space. This move is a significant step in its growth trajectory.

One notable partnership is with IBM. Blockstream's team has worked closely with IBM to develop a blockchain-based platform for tracking and verifying the origin of goods. This platform has the potential to revolutionize supply chain management.

Blockstream's partnerships have also led to the development of new products. For example, the company has created a tool that allows users to create and manage digital assets on the Bitcoin network. This tool has been well-received by the community.

The company's focus on innovation and collaboration has paid off. Blockstream's partnerships have helped to drive adoption of its technology and expand its user base.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Blockstream Founder

Industry Partnerships

Blockstream has established itself as a leader in the industry through strategic partnerships.

Blockstream employs talented developers, including Rusty Russell, who was one of the first to implement the Lightning Network in 2015.

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These partnerships have allowed Blockstream to expand its reach and expertise.

In 2018, Blockstream partnered with Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE) to launch a cryptocurrency market data feed, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

Blockstream's collaboration with Digital Garage in 2019 resulted in the creation of Crypto Garage, a company targeting the Japanese institutional market.

Services and Features

Blockstream Services are designed to make Bitcoin transactions faster, more secure, and more efficient. One of the key services is the Lightning Network, which enables high volumes of instant tiny payments.

The Lightning Network operates at the speed of light and uses proportional transaction fees, making it a game-changer for micropayments. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about transactions.

Blockstream offers Liquid, a more secure and efficient system for exchange-side bitcoin to move across the network. This is a significant improvement over traditional systems.

The company also provides a Cryptocurrency Data Feed, a partnership with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), which offers traders real-time and historical cryptocurrency data. This data is sourced from a strong and growing list of exchange partners worldwide.

Bitcoin Mining Letter Tiles Near an Iphone
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Here are some of the key services and features offered by Blockstream:

  • Lightning Networks
  • Liquid
  • Cryptocurrency Data Feed
  • Blockstream Satellite
  • The Elements Project

Blockstream Satellite utilizes open source Software Defined Radio (SDR) technologies to offer a breakthrough in the cost effectiveness of satellite communications. This technology has the potential to make satellite communications more accessible and affordable.

The Elements Project is a community of people extending and improving the Bitcoin codebase. As open source, protocol-level technology, developers can use Elements to extend the functionality of Bitcoin and explore new applications of the blockchain.

Accelerating Layer-2 Networks

Blockstream's Liquid Network is a Bitcoin layer-2 solution that offers interoperability with the Lightning Network. It allows for asset tokenization on the Bitcoin network.

Launched in 2018, Liquid has enabled the issuance of over $1.8 billion worth of assets, including stablecoins and tokenized securities. This infrastructure is used by exchanges like Bitfinex, BitMEX, and OKCoin to reduce counterparty risk and enable near-instant financial transactions.

Liquid has 3,844 bitcoins locked on-chain, and its adoption is growing across the $300 billion real-world asset market. For example, Mexico's Mifiel has issued $1 billion in promissory notes on the network.

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The Liquid Network uses Elements Core, a sidechain protocol built on the Bitcoin Core codebase, which introduces features like Confidential Transactions and Segregated Witnesses. This allows for faster and more secure transactions.

New blocks are added to the Liquid sidechain every minute, compared to bitcoin's 10-minute block interval. This reduction in delays and friction makes it an attractive solution for traders and exchanges.

Services

Blockstream offers a range of innovative services that make it easier to use and interact with Bitcoin. Their services are designed to enhance the overall experience and provide new possibilities for users.

One of the most exciting services offered by Blockstream is the Lightning Network, which enables high volumes of instant tiny payments using proportional transaction fees and operates at the speed of light.

The Lightning Network is a game-changer for Bitcoin, allowing for fast and affordable transactions that were previously not possible. This has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about micropayments and online commerce.

Close-Up Shot of Bitcoins on Laptop Computer
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Blockstream's Liquid service provides a more secure and efficient system for exchange-side bitcoin to move across the network. This is a significant improvement over traditional methods and offers a higher level of security and reliability.

Here are some of the key services offered by Blockstream:

  • Lightning Networks
  • Liquid
  • Cryptocurrency Data Feed
  • Blockstream Satellite
  • The Elements Project

The Cryptocurrency Data Feed, a partnership between Blockstream and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), offers traders best in class real-time and historical cryptocurrency data from a strong and growing list of exchange partners worldwide. This is a valuable resource for traders and investors looking to stay on top of market trends and make informed decisions.

Blockstream Satellite utilizes the latest open source Software Defined Radio (SDR) technologies to offer a breakthrough in the cost effectiveness of satellite communications. This innovative service has the potential to expand access to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in remote or underserved areas.

The Elements Project is a community of people extending and improving the Bitcoin codebase. As open source, protocol-level technology, developers can use Elements to extend the functionality of Bitcoin and explore new applications of the blockchain.

Launch New Funding Round for Bitcoin Mining Security Token

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Blockstream has launched the Series 3 round of its second Mining Note, the BMN2, which is now available to qualified investors outside the U.S.

The BMN2 comes with a revised price compared to the Series 1 and 2 rounds from July 18th, priced at $31,000 per petahash per second (PH/s).

Investors from previous rounds who purchased at higher prices will receive additional BMN2 to adjust for the price difference.

The BMN2 is a hashrate-backed security token offering (STO) issued on Blockstream's Liquid Network through Luxembourg-based virtual asset service provider (VASP) Stokr.

It provides 1 PH/s from Blockstream’s North American mining facilities for a four-year duration, which aligns with the industry standard for measuring hash price.

Blockstream expects BMN2 to deliver similar results to the BMN1, which mined 1,242 Bitcoin and delivered up to a 103% cash return while outperforming Bitcoin by 32%.

BMN2 is competitively priced, with a 50% discount relative to the current hash price, making it more cost-effective than purchasing hashrate contracts on the open market.

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The BMN2 is priced similarly to hosting mining hardware at 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), whereas large customers generally pay around 6.5 cents/kWh.

Investors who roll over into BMN2 from the BMN1 will receive a 3% bonus in additional BMN2 securities.

Blockstream benefits from access to low-cost energy and competitively priced equipment, enabling the company to offer hashrate at a significantly lower price than others in the industry.

Satellite

Blockstream's satellite network is a game-changer for those without internet access. In 2017, Blockstream announced the availability of one-way satellite broadcasting of the full bitcoin blockchain, allowing for the propagation of valid bitcoin transactions to people without internet access or during a disruption event like an Internet blackout.

The network has expanded to include four satellites across six coverage zones, adding Asia and Pacific region coverage. This means that more people can access the bitcoin blockchain, even if they don't have a stable internet connection.

However, it's essential to note that the network is only one-way, so users still need a connection to the bitcoin network to send transactions. This can include SMS gateways or higher cost internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blockstream legit?

Blockstream is considered a highly legitimate Bitcoin company, backed by significant funding and a strong track record of innovation. With a strong focus on support and user experience, they're a reliable choice for those looking to invest in Bitcoin technology.

What does Blockstream do?

Blockstream builds crypto-financial infrastructure based on Bitcoin, using advanced cryptography and security to make financial markets more efficient. Our goal is to reduce reliance on trust and create a more secure and transparent financial system.

How many employees does Blockstream have?

Blockstream has approximately 86 employees as of November 2024. They are a global team with a presence on 6 continents.

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