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Security and Economics in Distributed Systems

Security is a fundamental part of any digital value exchange. Developers and system architects can’t afford to ignore data protection and system security. On the contrary, they should proactively focus on security, continuously review their development processes, and put their systems through rigorous testing – including destructive testing – to uncover vulnerabilities. In the final lecture from the University of Lucerne (HSLU), diva.exchange delves deeper into this topic. The Role of Security in Distributed Systems In a distributed network, every node is a potential attack target. One critical testing scenario involves simulating Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks. For instance, if a system […]

Resilience of Distributed Systems: How They Work and Why They Matter

Resilience is a key characteristic of distributed systems. In a presentation by Konrad Baechler, co-founder of the diva.exchange association at the University of Lucerne (HSLU), he discusses the properties of resilience, which ensures the availability and consistency of results in distributed systems even in the face of failures or attacks.

Distributed System Architectures: A Presentation at Lucerne University (HSLU)

In the third video overview of the presentation by Konrad Baechler, co-founder of the diva.exchange association, at Lucerne University (HSLU), the discussion revolves around distributed system architectures, their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, as well as their evolution and dynamics.

A Series of Presentations at the University of Lucerne: Fundamentals of Distributed Systems

We continue to introduce our readers to the basics of how distributed systems operate. The featured video delves into the key concepts of distributed systems, highlighting their primary goal – achieving a shared task through interaction and message exchange between nodes. The central component is the protocol, which ensures coordination and interaction among system participants. Konrad Baechler, co-founder of diva.exchange, emphasizes the necessity of achieving consensus at the data level, as the lack of a shared time system rules out time-based agreement. One key example discussed is the use of blockchain technology, where preserving data integrity at a specific moment […]

The Results of 2024: Distributed Systems and Their Impact on the Crypto World

2024 has been a breakthrough year for distributed systems and their integration into the cryptocurrency industry. It has been packed with innovations, challenges, and groundbreaking discoveries that shaped key aspects of privacy, decentralization, and trust. The platform diva.exchange and its initiatives have influenced the progress in this area.

Modern distributed systems. Meeting at the University of Lucerne (HSLU)

In November 24, Konrad Baechler, co-founder of the diva.exchange association, presented a series of lectures on modern distributed systems. The main focus of the research conducted by diva.exchange in cooperation with academic institutions is to deepen knowledge about the nature and capabilities of distributed systems. Distributed systems consist of nodes that are connected by a network and exchange messages. The main characteristics of such systems are parallel operation of nodes, no single time standard, autonomy in error handling, and the ability to dynamically change the composition of participants. Examples include communication systems (e.g., email), blockchain technologies, Fediverse platforms (like Mastodon), […]

Advances in Financial Technologies ’24: conference review

The Advances in Financial Technologies 2024 (AFT 2024) conference, held in September 2024 in Vienna, Austria, focuses on the latest advances in financial technology, including decentralized finance (DeFi), cryptocurrencies, security, and anonymity. Special attention is paid to data protection and privacy, securing decentralized systems, and improving cryptocurrency and financial protocols. Let’s look at some of the most interesting innovations and research discussed at the AFT’24 conference.

I2P: Interview with the developer “idk” (Part 2)

In the first part of the interview with idk, a leading I2P network developer, we covered security and defense against external threats. In the second part of the interview, we will discuss current trends in p2p networks and the latest developments in the I2P ecosystem. Join us!

I2P: Interview with the developer “idk” (Part 1)

We continue our series of interviews with I2P network participants (past interviews here and here). Today on diva.exchange blog we present a unique guest, a talented programmer, and one of the most active participants of the I2P community – idk. With idk we will talk about recent attacks on I2P infrastructure, the latest innovations in the network, MoneroKon, and, of course, philosophical issues.

Trust in the cryptocurrency economy: resolving the problem. Experience of diva.exchange (part 2)

In the last article, we considered the barriers and limitations between users and cryptocurrency economy’s entities (currencies, tokens, exchanges, etc.). As you can see, there are quite a large number of them and, therefore, gaining the trust of users is not an easy task. Let’s see what approaches exist, how this problem can be solved, and what diva.exchange does to establish trust with its members.

Trust in the cryptocurrency economy: framing the problem (part 1)

In the rapidly changing world of digital finance, cryptocurrencies have taken their place as a payment instrument promising decentralization, transparency, and security. However, behind the apparent promise and innovation lies a fundamental problem: the issue of trust. While attractive on paper, cryptocurrency’s decentralized nature often creates obstacles when establishing trust among ecosystem participants. From security concerns to legal uncertainty, a lack of trust is a significant barrier to widespread adoption. However, several strategies and technologies can be utilized to mitigate these challenges and build more trusting relationships in the cryptocurrency economy. In this paper, we examine the main problems of […]

I2P: network reliability is on the radar of the academic community

We continue our series on I2P anonymous Internet technology. The first interview was devoted to the specifics of the technology and the current state of the global community. Today our guest is an academic researcher and cybersecurity specialist from Switzerland, Philipp. In his scientific work, he explores the specifics of anonymization of the I2P test network, and the application of the technology to create an exchange network diva.exchange. What results Philipp came to in his research and why “darknet” is not evil in itself – read in our new interview.

I2P and the free internet. Interview with a community member

I2P is an anonymous peer-to-peer network. I2P provides applications and tooling for communicating on a privacy-aware, self-defense, distributed network. The diva.exchange association is using I2P technology to design its network. Today we’ll talk to Sadie, whose work focuses on outreach, secure usability, governance and digital rights. We will learn more about the current state of I2P technology,  application areas, and the global I2P community. Here we go.

FOSDEM 2024: diva.exchange’s innovative approach to I2P networking

In digital networking, the principle of distribution has become a beacon of progress, promising freedom from centralized control and enhanced security through distributed architectures. Prominent among such networks is I2P, an overlay network known for its reliability and anonymity. Recent developments in diva.exchange, presented at the FOSDEM 2024 conference, suggests a paradigm shift in how I2P is perceived and utilized.

FOSDEM 2024: why it is essential to take a close look

FOSDEM (Free and Open Source Software Developers’ European Meeting) is an annual conference that brings together open-source software enthusiasts, developers, and industry professionals worldwide. FOSDEM 2024 promises to be another exciting event with a wide range of topics and presentations covering the latest innovations in open-source software. One particularly intriguing presentation is titled “DNS for I2P – Distributed Networking without Central Authority” from diva.exchange, offering a look at a distributed approach to networking.

Diva.Exchange 2023 Results: A Year of Growth and Innovation

In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance, diva.exchange is one of the scientific cornerstones offering users know-how, critical thinking, and a compass within the areas of “privacy”, “crypto and blockchain”, “trading” and “decentralized finance”. As we look ahead to 2024, let’s take a look at the significant achievements and results that have defined diva.exchange over the past year.

Ethereum’s Home Staking: A Closer Look at the Elitist Efficiency

In this article, we continue our review of existing cryptocurrency mining technologies – Ethereum is next in line. As the world of blockchain technology continues to evolve, Ethereum (ETH) stands at the forefront with its innovative consensus mechanism known as “home staking.” This concept, exclusive to Ethereum among staking options, involves users locking in a portion of their own ETH assets, transforming their nodes into validators. While celebrated for its energy efficiency, this system raises questions about elitism, akin to corporate workplace dynamics, and introduces potential security and maintenance challenges due to the integration of executable computer code, or smart […]

Diva.exchange at the HackThePromise conference: a new perspective

In a world of constant technological development and advancement, the HackThePromise conference stands as a beacon of innovation, collaboration, and the pursuit of a brighter future. The meetup brings together some of today’s brightest minds in technology, entrepreneurship, and social change to explore, discuss, and predict tomorrow. The diva.exchange association also participated in the conference.

In anticipation of the HackThePromise conference

With the ever-evolving field of technology and cybersecurity, public events play a key role in bringing together professionals, enthusiasts, and experts to share ideas, showcase innovations, and work together to create a more secure digital future. One such event, meeting for the first time on September 15-17, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland, is the “HackThePromise” conference. This gathering promises to be a center of cutting-edge discussions on cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and the prospects for a safer digital space.

Benefits of diva.exchange: the technological aspect

Centralized crypto exchanges have long dominated the market, offering users a convenient way to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. However, the traditional centralized model has a number of drawbacks, including security vulnerabilities, the potential for manipulation, and dependence on a single entity. To address these issues, a new wave of crypto exchanges, known as distributed crypto exchanges, have emerged to introduce decentralization and create a more secure and transparent trading environment. In past articles, we wrote about the innovative nature of the product that diva.exchange is developing – a fully distributed exchange for exchanging any digital assets. How diva.exchange’s project differs […]

Look, the time of distributed assets and tools is coming!

The cryptocurrency market has been in turmoil for at least a year: hacks and attacks, the theft of colossal sums, incredible spikes in the value of key cryptocurrencies, and scandals, over and over again. Right now, we are watching the rush of the crypto industry giant, the centralized cryptocurrency exchange Binance.

Decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges – a next step

In the last article (“What are Centralized Cryptocurrencies Exchanges”), we looked at how centralized cryptocurrency exchanges work. Numerous thefts and security holes in centralized exchanges have turned developers and users to other, more secure, and reliable digital asset exchange tools. An attempt to address past problems was the creation of decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges (DEX). Also in the article, we will touch on distributed exchanges, which differ significantly from decentralized exchanges.

What are Centralized Cryptocurrencies Exchanges?

Cryptocurrencies and digital assets have become part of our lives. They allow us to make fast purchases and payments, invest and save personal finances, choose convenient and privacy-respecting instruments and platforms for transactions. But, like everyone else in our world, cryptocurrencies have a downside. Before starting to use digital currencies, every user is faced with the choice of a stable digital asset, a reliable crypto exchange, and a secure electronic wallet. In our article cycle of active and planned crypto exchanges, we will consider these issues in more detail. 

What technologies does diva.exchange use

Modern people are surrounded by a huge number of technologies. It is not an exaggeration to say that technology is used in every sphere of our life. Of course, technological progress has made everyday life more comfortable. However, despite assurances from manufacturers, not all technological innovations are safe and optimal (or, for example, energy efficient) for use. In this article, we will try to explain why diva.exchange uses various developments to create the first of its kind free digital asset exchange technology.

FOSDEM’23 – results and new challenges!

The largest free software conference FOSDEM 2023 is over. FOSDEM is always a good opportunity to discover new things and make new friends by talking with people from the open source community. So, now is the time to take stock and assess how the latest diva.exchange developments are in line with modern free software development trends.

FOSDEM 2023: Upcoming Open Source Conference in Brussels

In early February 2023, the FOSDEM conference will open in Brussels – a landmark event for all who are interested in modern software and hardware development. The conference is a point of attraction for free software developers and #opensource projects from around the world. The diva.exchange association traditionally participates in the conference and presents its new developments. The core of FOSDEM is the open source initiative and the projects based on it. Open source software is the result of collaborative efforts and peer review by all members of the community. Developers share knowledge, ideas and code to create innovative software […]

Working on Continous Improvements of Free Banking Technology

Now, at the end of 2022, security and privacy issues regarding personal finances have become very actual. Especially when it comes to digital space: banking transactions, electronic payments, the use of cryptocurrencies and their storage – all these attributes of modern life need to be securely protected. Digital finance today has a centralized structure, even if we’re talking about crypto exchanges – and that’s the problem. Huge losses of digital assets in 2022 occurred due to the hacking of centralized exchanges or the transfer of assets from one centralized structure to another (for example, when sharing values between different blockchain […]

Research results as video: I2P, De-Anonymisation and DIVA

The research results on “De-anonymisation of I2P network participants” were published at MoneroKon2022 in Lisbon. The researchers, Brian Boss and Marco Purtschert, worked together with DIVA.EXCHANGE and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts on the design of attacks on the I2P network. Specifically, this involved the de-anonymisation of participants in the I2P network. The research results of this important study are now being made available to everyone as a video.

I2P and the Blockchain with DIVA

In the past months, DIVA has been continuously and significantly developed: the network layer, based on I2P, and the blockchain (“divachain”) have been improved. The external download numbers of the I2P library of DIVA.EXCHANGE as well as the modern and general-purpose blockchain solution “divachain” have increased significantly. Recently, a guest lecture by DIVA.EXCHANGE on the topics “Darknet”, “I2P”, “Blockchain” and “Privacy” took place at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Free Banking Technology for Everyone Developing “free banking technology for everyone” requires continuous research and development. As an association, DIVA.EXCHANGE is making these efforts and developing open systems, […]

Diploma speech, HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich, Fraumünster

Carolyn Bächler-Schenk, co-founder of DIVA.EXCHANGE delivered the diploma speech on 14 October 2021 in front of more than 400 invited guests at the Fraumünster, Zurich, in a ceremonial setting. The topic was the digital future par excellence: namely digital money, digital securities, digital loans and how everyone can be their own independent and private bank. The great and long-standing competence as well as the commitment of the keynote speaker Carolyn Bächler-Schenk impressed the guests.

Technology Stack of the I2P-based, Free and Fully Distributed Banking Technology DIVA: Presentation at FOSSASIA 2021

The presentation at FOSSASIA, held in March 2021, is about the technology stack of the I2P based, fully distributed banking and exchange technology DIVA. DIVA is a software package licenced under AGPLv3, produced by the not-for-profit association DIVA.EXCHANGE. Konrad, the lead architect, shows how to install DIVA, how to run DIVA on your local device and hence how to become your own local I2P based, fully distributed bank and exchange. How to become part of this open source and free technology project rounds off the lecture. This article provides an overview of each section of the lecture and access to […]

An Introduction to DIVA.EXCHANGE: Transcript of the Lightning Talk at FOSDEM 2021

Konrad, the lead architect of DIVA, held a 20 minutes lecture at FOSDEM 2021. The lecture gives an overview of the I2P based, fully distributed bank DIVA. More than four times as many participants as usual, namely 33’000, followed this year’s open source conference FOSDEM – exclusively virtual. It was great to be part of this awesome event. It was great to meet people from all over the world and to get feedback and questions that drive DIVA forward. If you are interested in the lecture, read the transcript of the talk here: Hello, this talk is about an I2P […]

Start of research work in 2021: Welcome!

In February 2021, three students from the ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Science) and the HSLU (Lucerne University of Applied Science and Art) will start their bachelor theses. Again, two exciting topics are examined in a field that has so far been little explored. DIVA.EXCHANGE is looking forward to the cooperation in the coming months and welcomes the motivated students Cailleret Levi, Kyburz Sascha and Moritz Küttel.

Great people work on DIVA: this is our “Code of Merit”

The Code of Merit is a meritocratic approach to project management and communication in technical projects. In the book “The Internet Galaxy” by Manuel Castells the thesis is put forward, that among the internet pioneers the meritocratic principle played an essential role in the structure. So those who enjoy the greatest reputation, who have attracted attention through excellent performance and positive reputation, in relation to innovations. The Code of Merit provides guidelines for working together based on the pursuit of technical merit. The Code of Merit is publicly available here.

The distributed ledger technology of DIVA.EXCHANGE is Iroha

For data storage DIVA.EXCHANGE builds on the distributed ledger technology Iroha. Iroha is a blockchain under the roof of the established Hyperledger Foundation. Iroha is very slim and is suitable for small and weak devices (mobile, raspberry, TV) as well as for large server farms. The slim architecture is a huge advantage: because DIVA.EXCHANGE should use as little energy as possible. In fact, Iroha knows no “mining” in the usual, energy-wasting sense. Consensus on the validity of data is created very efficiently. Thus, within the framework of the DIVA.EXCHANGE project, Iroha also contributes to the fact that everyone can be […]

Privacy in the digital world

Everyone is talking about good old “privacy”. Tech giants, a crowd of “#degoogle” disciples, and of course the loyal Silicon Valley fan base, preach respect for individual data. However, the race for data has long been decided. DIVA.EXCHANGE works with the community on reliable solutions for real privacy protection.

Clear, Transparent and Open: New video available

As a transparent and open association DIVA.EXCHANGE works hard to make free banking and exchange technology available to everyone. The video at lbry.tv takes a close look at the mission, the people behind and the organization of DIVA.EXCHANGE.

Research and innovation at DIVA.EXCHANGE

DIVA.EXCHANGE has again worked out exciting research assignments for Information Technology and Business Information Technology students. For the autumn semester 2020, there are particularly innovative tasks for a bachelor’s or master’s thesis as well as for an economic project.

Introduction to “I2P”: Your own internet – secure, private and free

What should you do about misuse and exploitation of your personal data and values on the internet? A few years ago, even Sir Tim Berners-Lee turned away from his World Wide Web and is now on the road in the distributed new world with his “Solid” project. There is even more good news: it is quite easy to turn to the modern, distributed world and use the free internet, for example via “I2P”. We show you how.

Privacy, simply explained

Are privacy intrusions just a luxury problem or trivial offences? Or is privacy the most important protection against ever increasing blackmail and discrimination by authorities and companies?

DIVA.EXCHANGE in a nutshell: the Iroha Blockchain

Any kind of blockchain is just a simple distributed and redundant data storage. No matter how much complexity is imposed on the data memory (e.g. when programs, “smart contracts”, are stored on the blockchain) – it remains data memory. The sensible thing about a blockchain is its distributed data storage and – only with sufficient distribution – the integrity of the data over time (“fallibility”). Everything else is just smoke and mirrors.

Distributed Social Network: #DIVA on #mastodon

The future of social networks lies in open source solutions and distributed technology. That is why DIVA.EXCHANGE has set up a #mastodon node. At https://social.diva.exchange (in German) anyone can become part of a modern social network. The limits of existing large centralized and censored social networks can be overcome this way.

Free Banking Technology for Everyone

The non-profit association DIVA.EXCHANGE, Baar, uses a barrier-free and collaborative approach to create free banking technology for everyone. The open source technology ensures the privacy of all participants in the financial system of the future. The blockchain-based overall system is completely distributed. Everyone can participate in DIVA.EXCHANGE.