The research arm of the Untied States Military, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), is seeking to better understand distributed consensus protocols that are the backbone of several blockchain projects. To note, is that these type of protocols are different from the Proof of work protocols evident in Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Ethereum (ETH).

DARPA is More Interested in Permissionless Distributed Consensus Protocols

DARPA sent out a Request For Information (RFI) on how consensus protocols can be implemented in the fields of security, data storage and computational tasks. The RFI went on to state the following field of interest:

Of particular interest to DARPA are so-called “permissionless” distributed consensus protocols, where any individual may join in the computation (in contrast to “permissioned” distributed consensus protocols, which restrict the participants). DARPA is solely interested in permissionless distributed consensus protocols. Permissioned distributed consensus protocol topics will be deemed not responsive to this RFI. While there is a substantial amount of publicly and privately supported research and development in distributed consensus protocols, DARPA seeks information along several, less-explored avenues of permissionless distributed consensus protocols. Such information could help inform a future DARPA program.

Submission Deadline of the 20th of December, 2018

Responses to the RFI may be submitted at any time till noon, December 20th 2018. More on how to submit the information that is requested by DARPA can be found on the Federal Business Opportunities Website.

Additional Workshop in February

Also to note is that DARPA intends to hold a workshop in February 2019, based on the responses to the RFI.

Technology Thriving in a Bear Market

With DARPA seeking to better understand permissionless consensus protocols, it is safe to conclude that the technology that is the backbone of cryptocurrencies and blockchain is thriving amidst the bear market.

The CEO of Binance, Changpeng Zhao, has on numerous occasions encouraged building and/or developing the underlying technology that is the backbone of crypto and blockchain during times of market uncertainty. The tech will in turn benefit the future of the industry in a positive way.

been through this many times already. Secret of success? Keep your head down and build. — CZ Binance (@cz_binance) November 19, 2018

What are your thoughts on the US Military’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency seeking a better understanding of the underlying technology behind cryptocurencies and blockhain? Please let us know in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to give financial advice. Any additional opinion herein is purely the author’s and does not represent the opinion of Ethereum World News or any of its other writers. Please carry out your own research before investing in any of the numerous cryptocurrencies available. Thank you.