Hello Polly. Thank you for taking the time and preparing this blog post. Here is some feedback:

I feel that you have been following the industry for a few months and have been primarily exposed to information that aimed to explain why is the crash happening, where did we go wrong and why DLTs are the “serious” blockchains.

“Professionals” from the financial sphere have provided various explanations and reasons fro the above, most of them stating the obvious (what was clear for anyone who has gone through a similar cycle before). On the background of chaos and falling prices, the world of DLTs seems much more stable and business-like. Suits, ties, people who [look like they] know what they are doing. The “too big to fail” guys.

The reality is, however, that DLTs are a variation of the technology that removes the “trustlessness” part. They still follow the old security model based on being granted “permission” and deal with trust based on contractual agreements. The best DLTs can do in the long run is minimize some of the operational costs for enterprises, allowing their shareholders to enjoy more significant gains. Any effect that a DLT has on an enduser is a “side-effect”. As such, DLTs are not blockchain. They are a way to keep profits and control. They are means to preserve the status-quo that the 1% thoroughly enjoys.

A blockchain without a cryptocurrency is not a blockchain. The cryptocurrency is a central element that keeps the incentives of all participants aligned. All decentralized applications that currently exist, require cryptocurrency as fuel. Loving blockchain, but hating crypto is like saying you like cars, but you hate roads.

With that said, aeternity is not a DLT. aeternity is a public, open-source, permissionless blockchain protocol that features a native token - the AE.

Again, thank you for submission. I am glad that you are looking into the sphere and find it interesting. Cryptocurrencies are here to stay. If you look past the chaos, I am sure that you will see that what is really happening is evolution on steroids - thousands of ideas being tested simultaneously. New governance models are being created. Money is being disrupted. Tough problems are being solved. DLTs are allowing corporations to ride the hype without leaving their comfort zone. And blockchain and cryptocurrencies are all about leaving your comfort zone and exploring new opportunities.