NXT Data Cloud

The NXT Data Cloud is a feature that allows you to upload and tag data onto the NXT blockchain. The data is typically temporarily stored, but can be stored indefinitely by some nodes (changelog 1.5.3e)

It's almost impossible not to see the use of such a feature, as it is being promoted as one of the main use cases of the blockchain: unfalsifiable, secure data, timestamped on the blockchain.

In NXT, this feature is native, so you can do this via the main blockchain without needing any third party.

Even better: the system has been in place since the 1.5 branch went live in May 2015, so has been in production for a while now.

Use cases (if you haven't been following the discussions) are for instance

Court evidence that is safely stored and cannot be tampered with

Schools that upload their students results onto the chain

Business documents that are signed by using the NXT Token feature and are available tamper free to all parties

Anywhere were you need data that should be free from tampering and that needs to be readily available, this feature can be used.

Again, this feature is easily integrated by use of the NXT API, so it can easily be integrated into software.

Native vs. 3rd party

The blockchain revolution is about decentralisation and trustlessness. Sometimes, it seems that these basic features are forgotten in the search for the "killer app". However, if crypto platforms are ever going to take their rightful place in the world, they will need to keep these two fundamentals clearly in mind.

NXT is built with these two cornerstones in mind. When NXT was first launched in 2013, the centralisation implicit in pooling hashing power was already apparent. For this, and other reasons, NXT chose to use Proof of Stake over Proof of Work. Proof of Stake simply does not incentivise centralised pooling as Proof of Work does.

On a design level, NXT also chose to go much farther in using the blockchain than any project before it. The NXT blockchain can be used for a multitude of things, all of them secured by the blockchain, and not relying on third parties, like many bitcoin alternatives.

Whatever we do, I am convinced that we should always keep in mind the cornerstones of what we want to achieve.

I'd like to leave you with an interesting podcast with James d'Angelo on the matter.