As blockchain and crypto have continued to gain attention and popularity over the past year, non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, have surged into the spotlight. The first half of 2021 saw tokenized art, video clips, and various esoterica sold for astronomical prices amid frenzied interest. And although the hype has died down for the moment, a look at the technology behind NFTs shows that this is only the tip of the iceberg. These blockchain assets are likely to emerge as an important pillar of the new economy -- with important implications for privacy.

What is the Internet for?

In April of 2021, The New York Times declared "we're all crypto people now." It's true -- over the past year, digital currencies have entered the collective consciousness as never before. But great change is often met with great resistance, and crypto is no exception. Misconceptions about the nature and capabilities of blockchain technology have grown almost as fast as adoption. Myths and rumors about illicit activity, environmental impact, and network inefficiency are easy to find.

From the host:

What is the future of Web3? Host Derek E. Silva joins Greg Osuri, Founder and CEO of Akash Network, the open-source, decentralized cloud. They take a deep dive into the future impact of AI, overcoming the challenges of distributed networks, and the battle for data sovereignty.

Much has been made of the likely advent of quantum computing, which promises the ability to perform computations at speeds that are orders of magnitude beyond those of current computers. But what does quantum computing mean for the future of blockchain? Do quantum computers threaten blockchain security?

Android users can now pay for bandwidth on Orchid via in-app purchases, which allow people to buy Orchid accounts filled with XDAI using nothing more than an ordinary credit card. In-app purchases, which have been available on iOS since last year , make it possible to get started with Orchid in seconds .