Social Innovations and Secret Conversations

What are some of the ways that transaction signatures have been used for conversing, for better or for worse? Let's start first with a description of how a conversation actually works using blockchain technology.

Coded conversations through a "Glitch" in the techUsers of the technology at some point or another realized that it's possible to add a so-called "OP Return output" to the transaction - an instruction coded into the Bitcoin blockchain by Bitcoin developers.

Coded conversations on the blockchain began.

Eternity WallEternity Wall, a service for writing short messages on blockchain, is mostly used for writing proverbs, jokes and love declarations, but it can also be used to reply to a message sent via the service, so conversations may be created.

Blockchain messaging used in elevated situationsThe OP Return script may be used to contact a person on the Bitcoin blockchain if you only know their Bitcoin address.

Messaging on the Bitcoin Cash blockchain is not something done in secret anymore, either.

Bitcoin Cash has proven to be more popular for messaging services, likely due to lower blockchain transaction fees.

There is a social network called Memo in which all networking actions are recorded to the BCH blockchain.

With the advent of social media as a powerful communication and advertising tool, the conversation has inevitably - and regularly - returned to how a decentralized technology like blockchain can be harnessed to provide enhanced social networking opportunities.

Kyrylo Chykhradze is the Head of Product at Crystal Blockchain, Bitfury's analytics tool for blockchain and cryptocurrencies.