Company
Date Published
Author
Chainlink
Word count
1696
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

The text discusses the transition from traditional brand-based agreements to math-based agreements enabled by smart contracts and blockchain technology. Brand-based agreements rely on the reputation of organizations and can involve significant counterparty risk if an institution fails to meet its obligations, often leaving individuals with little recourse. In contrast, math-based agreements use cryptography and immutable software to automatically enforce contract terms without relying on trust in an institution. This shift is particularly beneficial in regions with weak regulatory oversight, offering end-to-end transparency and reducing counterparty risk. The text highlights Chainlink's role in expanding blockchain utility and enabling a new ecosystem of decentralized financial products that operate beyond the control of any single party. The potential for innovation is compared to the transformative impact of internet companies, suggesting that math-based contracts could revolutionize financial transactions by combining transparency, automation, and the ability to manage risk more effectively.