ChangeTip is cool. It is a Bitcoin killer app. Like it or not, giving tips, even to people who don't need them, is fun. And for every person who is tipped who may not want or need it, I've seen some kid who is quite happy as they realise they've just been gifted something worth a few dollars. And then their journey into Bitcoin begins as they try to figure out how to actually spend it.
A litmus test for centralized currencies is to ask the question "can they create wealth out of the thin air by manipulating a database entry?" The answer is affirmative for ChangeTip. To their credit, they maintain proof-of-reserves online, so while we do not know the amounts held by their users, we have an idea of how much they can pay out. I applaud the transparency they have shown.
I won't respond to the drive-by ad hominem.
I might be missing something here but ChangeTip is not a currency.
They have no choice. There's no regulation around this so companies are forced to be transparent and convince their users they're legit.
We're just not used to companies being transparent because contracts around regulated industry are enforced by the force of law (threats of fine, imprisonment or violence).
We could have many more companies being transparent if only we didn't give them a way to use the force of law to convince users they're covered (think Bank of America and FDIC for instance. I'd rather Bank of America had to prove to me their investments are sound etc)
For the record, I appreciate your technical critiques! But you seem to take a perverse delight in being the critic.
Ok, so you enjoy the technical content but disagree with the tone [1]? I can understand that. I genuinely feel sorry I don't have the time to build rapport. Many other bloggers regurgitate things we all agree on and make everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside. I figure that enough people already do this that I only need to chime in when the group-think is headed south.
[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Graham's_Hierarchy_o...
Can confirm that he doesn't hate everything and is actually a really cool guy :)