IOTA uses a superior, scalable architecture, known as a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG).
The technology is constructed for the challenges of the IoT (Internet of Things). It provides fee less, scalable transactional settlements and data transfer. AKA: machine-2-machine payments.
Is it secure compared to the traditional blockchain?
The answers is yes. It is actually even more secure.
A distributed ledger network is only vulnerable to attack when 51% of the mining power is controlled by a single entity. Some say that 33-34% are sufficient. Either way in order to effectively control 34% of the hashpower, a very large amount of people world have to conspire simultaniously to attempt an attack on the Tangle.
The BTC blockchain in comparison, is controlled by 5 major mining pools, mainly situated in China. If the were a colusion between miners, the network integrity would be at risk.
Every blockchain is susceptible to this form of attack, as the high computational needs favor that miners join pools, resulting in increased centralization.
How does Iota handle double spending on the network?
Conflicting transactions can exist in the Tangle
Network has to decide which Tx (subtangle) will not get orphaned
Methodology: Run tip selection algorithm many times and see how frequent the conflicting Tx are (indirectly) approved by the tips.
Result: Transactions in the subTangle with less hashing power will eventually get orphaned
Iota has an operator. Is the network decentralized?
Yes the network is decentralized.
The Tangle is in beta and under constant development. The operator is already optional and will soon be completely obsolete once the network can selfsustain. Improvements to the protocol are planed in order to further optimize for the Internet of Things. A constantly evolving world needs an equaly adaptable technology and ecosystem that can rise to the challenges of real world adoption.
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Iotaforall
Iotaforall: Free writer/not affiliated with Iota/not employed by A.F.
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