Decentralized money, meet willu’s decentralized communication channels

Is it a bubble? Or the start of something world-changing?

Cryptocurrency is in its earliest stages -- and those who follow it are talking. A lot.

Best-known Bitcoin has surged to recent valuation highs. Competitor Litecoin has spread to more exchanges. Upstart Ether made a turn in the New York Times. And -- speaking of highs -- legal marijuana currency, Potcoin, made an inroad into North Korea thanks to pitchman personality Dennis Rodman.

Is it time for you to start trading and investing, too?

Decentralized Money; Centralized Meetups

Search any major city and you’ll find tech meetups devoted to discussing rising currency alternatives. Are they a viable currency? Are they more than speculative investments? Could these technologies even be used for music and art?

Humans may love their technology, but, nothing substitutes for in-person camaraderie around a shared interest. (Especially if that interest involves money or gadgets!)

In-person tech meetups extend knowledge, foster ideas, and provide fodder for social media updates. As long as you’re at the bar talking alt coins, you can also be updating your blog at Steem, the social network whose contributors are paid with cryptocurrency!

What could make this arrangement better? A way to connect with interested parties after the meetup, in real time, while preserving your privacy.

Alt Money, Meet willu

willu is a decentralized, private messaging channel operated through hashtags.

A willu hashtag can be used to send messages to everyone in a group, or to exchange direct messages, in real time, with individuals. Since messages arrive as texts they enjoy a high open rate -- 95+% or more.

Tech enthusiasts can benefit from it because it’s a private channel you control.

First, register a willu hashtag. Keep it brief. It could be the name of the technology you’re discussing or city, such as #AustinAltCoins. Or you could register your name, such as #SatoshiNakamoto (ha!). Here are more ideas to choose a your willu hashtag.

Then, instruct all interested parties to text the hashtag to 94558 (willu).

Hashtag owners can send and receive direct messages to and from individuals. Everyone subscribed to your willu hashtag will get updates. Followers can reply to any broadcast message, either publicly or privately. They can come and go from your hashtag without hassle and without sharing their phone number or contact information.

So, don’t wait. Register your willu hashtag now. What will you do with it?

Reprinted with permission from willu.com and Katie McCaskey