Today we continue with a face in the team behind TangleCon: Danish Kiani. Danish is part of the DLT team at byte5 and will be moderating the event.
Tell us about your background?
My name is Danish Kiani, and I am currently working as a DLT/Blockchain Developer at byte5 in Frankfurt, Germany. I started delving into crypto in 2017, and after some early experiences with mining dogecoin and dabbling in NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain, I began to explore blockchain technology more deeply. I worked on open source protocols and crypto projects on the Ethereum blockchain, and even founded an environmental-focused crypto startup. Eventually, I expanded my knowledge to Rust/GoLang and other blockchain frameworks like Hyperledger. I discovered IOTA through my colleagues at byte5, and I dove deeper into Rust fundamentals, IOTA, and crypto concepts like digital identities and verified credentials.
How did you get interested in IOTA?
IOTA was introduced to me by my colleagues at byte5, and after some digging, I became fascinated by the technology's potential. IOTA's focus on the IoT, scalability, and decentralization through its unique Tangle architecture captured my interest. I was intrigued by concepts like digital identities and verified credentials, which have enormous potential in our increasingly digital world.
I was intrigued by concepts like digital identities and verified credentials, which have enormous potential in our increasingly digital world.
What are you currently working on?
As a DLT/Blockchain developer at byte5, I am working on projects using IOTA's Tangle architecture, Rust fundamentals, and common web technologies.
Can't say more than that yet ;)
What does the IOTA Community mean to you?
The IOTA community is incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and collaborative! The community on Discord, in particular, has been very helpful, providing me with solutions to problems, explaining new concepts, and guiding me through the process. Special thanks to: Thoralf, Kumar and Dr. Electron by the way! The community's eagerness to help, educate, and collaborate is a key indicator of a good project.
The community's eagerness to help, educate, and collaborate is a key indicator of a good project.
Why do you think it is worth attending the TangleCon 23?
The TangleCon will offer a unique opportunity to learn more about IOTA and the broader crypto space. It is the perfect time to meet other fellow like-minded builders, founders and visionaries in the space from all around the globe, share knowledge and even collaborate. For people just starting to dip their toes in all things crypto, it is also a great way to participate and learn more about IOTA's technology, its capabilities, and its plans for the future.
What is the biggest topic for you in the IOTA community right now?
Digital trust and digital identities are the biggest topics of interest for me in the IOTA community. I believe that NFTs were just a first stepping stone in transitioning to these topics, and we can observe this transition on the Ethereum blockchain as well. People are slowly moving away from NFTs to SBTs (Soulbound Tokens) when it comes to digital identity.
What is the biggest challenge in the industry at the moment?
The biggest challenge in the industry at the moment is educating the general public about this new technology and the potential it holds. Due to the rampant scams and bad news surrounding crypto, many people are still hesitant to trust the technology, or perhaps it is still too complex for them to understand. Therefore, the major task for us will be to educate people about this technology and its potential while also simplifying the process for end-users. Attending the TangleCon might help educate people :)
What are your hopes for IOTA in the future?
I have high hopes for the future of IOTA. With the upcoming transition to IOTA 2.0 and the implementation of coordicide, I believe we'll see a significant improvement in the scalability and speed of the network. I'm also excited about the possibility of native smart contracts, which will allow for even more innovation and use cases within the ecosystem. My ultimate hope is that IOTA will continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with cryptography and distributed ledger technology and ultimately become a major player in the global economy.
Dear Danish, thank you for your time and for sharing your views on the community!
