Last week, blockchain platform Waves secured $16 million (29,636 BTC) through its Initial Coin Offering (ICO). According to Wikipedia data, this ranks Waves as the third-largest blockchain crowdfunding project to date, trailing only The DAO and Ethereum. In an exclusive interview with Bitcoin.com, Waves CEO Sasha Ivanov shared key insights about the platform’s vision and functionality.
Waves Platform Overview
Bitcoin.com (BC): Can you introduce Waves to our readers?
Sasha Ivanov (SI): Waves is an open blockchain platform specializing in:
- Creation and transfer of customizable blockchain assets
- Fiat currency transactions
- Crowdfunding and decentralized financial tools
- Trade settlements
Our goal is to establish a stable, open platform for payment systems, banks, and community-driven projects, fostering a robust blockchain ecosystem.
We prioritize accessibility—our lightweight client installs via one-click and runs directly in browsers, eliminating the need to download the entire blockchain.
Inspiration from NXT
BC: You’ve mentioned NXT inspired Waves. How so?
SI: NXT pioneered user-generated tokens and on-chain trading, hosting dozens of successful crowdfunding campaigns. Its colored coins technology offers a streamlined alternative to Ethereum’s smart contracts—while Ethereum’s approach is foundational, NXT’s method is more immediate and scalable.
Bitcoin Network Integration
BC: What’s your team’s perspective on Bitcoin?
SI: Bitcoin remains the dominant decentralized currency until superior alternatives emerge. Waves will support Bitcoin deposits and trading. We’re excited about the Lightning Network and plan to implement similar solutions on Waves.
Crowdfunding and Community Tools
BC: How does Waves facilitate crowdfunding, community governance, and encrypted messaging?
SI: Colored coins are versatile—they enable value transfers, tokenized voting, reward systems, and more. Waves aims to be the ultimate custom token platform, maximizing colored coin potential akin to Ethereum’s expansion of Bitcoin scripting.
For crowdfunding, users issue custom tokens; investors purchase these to fund projects or participate in governance.
Decentralized Reputation System
BC: How does the reputation system work?
SI: It’s a decentralized KYC/AML alternative. User reputations are calculated based on network activity and peer feedback, helping filter malicious actors.
Partnership with Mycelium
BC: What can you share about the Mycelium collaboration?
SI: Mycelium’s mobile Bitcoin wallet has a massive user base. Integrating fiat transfers could revolutionize mobile payments and international remittances—a key focus of our partnership.
Crowdfunding Success
BC: Waves’ ICO is the sixth-largest crowdfunding project ever and third in blockchain. What was the experience like?
SI: Thrilling. Engaging the crypto community during the ICO refined our vision and highlighted expectations for blockchain tech. Community feedback is critical for decentralized P2P systems.
Ethereum and The DAO
BC: Thoughts on Ethereum and The DAO’s hub concept?
SI: Ethereum is groundbreaking—the logical evolution of Bitcoin. We’re not competing but collaborating. Our token transfer protocol will enable Ethereum-Waves interoperability, allowing Ethereum token trading on Waves’ DEX.
Development Timeline
BC: When will the testnet and lightweight client launch?
SI: The alpha mainnet launches imminently. Full-node software arrives by late June.
Waves’ Mission
SI: To democratize blockchain technology and drive mainstream adoption.
FAQs
Q1: What makes Waves different from Ethereum?
A: Waves focuses on customizable tokens and ease of use, while Ethereum emphasizes smart contracts. Both platforms complement each other.
Q2: Can Waves tokens be traded on other exchanges?
A: Yes, Waves’ interoperability protocol will enable cross-chain trading with Ethereum and other networks.
Q3: How secure is Waves’ lightweight client?
A: It operates without downloading the full blockchain, using secure browser-based encryption for transactions.
Q4: What industries can benefit from Waves?
A: Banking, remittances, crowdfunding, and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
👉 Discover how Waves is reshaping decentralized finance
👉 Explore blockchain interoperability solutions
### Keywords:
1. Waves blockchain
2. ICO crowdfunding
3. Custom tokens
4. Decentralized finance
5. Ethereum interoperability
6. Colored coins
7. Lightweight client