part 326 Sep 2018 11:17
When the 10th Directory Block has been created, the hash of each individual Directory Block is taken. Then the Federated Servers hash those 10 hashes as the definitive anchor to be added onto the Bitcoin blockchain. One of the servers is randomly chosen to add the anchor root to the Bitcoin chain, and the entire process begins again.
The use of hashes, merkle trees, and chain IDs to compress and organize data means that very large amounts of data can be contained within Factom, identified by a very specific path, and anchored into the Bitcoin blockchain using a very small amount of data. This minimizes costs, provides all necessary flexibility, and maximizes network security.
Factoid (FCT) Token Mechanics
Factom tokens are designed in such a way that tokens increase in price as platform usage grows. 73,000 FCT are generated by the software, each month, to pay the Federated Servers. In order for Factoids to reach a price equilibrium (where there is neither inflation nor deflation), 73,000 FCT must also be burned each month in the process of creating Entry Credits. If demand is lower than this amount, and less than 73,000 FCT are burned, then the number of new FCT entering the system will exceed the number being burned, and inflation will drive down the price of each FCT. Conversely, demand that exceeds the number of FCT entering the system will cause deflation, and FCT prices will rise. Eventually, in each of these scenarios, the FCT price will reach an equilibrium that reflects overall usage of the platform. This means that the long-term price outlook for FCT is simply based on expected usage of the protocol. We are very bullish on this front, and thus expect Factoids to significantly increase in price.
Market Potential
Factom provides a very specific utility to enterprise clients, who need to secure massive amounts of data and documents. Paper records, which are still in use in many major industries today, are costly to maintain, store, organize, and audit. Digital data is a better alternative in many ways, but current structures leave this data vulnerable to hacks and digital tampering. Factom provides a solution that is not only more secure and less costly, but also allows for greater transparency and regulatory compliance.
These solutions are especially apparent for data that’s required by more than one organization; mortgage documents, supply chain verification, medical records, and other documents that are regularly audited are all examples. Because these documents frequently change hands among different organizations, each must independently audit the documents to ensure that they haven’t been altered or fabricated. That creates significant operational costs that are avoidable when using Factom.