We want to create our own network that competes with maidsafe and eventually corners their market. We will be able to monetize it much more efficiently and will be able to leverage the network effect from all our other services to kickstart popularity.
Why are you so confident? It seems easier for them to copy the idea of BitUSD* than for us to copy decentralized file storage (which David Irvine has been working on since 2006). In terms of market effect, their system will skyrocket when it quickly becomes the go-to place for every bootlegged film & music imaginable.
*I agree that we will obviously get BitUSD onramps up and running first.
I think the best thing to do is to invest in both things. Im just annoyed that I missed out on their crowdfunder stage.
I guess I'm just pretty skeptic at its usefulness in the short term beyond hosting child porn. Market pegged assets has much more potential at kickstarting a huge userbase, that we can then leverage with new blockchain services to create even more value.
I'm not so sure BitShares is competing in the same space, from my non-technical understanding you can't build the Internet on a blockchain. Maidsafe will be so much more than a place for darknet stuff. It's a secure version of the Internet. There will be a secure facebook alternative and a secure version of every type of site that currently exists. Imagine a having a site that can't be censored, shut down or traced to your identity. It will be an explosion of free speech. Companies will want to use it to protect themselves from corporate espionage. Individuals will want to use it to protect their personal freedom. I've wondered if BitShares community communication should be done on a Maidesafe app/site. As much as possible should be done in-house clearly, but what BitShares can't do, could spill over into Maidsafe. The delegate profiles/social network I heard rumblings about perhaps could go on Maidsafe. Could delegates be hosted on maidsafe? That could increase BitShares network security.
All BitShares communication should take place on a secure platform as soon as possible. Maidsafe stands for freedom of the Internet, freedom of speech. BitShares, if I may be so bold, stands for these same things with a special focus on free trade. We are natural ideological partners with Maidsafe. Maidsafe has a good brand image (in my mind). BitShares could benefit from leading by example and working with all the freedom-tools available.
Disclaimer: I'm a fan of Maidsafe and own a small amount (relative to my BTS) of Maidsafecoin.
As for a Maidsafe bitasset, I've no opinion, not sure if there's enough demand.