Let's learn about XC and why it blows it's competitors including BTC out of the water hands down...( this was mostly copied from the XC website because it explains it best)
Total coins:
5.5 Million
Premine: 125k
Block Times: 90 Seconds
POS interest: 3.33% per year
Min stake time: 8 hours
Max Stake time: 30 Days
TECHNOLOGY
The XC network is made up of two parts: (1) the standard XC network, made up of computers running the XC App, and (2) the anonymous XC network, which is run by XC Nodes. All apps that are open and connected to the network while holding coins are a part of the standard XC network. This network is very similar to what other cryptocurrencies currently use.
The XC anonymous network, on the other hand, is something entirely different. It can be accessed from any XC App, but if a user designates a transaction to be sent anonymously, it is processed by the XC Nodes which make up the anonymizing portion of the network. Any XC App can be set up to run as an XC Node, as long as it meets certain criteria
no bloat
XC was designed from the ground up to be compatible with mobile devices. Currently, there are several projects that have an anonymizing strategy that results in an unworkable blockchain bloat problem, which will only be compounded if they are ever introduced to mobile platforms. Technologies like ring signatures and zero-knowledge proofs fall into this category and currently lack a way of avoiding this major setback. XCurrency is able to use standard transactions, but multi-path then achieves an extremely high level of privacy combined with a high degree of prunability. This allows XC to avoid blockchain bloat, even with full mobile integration.
decentralized
Because every XC App can function as an XC Node, this allows XC to avoid what Bitcoin core developer Gregory Maxwell has recently called a security “chokepoint” in some other coins’ use of semi-centralized nodes to forward transactions. Unlike most other anonymous strategies, XC avoids the need to hold a very large amount of coins in order for an XC Node to function. This is made possible due to the small, random transaction sizes of XC’s multi-path architecture. The smaller capital requirement to run an XC Node benefits the XC network by allowing more XC Nodes to exist, increasing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the anonymous network.
network security
XC uses multi-sig and end-to-end message encryption. This solution improves upon the more common practice of simply forwarding transactions, which can be problematic because malicious actors can steal transactions instead of forwarding them. Another issue resolved by the XC approach is XC Nodes cannot snoop on the broadcasting system and publish the identities of senders and receivers. This further adds to XC's security.
not just for payments
From the onset, XC was designed to take advantage of Blockchain 2.0 architecture. This makes implementations such as secure messaging, secure chatting, and decentralized cloud storage possible. XC’s comprehensive approach to incorporating current and trending technologies provides a stable platform on which to implement exciting new ideas and features in the future. The XC community has already seen evidence of this forward planning in the efficiency with which changes can be made.
XC was built for the future. While it successfully implements the imperative state of the art technologies that are expected of a cryptocurrency today, the foundation has been laid for even bigger things to come.
Near future (Coming months all of this will be implemented Most probably by the end of the year, Brace yourselves.)
XC Mobile
Currently in progress is the fully featured XC mobile wallet/app. This app for smartphones will be made available for both iOS and Android operating systems. Users will be able to earn interest on the go, made possible thanks to XC’s adaptive design. XC is also working on the technology to allow the purchase of XCurrency directly through the mobile app – this will add ease-of-use for those with less tech knowledge, and will make reloading with XCurrency easier than ever.
Decentralized Cloud Storage
The incorporation of Blockchain 2.0 architecture into the XC framework allows for a broad range of future developments. One area being looked into by the XC team is the use of the XC blockchain for decentralized cloud storage. This storage could be utilized by individuals, businesses, or even political campaigns. The ability to safely store and transfer important documents, without fear of disclosure to third parties, is something that a diverse group of people could benefit from. XC is taking steps to make this feature a reality.
Payment Networks
As the XCurrency base is further developed, adding XCurrency to an existing payment network, such as the Visa network, will be a number one priority. Imagine XC being as easy to use as a credit card, but without the need for the actual card, since XC will be fully functional on any mobile device. This integration into any one of the larger payment networks will allow XC to be utilized at millions of point of sale locations across the globe. It will also open the door for utilization with ATM’s, otherwise known as cash machines in some countries. Combined with the ability to reload your mobile app with XCurrency at the click of a button, this will be the premier step toward bringing XC before the masses as a usable, functional, flexible, and robust currency alternative.
NFC Payments
A project that’s been in the works for years, near field communication (NFC) payment technology is starting to gain mass adoption and acceptance as a simpler, faster, and more secure way to make payments at point of sale locations. With the development of XC’s mobile app, the timing for such an acceptance of NFC technology by the general population couldn’t have been better. Some of the key benefits associated with utilization of NFC technology in conjunction with XC:
Blockchain 2.0 Apps
XCurrency is built on Blockchain 2.0, a flexible digital platform which allows easy integration for current and future XC applications. A few examples of upcoming applications would include the use of the XC App for encrypted messaging and chat, and the use of the XC blockchain for decentralized cloud storage. These are just the start; the potential to build upon the XC platform is limitless. With the Blockchain 2.0 architecture already in place, the blockchain for XCurrency is like a foundation awaiting the actual building to be erected. Stay tuned to see what the XCurrency team has planned, and as always, if you have a great idea that you would like to see implemented, by all means contact us and we’ll take a more detailed look.
Web 3.0 Development
Web 3.0 represents the evolution of the World Wide Web. Poised to make the internet fully and provably secure against identity theft, fraud, and spying, Web 3.0 is a fundamental change in the architecture of the Internet. XCurrency’s platform approach incorporates Web 3.0 concepts, like decentralization and appropriately secure protocols for various types of information. As XC’s Blockchain 2.0 applications grow in number, XC will increasingly become a fundamental building block of Web 3.0.
Proof of Blockchain
Proof of Blockchain (PoBC) is such new technology, that very few understand it. Invented by Jasinlee, one of XC’s developers, PoBC will essentially allow blockchains to talk to each other. At this point, PoBC is a revolutionary concept that, if successfully implemented, will become an incredibly powerful facet of the XCurrency project, further increasing privacy and reducing blockchain size. PoBC is not going to be implemented in the immediate future due to the enormous amount of work required to code and implement it, (and there are more immediate goals, as outlined in the XC roadmap), but keep an eye out for announcements regarding PoBC, and the positive impacts that PoBC may have on XC’s future.
Learn about XC's free encrypted Messaging (soon to have free encrypted video and voice call)
http://xc-official.com/xc-news/Lead developer
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dan-metcalf/12/1a8/b82TIMELINE
*2014-5-08 XC launches
*2014-5-26 Rev. 1.0 End to end encryption
*2014-5-26 Trusted mixer
*2014-6-16 Rev. 1.5 Early multipath
*2014-6-16 XC team reveals their identities
*2014-6-24 XC TOR Stick test release
*2014-7-7 XC official website launch
*2014-7-7 XC social media platforms launch
*2014-7-7 Rev 2.0
*2014-7-7 Full multipath
*2014-7-7 Trustless mixing
*2014-7-8 New XC team members introduced
*2014-7-9 XChat app test release
*2014-7-21 Rev 1 mixer code open source release
*2014-8-4 XChat and private payments merge
*2014-8-7 XC TOR Stick
*2014-8-7 XChat release
COMING SOON
[Undisclosed Rev 2 privacy feature]
*Rev 2.5 XChat, New UI preview
*Rev 3.0 [Undisclosed tech update]
*XC app UI
*Official public launch
*XC TOR Stick ships to buyers
*Public bounty to provably break privacy
*XChat mobile
*XC mobile staking wallets
*XC ATMs
*XChat voice calling
*Point of sale integration
*XChat video calling
*Proof of Blockchain
*Decentralised cloud storage
*Decentralised exchange
*Interchains
AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!!