BEAM vs EPIC Cash
BEAM and EPIC Cash are both based on the revolutionary Mimblewimble protocol. However, BEAM does not use pure Mimblewimble in the base layer, but a hybrid of Mimblewimble and Lelantus developed by FIRO to obfuscate the transaction graph even better than with Dandelion++ alone. (For the functionality of Lelantus see here).
Both also differ in the programming language used. While BEAM is a cryptocurrency programmed from scratch in C++, EPIC is based on a fork from the cryptocurrency GRIN programmed with Rust. Although Epic began as a fork of Grin, it has since evolved to become distinctly different from GRIN in terms of a more diversified and egalitarian approach to mining and overall usability.
Without going into more detail about the differences between the two programming languages used, C++ offers a lot of flexibility, but also more possibilities of bugs and security vulnerabilities. The complex syntax is often difficult to read and maintain, which also makes it harder for outsiders to review the code used.
In contrast, the increasingly popular Rust has a modern and clean syntax that is easy to read, understand and maintain. Rust has a strong focus on security, preventing common bugs and security vulnerabilities.
Because of its better security, Rust is the premier language for crypto projects. In addition to EPIC Cash, projects like Solana, Polkadot, ZCash, Near, Libra (Facebook's crypto project) and many others rely on Rust, and projects like Kaspa are migrating to Rust.
Unlike EPIC Cash, which is a grassroots movement supported by a global community, detached from traditional structures without venture capital or a foundation, BEAM is a for-profit start-up founded by Israelis with investors in the background.
Development and marketing at BEAM are funded by venture capital and a Swiss-based foundation that collects 20% of each block reward. EPIC's development, on the other hand, is funded solely by an annually decreasing share of each block reward (currently 4.44%) and voluntary donations from its community members.
Neither EPIC nor BEAM have done any premining with ICO, instead relying on a fair launch.
The advantage of a traditional for-profit start-up with CEO and investors like BEAM over a grassroots movement like EPIC can be seen in better funding and thus faster development. The disadvantage is the dependence on investors, whose ideas must be taken into account in further development.
Of the MW-based cryptocurrencies, BEAM is the most developed. In addition to the pure payment function with simultaneous data protection, it offers further use cases such as atomic swaps, smart contracts, support for private stablecoins, NFTs and AMMs (Automated Market Makers).
Additionally, BEAM enables the creation of direct payment channels between wallets similar to the Bitcoin Lightning network. The purpose of these channels is to enable instant payments along the funded channel between two wallets with immediate confirmation and later on-chain settlement.
Both cryptocurrencies use Proof of Work, with EPIC Cash using a polyphasic PoW as a special feature, which has many advantages in terms of decentralization and network security over a monophasic PoW, as used by BEAM.
Unlike BEAM, which provides an entire ecosystem on a single blockchain, EPIC has a different philosophy regarding its ecosystem: less is more.
EPIC Cash focuses solely on the money function and thus keeps its blockchain lean and effective.
The maximum number of coins issued is 262,800,000 for BEAM and 21,000,000 for EPIC, with about 55% of BEAM coins and about 79% of EPIC coins already in circulation. The market capitalization of EPIC at the time of writing is about US$ 6,500,000, slightly higher than BEAM at around US$ 5,000,000.
As you can see from the comparative graph of emissions from various MW coins below, BEAM began with a significantly frontloaded emission of its coins.
BEAM started with a lot of hype, but over the years its presence has declined, while EPIC started very modestly and has been gradually improving its position ranking today as #1 pure Mimblewimble crypto.
Summary:
BEAM, a for-profit company founded by Israelis, offers almost all the capabilities of an entire ecosystem on a single blockchain like a multi-function tool, which inevitably means a heavier blockchain when NFTs, smart contracts and more need to be stored on the blockchain in addition to pure money functions.
EPIC Cash as a grassroots movement, on the other hand, only provides the pure money functions in its best possible form, without overwhelming the user with functions that are rarely, if ever, used. This keeps the EPIC blockchain lean and very effective.
For more information, visit: EpicCash.com
To buy Epic Cash: BuyEpicCash.com