Yes, that's a major concern of mine too. Whoever is first out the gate with a credible network (that works well and has no bad press) is likely to steal the other's thunder. My worry is that it would be tragic for the SAFE project if Substratum beat them to it. Tragic too, though, for all of us, early investors in MaidSafe tokens, because clearly the price could suffer badly if MaidSafe is last out the gate and thereby might be perceived as copying Substratum (which clearly isn't the case). I also worry that there are at least two more Alpha's to release (#3 and #4), which was news to me this week, before there's even a hint of a beta release. Worrying. I do understand, though, that Rome wasn't built in a day but Substratum's published road map/timing is troubling (it seems fast!).

Thank you very much Zeeman for taking the time and trouble to answer my queries above so comprehensively - really appreciated and all now understood

I also signed up but a bit more recently (approx. 2 weeks ago). For most of that time absolutely nothing has happened with regard to Tether's verification of my ID details. I was getting very concerned so withdrew my Tethers to Poloniex, swapped it for ETH or BTC then transferred that to CoinBase where I sold it for Euros so that I could transfer that to my UK bank. What a fiasco when you think about it, and charges all along the way.

Going back to Tether though; yesterday I noticed that Tether had *finally* updated the ID verification page. They haven't checked/approved it yet (no sections at all and there are several which took many hours to sort out and upload) but at least they've now given me a position in the queue. F.Y.I. it's in excess of number 1500. I also waited to see how many the number dropped by in the last 24 hours and the number is a disappointing 6! So, at that rate, I need to wait another 8+ months before they'll get to even look at my data. Hmm. Not a great system if you ask me but I guess they now have their dollars so probably have no great urgency to swap them back to Tether crypto tokens.

Thanks to Zeeman in particular for the regular and detailed updates and replies. I think we all appreciate it immensely

Meanwhile, I have a few queries that have been rattling around my head in relation to MaidSafe for quite a while. Let me run them past you all, if I may (sorry it's a bit of a mix!):

The Safe Network will, of course, be awesome. I love the whole concept. And I love that I can be involved in supplying some of the space in the new network.

1). However, there is one thing that worries me quite a bit ... if it's totally secure, anonymous, untraceable etc., how can the network keep it from being abused, e.g. by terrorists? You'll know who I have in mind there. It would be a terrible misuse of such an amazing tool if it's hijacked with, for example, 'how to' websites for all manner of destructive topics/sites, or even nasty paedo type stuff. How do we keep that stuff out if we can't 'see' who published or communicated it?

2). Meanwhile, if I understand it right, a SAFE coin may well be more of a [disc] 'storage' unit/value rather than a 'financial' value like other crypto coins. Let's say I have 4000 SAFE coins, but I don't need that amount of storage. Rookie question I suspect ... I can just 'sell' those coins? I'm confused because I read that it's not coins ... it's space. Maybe that doesn't matter and it's as easily traded. But the whole 'burn and recycle' thing (if I understand it right) is confusing me a little. I think I get it but I'm just double-checking here!

3). I know originally that SAFE coins were not going to be divisible. Given how much crypto coins/tokens have taken off even in only the last quarter, is that decision still up for debate? My thinking is that if a MAID coin is eventually swappable 1:1 for a SAFE coin once available, if the price of a SAFE coin by then is, say, $500 (wouldn't that be nice!), wouldn't smaller potential fractions, like Satoshis are to Bitcoin, be wise? Or have I missed some other conversation that's already covered that?

Thanks in advance for any insight on any of the above.