<div class="pull-right">https://pennsif.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/steem-news-2-454x278.png</div>

<strong>Boom!  Another big day on the Steem blockchain.</strong>

<strong>Blocktrades announced the coming of a new fork of the Steem blockchain.</strong>

<strong>The new chain, called Hive, is backed by over 30 developers, many of the leading dApps, and a significant number of witnesses. It also appears to have widespread community support.</strong>

<strong>Also in today's Steem News there is news and updates about Splinterlands & Bitcoin.com, Reviewhunt, JAHMFEST, Sonic Groove Live, Rada Quest, and Mission : Agua-Possible.</strong>

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<h3>1. Steem & Tron - A New Chain Cometh</h3>

The Steem Tron Wars kicked up several notches today with the announcement by @blocktrades that a new fork of Steem blockchain is soon to be launched.

The new chain will be called Hive, and has over 30 developers contributing to it.

Initially at least Hive will operate very similar to Steem. All holders of STEEM, Steempower and SBD, except the Steemit Inc accounts, will be airdropped the new Hive coin.

More details are due soon...

<ul>
<li>@blocktrades - <a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@blocktrades/why-i-won-t-be-compromising-with-justin-sun">Why I won’t be compromising with Justin Sun</a></li>
</ul>

The proposal has attracted considerable community comment, the majority of it supportive...

<ul>
<li>@tarazkp - <a href="https://steemit.com/hive-174578/@tarazkp/hardfork-buckle-up-let-s-go">Hardfork: Buckle up. Let's go</a></li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>@jrcornel - <a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@jrcornel/steem-to-fork-with-a-new-coin-named-hive">Steem to fork and create a new coin named HIVE?</a></li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>@toofasteddie - <a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@toofasteddie/and-hive-will-be-the-new-name-of-the-community-blockchain-token">...and "HIVE" will be the new name of the community Blockchain token</a></li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>@paulag - <a href="https://steempeak.com/hive-174578/@paulag/i-don-t-know-what-to-say">I don't know what to say</a></li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>@jayplayco - <a href="https://steemit.com/hive-101145/@jayplayco/6nrkuy-steemit">[Steemit] 블록트레이드의 체인 분리 선언</a></li>
</ul>

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<h4>Top 20 Witnesses</h4>

On the Witness front the Steem OGs are still holding on to 10 of the top 20 slots with @good-karma, @blocktrades, @roelandp, @anyx, @ausbitbank, @yabapmatt and @gtg at #1 - #7, and @steempress #9, @cervantes #10, and @themarkymark #13 making up the rest of the squad. 

Nestled inbetween these at #8 is the newcomer @triple.aaa. After gaining the massive Tron @dev365 vote this new Korean witness climbed all the way to #8 on just its second day on the job.

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@dalz observes that just after getting its first weekly power down of its 31M SP, the @binance-hot account transferred 3.6M STEEM to the @hkdev404 account that supports the Tron witnesses...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-100421/@dalz/binance-just-got-its-first-weekly-power-down-or-transferring-funds">Binance Just Got its First Weekly Power Down | Transferring Funds</a></li>
</ul>

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<h4>Town Halls</h4>

Unfortunately Tron's new liaison person [David Roebuck](https://www.linkedin.com/in/roebuckdm/) didn't make it on to @aggroed's Town Hall on MSP on Sunday evening.

There will be two more special Town Halls this week on Tuesday and Thursday - both at 4pm UTC on MSP Waves.

David is hoping to come on the Tuesday show.

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<h3>2. Splinterlands announces Bitcoin.com Exchange Sponsorship</h3>

<div class="pull-right">https://pennsif.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/splinterlands-logo-250x173.jpg</div>

@splinterlands has unveiled a major sponsorship deal with the Bitcoin.com exchange.

Bitcoin.com will be sponsoring the rewards for the next two ranked play seasons and they will be sponsoring a total of eight tournaments over the course of the next month with a total of $1,000 in prizes...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/splinterlands/@splinterlands/splinterlands-announces-bitcoin-com-exchange-sponsorship">Splinterlands Announces Bitcoin.com Exchange Sponsorship
</a></li>
</ul>

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<h3>3. Reviewhunt reaches 30,000 users in 45 days</h3>

<div class="pull-right">https://pennsif.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/steemhunt-logo-201910-250x192.jpg</div>

@steemhunt has announced that Reviewhunt has today reached 30,000 new users in just 45 days since it launched on 1 February...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/reviewhunt/@steemhunt/reviewhunt-has-reached-over-30-000-users-in-45-days-since-the-launch">Reviewhunt has reached over 30,000 users in 45 days since the launch</a></li>
</ul>

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<h3>4. JAHMFEST Cancelled</h3>

Because of the current troubles on the Steem blockchain and because of the continually growing threat from Coronavirus @reggaesteem has regretfully had to postpone indefinitely the large JAHMFEST event they had been planning for June...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/corona/@reggaesteem/jahmfest-cancelled-amid-growing-concerns-over-covid19-and-steemhostiletakeover">JAHMFEST Cancelled Amid Growing Concerns over Covid19 & SteemHostileTakeover</a></li>
</ul>

Another Steem casualty of the Coronavirus outbreak is the SteemCampUK event that was being planned in the UK for April...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-174578/@shanibeer/steemcampuk-or-25-april-2020-or-postponed">SteemCampUK | 25 April 2020 | Postponed</a></li>
</ul>

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<h3>5. Sonic Groove Live Week 28 Winners</h3>

After skipping one week because of the current difficulties on the chain @sonicgroovelive are back and have announced the winners of week 28 - 1st @montycashmusic, 2nd @danaidhbee, 3rd @jubei333...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/sgl/@sonicgroovelive/sgl-week-28-winners-announcement">SGL Week 28 Winners Announcement!</a></li>
</ul>

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<h3>6. Rada Quest first anniversary</h3>

@radaquest looks back on its his first year on Steem and gives an update on the current state of development of the game...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-161342/@radaquest/1-year-of-rada-quest-at-steemit-en-es">1 Year of Rada Quest at Steemit!</a></li>
</ul>

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<h3>7. Mission : Agua-Possible - Another Chance</h3>

In his post yesterday @drutter announced that due to the falling price of STEEM and changing personal circumstances he had taken the difficult decision to close down the Mission : Agua-Possible project that was raising funds for a well pump for @edgargonzalez's family in Venezuela.

@xpilar has now stepped up to encourage people to make one last push to help @drutter to reach the goal...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-185836/@xpilar/mission-agua-possible-you-can-help-support-the-project-before-it-will-be-completely-closed-hope-you-read-more-to-understand-this">Mission: "Agua-Possible" you can help support the project before it will be completely closed. Hope you read more to understand this project that @drutter has been running for 1.5 years</a></li>
</ul>

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<h2>Steem Proposal System update</h2>

The Steem Proposal System (SPS) today has a daily funding budget available of approximately 2763 SBD.

There are now 10 proposals receiving funding  from the SPS - @yabapmatt (Steem Keychain), @netuoso (Vessel Desktop Wallet), @thecryptodrive (SBD Potato Top Up), @steempeak (SteemPeak developments), @anyx (API infrastructure), @howo (SMT testing), @steemonboarding (Steem Onboarding), @themarkymark (Global Blacklist API), @fabien (Steem Connect improvements), and @openseed (OpenSeed : Cross-Platform Off-Chain Solutions).

These successful proposals are currently receiving a total of 1335 SBD per day from the SPS...

* https://joticajulian.github.io/steemexplorer/#/proposals

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<h2>Steem Foundation update</h2>

The Steem Foundation has put forward a proposed roadmap to help move Steem forward...

>The Foundation would like to provide space and a forum for a committee comprised of consensus witnesses, larger stakeholders and representatives of the non-English language communities who often feel unheard.

>This committee would be encouraged to discuss and reach understanding on how issues on the blockchain impact them and the challenges faced in implementing suggested solutions. It’s through mutual communication and willingness to listen that we will build a strong and sustainable Steem we all love....

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@steemalliance/steem-foundation-proposed-roadmap">Steem Foundation Proposed Roadmap</a></li>
</ul>

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The Steem Alliance Community Foundation @steemalliance have released the minutes of their latest meeting attended by  @shadowspub, @alexvan, @guiltyparties, @inthenow, @aggroed and @snook...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/steemfoundation/@steemalliance/meeting-minutes-26-february-2020">Meeting Minutes: 26 February 2020</a></li>
</ul>

Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 18 March 2020.

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<h2>Contest of the Day</h2>

<h3>Easter Egg Hunt</h3>

Find the Easter Egg hidden on the Steem blockchain. 20 STEEM & many TOKENs to be won. Organised by @thealliance...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/thealliance/@thealliance/easter-egg-hunt-4-come-win-some-prizes">Easter Egg Hunt #4!  Come Win Some Prizes!</a></li>
</ul>

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For a list of all the current contests on Steem check out this new list from @pennsif...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/contest/@pennsif/roundup-of-contests-competitions-and-challenges-on-steem-29-february-2020">Roundup of Contests, Competitions & Challenges on Steem @ 29 February 2020</a></li>
</ul>

If you know of any current contests missing from the list leave a comment for @pennsif or message him on Discord @Pennsif#9921.

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<h2>Dates for your Diary...</h2>

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For a full list of Steem Meetups and Events...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/meetup/@pennsif/calendar-of-steem-meetups-and-events-29-february-2020-geographic-communities-meetups-and-funding">Calendar of Steem Meetups & Events @ 29 February 2020 - Geographic Communities, Meetups & Funding</a></li>
</ul>

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If you are organising a Steem event or meetup check out the new funding support program from Fundition...

* [**The Fundition Support Program for Steem Meetups & Events**](https://steemit.com/meetup/@pennsif/calendar-of-steem-meetups-and-events-22-february-2020-including-news-about-funding)

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<h3>Wednesday 18 March - Steem Philippines  Weekly Meetup</h3>

Meetings every Wednesday in Davao City organised by @chrisrice and @steem-ph...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steem.com.ph/a-couple-s-meetup-steem-philippines">A Couple's Meetup | Steem Philippines</a></li>
</ul>

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<h3>Thursday 26 March - Adelaide Monthly Steem Meetup</h3>

Organised by @mattclarke, 6pm local time at The Jade Monkey, Flinders Street, Central Business District, Adelaide.

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<h3>Saturday 25 April - SteemCampUK #3 - POSTPONED</h3>

Organised by @shanibeer and @lloyddavis in Leicester...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-174578/@shanibeer/steemcampuk-or-25-april-2020-or-postponed">SteemCampUK | 25 April 2020 | Postponed</a></li>
</ul>

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<h3>Friday 15 - Sunday 17 May - DTube Forum 2020</h3>

Organised by @hauptmann, @artakush, @greencross, @sergiomendes and @tibfox in Hamburg, Germany...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-196037/@dtube.forum/2b8jrrbmwch">The day we saved the DTube Forum 2020</a></li>
</ul>

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<h3>Saturday 20 June - Steem Canna Fest 2</h3>

Organised by @canna-curate in Portland, Oregon...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/cannabis/@canna-curate/steem-canna-fest-2-june-20th-2020-5-30pm">Steem Canna Fest 2! June 20th, 2020. 5:30pm</a></li>
</ul>

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<h3>Tuesday 23 June -  Sunday 28 June - The BLOCK Party, USA</h3>

The second annual BLOCK Party being organised by @enginewitty,  @bluefinstudios and @dreemsteem. It has now been confirmed that the event will take place in Olcott, NY...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/thealliance/@thealliance/block-party-2-2-news">Block Party 2020 News </a></li>
</ul>

@bluefinstudios is also organising a Steem Summit at The BLOCK Party...

<ul>
<li><a href="https://steemit.com/blockpartytwo/@bluefinstudios/steemit-summit-and-the-block-party">Steem Summit and The Block Party</a></li>
</ul>

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<h4>KEY DATA  [ from <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com">CoinMarketCap</a> &amp; @arcange ]</h4>

<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 176px;" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">Steem price</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">US$ 0.134</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">17 Mar '20 3.34am UTC</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">CoinMarketCap Ranking</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">#59</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">17 Mar '20 3.34am UTC</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">FCAS Score</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">761 / A</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;"><a href="https://app.flipsidecrypto.com/fcas-scores">17 Mar '20 3.34am UTC</a></td>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">SBD price</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">US$ 0.772</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">17 Mar '20 3.34am UTC</td>
</tr>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">No. of Whales</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">44</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;"><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-133987/@arcange/steem-statistics-20200315-en">15 Mar '20</a></td>
</tr>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">No. of Orcas</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">366</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;"><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-133987/@arcange/steem-statistics-20200315-en">15 Mar '20</a></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">No. of Dolphins</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">2225</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;"><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-133987/@arcange/steem-statistics-20200315-en">15 Mar '20</a></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">No. of Minnows</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">9338</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;"><a href="https://steemit.com/hive-133987/@arcange/steem-statistics-20200315-en">15 Mar '20</a></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">Alexa rank (steemit.com)</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">#17,217</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;"><a href="https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/steemit.com">16 Mar '20 8.47pm UTC</a></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">Unique visitors (steemit.com)</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">190,522 / day</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;"><a href="https://hypestat.com/info/steemit.com">16 Mar '20 8.47pm UTC</a></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">Page views (steemit.com)</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;">457,254 / day</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 22px;"><a href="https://hypestat.com/info/steemit.com">16 Mar '20 8.47pm UTC</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Follow @penguinpablo & @steemdapps for more statistics.

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This is #287 (16 Mar '20) of this daily news service.

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<em>[ graphics & images by @pennsif / Splinterlands / Steemhunt ]</em>