It is easy to focus upon the [whales](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-whale) while ignoring the power that is present in one's hands.


This appears to be a [human](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-human) tendency that extends past Hive.  However, for [years](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-year), many maintained that, due to the design of Hive, a powerful middle class could form.  


Most [blockchains](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/blockchain) offer a couple ways of earning the [coin](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-coins).  This comes from providing [infrastructure](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-infrastructure-computer) in the form of a [block](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-block) [validator](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-validator) or through [purchase](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/purchase).  For much of the [world](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-world), neither of these is very feasible.


What about Hive?


There are a couple additional [options](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-options) that separate it from most.  The first is through author rewards.  New HIVE is distributed to users based upon the [votes](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-vote-hive) they receive.  Here is where people without resources can accumulate some of the [base layer](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-base-layer-blockchain) coin.


At the same [time](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-time), as that is staked, the potential for [curation rewards](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-curation-reward-hive) enters.  Here is where one can compound the holdings, simply through daily activity.


# Hive Middle Class


When it comes to category distinction, we can consider the middle class to be Orcas and Dolphins.  These achieved at roughly the 5,750 and 57,500 HP levels.


Here is where the goal is to have widespread distribution.  As more people enter these realms, and more HP is held in those [wallet](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-wallet), system resiliency increases.


Naturally, this is not a process that happens over night but thousands of active people has an impact over time.


Here is a thread that was posted yesterday.


https://inleo.io/threads/view/nonameslefttouse/re-leothreads-2ja2szhqx


The total [Hive Power](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-hive-power-hp) of these [accounts](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-account) is 64 million.  That is a healthy amount and, as shown enough to get things done.


Mentioning the [proposal](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-proposal-hive) is valid.  The return proposal level, at this moment, is 27 million.  The means Orcas and Dolphins could pass whatever they wanted.


Another way of looking at it is the middle class could, collectively, put the return proposal at a level where nothing gets funded (at the present voting).


Thus, it is a mistake to think there is no [power](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-power) there.


## Witnesses


Most are aware of the [role](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-role) witnesses play.  Here is where the assertion of "whale control" enters.  Certainly, having whale votes does help.


However, once again, it is not as cut and dry as one thinks.


According to Peakd, the #20 witness, the last in [consensus](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-consensus), has 66 million votes.  This means the "middle class" could vote a witness to the #21 or #22 spot on their own.  


What is very interesting is the top witness has 83 million in votes.


At this point, the middle class is on the outside looking in.  Of course, in the real world, no witness is not going to get at least a few whale votes if it is nearing consensus.  We also have to account for those below 5K HP.  Their votes add up also.


The flip side to this is the middle class is not that far away from really being able to, collectively, control things.


While another 22 million [sounds](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-sound) like a lot, there is a pathway if focused.


## Percentage Gain


Another thing I wrote about over the years is the ability for smaller accounts to massive increase their influence.


The tendency is to look at the raw numbers.  Instead, a better approach is to look at percentages.


If an account has 10K HP, adding 2K, or less than 6 HP per [day](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-day), is a 20% gain in a year.  Here is where the middle class can expand its influence.


Considering that [curation](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-curation-content) and [inflation](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-inflation) adjustment come in near 11%, this means the only needs around 900 HP, or less than 3 per day, from online activity (posting and commenting).


To contrast, Blocktrades, with roughly 12 million HP, needs to generate over 1 million from the same activity.  It isn't going to happen.


The situation gets even crazier when we talk about the Minnows but, for now, we are focusing upon the middle class.


Another piece of the puzzle is to get more people entering the middle class as opposed to leaving it.  If there are more accounts, the numbers only go higher.


For this reason, those with 400 HP should look to get to 1K; those with 2,500 to move to 5,500.  


As more people are working up the scale, the total impact, over time, shifts.


## Long-Term Focus


Here is a chart that is a bit dated but it shows the breakdown into each category.


 https://img.inleo.io/DQma1zCQHwX1aNZ4xntT8DJL1yEDFBwLbjToy64tpT5rNvK/image.png 


[Source](https://peakd.com/hive-133987/@arcange/hive-statistics-20240131-en)


There are roughly 2,000 accounts in the middle class.  


Looking at the chart, which goes back to Feb 1st, from a MVest perspective, we can see the middle class plus the Minnows have almost as much HP as the whales.




 https://img.inleo.io/DQmUtKVXFaFLgmM8pv5fs9yG59hx2J7aRZU13EpfLWPjPyY/image.png 


Again, going back to the ability to gain influence, the smaller accounts can increase their position to a larger degree.


The key is to have a long-term focus with one's account.


If you are a smaller account, say 1K HP, what are you going to do to triple your account and get to 3K HP this year?  How would you like to start Next year with 3K, then build from there?


That is the ownership mindset.  Treat your account like a [business](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-business).  If we view each coin as [digital](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-digital) [real estate](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-real-estate), are you expanding your empire by amassing more.


The potential impact on one's [wealth](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-wealth) is obvious.  What also should be clear is the effect on the [ecosystem](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-ecosystem-digital).  Each time a smaller account increases its influence by an outsized percentage, i.e. g reater than what the larger accounts can do, it adds more resiliency to the [ecosystem](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-ecosystem).


Here is where we see Hive's middle class developing.


____


<center> [What Is Hive](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-what-is-hive) </center>


Posted Using [InLeo Alpha](https://inleo.io/@taskmaster4450/hive-middle-class-developing)