Albert Einstein is credited with calling compound interest the "8th Wonder of the World".

If we drop the interest part of it, we find the value in what people see with compounding.  In fact, Steem is now turning into the ultimate compounding machine.  People are starting to get paid on here in so many different ways it is amazing.  This will only continue.

![image.png](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmRnh7KxvtTXJhi3Xk96mioEudmf9ofuUgTHiHQd9dhAVc)
<center>[Source](https://www.tradebrains.in/the-power-of-compounding-secret-of-making-money/)</center>

Let us dive right in and see what takes place on here.

##### STEEM and SBD

On comments and posts, we have the potential to earn both STEEM and SBD.  These are paid out after 7 days based upon the upvotes that a post/comment received.  

##### Inflation Through Powering Up
When one received STEEM and SBD, there is the option of turning that into Steem Power.  One of the major benefits of SP is that is allows people to share in the inflation rate of the token.  At present, it is roughly 8.5%.  That means that any STEEM that is "invested" in the network via powering up will grow at a percentage of the inflation rate.

##### Curation
Another advantage of powering up is that it allows one to earn more through curation.  Curation is what is received through our upvotes.  When we upvote a post or comment, the breakdown is 25% to the curators with 75% going to the author.  The larger one's stake in SP, the more the vote is worth.  This has a direct impact on the curation dollars received.

##### Delegation
Once again, the value of Steem Power.  When one has SP, he or she can delegate it to another.  This can create a return in the form of leasing/renting, reciprocal upvotes, or SMTs.  It is through letting other people use our SP that we can earn even more.

One area we see this is when delegating to an application.  Often, part of the incentive to delegate will be a payout in either STEEM or SBD.  This is usually paid on a weekly basis.  


##### Application Upvote
At the same time, depending upon the application, when using it, we will often receive an upvote from the main application account.  This is true for Busy.org, @actifit, @dlike, @dtube, and @steemhunt.  The upvotes might be given to comments or posts, depending upon the application.

###### Other Tokens
Tying this into delegation, many of the applications that announced their own SMTs are paying out their native tokens in return for delegation of SP.  This is another way our SP can compound.  Not only do we receive some payment in the form of STEEM/SBD but also a third token.

Even without delegation, using an application often means rewards in the form of the native application.  We are seeing some application gain the notoriety which means the native coins could have immense value at some point.  

Another form of SMT distribution is via an "ICO".  This is being employed by @dlux-io.  The application is accepting donations in the form of STEEM.  This places one in the pool to receive dlux coins.  The payout is based upon the amount of STEEM donated to that pool.

##### Bounties Airdrops 

This is a subheading under Other Tokens.  Many of the applications are in the process of trying to get as tokens out to as many different users as possible.  For this reason, they are doing airdrops or creating rewards based upon promotion.  Write an article, put together a video, or promote on other social media sites all can earn one the native coins from these applications.

Now is where the fun starts.

As we see more applications emerge, one will be able to earn more tokens.  Each application is going to see out users and the best place to start is with those already here.  Hence, present Steemians have the opportunity to be early adopters for many different applications.

Another vital factor is that each application, once the SMT protocol is released, effectively becomes a mini-Steem.  Thus, all that I listed as pertaining to STEEM will also apply to the SMTs.  Each has the ability to pay out using three different coins.  Thus, @steemhunt could opt to pay out in Hunt, STEEM, and HBD (Hunt Backed Dollars).  

We also should have the ability to power up different tokens and share in the inflation rate.  Delegation of powered tokens will enable one to create a return just like was mentioned for Steem Power.  

Finally, since all tokens created on the blockchain using the SMT protocol will be paired with STEEM, we will see the ability to swap tokens in whatever manner is desirable.  If people feel that STEEM is more valuable, one can use the SMTs to increase his/her holding of that coin.  At the same time, if one is getting paid some STEEM but prefers an app's native coin, one could power up using that.

This is quite a list and it keeps getting longer.  Over time, activity builds upon itself to further reward users.  That is the power of compounding and it is all over the Steem blockchain.

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