![incomingSpud11.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/streetstyle/aF5mQiSm-incomingSpud11.jpg)

All Quiet on the Steem Blockchain Front

2020 continues to keep us on our toes with so many things happening all around us from the Coronavirus to the recent purchase of Steemit inc by the Tron Foundation. Now it seems that most if not all the top Steem Witnesses have created a sort of "virtual moat" locking up the Steem held by Steemit inc. via a fork of the Steem Blockchain. These recent Steem Blockchain events created a certain sense of FUD, but now the coding trenches have been dug, and the Steem Witnesses are ready to take FURTHER action if needed. Justin Sun has stated that for the moment there were no plans to get rid of the Steem blockchain or to make any major changes, but after some mixed signals the witnesses made their move to the benefit of us all by protecting the Steem blockchain via a hardfork, albeit it a small one. Now that these Code "fortifications" are in place and protecting the blockchain, SPUD XI can continue on. This SPUD will be interesting because it will be the first one where most if not all rewards are currently paid out in Steem Dollars (SBDs) and not Steem. This means that there will be extra steps needed in order to be able to Power up.

What is SPUD and How Will It Help?

SPUD stands for STEEM POWER UP DAY, (SPUD) takes place the first day of every month. `On this day:` - We ask that Steemians that are able, to POWER UP any amount of STEEM they have on SPUD day. - We ask Steemians that are currently Powering Down, to put a Stop on Powering Down for that Day, and if desired to commence the Power Down the following day. - We ask that those that trade or sell Steem to Not Sell or Trade Steem on SPUD Day, but to do it the day before or after if possible. Also, to cancel any type of Sell Order on the Exchanges.

SPUD XI PRIZES

13,000+ in Steem Power Delegation Prizes _The prizes are meant to incentivize the smaller Steemians, the planktons, minnows and aspiring Dolphins out in the Steem Ocean to participate in powering up on SPUD, and hopefully create more understanding as to why Steem Power is important to user account growth as well as a show of Steem Blockchain support._ `1st Place` - 3000 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor = @xpilar 1500 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor @sultan-aceh 1000 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor @davedickeyyall 500 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor @mcoinz79 5 Steem Basic Income units/levels Gift Sponsor @improv `2nd Place` - 2000 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor = @reflektor 1500 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor = @hingsten 500 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor @streetstyle 5 Steem Basic Income units/levels Gift Sponsor @improv `3rd Place` - 1500 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor = @bippe 500 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor @davedickeyyall 5 Steem Basic Income units/levels Gift Sponsor @improv `4th Place` 750 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor = @streetstyle 5 Steem Basic Income units/levels Gift Sponsor @improv `5th Place` 250 Steem Power Delegation for 3 Weeks - Sponsor = @streetstyle 5 Steem Basic Income units/levels Gift Sponsor @improv `6th-20th Place Each` 5 Steem Basic Income units/levels - Gift Sponsor @improv `Plus` - All eligible SPUD Prize participants who qualify will be entered into a giveaway of 10 STEEM (1 lucky winner) - Sponsored by @traciyork - All eligible SPUD Prize participants who qualify will be entered into a giveaway of 10 STEEM POWER (1 lucky winner) - Sponsored by @livinguktaiwian

Rules to Win Prizes for SPUD XI :

`MUST` have a reputation score BELOW 69.00 ( so 68.99 is good & Can participate.) AND more than 250 STEEM POWER (prior to SPUD XI) BUT LESS than 8000 Steem Power. `MUST` have a reputation score of 40 & ABOVE (so rank of 39.99 will Not Win) `MUST` have at least 1 Steem Post in their blog about SPUD XI `MUST` Power Up Steem on MARCH 1st, 2020 On MARCH 1st, you `MUST` make a post about your POWER UP. It can be as simple as "I powered up X amount of Steem" to a simple picture/screenshot of your Power Up and posted to your Steem blog, or it could be a super long dissertation on Steem Power. `IMPORTANT`: **SHOULD USE SPUDXI Hash tag so that I can be sure to see them.** The winners `Must meet all 5 requirements`, and it will be based on the Biggest Steem Power Up PERCENTAGE, not the biggest Power Up. This means that it will be based on the ratio between your current amount of Steem Power and the amount you power up on MARCH 1st. For Example: If you have 1000 Steem Power already powered up prior to MARCH 1, and on MARCH 1 you complete steps 1-5 with a 100 Steem Power Up, and another Steemian has 300 Steem Powered up prior to MARCH 1, and on MARCH 1st Powers Up 60 Steem, then this 2nd user would be winning with a 20% power up versus the first example with a bigger power up but smaller percentage of only 10% based on their account. __ The winners will be announced via a Steem Post a few days later or sooner, and if no one challenges it or lets me know I missed them after 1 day from Winner Announcement, the Winners become official and the prizes will then be given out. Thank you to All our SPUD Prize Sponsors and to all SPUD supporters and participants working to get STEEM to higher Elevations!! FULL STEEM AHEAD! Cheers & Good Luck! +++ @streetstyle