K
Kathleen Martin
Guest
Markets—for example the housing market or those for commercial goods—currently rely on institutions like banks or other intermediaries to facilitate transactions. But blockchain technology could reduce the need for these steps, while providing a trusted, tamper-resistant record of transactions.
While this emerging technology could help level the playing field for businesses of all sizes or enable greater financial inclusion, it also faces some challenges and poses some risks to the consumers and businesses that hope to use it.
In today’s WatchBlog post, we look at blockchain technology, including the benefits, challenges, and risks surrounding its use.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is not a new technology but instead an innovative way of using existing, mature technologies. Its core function is to create a tamper-resistant ledger for digital assets, such as cryptocurrency.
There are two types of blockchain implementations: public (sometimes known as “permissionless”) and private (“permissioned”). Public blockchains can be used by cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, and anyone can add to the chain. Private blockchains are generally used by institutions (such as companies or government agencies) and have restrictions around who can participate in the network.
Financial blockchain applications
The most well-known applications of blockchain are in the financial sector. When people think of blockchain, they may also think of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies are a type of digital representation of value that uses blockchain technology to act as an investment or money. These uses may lead to cost savings, expanded access to financial products, and other transformational changes.
Unfortunately, several risks and challenges may prevent these benefits from being realized, or may even lead to negative consequences for users and the financial system. These include risks for users and to the broader financial system, due to a current lack of consumer protections, and the ability to use the technology to facilitate illegal activity.
Potential non-financial blockchain applications
Blockchain has potential non-financial applications. For example, blockchain could help combat counterfeit medicines and trace food-borne illnesses. Governments could use it to maintain property records or to improve information sharing. Blockchain could also be used to create new kinds of non-hierarchical organizations (i.e., those without clear management titles such as Chief Executive Officer).
Continue reading:
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is not a new technology but instead an innovative way of using existing, mature technologies. Its core function is to create a tamper-resistant ledger for digital assets, such as cryptocurrency.
There are two types of blockchain implementations: public (sometimes known as “permissionless”) and private (“permissioned”). Public blockchains can be used by cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, and anyone can add to the chain. Private blockchains are generally used by institutions (such as companies or government agencies) and have restrictions around who can participate in the network.
Financial blockchain applications
The most well-known applications of blockchain are in the financial sector. When people think of blockchain, they may also think of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies are a type of digital representation of value that uses blockchain technology to act as an investment or money. These uses may lead to cost savings, expanded access to financial products, and other transformational changes.
Unfortunately, several risks and challenges may prevent these benefits from being realized, or may even lead to negative consequences for users and the financial system. These include risks for users and to the broader financial system, due to a current lack of consumer protections, and the ability to use the technology to facilitate illegal activity.
Potential non-financial blockchain applications
Blockchain has potential non-financial applications. For example, blockchain could help combat counterfeit medicines and trace food-borne illnesses. Governments could use it to maintain property records or to improve information sharing. Blockchain could also be used to create new kinds of non-hierarchical organizations (i.e., those without clear management titles such as Chief Executive Officer).
While this emerging technology could help level the playing field for businesses of all sizes or enable greater financial inclusion, it also faces some challenges and poses some risks to the consumers and businesses that hope to use it.
In today’s WatchBlog post, we look at blockchain technology, including the benefits, challenges, and risks surrounding its use.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is not a new technology but instead an innovative way of using existing, mature technologies. Its core function is to create a tamper-resistant ledger for digital assets, such as cryptocurrency.
There are two types of blockchain implementations: public (sometimes known as “permissionless”) and private (“permissioned”). Public blockchains can be used by cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, and anyone can add to the chain. Private blockchains are generally used by institutions (such as companies or government agencies) and have restrictions around who can participate in the network.
Financial blockchain applications
The most well-known applications of blockchain are in the financial sector. When people think of blockchain, they may also think of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies are a type of digital representation of value that uses blockchain technology to act as an investment or money. These uses may lead to cost savings, expanded access to financial products, and other transformational changes.
Unfortunately, several risks and challenges may prevent these benefits from being realized, or may even lead to negative consequences for users and the financial system. These include risks for users and to the broader financial system, due to a current lack of consumer protections, and the ability to use the technology to facilitate illegal activity.
Potential non-financial blockchain applications
Blockchain has potential non-financial applications. For example, blockchain could help combat counterfeit medicines and trace food-borne illnesses. Governments could use it to maintain property records or to improve information sharing. Blockchain could also be used to create new kinds of non-hierarchical organizations (i.e., those without clear management titles such as Chief Executive Officer).
Continue reading:
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is not a new technology but instead an innovative way of using existing, mature technologies. Its core function is to create a tamper-resistant ledger for digital assets, such as cryptocurrency.
There are two types of blockchain implementations: public (sometimes known as “permissionless”) and private (“permissioned”). Public blockchains can be used by cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, and anyone can add to the chain. Private blockchains are generally used by institutions (such as companies or government agencies) and have restrictions around who can participate in the network.
Financial blockchain applications
The most well-known applications of blockchain are in the financial sector. When people think of blockchain, they may also think of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies are a type of digital representation of value that uses blockchain technology to act as an investment or money. These uses may lead to cost savings, expanded access to financial products, and other transformational changes.
Unfortunately, several risks and challenges may prevent these benefits from being realized, or may even lead to negative consequences for users and the financial system. These include risks for users and to the broader financial system, due to a current lack of consumer protections, and the ability to use the technology to facilitate illegal activity.
Potential non-financial blockchain applications
Blockchain has potential non-financial applications. For example, blockchain could help combat counterfeit medicines and trace food-borne illnesses. Governments could use it to maintain property records or to improve information sharing. Blockchain could also be used to create new kinds of non-hierarchical organizations (i.e., those without clear management titles such as Chief Executive Officer).
