TECHNOLOGY
Blockchain technology is an ever-growing chain of blocks, where blocks are chained together by cryptographic guaranteed hashes. Within every block are the transaction items and other extra information. It is a combination of a few technologies - cryptography, distributed ledger technology (DLT), Consensus and more.
China’s Central Bank to Develop Blockchain-Based Trade Finance Platform for the Greater Bay Area
China’s Central Bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) announced its development plans for outlining a blockchain-based trade finance platform for the Greater Bay Area that links Hong Kong, Guangdong, and Macao. Governing entities in China, including the PBoC, China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission, and the Foreign Exchange Bureau came together to issue the official document for the proposal. The entities submitted their suggestions on financing the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, focusing on global trade and finance.
Blockchain Industry Will Be Valued at $21 Billion Globally by 2025, Research Suggests
A research study by Fortune Business Insight, a market reporting and consulting firm, suggests the global blockchain industry will be valued at a mammoth $21 billion in the next five years. The report explored the rise of financial technology and blockchain companies working towards financial inclusion and targeting developing countries and regions to leverage growth. Such regions, incidentally, have witnessed a growth in educated talent in the past decade, and are well-suited to interact with and understanding distributed ledger mechanisms.
China’s Central Bank Official Urges the Acceleration of Digitization of the Chinese Economy with Blockchain
China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) Financial Technology Committee held its first meeting of the year this week, after months of delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fan Yifei, the PBoC’s deputy governor echoed President Xi Jinping’s call for the acceleration of the country’s blockchain development adoption. The president pointed out that it is necessary to strengthen fundamental research of blockchain technology and enhance innovation, enabling China to take a leading position in the blockchain field. The bank’s deputy governor met with the central bank’s officials as well as the heads of their affiliated financial institutions. Fan emphasized the importance of blockchain and financial technology (FinTech) industries and wanted to ensure China’s adoption plan would be laid out and implemented by 2021 to be in line with the deadline they have set out.
Digitization vs. Digitalization: FinFabrik CEO Explains Digitalization of Asset Investment in Private Markets
FinFabrik, a leading capital markets FinTech startup based in Hong Kong has recently launched a new Private Equity module on its proprietary DLT infrastructure that helps private markets institutions digitalize their operations. The platform named “CrossPool” rides on Corda Enterprise for transaction and contract management and Hyperledger Indy for identity management. With extensive experience in the financial industry and entrepreneurship, Alex Medana, the CEO of FinFabrik, talks about the core values of FinFabrik in the maturing DLT and FinTech industry and the firm’s digital assets issuance and investment platform CrossPool.
HSBC Chief Legal Officer Stuart Levey Gets Appointed as Libra’s New CEO, Expert in Dealing with Regulatory Backlash
The Libra Association appointed its first CEO, Stuart Levey, the Chief Legal Officer at HSBC Holdings. Levey will be overseeing the Libra digital currency and payments system and holds a strong compliance track record and is expected to join Libra in the coming months. However, HSBC has not shown the same upright compliance record. Levey is also expected to “combine technology innovation with robust compliance and regulatory framework.” The Facebook-led project has invited scrutiny from global regulators, with concerns over its threat to national sovereignty with its potential launch. Many of Libra’s original members, including Vodafone, PayPal, and Visa have also chosen to leave the association.
US Congress Considers Using Blockchain for Remote Voting While the White House Urged to Stay Competitive with China
The US Congress is considering using blockchain technology to enable the Senate to conduct remote voting during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlighted that the crisis emphasized the need to consider certain functions to proceed remotely when it may not be safe for members to gather in person. The report explored a combination of different technologies to be used, including blockchain and encrypted E2EE.
China Unveils Blockchain Services Network Aimed to Build Ecosystem Along with Hyperledger, Ethereum and EOS
Hyperledger Fabric, Ethereum, EOS, ChainSQL, WeBank’s FISCO BCOS, and Baidu’s Xuperchain are also planned to be added to the “ecosystem play,” and “internet environment,” as explained by Zhiguang Shan, the Chairman of the BSN’s Development Association. This network of blockchains will be available for those who are interested to take part in it, including small to medium-sized businesses.
Blockchain for Gun Control in the US: The Great American Dilemma
Columbine, 1999. Sandy Hook, 2012, Las Vegas, 2017. Aurora, 2019. The list of mass shootings in the United States grows larger and deadlier every year. Blockchain can address the technological challenge of gun control, but a radical shift in American society's stance on guns is paramount.
Sony Reveals New Blockchain-Based Data Sharing System to Revolutionize the Future for Public Transportation Services
Japanese conglomerate Sony has announced a new successfully developed blockchain system, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) to provide people with data regarding optimal travel routes for using different types of transportation.
The Networked Ledger—The Evolution of Blockchain Software from Bitcoin to Ethereum
A look at origins and how blockhain has evolved and continues to disrupt our systems of industry and finance, from Bitcoin to Ethereum
World Sustainability Organization Adopts Blockchain-Based Virtual Audits to Curb COVID-19 Spread
With coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention measures necessitating self-isolation and social distancing, Friend of the Sea (FOS), a World Sustainability Organization’s project for seafood certification, has embraced blockchain-enabled virtual audits to mitigate the expansion of this pandemic. As a result, FOS has eradicated onsite scrutinies because safety is of the essence during these trying times.
Argentina’s Central Bank Set to Prove Non-Crypto Use Cases of Blockchain Technology with its New Clearing System
The Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) is now looking to test a blockchain-based clearing system to be used by the country’s major financial institutions. The aim of the blockchain clearing system is to provide efficiencies for fiat payments and enable them to be more reliable and to provide end-to-end traceability.
Five Ways Blockchain Technology is Transforming the Automotive Industry
Blockchain, as a secure and unique sort of encryption, has the potential to be one among the critical technologies that make it possible for the automotive industry to breakthrough into the new era of smart vehicles.
Five Myths People Have About Cryptocurrencies Debunked
Cryptocurrency has now been in the market for a decade, and its introduction enabled it to join the ranks of fiat currencies as a potential means of payment. However, the majority of consumers still hold wrong beliefs about cryptocurrencies. This explains the reason for the low adoption of cryptos.
Facebook’s Libra Move to Apply for Swiss Regulator FINMA License: A Failed Permissionless Network?
Libra is moving away from its original plan of permissionless digital currency, widely accessible for the public, due to ongoing unprecedented hardship. Libra will be moving towards a coin that would be subject to foreign exchange controls and regulations.