BLOCKCHAIN
What’s Next for Blockchains?
By: Vanessa Kargenian | April 11, 2023
Despite a rocky 2022 for the digital assets industry, blockchains remain a foundational technology poised to transform business operations and commerce. And while the big picture of how chains will communicate and interoperate with legacy technologies and other public chain networks is still forming, blockchain’s technology and ecosystem continue to rapidly evolve, finding applications across all industries and converging with AI and IoT to unleash new possibilities.

What’s Next for Blockchains?

  • By
    BY: VANESSA KARGENIAN | April 11, 2023
  • Facebook.
  • Twitter.
  • LinkedIn.
  • Print

The crypto industry has come a long way since Ethereum launched in 2015. Discussions about crypto as an asset class and blockchain infrastructure integration have matured. Policymakers across the globe are actively engaged. The number of public blockchains has grown significantly (see Table 1), and most of the world’s largest companies are actively exploring enterprise blockchain adoption (see Figure 1).

Top 10 Public Blockchain Networks by Market Cap

 
Network Launched Mkt Cap $ Billions Architecture Used*
Bitcoin 2009 $529.7 Monolithic
Ethereum 2015 $209.8 Modular
BNB Chain 2019 $51.5 Modular
Cardano 2017 $12.3 Modular
Polygon 2020 $9.7 Modular
Polkadot 2020 $7.3 Modular
Solana 2020 $7.8 Monolithic
Tron 2018 $5.8 Modular
Avalanche 2020 $5.4 Modular
Cosmos Hub 2019 $3.2 Modular
Table 1: * Since 2015, not only has the number of independent blockchains increased, but the number of chains using modular architectures (more than one chain within the chain) to scale and improve network performance has increased. Monolithic chains can be thought of more like a linear, single chain upon which everything else is built. | Source: FCAT Research, CoinGecko data as of 3/27/22, the Block.

What’s Changed For Blockchains?

Although much has changed with blockchain technology and the crypto industry since 2015, some of the most important advances and differences are:

Ethereum’s launch and maturation advanced blockchain’s role as a foundational technology. While Bitcoin’s primary purpose was to provide a decentralized alternative to fiat currency, Ethereum focused on blockchains as a transformative business technology. Second only to Bitcoin in market capitalization, Ethereum is the multifaceted smart contract enabled general purpose blockchain, with the most developers, applications (dApps), total value locked, and cross-chain compatibility. Its programmability has enabled stablecoin, DeFi, and NFT growth and laid the groundwork for a future that will be muti-chained and modular. What monolithic chains such as Bitcoin try to do in one layer (i.e., consensus, data availability, execution, settlement), modular chains such as Ethereum split across different chains or network layers. This unbundling and optimization improve performance, making them faster, more customizable, and energy efficient than monolithic ones. Ethereum ditched its monolithic architecture last fall, when it completed The Merge and became a proof-of-stake (PoS) chain and is undertaking a multi-year upgrade to further modularize its infrastructure stack.1

Public blockchains are becoming more business-ready. Sidechains, Layer 2 (L2) rollup scaling solutions, and modular chains like Cosmos and Avalanche are kickstarting a new era of enterprise blockchain adoption by helping public chains meet enterprise requirements around security, privacy, and speed (see The State of Enterprise Blockchain Adoption). Ethereum sidechain Polygon has committed $1 billion to develop Zero-Knowledge (ZK) cryptographic technologies that bolster L2 scalability, privacy, verification, and decentralization.2 It’s partnered with Ernst & Young to develop Nightfall – a privacy focused optimistic rollup designed to reduce token transfer costs – and is working with firms like Starbucks and SalesForce to build and launch their NFT based loyalty program. PoS chain Hedera, whose global governing council includes IBM, Google, and Boeing, uses permissioned nodes to better secure its public ledger. To simplify application development, Hyperledger Firefly, an open-source middleware API orchestration and data toolkit, recently upgraded so developers can simultaneously push application code to both permissioned chains and eight leading public chains.3 And Obscuro, an Ethereum L2 in testing, allows developers to adjust how long data is kept private on a dApp based on different application use cases like gaming or trading.4

Stablecoin and CBDC design discussions are now meaningful and have garnered regulatory attention. In the space of a few years, policymakers have become much more alert to industry developments and proactive about understanding how blockchain technologies impact business operations and global trade. In 2015, the Treasury Department’s Financial Stability Oversight Council’s (FSOC) annual report contained one paragraph on digital assets.5 In 2022, it wrote a 124-page report on the subject.6 The 2015 report didn’t mention stablecoins and CBDCs, as both were in their infancy. Yet, in the last eight years, stablecoins have grown from almost nothing to $134 billion, 11 countries including Jamaica, Nigeria, and the Bahamas have launched a CBDC, and 83% of central banks have active CBDC projects.7 In the U.S., 2022 was a watershed year for digital asset, stablecoin, and CBDC regulatory discussions (see Figure 3). Global policymakers were busy too. With MiCa, the E.U. became the first international entity to bring crypto assets, issuers, and service providers under a harmonized regulatory framework, and the Bank of International Settlement (BIS) is undertaking eight CBDC, smart contract, or DeFi related projects.

Key 2022 U.S. Federal Blockchain and Crypto-Related Policy Actions

 
Policymaker Description
White House Issued Digital Asset Executive Order in March, outlining whole government approach to innovation. Released Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Development of Digital Assets in September directing further action.
Federal Reserve Completed first phase of retail CBDC Hamilton and wholesale CBDC Cedar projects. Running PoC to test a regulated digital asset settlement platform with ten financial firms.
Treasury Released an Action Plan to Address Illicit Financing Risks of Digital Assets, a Report on Digital Asset Financial Stability Risks and Regulation, and a statement on stablecoin standards. Sanctioned crypto mixer Tornado Cash. Leading inter-agency efforts weighing U.S. CBDC issuance and public-awareness efforts over digital assets’ risks.
SEC Doubled the size of its Crypto Asset and Cyber Unit. Aggressively pursued investigations and enforcement actions and declared nine crypto assets as securities. Sparred with the CFTC over which agency should be the primary digital asset regulator.
Congress Began distinguishing between non-payment stablecoins, scrutinizing asset reserves and issuers. Calls for greater crypto industry regulation increased following Terra/LUNA and FTX collapse. Continued to explore blockchain technology use cases for the Federal government.
Table 2: This table is not intended to be exhaustive. For instance, the Departments of Commerce, State, Energy, and Defense as well as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau have efforts underway about blockchains and digital assets. | Source: FCAT Research
Eleven countries have launched a CBDC, with 60 in the advanced stages of exploration.

Emergence of Web3 as a vision for the internet. In 2015, blockchain industry discussions centered on bitcoin as an alternative to fiat currency and how distributed ledger technology could help the financial services industry more efficiently handle record keeping, payments, and identity management.8 The vision now encompasses something bigger, the notion that multiple, connected public blockchains can underpin a new, more resilient, decentralized, and democratized web (see Web3: A Tokenized Web). Web3 would leverage key blockchain features: distributed node architecture to combat data breaches and hacks; tokens to let individuals reclaim some control over their data; and the composability of open source software to allow customized user experiences.9 How Web3 will manifest is an open question, but this broader Web3 vision allows developers, founders and investors to see past short-term headlines and crypto asset price swings to focus attention instead on what the technology can enable. And, while we think blockchains will play an important role in the next generation of the Internet, Web3 has its skeptics. For example, Tim Berners-Lee, the founder of the World Wide Web, thinks distributed ledgers are too slow, expensive, and public to be a viable foundation for the web’s next iteration.10

What’s Next for Blockchain Adoption?

While there’s been a lot of progress over the past eight years, blockchain technology will have to keep evolving to become more broadly business-ready. One analogy for the current state of the technology: It’s like we are putting together a puzzle, where the border is somewhat complete but the middle picture mostly blank. So how will the picture get filled in? With:

Continued focus on interoperability between legacy technologies and blockchains. Companies are realizing that to remain competitive their technology infrastructure must be able to communicate with public and private chains. Tech firms, core chain development teams, and industry associations are all trying to enable that. Google recently launched Blockchain Node Engine, a cloud-based node-hosting service that makes it faster and easier for firms to connect to and work on Ethereum. It also inked deals to give BNB Chain startups, NEAR grant recipients, and Aptos developers access to Google Cloud technical support so that they can build and scale dApps without worrying as much about hardware limitations or security.11 Ethereum L2 ZkSync added programming languages Java, Python, and Go to its Software Development Kit (SDK) because supporting coding languages that developers already know should help them write blockchain applications faster.12 Crypto data provider, Chainlink is working with interbank messaging system SWIFT to test if its open-source Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol can enable SWIFT messages to communicate and move tokens across all blockchains.13 And SalesForce offers a set of pre-written smart contracts to help brands mint, manage, and sell NFTs on PoS chains, and provides one-click access to a carbon credit marketplace so clients can easily buy offsetting carbon credits for the NFTs they mint.14

…and between public chain ecosystems. Blockchains aren’t natively capable of communicating with each other. “Cross-chains” (bridges and protocols) connect chains by facilitating token and data transfers between L1s, L2s, and dApps (see Figure 4). Current cross-chain transfers are slow, complicated, and vulnerable to security exploits. For example, token transfers via L1 bridges typically take seven to 13 minutes; require users to make as many as 50 clicks; and use multiple wallets to pay fees.15 They are also prime hacker targets, accounting for 64% of all hackers induced losses last year.16 A host of solutions are being developed to improve cross-chain links’ useability and security. MetaMask’s Portfolio App aggregates accounts across seven chains so that users can see all their crypto and NFT holdings in one place and recommends optimal cross-chain routes for transfers.17 UNI Axelar partnered with L2 Polygon to deliver secure cross-chain communication to Polygon Supernets, a highly customizable blockchain stack. And, USDC stablecoin issuer Circle offers a Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol to help developers more easily build cross-chain apps.18 When it comes to interoperability, Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility allows developers to write a smart contract once for it to be deployable across all changes. This has become a de-facto standard: 84% of smart contract enabled blockchains are EVM compatible, with others like Ripple and Algorand working towards it.19 Chains view EVM compatibility as a way to boost growth.

Cross-Chain Interoperability Solutions

Category Description Example
Layer 1 Bridges Transfer specific digital assets such as ETH between layer 1 (L1) blockchains like Ethereum and Avalanche. Typically operated by L1 development teams. Wrapped BTC, Avalanche Bridge, BNB Bridge
Layer 2 Bridges Transfer specific digital assets and data between L1 chains like Ethereum and layer 2 sidechains and scaling solutions. Typically operated by L2 development teams. Polygon, Arbitrum, StarkNet, Optimistic Ethereum
Universal Interoperability Networks (UIN) Support the exchange of all tokens (digital assets, NFTs) and arbitrary data (cross-chain smart contract calls and account delegation) across multiple L1s and L2s. Cosmos IBC, Axelar, Hop, Wormhole Synapse, LayerZero
Cross-Chain Liquidity Protocols (CCLP) DeFi DEXs only allow users to swap assets which reside on one blockchain with assets that reside on that same chain. CCLPs transfer digital assets across multiple L1s and L2s so users can stake and add liquidity to different liquidity pools. Unlike UINs, third party liquidity providers (LPs) front the capital needed to facilitate cross-chain asset transfers; in exchange LPs earn swap fees and inflation rewards. Stargate, Osmosis, Connext
Bridge Aggregators Help users find the best routes – the cheapest, fastest or safest for example – to move their tokens across L1s and L2s. Socket, LI.FI, Chain Swap
Table 3: Crypto publications don’t always delineate between these categories, most often using the general term “bridge” or “cross-chain bridges” to describe any of them. | Source: FCAT Research, The Block
Walmart Canada reduced freight invoices requiring manual reconciliation from 70% to less than 1.5% by leveraging Hyperledger Fabric.

A better understanding of what operations are best suited for blockchains. Chains serve as secure ledgers of record, excel at coordinating complex, multi-party, high-volume data tasks, and provide access to real-time data. Specific business needs and regulatory requirements will guide adoption, but firms are starting to grasp the best uses of the technology in areas like:

Supply Chain Management and Logistics. Every industry with a complicated supply chain is exploring how blockchains can help streamline operations, enhance traceability and foster new solutions. SIMBA Chain, a DARPA-funded blockchain-as-a-service provider with clients like Boeing and Dow, is building a blockchain-based budgeting system so that the U.S. Air Force can better track and monitor fund movement across billing centers, purchasing teams, and suppliers.20 Estonia is using Guardtime’s VaccineGuard to issue its citizens’ COVID-19 vaccination certificates, and to secure vaccine supply chains between public health authorities, hospitals, manufacturers, and border guards.21 Walmart Canada reduced freight invoices requiring manual reconciliation from 70% to less than 1.5% by leveraging Hyperledger Fabric.22 Many firms are also using blockchains to reach sustainability goals. Unilever wants to achieve a deforestation-free supply chain by 2023 and is using SAP’s GreenToken platform for greater traceability and transparency in its palm oil supply chain.23 Setting their sights higher, firms including Vakt, GSBN, Covantis, CargoX, and Wave BL are working with the likes of Chevron, MSC Cargill, and Oracle to develop blockchain-based products to digitize trade finance and to streamline shipping logistics on a global scale.

Healthcare and Life Sciences. Blockchain opportunities in healthcare solutions are diverse, from managing supply chains and streamlining operations to verifying medical records and providing new ways to monitor patient health. MediLedger Network, a consortia with members like AmerisourceBergen, McKesson, and Cardinal Health, is trying to prevent counterfeit drugs from entering pharma supply chains. Members use QR codes to scan returned pills and verify in less than a second (versus the more common 48 hours today) if they are authentic and reenter the supply chain.24 Avaneer Health, Synaptic Health Alliance, and Solve.Care aim to streamline processes and cut costs by helping providers, insurers, and data exchanges sync, manage, and secure records, invoices, and insurance claims. Startups Patientory and Prescryptive focus instead on patients, with a mobile app tied to a HIPPA/GDPR compliant blockchain where they can manage, opt into clinical trials, and shop for prescription drugs. In life sciences, SAMChain, developed by Yale geneticists, is the first blockchain capable of storing and analyzing an entire genomic sequence on-chain. Researchers believe that SAMChain may accelerate genome sequencing becoming a part of routine medical care.25

SAMChain may accelerate genome sequencing becoming a part of routine medical care.

Financial Services. When the Federal Reserve first studied blockchains in 2016, they saw long-term potential but limited current applicability. Seven years later, 60 countries are in advanced stages of CBDC exploration. Visa, Mastercard, and Stripe use stablecoins to facilitate global payments. And the path to a blockchain-based infrastructure for the financial services industry is being charted by incumbents and fintechs alike. The DTCC, SWIFT, and BIS are working with industry participants on a variety of pilots and parallel production tests to see how blockchains could streamline processes like settlement and cross-border payments and cultivate institutional DeFi and smart contract-based marketplaces. Startups Axoni, Symbiont, and Tassat offer capital market and payment products used by the likes of BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and Vanguard. And, asset managers Apollo, KKR, and Hamilton Lane have partnered with fintechs ADDX, Figure and Securitize to tokenize a portion of their funds, which has enabled them to automate investor compliance and reduce ticket-size minimums from $125,000 to $10,000.26 But the path ahead won’t be without its setbacks: Last November, the Australian Securities Exchange cancelled a six-year project to move its workflow on-chain, while the Bank of Korea decided the technology is not mature enough to support a retail CBDC.27

Government. Blockchain’s immutable recordkeeping and multi-party coordination capabilities have been pitched to streamline operations, upgrade identity management systems and mitigate corruption. The U.S., China, UAE, India, and South Korea all have directives to accelerate blockchain R&D. President Biden’s Executive Order on Digital Assets outlines the first U.S. whole-of-government strategy to promote responsible blockchain innovation and competition. The E.U.’s European Blockchain Services Infrastructure is a public sector chain focused on improving cross-border services like passports and university credentials. China continues to expand its blockchain infrastructure project (BSN), adding in NFT functionality and launching an international version last year.28 Police in the Indian city of Firozabad use a blockchain based public grievance registry to curb police evidence tampering and allow citizens to track case progress in real-time.29 South Korea and Rhode Island are planning trials to see how the technology could secure digital identities.30 And, staggered that only 9% of Canadian plastic waste is recycled, Alberta’s provisional government is developing reciChain, a public-private partnership to incentivize plastics recycling that it hopes will launch in 2024.31

Brand loyalty and engagement. Firms are exploring how NFTs and fungible tokens can boost brand loyalty and personalize customer engagement. Nike’s already raced ahead. It’s generated revenues of $185 million from Ethereum based NFTs, roughly three times more than Web3-focused brands Dolce & Gabbana, Tiffany and Gucci combined.32 Nike recently launched .SWOOSH, a Web3-based site to spotlight its NFT collections and give users the ability to co-create tokens and share in royalties.33 Budweiser is putting its Clydesdale horses into Zed Run’s Ethereum-based horse racing game where users can buy skins based on the famed mascots and compete in races offerings prize money up to $95,000.34 Seeing an opportunity to make it easier to connect blockchains to Web2 frontends, firms like Oracle, Shopify and Web3 brand specialist Arianne provide tools to help brands design, deploy, and manage token-based products and Web3 communities.

Acentrik incentivizes firms to buy and sell data sets by enabling users to run algorithms and glean insights without exposing the raw data.

A rapidly evolving ecosystem. Just as a vibrant ecosystem of technology vendors, designers, consultants and others emerged to support businesses looking to undergo a digital transformation, look for something similar to happen with blockchain. Bain & Company’s Web3 and digital asset database already tracks more than 4,000 firms in the blockchain ecosystem – everything from blockchain networks to core infrastructure providers and developer tools -- that cumulatively raised more than $80 billion through June 2022.35 Some of the interesting categories in this evolving ecosystem are blockchain-as-a-service providers like Kaleido, Alchemy, and Amazon’s Managed Blockchain which help firms use cloud-based solutions to build, host, and operate their own chains, dApps, and nodes, as well as blockchain cybersecurity firms like Chainanalysis, TRM Labs, and OpenZeppelin that monitor on-chain transactions to prevent fraud, complete smart code audits to identify security vulnerabilities, and allow businesses to be KYC compliant.

Emerging technologies like AI and IoT bolster blockchains’ performance. Blockchains aren’t developing in insolation. In fact a lot of work is underway to enhance blockchains with AI’s intelligence and IoT’s data collection prowess. Acentrik, a blockchain-AI data sharing marketplace started by the Mercedes Benz Group, incentivizes firms to buy and sell data sets by enabling users to run algorithms and glean insights without exposing the raw data.36 Syntegra, a generative AI healthcare startup, uses Acentrik to publish synthetic electronic health records and claims datasets for use in clinical trials.37 Blackbird.AI is a blockchain-AI disinformation risk intelligence platform that rates the credibility of news content and then stores those ratings on-chain so that brands can find and fight fake news. Xage is a startup that combines blockchain, AI and IoT to secure critical infrastructures like water supplies and electrical grids. And, with funding from Draper Dragon and Samsung Next, MachineFi Labs is building a platform that will let developers connect billions of IoT devices and Web3 infrastructures.

Why It Matters

Blockchain is a rapidly evolving technology. As such, there are some important considerations for business leaders:

Remember that it’s still a young technology. Given its freshman status, blockchain’s performance, reliability, and privacy issues persist, and are still being worked through. Blockchain developers, enterprise tool vendors, and ecosystem players are still determining what can and cannot be done on chain and wrestling with how to improve interoperability for a multi-chain world. Meanwhile, a diverse breadth of talent including developers, lawyers, cybersecurity experts and designers is tackling how best to connect Web3 infrastructures with legacy technology and legal systems, and to improve its security and user experience. As with any emerging technology, advances will not roll out in a straight line, but instead in fits and starts.

Look beyond the financial services industry for use cases. While there’s a lot going on within specific sectors–– like financial services –– much can be learned from how companies in other industries deploy blockchains. From healthcare and energy to retail and technology, a diverse set of companies are exploring how blockchains can change business operations. Analyzing these use cases – understanding their goals, design, use of partners and vendors, and effectiveness – could highlight utility, interdependencies, and limitations in deploying blockchains across one’s business.

Expect policymakers to engage and seek insights as they try to address regulatory uncertainty. Policymakers are keen to bring oversight to the crypto industry. From broad directives encouraging blockchain innovation to proposed stablecoin legislation and hearings held following FTX’s collapse last year, they’re yearning to understand the big picture for blockchains, including how chains will communicate with legacy technology infrastructures and other public chain ecosystems. Insights into successful or failed use cases should be highlighted and discussed as they will bring more clarity to where and when the technology should be adopted.

  • Facebook.
  • Twitter.
  • LinkedIn.
  • Print
The opinions provided are those of the author and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments or its affiliates. Fidelity does not assume any duty to update any of the information. Fidelity and any other third parties are independent entities and not affiliated. Mentioning them does not suggest a recommendation or endorsement by Fidelity.
 
1 https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2022/11/09/vitalik-buterins-new-ethereum-roadmap-takes-aim-at-mev-and-censorship/
2 https://polygon.technology/blog/the-polygon-thesis-strategic-focus-on-zk-technology-as-the-next-major-chapter-for-polygon-1b-treasury-allocation;
3 https://www.hyperledger.org/blog/2022/09/12/hyperledger-firefly-v1-1-is-now-available;
4 https://medium.com/obscuro-labs/enlightening-the-spectrum-of-privacy-with-obscuro-73732879cf32
5 https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/261/2015-FSOC-Annual-Report.pdf
6 https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/261/FSOC-Digital-Assets-Report-2022.pdf
7 Top Stablecoins by Market Cap | CoinGecko, Dates 3/1/15 and 2/15/23; Central Bank Digital Currency Tracker - Atlantic Council
8 https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/2015-blockbuster-year-bitcoins-blockchain-technology-2015-12-30, The trust machine | The Economist
9 https://www.bain.com/insights/web3-could-rewrite-user-identity-rules-tech-report-2022/
10 https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/04/web-inventor-tim-berners-lee-wants-us-to-ignore-web3.html
11 Zavery, A. Tromans, J. Introducing Blockchain Node Engine. (n.d.). Google Cloud Blog ; NEAR Teams With Google Cloud to Accelerate Web3 Startups. NEAR Protocol.;
https://medium.com/aptoslabs/aptos-labs-partners-with-google-cloud-to-enable-further-decentralization-of-the-aptos-network-f6eae47d4c65
12 Truppa, M. (2022, November 1). ZkSync adds support for new coding languages on its network. (n.d.). The Block.
13 https://www.coindesk.com/business/2022/09/28/swift-partners-with-crypto-data-provider-chainlink-on-cross-chain-protocol-in-tradfi-play/
14 https://www.salesforce.com/products/web3/nft/
15 The Block Research. (2022, September 23). Interoperability Networks: Infrastructure for the Multi-Chain Future [Review of Interoperability Networks: Infrastructure for the Multi-Chain Future]. The Block.
16 Chainanlysis tweet on 10/4/22. Hernandez, O. Peterson, M. October Already Record Month for Hacks and Exploits. (2022, October 13). Blockworks.
17 Dias, M. MetaMask Launches Beta Portfolio Dapp For An Improved Web3 Experience (September 28, 2022). Consensys
18 Circle Enables USDC Interoperability for Developers. (n.d.). Circle; Lutz, S. (2022, September 28). Circle Expands USDC Stablecoin Support to Five New Blockchains. Decrypt.
19 FCAT Research calculation based on DeFi Llama TVL data pulled 11/27/22. https://defillama.com/chains a href="https://medium.com/neon-labs/neon-evm-set-to-go-live-on-mainnet-welcome-to-a-new-era-of-ethereum-scalability-on-solana-63b25bcc77a3">
https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2022/10/17/ripple-begins-testing-xrp-ledger-sidechain-thats-compatible-with-ethereum-smart-contracts/;
20 Kirimi, A. (2022, June 6) US Air Force taps SIMBA Chain to develop budgeting and accounting system. (n.d.). Cointelegraph
21 Estonian Government Goes Live with VaccineGuard — Guardtime. (n.d.). Guardtime.com. Aaviksoo, A. Day, G. (2021, January) Guardtime VaccineGuard. Guardtime Health.
22 https://hbr.org/2022/01/how-walmart-canada-uses-blockchain-to-solve-supply-chain-challenges
DLTLabs Case Study – Hyperledger Foundation
23 SAP, Unilever pilot blockchain technology supporting deforestation-free palm oil. (2022, March 21). Unilever.; GreenToken by SAP. (n.d.).
24 https://hbr.org/2020/05/why-big-pharma-is-betting-on-blockchain
25 Hathaway, B. (2022, June 29). Blockchain not just for bitcoin: It can secure and store genomes, too. YaleNews. Gürsoy, G., Brannon, C. M., Ni, E., Wagner, S., Khanna, A., & Gerstein, M. (2022). Storing and analyzing a genome on a blockchain. Genome Biology. BMC.;
26 Thomas, D. (2022, October 7) Private equity's blockchain adoption may clear path to retail investors. S&P Global Market Intelligence; Taulli, T. (2022, September, 20) KKR Rides the Blockchain to Expand Access to Private Equity. Barrons
27 https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeldelcastillo/2022/11/16/seminal-blockchain-project--goes-down-the-drain-chairman-apologizes/?sh=2102460017d3 Rhee, C.Y. Central bank digital currency - What we have Learned from a Recent Hands-On Experiment. (bis.org)
28 Hong, I. (2021, June 8). China sets goal to be blockchain world leader by 2025. Asia Financial.;
https://www.coindesk.com/business/2022/01/25/bsn-introduces-nft-infrastructure-platform-in-china/; Chen, A. (2022, September, 8) China’s state-backed BSN launches non-crypto blockchain for international markets PingWest.; BSN Spartan Network. (n.d.). Spartan Bsn Foundation
29 From Healthtech To Law Enforcement: How India Plans To Use Blockchain. Inc 42;
https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2022/10/13/police-complaints-in-this-indian-district-are-going-on-the-polygon-blockchain/ 30 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-16/south-korea-aims-to-boost-economy-with-digital-id-on-blockchain
Sinclair, S. South Korea To Roll Out Blockchain-based Identity: Report. (2022, October 17). Blockworks.; Rhode Island Eyes Blockchain-Based Identity Management Project. Govtech
31 Positioning Alberta as a World Leader in Plastics Circularity Through reciChain. (n.d.). Alberta Innovates.; Brunner, D. (2022, June 1). Technology to Transform Plastic Recycling in Alberta. Alberta Innovates.
32 NFT Brand Case Study. (n.d.). Dune.com.
33 Hayward, A. (2022, November 14). Nike Launches .Swoosh Web3 Platform, With Polygon NFTs Due in 2023. Decrypt.
34 Hayward, A. (2022, June 7). Budweiser’s Clydesdales Zoom Into Ethereum NFT Racing Game Zed Run. Decrypt.
35 Web3 Could Rewrite the Rules of User Identity | Bain & Company
36 https://www.ledgerinsights.com/mercedes-benz-launches-blockchain-based-data-sharing-platform/; Acentrik, Decentralized Data Marketplace Now in Enterprise Release, Is On Polygon Mainnet. (n.d.). Polygon Labs.
37 Revolutionizing data access in the Healthcare industry — made possible by Acentrik | by Acentrik Data Marketplace | Nov, 2022 | Medium; Synthetic Data 101. (n.d.). Syntegra.
1074949.1.0
close
Please enter a valid e-mail address
Please enter a valid e-mail address
Important legal information about the e-mail you will be sending. By using this service, you agree to input your real e-mail address and only send it to people you know. It is a violation of law in some jurisdictions to falsely identify yourself in an e-mail. All information you provide will be used by Fidelity solely for the purpose of sending the e-mail on your behalf.The subject line of the e-mail you send will be "Fidelity.com: "

Your e-mail has been sent.
close

Your e-mail has been sent.

This website is operated by Fidelity Center for Applied Technology (FCAT)® which is part of Fidelity Labs, LLC (“Fidelity Labs”), a Fidelity Investments company. FCAT experiments with and provides innovative products, services, content and tools, as a service to its affiliates and as a subsidiary of FMR LLC. Based on user reaction and input, FCAT is better able to engage in technology research and planning for the Fidelity family of companies. FCATalyst.com is independent of fidelity.com. Unless otherwise indicated, the information and items published on this web site are provided by FCAT and are not intended to provide tax, legal, insurance or investment advice and should not be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by any Fidelity entity or any third-party. In circumstances where FCAT is making available either a product or service of an affiliate through this site, the affiliated company will be identified. Third party trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners. All other trademarks are the property of FMR LLC.


This is for persons in the U.S. only.


245 Summer St, Boston MA

© 2008-2024 FMR LLC All right reserved | FCATalyst.com


Terms of Use | Privacy | Security | DAT Support