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Blockchain Explained:

Time Is Money

Dec 28, 2022 • 7 min read

Over the past few years, Blockchain technology and crypto assets have gained popularity. Despite criticism and praise, we'd like to inform you about blockchain's foundations, capabilities, and the biggest players involved.

Blockchain technology is a system used to execute, facilitate, and record transactions across a network of computers. It was first introduced in 2008 as the underlying technology behind the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, but has since been utilized in a variety of industries for a wide range of applications.

The origins of Bitcoin can be traced back to a white paper published by a person or group of people using the pseudonym "Satoshi Nakamoto." In this paper, Nakamoto outlined a new electronic cash system that would allow for peer-to-peer transactions without the need for a central authority.

Bitcoin relies on a decentralized network of computers, known as nodes, to validate and record transactions. These transactions are recorded in blocks linked together in a chain, hence the name "blockchain." Each block contains a list of transactions and a cryptographic hash, which is a unique fingerprint of the block's contents.

One of the key features of blockchain technology is its decentralized nature. Because no central authority controls the network, it is resistant to censorship and manipulation of transactions. Additionally, the use of cryptographic hashing ensures that the contents of a block cannot be altered without changing the hash, making it impossible to tamper with the data.

Ethereum is another blockchain platform that was created in 2015. It was developed by Vitalik Buterin and aims to provide a decentralized platform for the creation of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps).

Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of code. The code and the agreements contained therein are stored and replicated on the Ethereum blockchain.

Ethereum allows developers to create and deploy Dapps on the Ethereum network. These Dapps can range from decentralized exchanges and prediction markets to voting systems and supply chain management platforms.

A crypto exchange is a platform that allows users to buy, sell, and trade various cryptocurrencies. These exchanges can be centralized (like Coinbase and FTX), meaning that they are operated by a single company, or decentralized (like Uniswap), meaning that they are operated on a blockchain network.

Centralized exchanges are similar to traditional stock exchanges, in that they match buyers and sellers and facilitate the exchange of assets. They typically charge fees for their services and may require users to undergo Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks before they can use the platform.

Decentralized exchanges, on the other hand, do not have a central authority and instead rely on smart contracts to facilitate trades. They are often considered to be more secure and offer greater privacy, but may have lower liquidity and may be more difficult to use for inexperienced users.

An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a type of digital asset that represents ownership of a unique item or piece of content. NFT's are stored on a blockchain, which is a decentralized database that allows for the secure and transparent tracking of digital assets.

There are a wide variety of use cases for blockchain technology beyond just cryptocurrencies. For example, supply chain management is one area where blockchain technology has the potential to make a significant impact.

By using a decentralized ledger to track the movement of goods, companies can increase transparency and traceability in their supply chain. This can help reduce the risk of counterfeiting and fraud and increase efficiency by streamlining the supply chain process.

Another use case for blockchain technology is in the field of voting systems. By using a decentralized ledger to record and verify votes, the integrity of elections can be increased. This can help to reduce the risk of voter fraud and increase confidence in the electoral process.

There are also numerous applications for blockchain technology in the financial industry. For example, blockchain technology can be used to facilitate cross-border payments and reduce the time and cost associated with traditional financial transactions. It can also be used to create decentralized exchanges, allowing for the trade of assets without the need for a central authority.

Largest players involved:

The Federal Reserve: The Federal Reserve regulates banks, so it only monitors cryptocurrencies held by banks in the United States. The top U.S. banking regulator is assessing the launch of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), a cryptocurrency version of the dollar. Link to involvement: https://www.federalreserve.gov/central-bank-digital-currency.htm
BlackRock: BlackRock has continued to increase its presence in the digital assets space by launching a new European blockchain exchange traded fund. BlackRock Inc. is offering its first-ever investment product directly in Bitcoin, marking a significant move into crypto markets by the world's largest asset manager. Link to involvement: https://www.blackrock.com/ae/intermediaries/products/326614/ishares-blockchain-and-tech-etf
JP Morgan: Multinational banking firm JP Morgan has successfully executed its first-ever cross-border transaction using decentralized finance (DeFi) on a public blockchain. JP Morgan link to involvement: https://www.jpmorgan.com/news/jpmorgan-uses-blockchain-technology-to-help-improve-money-transfers
Fidelity: Fidelity Crypto is offered by Fidelity Digital Assets^ (link), a Fidelity Investments company. Cryptocurrency research by Fidelity Digital Assets led to industry-leading solutions in the securing and trading of digital assets.
Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs has invested in 11 digital asset companies that provide services such as compliance, cryptocurrency data, and blockchain management, and last month, it launched a digital asset platform and issued a $104 million digital bond for the European Investment Bank. Goldman Sachs link to involvement: https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/topics/future-of-digital-assets.html

In conclusion, blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries. Despite it's revolutionary capabilities, the crypto market is filled with frequent scams, criminal activity, and worthless assets created with zero value. Institutions value blockchain because it promotes faster, more secure, and cheaper transactions. From supply chain management and voting systems to financial transactions and the creation of decentralized applications, the possibilities for this technology are virtually endless. Despite criminal activity by SBF and other bad actors, the efficiency of the technology does not change. While still in its early stages, it is clear that blockchain technology has the potential to change the way we conduct business and interact with each other in the digital world.

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