A blockchain technology is changing the world, little by little, block by block. In recent years, the word ‘blockchain’ has become an integral part of the business community. Several companies are integrating blockchain-based solutions – and several FinTech startups are also adopting this technology. However, FinTech is not the only sector where blockchain technology is limited.
Let’s take a look and understand what blockchain is – and how blockchain technology is helping the way companies across various industries do business.
What is Blockchain?
While most people have heard the term blockchain in the context of cryptocurrencies as Bitcoin and Ethereum , it is important to understand that cryptocurrencies are just one aspect of blockchain technology. The applicability and use case of blockchain goes far beyond just cryptocurrencies. Blockchain technology can be used for a variety of other purposes, mainly involving authentication, tracking, and verification of data.
Technically speaking, a blockchain is an open, distributed ledger. However, to simplify things, blockchain platforms can be used to transfer money, or they can also be used to run automated programs known as smart contracts, which operate on a predefined set of rules and regulations.
Companies have been integrating blockchain technology at a rapid pace lately – and it has been proven to benefit them. One of the biggest examples of this is Long Island Iced Tea Corp., which rebranded itself as ‘Long Blockchain’ after it suddenly decided to shift its business operations from a beverage manufacturing company to a company that would operate in blockchain-related businesses. The company’s stock surged 238% following this announcement.
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrency have also been leveraged by companies like Kodak and Atari, which are practically old and ‘washed’ brands in the markets. However, both companies witnessed significant gains when they announced their plans to launch a blockchain-based cryptocurrency earlier this year. However, this is an example of companies trying to make use of blockchain technology to attract the attention of the markets.
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Blockchain in business
Automobile
Several innovations in the automotive industry have been brought about by the integration of blockchain technology. Some of the biggest players in the automotive industry, such as Porsche, Ford and BMW, are pioneers in integrating this technology into their cars and car management systems. These companies are experimenting with various aspects of an automobile – from apps that can unlock car doors to patents that speak of a smoother navigation system through to car-to-car payments.
Some companies in the automotive industry are also promoting various startups, organizing competitions and providing targeted assistance in the development of certain types of applications. BMW's partnership with Bloom is one of the best examples of such a partnership. Interestingly, BMW is also using a cryptocurrency-based system to track mileage on a blockchain platform .
Aviation
The aviation and airline industry is among the biggest benefactors of the blockchain revolution. Some of the biggest names in the world, such as Singapore Airlines , Lufthansa and several Australian airlines are working on developing blockchain-based platforms to improve the overall travel experience of their users. While one concept that has been experimented with quite often is loyalty points, industry members continue to experiment to come up with new and innovative solutions.
Lufthansa even organized a 'blockchain challenge' that would help improve the aviation industry. Brisbane Airport in Australia it became the airport most crypto-friendly in the world, as practically everything from a plane ticket to a cup of coffee can be purchased there using only cryptocurrencies! Blockchain is getting bigger in the aviation sector every day.
Food processing
Blockchain has also made significant inroads into the food processing business. Soon, consumers will be able to track where their vegetables were grown and where they were stored before they finally reach them. Companies like IBM and Walmart are working on developing blockchain-based solutions for the food processing industry.
Blockchain technology is also being used in the food processing industry to authenticate claims that certain food items are ‘organic’, ‘vegan’ or ‘cruelty-free’. While it would be easy to print it on a can, blockchain verification can help provide a higher degree of credibility to these products. Additionally, blockchain verification can also assure users that the product complies with all government regulations.
Another use of blockchain technology is in the agriculture sector, where commodity markets are being developed on a blockchain that would help connect farmers directly to buyers so that they can get a better deal on their produce. Additionally, in some countries like India, blockchain technology is being used to help farmers get crop subsidies.
finance
Finance is where it all started. Blockchain and, in particular, cryptocurrencies were created because developers felt that the financial sector was too centralized and needed more power in the hands of the people. This occurred against the backdrop of the 2008 global economic crisis. However, rather than replacing the existing financial order, blockchain systems became part of it – eventually. Today, several banks and financial organizations are looking to blockchain technology – and even cryptocurrencies – to expand their business offerings.
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Blockchain-based systems help banks transfer money from one account to another with ease, speed and cost, especially when it comes to international remittances. Ripple’s blockchain platform is particularly popular in the world of finance.
Several banks around the world have shown active interest in adopting blockchain-based technologies. Bank of America, in particular, is at the forefront of this – as the bank has filed the most blockchain patents when it comes to banking companies and is among the top five names when it comes to filing blockchain patents in general. Other financial giants, such as JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs , have also shown an active interest in the world of blockchain technology
Health care
THE health sector is another industry that stands to benefit greatly from the implementation of blockchain technology. Names like Deloitte and IBM have stated that there is immense scope for utilizing blockchain technology in the healthcare world. Blackberry is another name that has recently been in the news for helping to develop a blockchain-based medical research platform.
One of the main uses of blockchain in healthcare is patient record management. This ensures that hospitals and healthcare professionals can access a patient’s medical records with ease – and the patient can also rest assured that their private medical data will remain secure.
Additionally, blockchain technology can also be incorporated by hospitals to ensure that their supply chain management systems are functioning well and that all inventories are maintained. The process of ordering and inventory monitoring can be automated on this platform. Apart from healthcare, the insurance industry is another area where blockchain can help bring about several positive changes.
Retail
Retail companies are already using blockchain-based platforms to enhance their customer experience.
O Walmart Blockchain Technology Inc. is among the biggest names when it comes to leveraging blockchain technology for retail buyers. The company has filed a large number of patents, including those that improve supply chain management, delivery systems, and the tracking of fresh food.
One of the biggest uses of blockchain technology in the retail sector has been seen in the form of loyalty rewards. Applications that manage customer ‘loyalty points’ are being built on blockchain systems. Additionally, offering retail shoppers an incentive in the form of cryptocurrency tokens is another concept that has been gaining traction lately. Instead of offering actual discounts, some retail outlets are offering cryptocurrency with the purchase of a product – making it a win-win situation for both parties involved.
Additionally, the retail sector is also leveraging blockchain technology, providing users with comprehensive proof of ownership that is secure and transferable. This is particularly useful for high-end items and expensive products such as cars, jewelry, etc.
Communication
The blockchain revolution has also reached the communications industry. Several startups are working on developing products aimed at communications: be it organizational communication, private communication or even communication related to advertising and broadcasting.
Several blockchain-based decentralized applications are being developed that help companies improve the way they communicate internally. Information can be transferred and shared within a company’s network with a much higher level of security than ever before. In addition, there has also been a rise in blockchain-based communication applications that offer a high level of privacy. Several crypto and blockchain projects are also being developed that specifically focus on social media advertising as well as content platforms. Blockchain technology is having a profound impact on the world of communications.
Rise of Blockchain Startups
As startups de blockchain are all the rage these days! While traditional companies are eager to experiment with blockchain technology or are setting up research wings that are filing patents – it is startups around the world that are actually implementing this technology.
These startups are helping major companies integrate blockchain technology seamlessly. They’re providing platforms for crypto-to-crypto transfers, launching technologies that can make blockchain networks faster and less congested, improving the way people advertise, improving the way people track supplies, making it easier to deploy decentralized applications, or simply making it easier for customers to access digital assets through a blockchain network.
As startups of Bitcoin mining are also on the rise. People have come to understand how valuable cryptocurrency mining can be, thanks to the use of tools such as Bitcoin Mining Calculator , as they can now figure out their long and short term profits based on the price of the coin and various other factors like energy consumption etc. Individuals are mining cryptocurrencies, but so are organized business units.
Over the years, several major companies have shown interest in blockchain startups. Blockchain companies have raised significant funding – and some have even been acquired by those looking to integrate blockchain-based services into their business model.
Conclusion: Blockchain in Administration
After blockchains in business, the next step is blockchain in management.
While the above-mentioned examples show how businesses can make use of blockchain technology, there is another important player that stands to benefit greatly from the blockchain boom – government and civic administration systems. Governance and administration can be smoothened using blockchain technology – infusing transparency and accountability into the system.
While the blockchain revolution started as a whisper in tech circles, it has expanded from technology to finance and from FinTech to the rest of the industries. Today, corporate giants like IBM, Walmart, Bank of America, Alibaba, Mastercard, etc. are trying to outdo each other when it comes to the number of blockchain patents they hold.
Blockchain technology is gaining mainstream popularity at a rapid pace. Even regimes like China and India, which do not necessarily approve of cryptocurrencies, have embraced blockchain technology. China is even developing Xiongon, a smart city which would be managed largely by blockchain-based smart contracts. Therefore, blockchain technology has unanimous approval from all over the world.
Industry experts are calling it ‘Web 3.0’ – and that’s really the scale at which this technology operates. Businesses are embracing the blockchain movement – and for all the right reasons too, because no one wants to be left out of this technological innovation that is likely to change the way we do business over the next decade.