Week Ending March 31, 2017
Three things to know
The Arizona Governor signed into law a bill legalizing blockchain signatures and smart contracts. Arizona becomes the second state to legally recognize smart contracts, after Vermont. Expect to see more states advance similar bills, as Blockchain proliferates. The next state to do so could potentially be Illinois. Illinois is Blockchain/Fintech-friendly and the Cook County Recorder office is in the process of shifting land titles to Blockchain. Arizona Governor Signs Blockchain Bill into Law
Trade finance continues to be a Blockchain focus-area. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, along with five participating banks have completed a trade finance proof of concept (PoC). The PoC demonstrated that Blockchain can be effective in trade finance, as the project revealed multiple benefits. Phase 2, the pilot phase, will expand the number of participants and represent the trade finance ecosystem. Hong Kong Central Bank Partners on DLT Trade Finance Test
Closer to home, Blockchain can be applied to everyday real estate transactions. Using Blockchain in real estate can accelerate the transaction process, reduce fraud, and increase transparency. Real estate transactions are likely to be among the most disrupted by Blockchain adoption with some benefitting more than others. Title insurers are likely to be among the most disrupted by Blockchain, while mortgage originators and mortgage services are likely to experience lower costs. What Will be the Use of Blockchain in Real Estate
Financial Services
Factom Launches Revolutionary Blockchain Suite of Mortgage Products
MUFG Standard Chartered Plan Blockchain Payments Launch for 2018
Banks and Startups Advance Blockchain Syndicated Loans
Market Enabler Exchanges See Blockchain as New Revenue Play
Healthcare
How Blockchain Technology Can Benefit Healthcare
SAP Joins Hyperledger, Building Healthcare Blockchain Momentum
Blockchain’s Promise Has Healthcare Innovators Eager
Blockchain can help secure medical devices, improve patient privacy
Blockchain: The killer app that will stretch far beyond banking
Blockchain can help secure medical devices, improve patient privacy
Two California Startups Preparing Pharma Companies for Blockchain
Could There be Blockchain Solution High Prescription Drug Prices
Energy
How Utilities Are Using Blockchain to Modernize the Grid
Blockchain A Potential Significant Enabler for UK Solar, Says SolarCoin Co-Founder
Blockchain – A new era for the energy market?
Global
Second Ukraine Bank Launches Blockchain Partnership
Canada’s first commercial blockchain service could become the ‘Interac’ for digital transactions
Alibaba Turns to Blockchain in Fight Against Food Fraud
Blockchain applications unlikely to take hold in business sector anytime soon, say finance experts
Japan Bitcoin Law Goes into Effect Tomorrow
Sweden Moves Next Stage Blockchain Land Registry
Flogging a Dead Horse Bank of England Bets on Blockchain AI
Trafigura Tests Blockchain for Settling US Oil Market Deals
Government
What is Blockchain and How Could It Impact Government
Uses and Applications
Nets partners with blockchain analysis firm to fight dirty bitcoins
Gold on the Blockchain: How Two Blockchain Startups Are Digitizing Gold Investments
Sensify brings blockchain to industrial networks for decentralized access management
Chain and Thales Interlock for Blockchain Key Security Solution
Thought Leadership
Using Blockchain to Keep Public Data Public
Plan to Save Blockchain Democracy from Bitcoins Civil War
Blockchain Accounting and Audit What Accountants Need to Know
10 Ways How Blockchain Will Change Your Life