Three things to know

Blockchain can significantly transform the reinsurance business. The current processes have very limited transparency, require extended time, and are expensive.  For example, to establish reinsurance among several parties requires months of sending documents to various parties.  Payouts are also a months-long process.  The process is inefficient, with some 50% to 80% of costs classified as friction costs.  Most interestingly, the article reports that more than half of insurance executives recognize the Blockchain is important, however 57% of executives don’t know how to respond. Blockchain & Reinsurance

The insurance industry consortium B3i is accelerating its work and plans to announce several new members over the next couple of months. Members of B3i see the consortium evolving into a SWIFT-like exchange that, among other benefits, ensures consistent and transparent contracts.  Among the motivations for the aggressive schedule, is the fear that leading technology companies will begin to offer insurance and do it cheaper, faster, and more effectively. Growing insurance consortium eyes industry-wide blockchain

Chinese banks are exploring Blockchain to improve systems and plan to soon begin upgrading current, outdated systems.  Among the factors that are accelerating this conversion is encouragement from regulators.  Blockchain is a regulatory dream, and by this point you know the reasons.  It is encouraging to see regulatory bodies begin to also recognize the benefits of Blockchain and actively advocate its adoption.  Will U.S. and European financial regulators follow suit?  Time will tell. China turns to blockchain to make markets clearer and cleaner

Weekly Blockchain

Financial Services

How the blockchain revolution could transform financial services

Blockchain Mini-Consortiums, New DApps: What’s Next for Financial Services in 2017

Big banks plan interbank blockchain platform

Lending Robot launches hedge fund that uses blockchain and machine learning — with no human …

Blockchain: accelerated activity in trade finance
What DTCC’s IBM Blockchain Transition ‘Reimagining’ Credit Derivatives Signifies

Is Blockchain the Answer to E-voting? Nasdaq Believes So

Deutsche Börse tests blockchain cash transfers

Nasdaq successfully completes blockchain PoC for Estonian e-voting system

Nasdaq Declares Blockchain Voting Trial a ‘Success’

Blockchain in insurance services

$60 Billion Alipay to Adopt Blockchain Serving Two Billion Users

Healthcare

Blockchain for Healthcare
How Old Industries Can Learn New Technology Tricks

Advanced Healthcare Supply Chain Technology Cuts Costs

Energy

Solarplaza Shines Light on Blockchain Green Energy Prospects

Global

Op Ed: Energizing the Blockchain — A Canadian Perspective

Deutsche Börse Presents Blockchain Concept for Risk Free Cash Transfer

ESMA takes ‘wait and see’ regulatory approach to blockchain

EU Cybersecurity Agency Advises Financial Institutions How to Deal with Blockchain

Chronobank blockchain platform provides updates on LaborX exchange launch

Queensland Treasury uses CBA blockchain for ‘cryptobond’ prototype

Commonwealth Bank Develops Blockchain for Government Bonds

Connecting Chinese Blockchain Industry Globally: In conversation With Tai Cloud Founder
China’s Central Bank is Testing a Blockchain-Backed Digital Currency
HK-listed Credit China Fintech invests $30 million in blockchain provider BitFury Group

Indian banking giants plan consortium to test interbank blockchain platform

Indian Automaker Mahindra to Open Blockchain Incubator

Nigerian Government Offers Support to Blockchain Development Group

Government

Sorry – nothing from the Government this week

Uses and Applications
Managed Chaos: Why the Music Industry Needs Blockchain

Works Like Magic: Blockchain to Help Streamline Loyalty Programs

Blockchain for Journalism: How a Big Funding Idea is Starting Small

Blockchain marketing: how the technology behind Bitcoin could change marketing

Consensys, adChain partner to develop blockchain solution for online advertising

How Blockchain Can Revitalize Manufacturing Value Chains (Part 1)

Putting bling on the blockchain: The Everledger story

Why a New Small Business Blockchain is Actually a Big Deal

Blockchain could ease non-tariff barriers to freedom of trade

Could Anti-Globalization Threaten Interest in Blockchain?

MIT Media Lab Applies the Bitcoin Blockchain for Digital Certificates

Using Keyless Signatures to Promote Immutability of Permissioned Blockchains

Nova LifeStyle Launches Blockchain-Based Site to Enhance E-Commerce Strategy

Top Blockchain Startups Join Efforts to Boost Industry’s Marketing

Thought Leadership
A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Blockchain

7 Incredible Blockchain Technologies to Watch Out For in 2017
Why 2017 Could Be Blockchain’s Biggest Year Ever

What’s cooking in the blockchain kitchen?

What’s next for blockchain and cryptocurrency

A Rude Awakening for Blockchain’s Dreamers

What’s the future of blockchain?

Might the Blockchain Outlive Bitcoin?

Blockchain believers hold fast to a utopian vision

MIT Technology Review presents: The Business of Blockchain

Bitcoin Price Ebbs and Flows Make Bitcoin, Blockchain Two Ends of Seesaw

Is blockchain the answer to building transparency and trust?

Blockchain: Rethinking Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Theory; How Blockchain and …

Bitcoin’s rise amid economic woes points to emerging roles for blockchain currencies

How these 5 NYC tech companies are using blockchain, and what it actually means