Blockchain Beyond Bitcoin

Blockchain is perhaps one of the most unconventional new age Technologies out there. The sooner it is brought out of the shadow of Bitcoin and its potentialities explored, the faster the enterprises will benefit from the multiple applications of the distributed ledger technology.

- Pooja Jain

Bitcoin marks the introduction of Blockchain in mainstream technology applications. A decade ago, when Satoshi Nakamoto released the whitepaper, ‘Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System’, that was the first time the world heard of Blockchain. Today Blockchain is well on its way to being recognized in its right, and not just as the Technology powering cryptocurrency.

According to a report by Statista, the worldwide spending on blockchain solutions is expected to grow from 1.5 billion in 2018 to an estimated 11.7 billion by 2022. And this includes all industries, from Finance to Agriculture and Logistics to Healthcare.

BLOCKCHAIN REAL TIME USE CASES

To paint a clearer picture, the applications of Blockchain are not just a theoretical piece to be implemented in the far future. A lot of organizations and governments all over the world are enthusiastically turning to Blockchain based systems.

Walmart, for instance, has been working with IBM to implement Blockchain for Supply Chain Management. The digital ledger technology is being used to keep a track of shipments from the suppliers so that all information related to the products can be accessed immediately when required, and by doing so reduce the risk of food spoilage or contamination.

Microsoft, in partnership with Accenture and Avanade, has been working on developing a Blockchain based database for Decentralized Identify Documentation. This is believed to help 1.1 billion people around the world to manage their personal data and ensure privacy and safety across the digital space, while simultaneously offering a solution to those without any legal forms of ID.

While this is happening internationally, India is doing its bit to be a part of the ongoing Blockchain Revolution.