How AI and blockchain can transform the supply chain - AI and blockchains are crucial to guarantee effective supply chain management. The two technologies may improve the experience for suppliers and end customers by driving higher automation and providing scalability, expanding connection across supply networks and enhancing traceability in commodity movement. AI and blockchain technology are increasingly being seen as solutions to help alleviate some of the problems associated with supply chain management.

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How can a small business get onto the metaverse? - whilst it may sound like an open-world game on steroids, the metaverse has attracted attention from a number of the largest businesses across the globe, with some having poured millions into obtaining real estate in the metaverse. Adidas purchased a plot of land in The Sandbox with plans to fill it with branded content and merchandise, and PwC's Hong Kong branch, not wanting to miss out on the potential benefits, also purchased virtual land in The Sandbox in 2022. Furthermore, companies such as Meta and Microsoft have developed entire virtual workplaces (Microsoft's Mesh and Meta's Horizon), albeit relatively simple constructs.

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Why is digital cash ‘on its way’? - arguably, the 2008 banking crisis spawned a desire to have an alternative form of cash/payments as taxpayers questioned why they were being forced to bail out the bankers. Trust in bankers took another hit with the LIBOR revelation and bankers being fined $9billion in 2015.  As society becomes ever more digitised, with the desire also to access services 24/7, it seem inevitable that cash is to be offered in a digital format. But this then raises concerns as to a potential loss of privacy…..

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Looking after your digital assets - interested in digital assets, but don't know where to start? Here we take a look at what digital wallets are, the difference between custodial and non-custodial wallets, and some tips on how to start.

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Introducing the Commissioner for digital money: safeguarding privacy and rights in the age of programmable money - The global race to develop Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Stablecoins has quietly created unprecedented challenges across the world. The intrinsic programmability of this money and the oceans of new and valuable centralised data produced daily create chronic as well as acute governance challenges in each and every jurisdiction. A gnawing temptation to governments and other agencies to abuse these new powers. Both at implementation and then again over the longer term.
Do we therefore need a Commissioner for Digital Money, similar to the UK’s ICO, for the digital pound and Sterling based stablecoins?

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The economic impact of adopting cryptocurrency as an alternative for goods and services - for all the hype surrounding both Bitcoin and crypto, they continue to remain largely unused as a means of exchange. More than $1 million is spent daily in the US on those goods and services using Bitcoin. However, this is a pittance compared to the annual US consumer expenditure of over $15 trillion. For Bitcoin to become a suitable alternative for buying goods and services, it must meet certain criteria.

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Metaverse and healthcare - experts in the healthcare business believe that the metaverse has the potential to provide significant value, although this is still an emerging trend. Medical software solutions, which allow users to engage with digital material in various ways (for instance, by managing data or exchanging medical pictures), now dominate the healthcare technology landscape. The metaverse’s highly immersive nature offers new ways for physicians to be trained and patients and carers to understand more about procedure and care plans before, during and after treatment.

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Dressed in disguise: how accounting rules hide the flaws of the fractional reserve banking system - this article looks at the controversial topic of flawed accounting rules that are designed to hide the truth about the health and solvency of the banking system. The level of accountancy inconsistencies in many global banks would appear to be largely ignored. Surely there is a need for greater transparency for the sake of shareholders and depositors as well as for regulators to maintain confidence in financial markets before it becomes too late?

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this article looks at the controversial topic of flawed accounting rules that are designed to hide the truth about the health and solvency of the banking system. The level of accountancy inconsistencies in many global banks would appear to be largely ignored. Surely there is a need for greater transparency for the sake of shareholders and depositors as well as for regulators to maintain confidence in financial markets before it becomes too late?

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Blockchain governance - blockchain governance creates the rules by which a blockchain will function, so enabling users to determine which blockchain is the most appropriate for them to select. It helps to coordinate code updates, and enable technological improvements, financial allocation and power distribution. Some blockchains have a decentralised network but a centralised basis for governance, technology and ecosystem growth. Other blockchains are autonomously decentralised but, in order to know how each blockchain functions, one needs to understand the way each blockchain has been designed - i.e. how it is governed.

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Gold: you can hold bullion or digital gold - gold has always been seen as a store of value during troubled times and in the last year central bankers have accumulated over 1,100 tons of gold. However, as well as holding physical bullion, it is possible to buy gold in a digitised format ( i.e. tokens pegged/backed by gold, or even digital gold), commonly referred to as Bitcoin.

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Why is tokenisation both relevant and important for the EU? - there continues to be much confusion around digitalisation of real-world assets (sometimes referred to as tokens) and cryptocurrencies. Whilst cryptos and tokens both use blockchains and distributed ledger technology, major corporations, central bankers and governments are increasingly beginning to realise the transformative potential that tokenisation offers their customers and citizens.

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The engine behind tokenised securities: standard ERC3643 - this article delves into standard ERC3643’s history and development, offering insight into the technical and conceptual breakthroughs that have made it the smart contract standard for permissioned tokens. It is a versatile protocol, suitable for digital assets which require controls on permissionless networks. Its built-in, privacy-preserved identity system makes it the standard for tokenised securities and real-world assets since it enforces compliance, which it does by allowing issuers to identify owners of digital securities on the blockchain without compromising the privacy of investors.

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This podcast covers the article written by Luc Falempin co-founder Tokeny, that delves into standard ERC3643’s history and development, offering insight into the technical and conceptual breakthroughs that have made it the smart contract standard for permissioned tokens. It is a versatile protocol, suitable for digital assets which require controls on permissionless networks. Its built-in, privacy-preserved identity system makes it the standard for tokenised securities and real-world assets since it enforces compliance, which it does by allowing issuers to identify owners of digital securities on the blockchain without compromising the privacy of investors.

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Web 3.0: a new pathway for health? - the way in which we use the internet has evolved to where Web 3 is able to empower individuals and give them the ability to control their data (especially healthcare information) as opposed to big tech firms controlling and monetising their information. Blockchain is the technology behind Web 3.0 and is being used to secure patient data whereby bringing transparency and trust to the healthcare sector. The use of Web 3.0 in healthcare offers the promise of changing not only the way patient data is stored and handled but also how healthcare is administered as medics begin to use a range of new immersive Web 3.0 technologies.

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Will cryptos sink or swim? - despite all the doom and gloom that 2022 may have suggested, in 2023 cryptocurrency is showing a little more nuance and doggedness than predicted. With several forecasts from cryptocurrency analysts (some of which contradict) it is difficult to say if cryptos will, indeed, sink or swim. If we are to see traditional asset classes continue to struggle, will investors buy cryptocurrencies as the total number of people globally exposed to cryptos certainly continues to rise?

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Why do we need stablecoins, CBDCs or bank deposit tokens? - there has been considerable interest in stablecoins and many central banks are currently studying the potential of issuing CBDCs. In addition, there is the spectre of a new form of digital cash payment - ‘bank deposit tokens’. The demand for these digital cash entities is likely to expand as we see growing interest in the digitisation of real assets.

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Cryptoassets and judicial oversight of regulatory decisions - as regulation of cryptoasset activities becomes more extensive, judicial oversight of regulatory decisions becomes more important and the Financial Services and Markets Bill is expected to considerably expand regulatory rules relating to crypto assets. In light of this, it is of interest to examine developments that have arisen from judicial oversight of cryptoasset regulation so far.

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As regulation of cryptoasset activities becomes more extensive, judicial oversight of regulatory decisions becomes more important and the Financial Services and Markets Bill is expected to considerably expand regulatory rules relating to crypto assets. In light of this, it is of interest to examine developments that have arisen from judicial oversight of cryptoasset regulation so far.

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Financial institutions aligning to crypto custody regulation in the UK, US & EU - in the light of well- publicised scandals, bankruptcies and collapse of established financial institutions and digital asset service providers, regulators around the world are working hard to finalise regulatory frameworks within the crypto industry. There is a raft of regulatory bodies attempting to apply controls to the industry on a global, national or local/state level. What is the status of crypto custody regulation in the UK, the US and the EU, plus the influence of global advisory bodies prominent in this space?

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Blockchain and law enforcement - the use of blockchain technology is potentially a double-edged sword in that it has enabled the issuance of what some regulators cite as illegal securities. A case in point is the US- quoted firm, Coinbase, which has been issued a notice by the SEC for potential breaking of American securities law. Blockchain technology offers a range of applications to help law enforcement agencies to track and trace payments, bring greater transparency and enabling data to be held in a decentralised and more secure manner, although it does also raise important questions about privacy, security and civil liberties. As with any technology, it is important to carefully consider the potential benefits and risks before implementing it in law enforcement contexts.

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Metaverse and digital marketing - the way in which organisations promote and market their goods and services is quickly changing as our lives become ever more digital. The metaverse is just another challenge for digital marketers who, themselves, will need to evolve and adapt to embrace this virtual world. Arguably, the four marketing P’s - product, price, promotion and place - are all being impacted; but have your marketing colleagues kept pace?

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Restoring trust in digital assets - 2022 was a rocky year for the digital asset market and so how can trust be restored? Is it a question of waiting for more regulation, or should the industry heal itself? In a new Financial Markets Insights report on Restoring Trust in Digital Assets, The Realization Group interviewed 14 industry CEOs and leaders to find out their views on what to expect next. What caused the crisis and how has the industry responded so far? What myths and misunderstandings are being perpetuated by the media? What new industry standards are needed? They concluded that we can look to both the past and  future as we develop more workable business models, rules of engagement and regulatory regimes to help the industry recover and thrive.  

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2022 was a rocky year for the digital asset market and so how can trust be restored? Is it a question of waiting for more regulation, or should the industry heal itself? In a new Financial Markets Insights report on Restoring Trust in Digital Assets, The Realization Group interviewed 14 industry CEOs and leaders to find out their views on what to expect next. What caused the crisis and how has the industry responded so far? What myths and misunderstandings are being perpetuated by the media? What new industry standards are needed? They concluded that we can look to both the past and  future as we develop more workable business models, rules of engagement and regulatory regimes to help the industry recover and thrive.  

Carbon credits and the reshaping power of blockchain - blockchain technology is being used to help create a more transparent and efficient carbon credits market. The demand for carbon credits has grown significantly with the increasing focus on mitigating climate change and reducing carbon emissions. However, the existing carbon credits market is fragmented and lacks perspicuity, making it difficult for buyers and sellers to navigate.

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The hybrid future for workers: how digital asset management complements the new work environment - any employee's physical/geographical position in the workplace has no bearing on their ability to conduct work. Employees can still maintain their workload even if they are not physically in the office; and being in the office does not necessarily make them more productive. Since hybrid working has a permanent and transformative effect on organisations, now is the time for businesses to look at how their teams will work in the long run and which technologies will continue to support and maintain productivity. Digital asset management (DAM) systems can help solve the many of the challenges when you work in a ‘hybrid’ way and, furthermore, there is a growing pool of highly skilled digital nomads who aspire to work remotely. So, how do you attract this talent to your company?

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Metaverse and NFTs - non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are being used by a wide range of industries and organisations. Whilst NFTs may be put to various uses, one of the most common is representing objects in a metaverse or virtual environment. As we begin to understand and unlock the potential of the metaverse (a sector that could be worth $13trillion by 2030), we are seeing more organisations developing a wide variety of ways to entice consumers into using NFTs and the metaverse.

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Cryptocurrency: the antidote to counterparty risk - the recent high-profile failure of multiple US banks has highlighted counterparty risk as a major concern for businesses depositors. This article looks at how cryptocurrencies can offer an alternative for businesses when it comes to treasury management because of their decentralised structure that reduces counterparty risk and also that it offers faster transaction processing, lower transaction fees and greater transparency. However, businesses still need to weigh up the risks and benefits of using cryptocurrencies as part of their treasury management strategy and consider how insurance can help offset some of that risk.

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