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By Katia Militello *
As you are a person tuned in to new technologies, you must already be hearing a lot about blockchain. Created to ensure the security of transactions with cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, blockchain is a large accounting book that gathers encrypted data that cannot be tampered with, making any transaction very secure and transparent.
Now imagine that, in place of digital currencies, these transactions involve buying a property, selling a song by the composer directly to a fan, exporting chickens to the Middle East, and even an election for president.
The result will be identical, since every operation on the blockchain tends to be transparent, secure and almost without intermediaries. Neither party can change a data without the consent of the other. For all these reasons, blockchain starts to gain space in other sectors of the economy, interested in increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
Discover 13 areas that can be directly impacted by this new technology.
1. Financial system. The blockchain will allow billions of people to have access to banking services, including the populations of countries in extreme poverty. Blockchain-based applications will allow, for example, international remittances of money quickly, with low costs and without intermediaries (and their high fees).
2. Logistics. A decentralized and monitored 100% time database can make product shipments more efficient around the world. By allowing control of all stages of the chain involved in distribution, blockchain fell like a glove in logistics projects.
3. Insurance. With blockchain-based databases, accessing users' records, including their history and claims, will be much faster. This will facilitate the development of customized insurance products and contracts.
4. Private transportation. With blockchain, you will no longer need to use apps to hire taxi, private transport or ride services. Users and vehicle owners will be able to negotiate directly, on a secure platform and without intermediaries (and their fees).
5. Humanitarian aid. The distribution of medicines and food to the needy is subject to corruption and losses caused by inefficiency. Blockchain monitoring systems can change that reality. The UN is already beginning to test the technology with Syrian refugees in Jordan.
6. Voting. The registration of voters and parties, as well as the counting of votes in an election, can be subject to adulteration even in consolidated democracies, such as that of the United States. Platforms based on encrypted block chains offer an excellent solution to the problem, by allowing the registration and monitoring of the entire electoral process.
7. Government systems. Computer networks and platforms used to manage services provided by public agencies, from ministries and departments to hospitals and schools, are often slow and subject to fraud. A decentralized, public and secure system, like blockchain, is more difficult to manipulate. Result: more transparency and efficiency and less bureaucracy.
8. Health. This is an industry that depends on mutual trust. Blockchain platforms can ensure more security and privacy in the doctor / patient relationship and also help healthcare institutions to maintain updated medical records and share information between professionals, streamlining diagnostics.
9. Electricity distribution. Have you ever imagined buying energy without intermediaries? With blockchain this will be possible. Innovative projects already stimulate not only the acquisition of energy directly from the producer, without the intermediation of public or private companies, but also the sale of the surplus. So, if you haven't used up all the energy you bought in the month, you can offer the surplus to your neighbor.
10. Entertainment. Bands, writers and video producers can now negotiate directly with users or fans, without the need for a record label, publisher or distributor in the middle. The blockchain allows for individual contracts and still protects copyright on the work.
11. Retail. Are the tomatoes and carrots you buy really organic? By enabling product traceability, from farm production to the supermarket shelf, the blockchain will represent a revolution in retail.
12. Real estate market. How about making the deed of purchase and sale directly with the owner of the property with whom you are negotiating? The blockchain can become the basis of so-called smart contracts, which simplify and cheapen all transactions, including real estate, thereby eliminating fees and bureaucracy.
13. Your industry. If your company deals with big data or does any type of transaction, get ready! It can get hit by the blockchain. And that is not bad news, because opportunities to innovate will not be lacking.
Katia Militello is a journalist and partner at the content agency TW Content. She was editor-in-chief of INFO magazine and EXAME.com portal, of Editora Abril. Organized the event Blockchain Festival, which will take place on May 23, 2018, in São Paulo.
Now imagine that, in place of digital currencies, these transactions involve buying a property, selling a song by the composer directly to a fan, exporting chickens to the Middle East, and even an election for president.
The result will be identical, since every operation on the blockchain tends to be transparent, secure and almost without intermediaries. Neither party can change a data without the consent of the other. For all these reasons, blockchain starts to gain space in other sectors of the economy, interested in increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
Discover 13 areas that can be directly impacted by this new technology.
1. Financial system. The blockchain will allow billions of people to have access to banking services, including the populations of countries in extreme poverty. Blockchain-based applications will allow, for example, international remittances of money quickly, with low costs and without intermediaries (and their high fees).
2. Logistics. A decentralized and monitored 100% time database can make product shipments more efficient around the world. By allowing control of all stages of the chain involved in distribution, blockchain fell like a glove in logistics projects.
3. Insurance. With blockchain-based databases, accessing users' records, including their history and claims, will be much faster. This will facilitate the development of customized insurance products and contracts.
4. Private transportation. With blockchain, you will no longer need to use apps to hire taxi, private transport or ride services. Users and vehicle owners will be able to negotiate directly, on a secure platform and without intermediaries (and their fees).
5. Humanitarian aid. The distribution of medicines and food to the needy is subject to corruption and losses caused by inefficiency. Blockchain monitoring systems can change that reality. The UN is already beginning to test the technology with Syrian refugees in Jordan.
6. Voting. The registration of voters and parties, as well as the counting of votes in an election, can be subject to adulteration even in consolidated democracies, such as that of the United States. Platforms based on encrypted block chains offer an excellent solution to the problem, by allowing the registration and monitoring of the entire electoral process.
7. Government systems. Computer networks and platforms used to manage services provided by public agencies, from ministries and departments to hospitals and schools, are often slow and subject to fraud. A decentralized, public and secure system, like blockchain, is more difficult to manipulate. Result: more transparency and efficiency and less bureaucracy.
8. Health. This is an industry that depends on mutual trust. Blockchain platforms can ensure more security and privacy in the doctor / patient relationship and also help healthcare institutions to maintain updated medical records and share information between professionals, streamlining diagnostics.
9. Electricity distribution. Have you ever imagined buying energy without intermediaries? With blockchain this will be possible. Innovative projects already stimulate not only the acquisition of energy directly from the producer, without the intermediation of public or private companies, but also the sale of the surplus. So, if you haven't used up all the energy you bought in the month, you can offer the surplus to your neighbor.
10. Entertainment. Bands, writers and video producers can now negotiate directly with users or fans, without the need for a record label, publisher or distributor in the middle. The blockchain allows for individual contracts and still protects copyright on the work.
11. Retail. Are the tomatoes and carrots you buy really organic? By enabling product traceability, from farm production to the supermarket shelf, the blockchain will represent a revolution in retail.
12. Real estate market. How about making the deed of purchase and sale directly with the owner of the property with whom you are negotiating? The blockchain can become the basis of so-called smart contracts, which simplify and cheapen all transactions, including real estate, thereby eliminating fees and bureaucracy.
13. Your industry. If your company deals with big data or does any type of transaction, get ready! It can get hit by the blockchain. And that is not bad news, because opportunities to innovate will not be lacking.
Katia Militello is a journalist and partner at the content agency TW Content. She was editor-in-chief of INFO magazine and EXAME.com portal, of Editora Abril. Organized the event Blockchain Festival, which will take place on May 23, 2018, in São Paulo.
Disclaimer: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies.
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