The concept of a blockchain is well known to everyone who has even a passing interest in modern digital technologies. Though Bitcoin and Ethereum are often cited as classic blockchain examples, they are just two of many such networks. Exotic applications, like cannabis cryptocurrency, are being developed to control the cannabis industry.
10 Most Promising Blockchain Trends
Even Forbes has noted the absence of rules and the complexity of this technology, using the recent exchange crisis in Canada as an example. Despite this, blockchain has a great deal of potential, and many developers are hard at work trying to fix it, expand its uses, and boost the returns for investors.
Let’s take a closer look at the top ten blockchain trends of this year.
- Security Tokens
Numerous worries about the ICO process have slowed the utility token market. Investors used to the IPO market may find the return on their investment in an ICO to be low due to the concept’s lack of genuine value and regulatory uncertainty. Due to concerns over possible market manipulation and low liquidity, many individuals view cryptocurrencies as a short-term investment at best.
To solve some of the most significant problems with ICOs, security tokens have been introduced. They combine the stake principle with the advantages offered by blockchain technology and are founded on the concept of programmable equity. In contrast to initial coin offerings (ICOs), they give investors the opportunity to obtain additional value, such as ownership rights and passive income through dividends. This idea, which is well known to business owners, has the potential to revolutionise the IPO industry by providing business owners with greater liquidity and efficiency, along with access to financing around the clock.
- Blockchain Consortia
The primary goal of such an association is to facilitate cooperative efforts among rival businesses. Increasing the number of participants on a blockchain platform increases its technical security and the usefulness of the data being shared.
Blockchain consortia can be focused on:
business: aiming to create and maintain platforms to solve specific business problems;
technology—seeking to develop reusable platforms involving technical standards.
Both sorts of consortiums can exist inside some groups, like R3.
Concurrently, blockchain consortiums may have trouble recruiting new members and incorporating this idea into the current IT market. Therefore, it is preferable to observe major consortia participants in order to gain insight into the blockchain use cases and the structural issues they confront.
- Alternative Asset Classes
One of the most prominent topics involving blockchain technology at the moment is the concept of asset tokenization. Tokens can be created from and used to trade virtually any type of high-value asset, including real estate and commodities. A transition like this one, from cryptocurrencies to digital assets based on real-world assets, can be extremely important for small and medium-sized businesses, giving them access to other markets. Due to the vast potential offered by the blockchain, businesses in this sector have the ability to entice a greater number of investors and profit from the high liquidity and transparency offered by exchanges.
- Stablecoins
Another kind of token is designed to counteract Bitcoin’s price volatility. It combines the anonymity, security, and transparency of cryptocurrencies with the trustworthiness and stability of traditional currencies. Since they are backed by fiat currency, the value of these currencies does not rise or fall with fluctuations in the market.
There are several types of stablecoins:
- fiat-collateralized;
- commodity-collateralized;
- crypto-collateralized;
- non-collateralized.
Several prominent stablecoin currencies, including Tether, exist now. However, there are drawbacks to such systems as well. Since they are centralised, investors may be less inclined to put their faith in them.
- Blockchain-as-a-Service
The number of available blockchain platforms is likely to grow as interest in “Technology as a Service” grows. In a nutshell, Blockchain-as-a-Service enables users to take advantage of the finest benefits of this technology without developing their own platform, allowing them to make use of the cloud to create applications, run smart contracts, and take advantage of the already established, robust infrastructure.
Several companies, including Amazon, currently offer BaaS, and we anticipate several more to enter the market in the near future. For instance, Huawei introduced its Blockchain Service a few months ago, enabling HUAWEI CLOUD users to take advantage of this innovation.
- Hybrid Models
Confidence in cryptocurrency transactions is hampered by a lack of legislation and official support. Several nations, including China and Ecuador, are exploring the introduction of their own cryptocurrencies. However, because they are not backed by any central government, these virtual currencies are not widely accepted in the real world.
While national fiat currencies hold sway in many nations, the best strategy is to digitally link the crypto and fiat economies. To expand their reach, many businesses must use the fiat-crypto exchange. Furthermore, hybrid models hold promise for practical applications like land registry and voting.
- Data Marketplaces
The widespread use of AI necessitates a massive amount of high-quality user data, which might be challenging to collect. To meet this need, new businesses are offering the “data marketplace,” a blockchain-based platform where users may trade their private information. Because data on a blockchain cannot be removed or altered once it has been recorded, a privacy-protected setting is guaranteed to be safe against leaks and other intrusions.
The concept of a data marketplace has already spawned a number of firms like CyberVein, and its success suggests that many more will follow.
- Converging with the Internet of Things
Cisco predicts that by the end of the next three years, there will be 28.5 billion Internet of Things devices. However, there are still concerns with regard to security and data assurance with this technology. Blockchain’s safe foundation for device-to-device data exchange can put an end to these kinds of problems. In addition, a blockchain that supports the Internet of Things might enhance consumer data management by giving people a greater say over the data they make public.
Future autonomous machine-to-machine environments may look something like these ecosystems.
- Decentralised Ecosystem Platforms
While most B2C organisations can jump right into the digital world, B2B companies may be slower to adopt the digital age. Blockchain technology can be of assistance by simplifying the development of intricate ecosystems like B2B2C. The use of smart contracts ensures that all transactions between users proceed smoothly, opening the door for new types of businesses to emerge.
Several attempts to put this idea into practice over the past few years have uncovered some difficulties. To prevent monopolization, decentralised systems need appropriate safeguards, such as a business governance architecture that ensures everyone involved in the ecosystem has the same amount of say in its operation. However, unsuccessful attempts can reveal weak spots, paving the way for further development in the following year.
- Blockchain Interoperability
Cross-chain services are an essential component of any comprehensive forecast of blockchain developments for 2023. Techjury predicts that the blockchain industry will generate $20 billion in income by 2024 as a result of the many existing and future successful blockchain applications. With such promising future expansion, it is crucial for the sector to have effective cross-chain communication.
In order to make blockchains more useful and efficient, the idea of interoperability has been developed. Although there isn’t one blockchain platform that can meet everyone’s needs, developers can build effective multi-channel solutions by leveraging the capabilities of several networks. Platforms like Blocknet, which provides an efficient solution that links nodes from multiple networks, show that this kind of interoperability is already under development.
Conclusion
Blockchain is still a promising technology despite the challenges it has encountered over the course of the past several years, and it is expanding its applications into a variety of new sectors. As a result of reading this evaluation, you are aware of the trends that you should keep in mind. Therefore, 2023 will be the year to keep an eye out for an increase in the popularity of BaaS solutions, initiatives relating to the IoT industry, and decentralised solutions. Consider integrating new asset classes, tokens with increased levels of protection, and operations involving fiat currency in order to improve the exchange’s level of efficiency and dependability.