Blockchain misconceptions

Bitcoin price > $800; blockchain misunderstandings; Hyperledger adds Swiss telecom; Taiwan steps up; blockchain gold trading View this email in your browser December 21st, 2016 "The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time." – Dean Acheson Got this from a friend? SUBSCRIBE HERE In an opinion piece for our 2016 Year in Review series, Takeo Nishikata of Nomura Research Institute addresses what he sees as fundamental blockchain misunderstandings.   Nishikata points out that many industry participants don't fully appreciate the blockchain's advantages. Immutability, consistency and more robust availability can all be achieved with non-blockchain systems.   The granting of decentralized rights, however, is unique to the blockchain. This characteristic can only be fully appreciated, he explains, when combined with the network effect. For this reason, blockchains limited to one or a few participants don't fully harness what the technology can offer.   It is also important to realize, Nishikata believes, that the blockchain is still an immature system and needs to be advanced carefully, especially when used as financial infrastructure. (You can see more of our 2016 Year in Review series HERE.)   Read the full story Share Tweet Hyperledger has only been around for one year, yet in that time, it has added more than 100 corporate members to its committee. At our invite-only developer conference CONSTRUCT, Executive Director Brian Behlendorf will give an update on how Hyperledger is doing and where it's going. Join us in San Francisco, USA from January 30-31 for unique, in-depth talks and networking with industry leaders. 😎 APPLY TO ATTEND 😎 Wait, there's more: Swiss Telecom Giant Joins Hyperledger Blockchain Project Hyperledger keeps on growing. The latest addition is Swisscom AG, one of the principal telecommunications providers in Switzerland. Beyond its work with Hyperledger, the company has been working on a blockchain-based consumer loyalty concept and a platform for OTC trading. Read more.   Taiwanese Blockchain Consortium to Enter Regulatory Sandbox A Taiwanese consortium is moving to a fintech sandbox with a view to commercializing its proof-of-concept. The consortium consists of six Taiwanese financial institutions plus the Industrial Technology Research Institute, and the initial proof-of-concept will be focused on internal applications before any kind of consumer-facing roll-out. Read more. Bitcoin Prices Break Past $800 It happened. The BTC price broke past $800, for the first time since February 2014. Since then, prices have continued climbing. Read more.   Global Banks Pilot Blockchain-based Gold Settlement Platform It looks like gold trading will get a makeover next year. A group of global banks – including Citi, SocGen and ScotiaBank – has completed the first pilot of a blockchain-based gold trading platform. The project, developed by Euroclear in partnership with Paxos, aims to bring faster settlement to the London bullion market, which should lower both costs and risk. Read more.      2016: The Year in Bitcoin Price Developments It has not been a boring year for bitcoin. Political upsets such as Brexit and the US election, as well as significant events in the bitcoin world such as the halving and the Bitfinex hack, produced spikes in volatility. Read more.   Go to CoinDesk BTC: $820.51 +3.6%  ETH: $7.79 +1.3% @10:00 EST - More price details Have you answered our survey yet? 😁 If you haven't, you're still in time to do so and have your name entered into a draw for a $100 Amazon gift voucher. (Hmm, I wonder if my entry counts...) 🎁 TAKE THE SURVEY  🎁 PRESS RELEASES   21, Dec - Press Release: The Bitcoin Store Launches 20, Dec - Press Release: Innovation Ignition Competition to Launch at Telehealth and Medicine Today March 2017 Conference 19, Dec - Press Release: I/O Digital Set to Release the Long Anticipated I/O Coin "DIONS" Blockchain Upgrade Do you think this email is better with the longer, skimmable headlines? Or do you miss the short, witty (and sometimes enigmatic) teasers? Just hit "Reply" and let me know! If you like this email, how about sharing it with your friends by tweeting, posting or simply forwarding? We'd really appreciate it.  Share Tweet Copyright © 2016 CoinDesk, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you subscribed for updates on our website. Our mailing address is: CoinDesk 636 Avenue of the Americas New York City, NY 10011 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list