Cities on the blockchain

On July 12, 2018 By mehranmuslimiblogIn BlockchainLeave a comment

Is it possible to run an entire city using blockchain technology?

Dubai seems to think so. The business and airline hub of the Middle East has set itself the challenging task of being the “first blockchain-powered government in the world by 2020.”

It might sound outrageous right now, but the concept of ‘smart cities’ running on the blockchain is actually not as outlandish, nor as difficult to achieve as you may think. The question really is; where do we start? There are so many millions of possible uses for blockchain in a city, but there are undoubtedly some bigger areas where it will have the most dramatic effect.

IoT devices

Already a number of cities are using IoT devices to do a number of jobs, like monitoring traffic and air quality. Thos IoT devices can be connected to the blockchain. That also applies to any city system that collects data — it can all go on the blockchain. In fact, by putting it all on the blockchain, it will provide an upgrade to the system, and make the information easier to manage and access. Basically it will get rid of all kinds of inefficiencies where officials, such as the police, have to go through X number of other organisations to get a vital piece of information.

Better public safety

Data sharing can have a positive impact on public safety. The blockchain can provide a secure system for sharing sensitive data. One example is working on preventative measures, such as analyzing crime statistics and planning police patrols around that information. Yes, there are issues to be ironed out regarding citizen’s rights to privacy and how much information a government can track, but people are at least having a conversation about it.

Efficient transport

Public transport is vital in most major cities and they don’t work without it. The blockchain offers a lot of potential here, especially for the way passengers pay for their transport. If commuters have a blockchain wallet on their smartphone, they could pay for any transport pass, loyalty programme, or purchase tickets without a card.

Citizen incentives

If you put the public transport payment system on the blockchain, you can also offer customers some incentives. For example, if a city wants its residents to use transport rather than drive, there is a way to incentivise that. When the smartphone wallet shows a citizen has been using public transport for a specific period of time, it is possible to offer them a ‘free ride’ or a discount on an electricity bill. In a smart city, an incentive should push people toward more ethical and sustainable living choices.

And that is what a smart city should be — sustainable and more habitable with fewer issues and inefficiencies. If Dubai achieves its goal, it will have created a blueprint for others to follow.

UK’s FCA opens up sandbox for more play

On July 10, 2018 By mehranmuslimiblogIn Fintech, GovernmentsLeave a comment

In a week where the British government is losing Cabinet ministers on an almost daily basis as a result of party in fighting over the Brexit negotiations, making the pound sterling plunge in value, the UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has taken a bold step forward in recognising the potential of blockchain-based startups.

The FCA started a regulatory ‘sandbox’ some time ago in 2016 and it has just added its fourth cohort of startups to the process. The FCA received a total of 69 applications to participate in the exploration, and this week it has added 11 of the 29 successfully accepted applicants.

In its announcement regarding Cohort 4, the FCA revealed, “Applications came from a diverse range of firms operating across the financial services sector including in areas such as consumer credit, automated advice and insurance.”

The FCA also said, “We have accepted a number of firms that will be testing propositions relating to cryptoassets. We are keen to explore whether, in a controlled environment, consumer benefits can be delivered while effectively managing the associated risks.”

The startups in Cohort 4

One of the businesses in this cohort is 20/30. This London based financial firm is using the DLT to allow “companies to raise capital in a more efficient and streamlined way,” and it is partnering with the London Stock Exchange and Nivaura. According to the FCA’s press release, 20/30 will be issuing an equity token on the Ethereum blockchain. Capexmove, also in this new cohort is offering a similar service.

Another that stands out is called ‘Chasing Returns’. This startup is described as “Psychology-based risk platform that promotes good money management discipline and improves outcomes for customers that trade Contracts for Difference (CfDs). It acts like a digital coach, encouraging adherence to money management and risk exposure levels.”

While for those people with ID problems, ‘Community First Credit Union’ offers an “Initiative to facilitate creation of an identity token that supports customers who lack traditional forms of ID, in order to assist them in accessing bank account services in the UK.”

The latter perhaps answers the issues that many British immigrants have faced recently, most notably those who arrived from the Caribbean on the ‘Windrush’ and in recent months have found themselves at risk of deportation, because of lack of documentation establishing their British citizenship and right to stay.

The FCA has chosen a fascinating selection of startups for Cohort 4 and indicates its willingness to be open-minded and inclusive when it comes to envisioning a future for blackchain-based businesses. It certainly seems to be making better progress with blockchain than the government is with Brexit.

Have Bitcoin futures done crypto a favour?

On July 5, 2018 By mehranmuslimiblogIn Bitcoin, BlockchainLeave a comment

bitcoin

Yukio Noguchi, a very famous Japanese economist and advisor to Waseda University’s Business and Finance Research Centre, claims that Bitcoin’s price will not see another massive surge, because we can now trade in Bitcoin futures.

Noguchi is not against Bitcoin. In fact, he sees the current Bitcoin price as a ‘good thing’, because it brings makes it cheaper than bank transactions when used as a system of payment and this is something he welcomes. Japan, of course, offers more opportunities for people to spend Bitcoin than any other country, so Noguchi is more familiar with this practical aspect of the Bitcoin use case than others who only have a theoretical knowledge.

Bitcoin futures trading caused price drop

His argument is that the introduction of the futures market at the end of last year, when Bitcoin’s price skyrocketed to almost $20,000, is the instrument that caused the drop in value to about a third of what it was in early December 2017. He started talking about this back in January, when he said, “Bitcoin prices were a bubble, to begin with, and now we’re seeing a return to normal values,” and the San Francisco Federal Bank backed his thinking.

Federal Bank backs Noguchi theory

He uses a paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, “How Futures Trading Changed Bitcoin Prices“, authored by Galina Hale, Arvind Krishnamurthy, Marianna Kudlyak, and Patrick Shultz as support for his claim, and quotes this passage in particular:

“From Bitcoin’s inception in 2009 through mid-2017, its price remained under US$4,000. In the second half of 2017, it climbed dramatically to nearly US $20,000, but descended rapidly starting in mid-December. The peak price coincided with the introduction of bitcoin futures trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The rapid run-up and subsequent fall in the price after the introduction of futures does not appear to be a coincidence. Rather, it is consistent with trading behavior that typically accompanies the introduction of futures markets for an asset.”

The Japanese economist also believes that the market is moving towards a situation where traders will be able to short-sell Bitcoin futures and that this will contribute to keeping the price down even more.

Bitcoin price drop is a blessing in disguise

However, all this doesn’t mean that he sees a decline in the popularity of Bitcoin. The answer is a resounding no, because as mentioned above he believes its boosts the practical use case for Bitcoin. Noguchi says that as the Bitcoin price drops it becomes a more attractive way of sending money and quotes costs based on Japanese banking.

According to his calculations, sending money via Mitsubishi UFJ Bank costs you 432 yen ($3.90) for any amount above 30,000 yen ($271). But with the current value of Bitcoin, it’s cheaper to send via a regular bank transfer than BTC, unless the value of BTC falls to 675,000 yen (that’s $6,000 today). Noguchi claims that when BTC returns to that level, it will finally be trading at what in his estimate is a normal value.

If we don’t see any further surges in Bitcoin price, will this dramatically change the way people start to look at Bitcoin and its use case? Last year, people bought it to make money, but perhaps we will soon see people view Bitcoin as an alternative currency for payment that is cheaper and more efficient than fiat currencies. Perhaps that is the change of perception that Bitcoin needs to mature.

Bermuda is banking on the blockchain

On July 3, 2018 By mehranmuslimiblogIn Blockchain, FintechLeave a comment

Fintech

Something unusual has just happened in Bermuda, the Caribbean island paradise, retreat for the rich and offshore haven — the government has told the island’s banks that they are just not moving fast enough into the cryptocurrency market. It’s a rare occurrence, because most governments are taking a cautious approach to cryptocurrency and none seem to be insisting the conventional banking industry adopts a crypto-friendly approach.

A new class of bank for crypto

In fact, Bermuda is going even further. It is making amendments to its Banking Act so that it can establish a new class of bank that will be able to serve the crypto community, fintech startups and any other type of business that is blockchain based.

The local banks have only themselves to blame for this radical move. They have been denying service to crypto companies, citing fears about risk and regulatory concerns as the reason for shutting the door in potential clients’ faces.

Government supports fintech growth

The government takes a rather different view: Bermudian Premier and Minister of Finance David Burt said that the banks’ stance “cannot be allowed to frustrate the delivery on our promise of economic growth and success for Bermudians.” It appears that Bermuda wants to emulate the successes of jurisdictions like Gibraltar and Malta in becoming safe havens for blockchain explorers, and they all share the characteristic of being relatively small in terms of population, but big on financial services that serve the whole world. Of course, this is perfectly understandable: if you don’t have the environment to be a manufacturing or agricultural economy, financial services are the best way of ensuring that your economy thrives, especially if you keep introducing innovations that attract companies or individuals who can’t find a banking home elsewhere.

David Burt also said in parliament: “The fintech industry’s success globally depends on the ability of the businesses operating in this space to enjoy the necessary banking services. In other jurisdictions, banking has been the greatest challenge and for us in Bermuda, it is equally so and therefore it must be resolved.”

Bermuda welcomes Binance and Shyft

He clearly sees that Bermuda’s future must not be held hostage by the banks’ fear of the blockchain. This year Bermuda has already signed deals with Shyft network, which will reportedly provide $10 million on blockchain technology education and economic development on the island, and Binance is on Bermuda to establish funding for educational programmes related to fintech and blockchain. It has said it wants to build a “global compliance base” on the island.

It’s a smart move by the Bermuda government and is yet another step forward in opening up the banking sector worldwide to the reality that businesses operating in the crypto sector need forward-thinking banking — and that they’re going to grow in strength rather than disappear. Ignore them at your peril.