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Blockchain Technology in Financial Institutions and Banking

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The financial system has evolved from analyzing traditional ledgers to providing digital solutions such as online banking and mobile applications. It is not surprising that commercial banks around the world are entering the race for the latest technology in vogue: Blockchain. Financial institutions are increasingly betting on this technology to revolutionize the financial system once again.

Banks and financial institutions are so interested in blockchain the lies of the banking system’s competitive nature and the growing demand for faster and more efficient service. To keep pace with society, which increasingly seeks to see its needs met instantly, financial institutions seek to adapt to the demand for greater agility, new products, and services. However, the sector’s own needs, such as security, continue to be a priority and a challenge in the face of the threat of cybersecurity and hacking.

What is blockchain?

The blockchain is often described as a decentralized ledger or a replicated database on a peer-to-peer network. In other words, this technology is essentially a new type of storage that allows all of its users to share a database and make modifications safely.

Unlike other more traditional options, the data has been duplicated thousands of times through a decentralized computer network (the peer-to-peer network ) independently in this storage system.

With this public and decentralized network, transactions are protected and carried out under a total privacy blanket. Data protection is achieved through the encryption of information in the transaction link. These transactions are based on digital accounts or wallets that grant participants anonymity through their digital identity.

The system works under the participants’ consensus, conditional on each version of the data corresponding in its entirety with the information shared in the database. This eliminates the need for a central authority and puts the control in the participants’ hands, which means that any inappropriate modifications to the database will be immediately detected by all participants, turning this process into an immutable auditing mechanism.

Blockchain technology, also known as the blockchain, was developed as an underlying technology of bitcoin that aimed to record and verify the cryptocurrency transactions. The blockchain has achieved its own place thanks to its potential as a disruptor of the centralized system and streamlined more complex processes. Although bitcoin’s evolution has been erratic, other cryptocurrencies are also gaining attention thanks to this technology and the advantages it offers. To stay updated with blockchain and cryptocurrency news you can find relevant content here.

Blockchain can achieve this thanks to the nature of its design: a collection of distributed, shared, secure and immutable blocks. Each block of information is distributed to all the participants (nodes) in the network, which guarantees a replica to prevent data’s undue alteration. For a transaction to occur, its validity will have to be verified by each of the network nodes, and the information will be registered and shared transparently within the chain.

This is what makes blockchain attractive to financial institutions. To understand how blockchain will fit the modern world’s needs, it is worth taking a step back and analyzing the relevance of this technology in various sectors of the economy.

Who is using blockchain?

The World Economic Forum estimates that the blockchain stores only about 0.025% of the world’s GDP. However, the expectation is that this figure will increase, with banks, insurance companies, and companies in the technology sector leading the trend.

According to research in PwC’s 2018 Global Blockchain Survey, approximately 84% of the executives surveyed are looking to calculate the impact this technology could have on their businesses. At the same time, global companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Facebook are evaluating possible applications for the blockchain, as well as other financial institutions, such as JP Morgan and HSBC, and other leading multinational companies in consulting and audits, such as Accenture and Deloitte (respectively).

The interest that blockchain technology has generated can be observed in the economy’s various sectors, from finance to health and pharmaceuticals. However, banks are leading the advances in the development and implementation of this technology.

Another example is emerging economies seeking the benefits that blockchain technology offers. Kenya has explored the possibility of providing election results in real-time to build confidence in its electoral process. Meanwhile, Nigeria has adopted Oracle Blockchain Cloud Service in its customs services to support merchandise tracking, automate processes, and increase levels of transparency and trust in the business sector.

Among the advanced economies, Spain seeks to apply the blockchain in the forestry sector for time certification and improve the management of logistics companies’ supply chains. Also, in our country, Valenciaport seeks the application of blockchain technology to get closer to the concept of the smart port.

The use of blockchain in banking

For banking, the blockchain’s use offers potential benefits for the prevention of fraud and even for the elimination of some errors typical of humans. On the technical side, the validation, protection, coding, distribution, and tracking of data and transactions are the main attractions of this technology. The blockchain is already considered a transformative agent for settlement and clearing, international transactions, trade finance, identity verification, and loan management.

Since international regulations do not restrict blockchain technology, its implementation has the potential to transform the banking sector and turn it into a cooperative industry between financial services institutions and Fintech companies and boost digital cooperation and innovation. , the evolution of new business models, and more competitive banking.

Spanish banks and the blockchain

Spain quickly recognized the potential of blockchain, and banks are showing a growing interest in this technology. Below, we present some examples of the advances of Spanish banking based on the blockchain:

In April 2018, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria issued the world’s first corporate loan with Indra. The transaction of 75 million euros was carried out with its solution based on blockchain technology. In June, BBVA and Repsol closed the first operation of a credit line for 325 million euros, again through its blockchain network. A month later, the bank issued a 100 million euro corporate bilateral loan for the ACS Group.

Banco Santander and leading company Broadridge Financial Solutions used blockchain technology in March 2018 to vote at a general shareholders meeting. Also, Santander launched via iTunes Pay FX, the world’s first application for international payments (Eurozone and USA) based on this technology. In the same year, the bank created a blockchain research team to explore its potential in securities trading, including derivatives, debt, and other products.

In that sense, according to Carlos Bernal, Indra’s director of financial services in the country, the blockchain should stop being seen as a threat, to be seen as an opportunity.

How has the financial sector changed?

It is facing a profound change in the model as a consequence of the digital transformation. Phenomena such as platformization, open banking, or the growing demand for advanced digital identity solutions mark this evolution.

However, rather than as a threat, digital transformation should be a fantastic opportunity to improve entities’ cost structure and increase their predictive capacity in terms of risk analysis.

What is the relationship that the financial sector has with technology?

This sector is in the post smartphone era, which requires the creation of a new model of digital relationship with customers and, for this, it is necessary to evolve from a branch centric concept to another customer-centric, and this is not only achieved with the closure of offices and reduction of staff.

How is security approached within the new financial environment?

The digital transaction is one of the processes that best characterizes the new model towards which the bank is heading. That is why the so-called digital identity is presented as a fundamental technology to implement new business models that take advantage of the digital field’s potential.

What is Indra’s role in this sector?

Indra is a leader in the development of technologies for the financial sector in Spain and Latin America. Currently, the top 10 Spanish entities are clients of the company, and it’s Latin American clients represent more than 40% of total banking assets in the region.

The company manages more than 2,000 projects per year for 400 banking and insurance groups in Europe, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. And it is the leading company in means of payment in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the largest global operators in Latin America.

Additionally, it is a leading operator in digital transformation, whose differential offering aims to achieve immediate and tangible results.

They recently announced their ability to launch 100% digital banking.

We have an innovative, disruptive, and differential offer that allows creating a native digital bank from scratch in record time. In practice, our model enables the financial institution to respond quickly to the challenges posed by the new context, characterized by an unprecedented level of interaction with customers through exclusively digital channels.

What do banks gain from this?

The banks, which count on Indra as a technological partner, enjoy the highest functionality and ability to serve their customers, thus offering a differential service with high added value.

Thus, the banking customer benefits from a personalized and homogeneous user experience.

What is your perspective on the ‘blockchain’?

For us, this technology has a great capacity for transformation in complex scenarios and processes. Several actors have to trust and collaborate since it provides two essential elements for change: more trust and less friction while focusing on information privacy and performance.

How could the ‘blockchain’ boost the financial sector?

This technology can represent significant savings in terms of infrastructure and an improvement in the efficiency of the processes in the back office.

Besides, it is a facilitator for the development of new digital businesses, which lead to the implementation of new business models and the design of new products and services. The blockchain system works like a large ledger or database.

Do you already have experience in this type of technological development?

BBVA and Indra have successfully concluded the first operation that facilitates the negotiation and signing of a corporate loan using blockchain worldwide; this, in line with their close collaboration to transfer the advantages of the most advanced technology to business operations.

How does blockchain technology help in the accounting of people and companies?

One way that the blockchain can represent a step beyond accounting lies in the fact that, instead of keeping separate records based on transaction receipts, parties will be able to write their transactions directly to a common record. These entries are protected with encryption so that falsifying or deleting them is practically impossible.

Will digital accounting be more and more a trend?

Indeed, the blockchain allows us to go beyond digital accounting. Although digitized, the accounting processes always required a neutral mediator to verify the acceptance of the terms of both parties, making the operation possible.

What other uses does the ‘blockchain’ have?

Despite the advances of the blockchain, financial transactions continue to transit mainly through networks and infrastructures that were built half a century ago. The operating systems of banks were designed on network protocols that are not current.

Therefore, it is not plausible that replacing banking and interbank infrastructures from off-blockchain to on-blockchain is imminent, but it should be intensified as of 2020.

But if a bank uses blockchain, there are no risks that the copy of the database on my computer can be compromised?

Blockchains can be public or private databases. If we had a public registry like a property registry, maybe we would like to have a public blockchain. If we are a private entity, we can choose to encrypt the database, and the encryption system is protected by the collective power of the connected computers. To this day, the world does not know a safer protection system than BlockChain. In a public BlockChain, such as Bitcoin, you can see the history of the transactions, but the two parties’ entity is secret.

In addition to security, Bitcoin offers other benefits. Since each piece of information has a unique identifier, a user’s ability to “double pay” is eliminated. In other words, if I have a digital photo and I send it to my friend, in the world of Bitcoin, the photo cannot be copied, and it is transferred from me to my friend. Bitcoin also offers to speed up transactions and lower costs by eliminating the burdensome part of verifying transactions. Electronic money, financial products, even physical property, can be registered in a BlockChain, eliminating the need for many red tape and lawsuits to determine who is the “real” owner of something.

As a new technology, BlockChain is still being tested and explored to determine its best uses. As JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, along with bags as NASDAQ, banks are investigated the potential of BlockChain (a technology whose source code is free and available for anyone to download person). In short, BlockChain could represent the next wave of innovation in the financial sector. Is your bank considering how to use it? What other uses could we give to BlockChain? Leave your ideas in the comments section.

The Bitcoin Daily is one of the most reliable and leading portal about Technology News, Latest Updates, Financial News, Business and any all subjects related to technology and blockchain.

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GameChain’s Multi-Chain Ecosystem Poised to Revolutionize Gaming and Propel GAME Token Growth

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GameChain is at the forefront of transforming the gaming industry by creating a robust ecosystem that brings together developers and players in an unprecedented way. By fostering an environment where both parties can thrive, GameChain is opening up a world of possibilities that extends beyond traditional gaming platforms. Central to this innovation is its broad multi-chain compatibility, which is set to redefine the boundaries of blockchain gaming.

One of GameChain’s standout features is its support for multiple leading blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and Avalanche. This extensive compatibility ensures that developers have the flexibility to build and deploy games across various platforms, tapping into different user bases and leveraging the unique advantages of each network. For players, this means access to a wider array of games and assets, all within a seamless and interconnected ecosystem.

The broad multi-chain support not only enhances accessibility but also significantly improves scalability and transaction efficiency. By utilizing networks like Arbitrum and Optimism for their layer-2 solutions, GameChain can offer faster transaction times and lower fees. This technical prowess ensures a smoother gaming experience and encourages more users to participate in the ecosystem.

Based on these groundbreaking developments, industry analysts anticipate that the GAME Token is set to experience substantial growth. The token’s utility across multiple chains and its integral role in transactions, staking, and governance within the GameChain platform position it for increased demand. As more developers and players join the ecosystem, the value of the GAME Token could rise, reflecting its central role in this expanding network.

With its commitment to innovation and community empowerment, GameChain is not just creating an ecosystem—it’s pioneering the future of blockchain gaming. The platform’s multi-chain compatibility and the potential surge in GAME Token value underscore its capacity to reshape the gaming landscape. For developers and players looking to be part of a transformative movement, GameChain offers the tools, community, and opportunities to thrive in the evolving world of Web3 gaming.

For more information, visit the GameChain presale site or join the community on Telegram and X.

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CeFi and DeFi Leaders Converge at Exclusive Pre-TOKEN2049 Singapore B2B’s Executive Night

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In an era marked by the rapid convergence of traditional finance (CeFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi), the boundaries between these two worlds are becoming increasingly blurred. As the financial landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, industry leaders are seeking opportunities to navigate this new paradigm and forge meaningful connections.

ChainUp, Singapore-based blockchain solutions company is proud to present the CeFi and DeFi B2B Executive Night, a pivotal gathering for industry leaders and innovators scheduled for September 16, 2024, at CÉ LA VI Singapore, ahead of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2024 race weekend. This exclusive Pre-TOKEN2049 event coincides with ChainUp’s 7th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey.

Connect with influential figures and gain insights into the latest trends shaping the digital asset landscape at this exclusive event. Attendees, including founders, CEOs, and top executives from CeFi, DeFi, technology, and investment sectors, will engage in in-depth discussions covering the full spectrum of the digital asset industry. These discussions will encompass the convergence of CeFi and DeFi, institutional adoption, regulatory developments, and the transformative potential of Web3, fostering an environment ripe for innovation and strategic partnerships.

Reflecting on a year of resilience and growth in a challenging market, ChainUp’s COO, Chung Ho emphasized: “This premier gathering not only celebrates our 7th year but also underscores our commitment to driving innovation within the increasingly regulated financial landscape. As ChainUp strategically moves towards the regulated space, we’re excited to connect with industry leaders, share insights, and collectively shape the future of finance.”

The pre-TOKEN2049 CeFi and DeFi B2B Executive Night are joined by co-organizers, B2 Network, a modular Bitcoin (BTC) L2 DeFi ecosystem that introduces B2 rollup to users and developers; Sinohope, a Hong Kong-listed digital asset custody and management service provider; Diamond sponsors Huawei Cloud, a leading provider of innovative cloud solutions that empower business digital transformation; Gold sponsors Odyssey, explore a new era of Memcoins with Odyssey Exchange, eventflo, a data-driven Web3 event management platform powered with FloCoin incentivization, exSat, a groundbreaking BTC docking layer solution that enhances BTC’s scalability; Silver sponsors Pell, a BTC restaking platform build on Omnichain Trust Network; eCloudrover, an AI-centric cloud solutions service provider for business digitalization; Supported by fractlBlockchain Association Singapore, and Singapore Fintech Association.

For more information and continued updates on CeFi and DeFi B2B Executive Night, please visit ChainUp’s official website event page. Tickets are now available for purchase on our Lu.ma event page

About ChainUp

ChainUp, a Singapore-based blockchain tech provider, offers solutions for the future of finance, including white-label exchange softwares, award-winning digital asset custody solutions, and more. With over 1,000 clients and reaching 60 million end-users, ChainUp is a trusted partner for Web3 founders and institutions.

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A fresh take on crypto: Saitama Inu transforms into the Saitama Kingdom Token

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In a spectacular turn of events, the beloved Saitama Inu is back, reigniting the WolfPack community with the launch of the Saitama Kingdom Token. This new meme token aims to bring back fun in crypto with games and rewards, and strengthen the unity of the WolfPack community. 

A New Era for the WolfPack Community

First, there was the Saitama Inu meme token that captured the hearts of many. It evolved into Saitama, a utility token, and then into the powerful SaitaChain Coin (STC).

Now, SaitaChain introduces a whole new meme token, Saitama Kingdom Token, designed to reignite the fun in crypto. Built on the robust layer 0 SaitaChain Blockchain, the WolfPack community is set to embark on an exciting new adventure with the ultimate meme token.

Reborn as the Saitama Kingdom Token, this token is designed to infuse the crypto world with excitement and engagement. With Saitama the Wolf as its mascot, the token is set to deliver interactive games, enticing prizes, and wild rewards. This is not just a token; it’s an experience created to bring joy and camaraderie to the crypto world.

Community-Driven Success

Inspired by the legendary strength and unity of the WolfPack community, Saitama Kingdom Token is poised to build a thriving crypto kingdom. It’s a call to all enthusiasts to join this dynamic and fun-filled journey. The Saitama Kingdom Token is more than just a comeback; it’s a celebration of community spirit and shared success.

Exciting Rewards and a World of Entertainment

It also extends a warm invitation to friends worldwide to explore the Crypto Kingdom and shares the exciting news that a free SaitaCard will be given with every generous purchase of Saitama Kingdom tokens, strengthening the bond between the SaitaChain ecosystem and the vibrant Wolfpack community. (T&C apply)

A Legendary Legacy

Saitama Inu’s return as the Saitama Kingdom Token marks a legendary comeback in the crypto realm. With a commitment to redefining meme and game coins, Saitama stands tall, proud of the flourishing kingdom he has helped create, calling all crypto lovers to join the adventure and be part of the community-driven success story that is Saitama Kingdom Token.

SaitaCard: Your Crypto, Your Way

Explore the Crypto Kingdom and enjoy exciting rewards, including a free SaitaCard with every generous purchase of Saitama Kingdom tokens. (T&C apply)

SaitaCard, a virtual and physical crypto debit card powered by Visa, allows hassle-free management for all your digital assets. Compatible with the SaitaPro app, users can enjoy complete control of their assets through the app. The crypto card is available in over 155+ countries, with fund loading through various cryptocurrencies, swipe, online, and tap-to-pay payment options, and ATM withdrawal anywhere in the world. Moreover, with crypto withdrawal at any time and multi-currency IBAN accounts, this card is making everyday purchases seamless and convenient.

SaitaChain Blockchain: Powering up the Future

Built on the cutting-edge SaitaChain Blockchain (SBC), the Saitama Kingdom Token benefits from unparalleled scalability, security, and low transaction costs. As a layer zero blockchain, SaitaChain provides a foundational infrastructure that supports high-throughput applications and cross-chain compatibility, enabling different blockchain networks to communicate seamlessly.

The layer 0 architecture enhances the overall efficiency and interoperability of the blockchain ecosystem. With a strong global community of over 400k members, SaitaChain is set to revolutionize the future of digital transactions.

For more details, stay tuned to discover the journey paved for the Saitama Kingdom Token. This is a comeback for the ages, where the wolves rule and the fun never ends!

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