Renee Francis, Take3: The transformative potential of Web3

The Block caught up with Renee Francis, Founder and Director of Take3, to discuss the transformative potential of Web3.

With a background in marketing and extensive experience with platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google, Francis offers a unique perspective on the issues that Web3 aims to address.

In this interview, she shares insights into the benefits of Web3, the challenges it faces, and her excitement for various projects in the space.

Data...

Blockchain Expo: The opportunities of Web3

During a session at this year’s Blockchain Expo, we heard from IDC Research Director Phillip Silitschanu about the opportunities of Web3 and the journey that lies ahead.

Silischanu shared his insights, based on vast experience, on the applicability of blockchain services and the potential of Web3. He discussed the opportunities and challenges presented by these technologies and their impact on various sectors.

Web2 vs Web3

Web2, also known as the social web, marked...

Blockchain Expo: Maturing blockchain industry paves the way for enterprise adoption

A session at this year’s Blockchain Expo Europe highlighted that blockchain is reaching a stage of maturity that paves the way for enterprise adoption.

The session was presented by Pedro Lopez-Belmonte, Senior Manager of Web3 and Technology Innovation at Richemont, on day one of Europe’s leading blockchain conference.

One of the first charts presented during the session was Gartner’s hype cycle, which shows blockchain platforms now leaving the trough of...

Alex Reinhardt, PLC Ultima: On building a crypto ecosystem for ‘daily life’

PLC Ultima aims to spread opportunity with an ecosystem that anyone can use in their daily lives.

The Block caught up with Alex Reinhardt, Founder of PLC Ultima, to learn more about the project and get the crypto expert’s views on the uncertain regulatory environment.

The Block: How is PLC Ultima bridging the gap between traditional business and crypto? 

Alex Reinhardt: I originally conceived PLC Ultima as a universal financial instrument that can be...

Rory, Redlight Finance: On launching a blockchain in a bear market

Redlight Finance is preparing to launch a blockchain that it believes solves the infamous “trilemma” of earlier platforms.

The Block caught up with Rory (aka "RED") to learn more about Redlight Chain and why it’s proceeding with launching in a bear market.

The Block: Why have you decided to launch Redlight Chain rather than support an existing blockchain?

Rory: We decided to launch Redlight Chain rather than support an existing blockchain because we...

Blockchain Expo 2021: Crypto investors, CBDC, and retail participation

Cryptocurrencies.

The global blockchain technology market is estimated to accumulate $20 billion in revenue by 2024.

According to a study by Transparency Market Research (TMR), this is largely down to the rapidly rising interest among several giant companies in leveraging the disruptive potential of blockchain.

This, in turn, has created an increasingly competitive vendor landscape. Furthermore, the continuous entry of new players capitalising on the use of the process for practical...

Is blockchain the key to trust in social media?

Social media apps on a smartphone.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018 drew massive attention to the way in which social media companies handle their users’ private data.

At the time, details regarding how Facebook had been providing users' personal information to third parties made the headlines around the globe, and caused the public to think more carefully about what happens to the personal data they offer social media firms.

Since then, it seems that trust in social media companies has...

Blockchain can be key to immunity passport success – but science must dictate rollout

The COVID-19 pandemic has ignited a reassessment of the role that technology can play in tackling health crises, as well as citizens’ right to privacy. This is particularly the case in the ongoing development of contact tracing apps, which have been heralded as the ticket out of the pandemic.

Another tool that has been suggested as one way of bringing the crisis under control – and has gained more and more attention over the last few weeks – are so-called ‘digital immunity...

Facebook renames Calibra wallet as Novi to avoid confusion

Another step is afoot in the development of Facebook-led digital currency initiative Libra - as the Calibra wallet is renamed Novi to sever any links between it and Libra itself.

The move is aimed at ensuring Libra, whose membership includes Andreessen Horowitz, Coinbase and Shopify among others, is not seen as a Facebook-only entity. According to the company, the name Novi is derived from the Latin 'novus', for new, and 'via' for way.

The Novi wallet is the main bulwark...

Blockchain-based electric vehicle charging and integration set to tip $1bn by end of decade

The combined markets of blockchain-based electric vehicle charging and grid integration is forecast to break $1 billion by the end of the decade at a CAGR of 77.9%, according to a new report.

The study, from Guidehouse Insights, argues that through in-house or working with consortia, increasing numbers of traditional energy stakeholders are experimenting with blockchain technology. Such use cases 'have emerged as technologically sound and feasible within the regulatory and...