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What is blockchain?
At a very high level, the blockchain is a
decentralized ledger, or list, of all transactions
across a peer-to-peer network. This is the
technology underlying Bitcoin and other
cryptocurrencies, and it has the potential to disrupt
a wide variety of business processes.
Using this technology, participants can transfer value across the Internet without the need for a central
third party. The buyer and seller interact directly without needing verification by a trusted third-party
intermediary. Transactions are not anonymous, but they are pseudonymous: a transaction record is
created, but identifying information is encrypted, and no personal information is shared.
1
“How the crypto-currency could become the internet of money,” The Economist, March 15, 2014, www.factiva.com, accessed on January 19, 2016.
Questions and answers
Q: I get that it’s a ledger, but what does stage, agreement among all parties involved
blockchain technology really mean for in a transaction is guaranteed. And because
financial institutions? the blockchain can record and authenticate
every stage of a transaction, it could
A: From a business perspective, it’s helpful to theoretically be used to secure and verify any
think of blockchain technology as a type of type of transaction, from simple goods-for-
next-generation business process cash exchanges to complex transaction
improvement software. Financial institutions management, without any third-party
are realizing that, after several decades of interaction.
internally focused business process software
investments, it’s time to look for efficiencies Q: How is blockchain related to Bitcoin?
outside their own four walls.
A: Blockchain is the technology that enables
Collaborative technology, such as blockchain, the existence of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is the
promises the ability to improve the business name of the best-known cryptocurrency, the
processes that occur between companies, one for which blockchain technology was
radically lowering the “cost of trust.” For this invented. For consumers, cryptocurrencies
reason, it may offer significantly higher offer cheaper and faster peer-to-peer
returns for each investment dollar spent than payment options than those offered by
traditional internal investments. traditional financial services businesses,
without the need to provide personal details.
So what’s the catch? You cannot get the
While cryptocurrencies continue to gain some
return by yourself; you must be willing and
able to collaborate with customers, suppliers, acceptance as a payment option, price
volatility and the opportunity for speculative
and competitors in ways that you have never
investments encourage consumers not to use
done before.
cryptocurrency to purchase goods and
Q: What challenges and opportunities does services, but rather to trade it. However,
this technology pose for financial cryptocurrencies carry groundbreaking
institutions? potential to allow consumers access to a
global payment system—anywhere, anytime—
A: The challenges: Financial institutions such in which participation is restricted only by
as banks and brokerages have long held the access to technology, rather than by factors
position of the trusted third party validating such as having a credit history or a bank
the authenticity and accuracy of a account. For a detailed discussion of
transaction. Blockchain significantly alters cryptocurrencies, please read Money is no
the need for this trusted third-party object: Understanding the evolving
middleman. cryptocurrency market.
FinTech Q&A 2
Q: What is the disruptive potential of clearinghouse Nasdaq recently unveiled a
blockchain technology? blockchain-based system for its Nasdaq
Private Market, which connects institutional
A: In our view, the technology that underlies investors with companies that are not yet
cryptocurrency has the potential to disrupt a listed on a public exchange. The new system
wide variety of transactions beyond the offers electronic services to facilitate the
traditional payments system. Financial issuance, transfer, and management of
services organizations could use the private company securities. The firm has even
blockchain anywhere records are stored named one of its vice presidents its
digitally and in any type of transaction that Blockchain Technology Evangelist.
currently needs to be verified by a trusted
third party (see figure). These transactions Numerous other exchanges and banks around
include but are not limited to transferring the world, including the London Stock
digital or physical assets, protecting Exchange, CME Group, Societe Generale, and
intellectual property, and verifying chain of UBS, have formed the Post Trade Distributed
custody. In an era of cybercrime and stringent Ledger Working Group to investigate how
regulatory requirements, a highly fraud- blockchain technology can be used to enhance
resistant system for protecting and clearing, settlement, and reporting of trades.
authenticating almost any kind of transaction Citigroup, Barclays, and Deutsche Bank are
could have a revolutionary impact on the among the banks investigating incorporating
financial industry. blockchain into their payments system.
Further, Goldman Sachs recently filed for a
patent on its virtual currency, which the firm
calls “SETLcoin.”
Q: What are some potential applications of In future publications, we’ll explore the
blockchain technology? impact of blockchain on insurance, asset
management, retail banking, capital markets,
A: In the financial services industry, and real estate. Expect surprises and
blockchain technology is already being innovative new solutions as the technology
implemented in innovative ways. For continues to evolve and mature.
example, the New York-based exchange and
2
Yessi Bello Perez, “Grammy Winner Imogen Heap: Blockchain
Tech Can Empower Artists,” CoinDesk, December 9, 2015,
FinTech Q&A http://www.coindesk.com, accessed on January 20, 2016. 3
www.pwc.com/fsi
Additional information
For additional information about this FinTech Q&A
A publication of PwC’s
or PwC’s FinTech Practice, please contact: Financial Services Institute
Marie Carr
Principal
Haskell Garfinkel
(408) 534-4727 Cathryn Marsh
FSI Leader
haskell.garfinkel@pwc.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/haskellgarfinkel Kristen Grigorescu
Senior Manager
Jeremy Drane Greg Filce
(612) 596-6377 Senior Manager
jeremy.r.drane@pwc.com
Ryan Alvanos
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremydrane Senior Manager
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