Blockchain – The Non-Technical Discussion

In This Episode:

• Why blockchain is so much more than Bitcoin and Mt. Gox.
• Why blockchain is valuable.
• A short overview of Bitcoin. Is it alive, dead or evolving, and how does it really work?
• Blockchain as a distributed database.
• Why cloud-based currencies make people and institutions nervous.
• Blockchain key features include, “…mechanisms to make it hard to change historical records, or at least make it easy to detect when someone is trying to do so”.
• Cryptology as a security management tool.
• Need not be currency oriented, or even financially oriented.
• CFTC has classified Bitcoin as a commodity, opening it up to regulation. How does this effect people’s views of the product?
• Cloud concerns and considerations.
• Public vs. Private blockchains: guess where banks are focusing.
• Who is filing blockchain patents, and why?
  Regulatory aspects of blockchain for CUs.
• No Lightening Round this week, but John quizzes Glen on blockchain topics and FAQs.

URLs related to this week’s BIGcast:

• Let’s Talk Payments Blog: http://letstalkpayments.com/bofa-aggressively-files-blockchain-related-patents-what-about-others/ (Post regarding the Bank of America and other FI blockchain patent filings)
• Bits on blocks Blog: http://bitsonblocks.net/2015/09/09/a-gentle-introduction-to-blockchain-technology/ (A non-technical introduction to blockchain).
• BIGcast on FIDOR Bank: http://bigfintechmedia.com/Podcast/fidor-the-german-bank-that-acts-like-a-credit-union
• CUNA Payments Roundtable: http://bigfintechmedia.com/Events/cuna-payments-roundtable
• CUNA Data Analytics Roundtable: http://bigfintechmedia.com/Events/cuna-data-analytics-roundtable
• CUNA Marketing Conference: http://bigfintechmedia.com/Events/23rd-annual-marketing-business-development-council-conference