Blockchain: Top 100 Influencers and Brands

Blockchain is a data structure that makes it possible to create a digital ledger of transactions and share it among a distributed network of computers. Blockchain technology uses cryptography which allows each participant on a network to manipulate the ledger in a secure way without the need for a central authority.

The benefits of blockchain technology were first realised in the financial services industry, where trades are often verified by a central clearinghouse that maintains its own ledger. This verification process can take days to settle a transaction and would normally involve a fee. Blockchain eliminates the need for that clearinghouse by giving each bank in the network its own copy of the ledger, this would allow transactions to be approved automatically in seconds or minutes, significantly cutting costs and boosting efficiency.

According to a recent study by IBM, it’s not just the financial services sector that will see the benefits of blockchain. Supply chains, IoT, risk management, digital rights management and healthcare are also areas that are poised for a dramatic change due to blockchain technology.

WHAT ARE THE INFLUENCERS SAYING?

We reached out to some of the top influencers on our list to ask them for their views on blockchain. We spoke to Tim O’Reilly (#1), Jeremiah Owyang (#3), Warren Whitlock (#6), John Rampton (#11) and R “Ray” Wang (#17). Be sure to follow them to stay up to date on the best content and resources on Blockchain.

Tim O’Reilly – CEO O’Reilly Media

“In technology, as in human affairs, much of what we take for granted as “truth,” “reality,” and “the way things work” turns out to have been only one of many possibilities. And every once in a while, a technology comes along that redraws the map of what is possible, and reshapes the fundamental assumptions of all future applications. The blockchain has the potential to be one of those technologies. “

Jeremiah Owyang – Founder of Crowd Companies

“Blockchain and other P2P networks shift the power from centralized institutions to the people who use it. While nascent, risky, and historically volatile, blockchain offers a possibility of streamlining commerce through open networks. We’re still evaluating the impact this will have to other industries beyond financial services –but rest assured, if it takes off –it will have global commerce impacts.”

Warren Whitlock – Co Director at Startup Grind Las Vegas

“Bitcoin gets all the press but blockchain is the real success story. Blockchain goes beyond encryption and keep data on a distributed peep network and available fast. Beyond money transfers, blockchain allow for development of secure and instant access that can help reduce friction. No more lost paperwork for real time transactions like bills of lading, transit docs and records.  Ledgers kept in a blockchain database will help us reduce friction and handle big data from the internet of things. Speeding up the pace of innovation.”

John Rampton – Founder and CEO of Due

“Blockchain is the future, we all know it but really need to work together to make it happen. As individuals we’ll never pass legislation and laws in our country. But working together as a team we can help create, enforce and enable worldwide laws that will protect people. The future of blockchain is bright as long as we’re all in this together creating and working as one fluent chain.”

R “Ray” Wang – Principal Analyst & Founder at Constellation Research