Blockchain has become one of the most popular 2017 trends of the year. The topic of cryptocurrency, as well as blockchain technology, was actively highlighted in the media, thanks to which it received the lion's share of public attention. Thus, an increasing number of projects developing in cryptospace have begun to implement their ideas, the direction of which has gone far beyond the financial and banking services sector in the search for cases of real-life use of people. And although many of them will not be able to receive acceptance, others have real demand and popularity.
So, consider some of the applications of the blockchain technology.
Decentralized data storage
Blockchain technology allows you to store data in a peer-to-peer network. And since information stored on the Internet at any second can be subject to hacker attacks, and also lost as a result of technical failures, decentralized storage will be the best safe option for storing it. Such services act as distributed encrypted cloud storage, allowing users to share unused hard drive space, i.e. rent it out to those who need it.
Examples of such services are Tahoe-LAFS, Datacoin, STORJ.io, and Factom.
Transport and tourism
Many of us cannot imagine our life without trips and travels, so it is not surprising that start-ups have appeared on the market who want to make rest, as well as the process of preparing it cheaper, easier and more comfortable.
Let's consider some of them:
Smart Trip is a blockchain platform created to simplify the process of preparing for a trip by ordering all related services on one platform (from buying tickets to ordering excursions).
Arcade City is an app that aims to outdo Uber by moving to shared travel and car hire on the blockchain.
La'Zooz is a decentralized alternative to the implementation of passenger transportation services.
Webjet is an online travel portal that allows you to efficiently track and sell available hotel rooms.
Also pay attention to the service that will provide you with protection in case of loss of documents.
A blockchain initiative called Bitnation Emergency ID deals with providing digital citizenship to immigrants and refugees in emergencies, such as confiscating a passport or losing it.
Registration and verification of information
Like the storage mechanism in the blockchain of cryptocurrency transactions, any other data can be stored in the registry, while the security level will be much higher than using traditional repositories that are concentrated in the hands of third parties. Such databases will be relevant to the field of health, real estate, as well as if you wish to assure intellectual property rights, thereby avoiding fraud or manipulation.
Healthcare
Gem, a blockchain-based startup, is helping to establish data on disease outbreaks, which the project says will affect the ability to increase the level of efficiency in disaster management and response.
SimplyVital Health is developing 2 products:
- ConnectionCare - a system that tracks the physical condition of patients after they are discharged from a medical institution;
- Health Nexus is a decentralized registry for storing medical records.
MedRec is an MIT project that processes electronic medical records on a blockchain designed to manage authentication, privacy, and data sharing.
Real estate
Ubiquity is a startup developing a blockchain-based system to track a complex legal process that creates friction and costs in real estate transfers.
In turn, the Honduran authorities announced cooperation with the blockchain startup Factom on the development of a land rights registration system.
Intellectual property
Kodak: The company recently announced the launch of the development of a blockchain system for tracking intellectual property rights of photographers.
Ujomusic is a platform founded by singer-songwriter Imogen Heap to record and track royalties for musicians and create ownership records for their work.
If you own unique footage or artwork, all you need to do is digitally encrypt it and save it as a “transaction” on a backed blockchain.
Charity
Bitgive is a service whose main goal is to provide greater transparency in charitable donations and clearer links between donors and project outcomes. In other words, Bitgive wants to change philanthropy with technology. This platform enables donors and the public to follow the movement of funds in real time until they reach the final destination.
Notary Services
Using the blockchain technology as a notarization service is easy and cheap. Stampery and Blockverify should be singled out among the companies that are involved in checking and certifying documents using a bitcoin blockchain.
The technology provides the ability to create permanent records, with the ability to track the necessary documents or chains of related events, while eliminating the need to contact centralized authorities or third parties for confirmation.
Automated Security
Through the use of automated security systems, users can program an individual object to perform certain actions. For example, in the blockchain, you can write a code that will allow and, conversely, prohibit the opening of the door of your own car, home or office to individuals, thereby guaranteeing security.
Retail
OpenBazaar is an attempt to build a decentralized marketplace where goods and services can be traded without intermediaries.
Loyyal is a blockchain-based all-in-one loyalty system aimed at allowing consumers to combine and trade loyalty rewards in new ways.
Blockpoint.io – Allows retailers to build payment systems on the blockchain of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, as well as blockchain-linked loyalty scheme gift cards.
Online voting
Thanks to the blockchain, another of the main problems is solved - the problem of anonymity and the impossibility of forging votes associated with the online voting system. So, thanks to voting on the blockchain, any user can vote only once, without compromising the privacy of their vote.
Thanks to voting using the blockchain, not only will the speed of its implementation increase, but the cost of elections and any other events will also decrease.
Energy market
Nowadays monopolists dominate the electric power industry market. Such a giant enterprise establishes its own, sometimes unreasonable, tariffs for each house or production facility.
The use of blockchain technology allows residents who are connected using a decentralized network to make an independent purchase of electricity or the sale of its surplus, if necessary.
Transactivgrid is a Brooklyn-based community business enabling members to locally produce and produce cellular energy with the goal of reducing the costs associated with energy distribution.
At the same time, all transactions on payments and exchanges remain unchanged in the blockchain and can be subject to verification by network members at any time.