The Coming Cataclysm

Research Overview

Author: Alex Tapscott
Release Date: September 30, 2019

Abstract:

This research explores the disruptive effects of blockchain technologies on central banking and the financial services industry. Its author discusses Facebook’s proposed cryptocurrency Libra, and how the other FAANG companies—that is, Amazon.com, Apple, Netflix, and Google—might respond with their own digital tokens. He introduces five transformations—cryptoassets, the tokenization of everything, blockchains as state machines, a new model for identity, and the nine forms of decentralized finance. He examines the challenges that incumbents and innovators face during this transition; and he previews the world of financial services in the year 2030, so that readers get a clear sense of the unintended consequences of uncoordinated efforts and the potential costs of inaction.

Copyright 2019 Blockchain Research Institute – not for distribution

The Coming Cataclysm Infographic

Related Content

Web 3 and the Music Industry

In this project, our research lead reviews what we learned from the music industry’s first wave of blockchain innovation and explores the opportunities in its second wave, including innovations such as non-fungible tokens and metaverse experiences. He looks at the barriers to realizing these opportunities, including risks such as the legal grey area around who holds the intellectual property rights to minting music-related NFTs. He includes excerpts of his in-depth interviews of Scott Cohen, former chief innovation officer, Warner Music Group; Sophie Goossens, partner, Reed Smith; Vaughn McKenzie-Landell, CEO and co-founder of JAAK; and Christof Straub, CEO and founder, Global Rockstar.

Read More

A Taxonomy of Digital Assets

This research brief lays out a taxonomy of nine digital asset categories, including tokens for exchanges, natural assets, platform governance, and smart contracting protocols. For each category, it provides a definition with examples of the asset’s creation and usage. It also explains the asset category’s disruptive effects on financial services and the global economy. The brief is ideal for leaders who want a quick overview of these important financial innovations.

Read More
Subscribe