An announcement has been made by the Italian Banking Association (ABI) regarding their Interbank Blockchain Project that enters pre-production phase. ABI then explained, “The next steps will include technical testing of the platform’s stability to verify its overall performance simulating the production phase for the entire Italian banking sector.”
A logistics company operates in Dubai have expressed its interest in observing the blockchain technology to see what it could offer Tripharma for pharma security. The MD of RHS Logistics, Richard Bell explained, “Blockchain technology will augment our existing systems capability. Supply chain issues can be pinpointed in real time and addressed. illicit product recalls will be fast and accurate.”
IBM’S Blockchain Accelerator program has recently welcomed the Paris-based start-up, named Connecting Food. The CEO of Connecting Food, Stefano Volpi commented, “It allows us to work with IBM teams on technical complementarity between our solutions and the IBM FoodTrust Platform, to work and to identify how to build an even greater value proposition for retailers and food brands.”
A tech-company based in China, Baidu have recently introduced blockchain OS called Baidu Blockchain Engine (BBE) to support DApp development. Baidu then confirmed that its BBE was built based on Baidu’s “ABC” technology strategy. The aims of the launching of BBE is to facilitate decentralized DApp development and to make it “as simple as creating a mobile app.”
eXo Platform made an announcement regarding launching of its eXo Rewards to solve the issues regarding the employee disengagement at work. The eXo Rewards have included some features such as gamification engine and system of kudos that are combined together in eXo Wallet app that was also recently launched by the company.
The Columbia University’s School of Business is all set to be the host for the upcoming IBM-sponsored blockchain Summit. The president of Blockchain at Columbia, Nir Kabessa then commented, “LedgerFest is Columbia University’s first blockchain conference. Its main purpose is to educate students & make them to participate in decentralized ecosystems as developers, researchers, and users.”
South Korea is currently eyeing to implement Blocko’s blockchain system for real estate data processing. The blockchain solution by Blocko will enable the financial regulators to use government data by sharing it on a ledger in Jeju Province. Many major Korean banks such as Korea Exchange Bank and Korea Development Bank have already conducted real estate transactions in the blockchain.
A press release has been released regarding the recently-signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hyundai Pay with the South Korean city of Busan. The Busan City official then highlighted, “We are planning to expedite blockchain-based platforms and services and develop Busan into a Mecca for blockchain and Fintech through intimate integration with financial institutions in the future.”
The Spanish city government has allocated $13 million for the development of “Industry 4.0” which also includes blockchain technology. The “Industry 4.0” programs include the development plan for artificial intelligence (AI) with the aims to help the small and medium enterprises and accelerate the digitalization of the industry.
The University of California, Berkeley announced their plan to launch a blockchain accelerator program and for a twelve-week long called the Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator. The President of Blockchain of the institution, Gloria Zhao said, “With such a nascent technology as blockchain, we see that a lot of subject matter experts and people making an impact in the blockchain space are students.”
