Blockchain

On October 31, 2008, amid a global financial crisis, a pseudonymous figure named Satoshi Nakamoto released a nine-page document titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” Few could have imagined that such a concise paper would redefine how we think about money, trust, and the architecture of the digital economy.

Alfonso Gómez, CEO of BBVA in Switzerland, reflects on how digital assets have gone from being a passing fad to a revolution that is transforming the financial system. From Bitcoin to tokenization, he makes the case for why it's time for the industry to take a leading role.

This chapter of 'Blink' is dedicated to blockchain, a technology that has expanded from being focused solely on cryptocurrencies to other areas such as digital identities, decentralized finance, and supply chain traceability.

In just a few years, blockchain technology has expanded beyond cryptocurrencies to become a tool used in many other areas, such as asset tokenization and digital identity. The future of blockchain lies in its interoperability with the centralized world, which, thanks to institutional liquidity, can enhance its speed and efficiency.

With the addition of USDC to its cryptocurrency range, BBVA in Switzerland is set to revolutionize and develop new growth potential for its customers, expanding its pioneering investment portfolio as a traditional bank and cryptobank.

Tokenization makes it possible to convert all the sensitive information of a real asset into a blockchain token, which becomes the digital representation of that asset. Experts predict that in under ten years, asset tokenization will exceed USD 16 trillion and account for 10% of global GDP.

We have integrated into our operating system the Gas Station, an innovative digital service created by Avaloq and Crypto Finance that will allow our customers to trade digital assets 24/7 (Bitcoin and Ether) without having to worry about the mining/gas expenses associated with the blockchain.

Neither growth has stopped, nor does it show any signs of slowing down. The transition to a cashless society and the growing role of payments as more than just an exchange of value, is creating a unique opportunity in the ecommerce and financial services sector.

Beyond Crypto Winter, the adoption and long-term prospects of digital assets have only expanded lately, as well as the list of investors participating in this space.

The year 2024 has begun with the approval of Bitcoin ETFs, exchange-traded funds that purchase the cryptocurrency and where investors are exposed to the price of Bitcoin without having to purchase it directly.

Green investments are in a new era driven by advanced automation and absolute transparency.

80 % of central banks worldwide are planning to launch a digital currency in the coming years. The United Kingdom has already put in place the machinery to create its CBDC, a digital pound focused on payments.

We’ve been chatting about cryptocurrencies with the most famous AI chatbot in the world, the sensation-causing technology. ChatGPT answered us cautiously, offering good and accurate definitions. What if it is an effective financial coaching tool?

The largest mining holding of the cryptocurrency universe has a market cap of over 5 billion US dollars. But Wait. How is making that much money out of a virtual coin that only exists within our phones and computers even possible? And how do you mine something that does not physically exist?

At least, according to Google: Bitcoin searches have reached a perfect score of 100 on Google Trends over the past few weeks. The renewed excitement surrounding the cryptocurrency may be related to the upcoming Bitcoin halving. But what is the halving really about and how does it impact the coin’s value?

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