Top 5 Blockchain Usecases in 2023

Although blockchain is taking the world by storm, the top 5 blockchain use cases in 2023 will be banking, supply chain, healthcare, cybersecurity, transportation, and logistics.

The peer-to-peer banking system, with its high security and low fees, offers significant benefits to the banking sector. Blockchain technology, in particular, holds great potential for the banking industry. One of the key advantages is the absence of a central authority, which eliminates the need for payment. This feature is truly remarkable. By utilizing cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or other digital currencies, transactions can be conducted without involving a third party. Your transactions with friends can be viewed and reviewed by any cryptocurrency user, granting you complete control over the process. A prime example of a cryptocurrency application that facilitates peer-to-peer transfers is Abra. This platform allows users to store, transfer, and receive digital money through PCs, tablets, or smartphones. Additionally, cash withdrawals can be made at Abra teller terminals, eliminating the necessity for a bank account. It's truly a revolutionary solution that simplifies financial transactions.

By leveraging blockchain technology, businesses can meticulously trace each step of a supply chain journey, encompassing activities like placing orders, receiving deliveries, and, unfortunately, even encountering unpalatable outcomes. By pursuing the blockchain ledger of the respective company, one may discern precisely where the order faltered within the supply chain.

The process typically involves the farmer selling their products to a producer, who in turn sells them to a distributor, who subsequently passes it on to a retailer, until finally reaching the purchaser. Blockchain brings unmatched transparency and validation to these transactions between all the partners involved. It's like having a clear window into the whole process. But it's not limited to food. Blockchain is incredibly versatile for various verification needs. Take tracking seafood, for example. The Pacific Tuna Project is already leveraging blockchain to track important details about tuna fishing, export and import information, and purchasing records. This innovative approach helps combat illegal fishing practices effectively. So, using blockchain for supply chain management empowers you to access accurate information and make informed decisions. It's a solution that prioritizes safety and security, benefiting both businesses and customers alike.

Blockchain technology has immense potential to enhance supply chain services for customers, particularly in the transportation and logistics sectors. Its application can lead to improved efficiencies, reduced costs, and even reduced fuel consumption in this industry. 

A notable organization in this field is the Blockchain Council, composed of subject matter experts and enthusiasts who are dedicated to promoting blockchain development and its use cases. They firmly believe that blockchain has the power to transform the sector by addressing the key challenges it currently faces. 

One such challenge is tracking, as well as payment and dispute resolution. Disputes and settlement payments tie up a staggering $140 billion each day, often involving lengthy processes and reliance on third parties. However, with a blockchain based tracking system, vehicles can be easily monitored, and disputes can be resolved without the need for intermediaries. 

Temperature-controlled product transportation, such as pharmaceuticals, presents another use case for blockchain. These products are highly susceptible to temperature fluctuations during prolonged deliveries, resulting in potential waste. By utilizing blockchain to secure data, manufacturers can ensure their products arrive on time and in optimal condition. It's an invaluable advantage provided by blockchain technology. 

Blockchain also simplifies carrier onboarding and validation. With it, records can be efficiently monitored, making it easier to verify carriers and drivers. For instance, a freight broker seeking a carrier to handle a specific load can utilize a blockchain ledger for verification and assignment. This decentralized system maintains reliable carrier records. 

Industry wide efforts are underway to establish standards for blockchain utilization. The Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), consisting of freight, transportation, logistics, and affiliated companies, is actively developing a common framework and standards. BITA aims to enable revolutionary blockchain applications within the transportation, logistics, supply chain, and freight marketplace domains. 

Blockchain systems are poised to enhance supply chain services for customers, among other applications, in the transportation and logistics sectors. Through greater efficiencies, blockchains can reduce costs and fuel consumption in transportation and logistics.

In the realm of data breaches, US healthcare organizations seem to be facing a persistent challenge. For the third consecutive year, they have experienced the highest number of data breaches, reaching a staggering 344 incidents in 2022, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) 2022 Data Breach Report. 

When it comes to the security of healthcare data, advocates of blockchain technology strongly believe that it holds the potential to offer enhanced protection and trustworthiness compared to existing solutions. The World Economic Forum sheds light on this notion in an article, stating that blockchain-based solutions for health documentation employ secure encryption techniques to ensure the integrity of individuals’ information during communication with various parties. 

By utilizing tokenization, smart contracts, and encryption techniques within blockchain network transactions, the time-consuming process of pre-authorization can be significantly reduced. Consequently, patients can receive the necessary and well-informed care more efficiently. In the past, healthcare providers often relied on patients or the physical delivery of files from different sources, such as local physicians or labs. However, with blockchain, relevant information can be accessed quickly, empowering healthcare providers to deliver timely care without undue delays or dependencies on manual processes. 

The persistent vulnerability of US healthcare organizations to data breaches highlights the urgency of improved security measures. Blockchain technology, with its potential for secure encryption and streamlined information exchange, offers a promising avenue for addressing these challenges and transforming the healthcare industry. 

Confidentiality is a fundamental element of blockchain technology. By leveraging blockchain, confidentiality ensures that only authorized parties can access the relevant data. Data flowing across untrusted networks is fully encrypted, safeguarding it from unauthorized access. To mitigate internal network attacks, it is crucial to implement robust security measures, including application-level access controls. Additionally, blockchain can enhance communication security by employing the public key infrastructure to encrypt and authenticate parties' communications. However, storing backup private keys in secondary storage poses a high risk of theft. Implementing key management procedures, such as those defined by IETF or RFC, as well as cryptographic algorithms based on integer factorization, can help prevent such incidents. Data integrity is a paramount aspect ensured by the immutability and traceability inherent in blockchain technology. Moreover, organizations can implement consensus model protocols to prevent and control ledger splitting following a 51% cyberattack. With each new iteration, blockchain records the previous state of the system, creating a fully traceable history log. Smart contracts play a crucial role in preventing miners from manipulating data blocks by verifying and enforcing rules between parties. In recent years, cyberattacks targeting the availability of technology services have become increasingly common, with Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks being the most prevalent type. However, launching a DDoS attack on a blockchain-based system is a challenging and costly endeavor. The attacker attempts to overwhelm the network with a large number of small transactions. Nonetheless, blockchain's distributed nature and absence of a single point of failure make it less susceptible to DDoS attacks based on IP-based connections. As long as the data remains accessible through various nodes, a complete copy of the ledger can always be retrieved. The distributed operation and multiple nodes bolster the resilience of blockchain platforms and systems. It is important to note that blockchain's confidentiality not only benefits cybersecurity but also extends its protective measures to other domains such as banking, supply chain management, healthcare, and more. By ensuring secure and private transactions and information exchange, blockchain technology offers significant advantages for data protection across various sectors.

As we look ahead, we can anticipate further expansion into new industrial territories, with continuous enhancements and improvements to its existing features. In the year 2023, blockchain is poised to revolutionize outdated processes and usher in better, more efficient ways of doing things. Its transformative potential will reshape various sectors, marking a significant shift from the traditional approaches of the past. The future holds immense promise as blockchain continues to pave the way for a more secure, transparent, and streamlined future. If you are looking for blockchain service providers to revolutionize your business with advanced solutions, contact our sales team and get the best possible solutions for your business growth with our blockchain services.

Read more: Fintech Trends in 2023 (Part 2)