During the Token 2049 week in Singapore, the DeCC event hosted a panel discussion titled "Use Cases with Commercial Applications." Moderated by Anndy Lian, a book author and governmental blockchain advisor, the panel featured prominent figures in the blockchain industry: Gavin Thomas, Co-Founder of TEN Protocol; Josh Wyant, Founder of Novapolis; Cal, Lead Developer at SquidGrow and SilentSwap; and Juan Mari, CEO of Blok Assets. The discussion delved into the practical applications of blockchain technology, focusing on privacy, regulatory challenges, and the potential for blockchain to revolutionize various industries.
The panel began with introductions, setting the stage for a deep dive into the commercial applications of blockchain. Juan Mari introduced Blok Assets, a firm based in Puerto Rico that builds legal structures within the SEC and FCA frameworks to tokenize assets. Gavin Thomas highlighted TEN Protocol’s work on an encrypted layer 2 for Ethereum, while Josh Wyant described Novapolis as a decentralized cloud platform with a community-centric approach. Cal, representing SilentSwap, explained their focus on privacy swaps powered by the Secret Network, enabling asset exchanges across multiple EVM chains.
The discussion quickly turned to privacy, a critical aspect of blockchain technology. The panelists shared various case studies illustrating the importance of privacy in commercial applications. Gavin Thomas cited the Italian banking system’s use of an enterprise-grade blockchain, which incorporates privacy into its design. He emphasized the potential benefits of moving to public blockchains with confidential computing, which could reduce vendor lock-in and foster competition, ultimately benefiting consumers.
Cal shared insights from SilentSwap’s journey, initially targeting consumer users but later attracting business clients who also required privacy. He highlighted the need for privacy in business transactions, where competitors should not have access to each other’s financial details. This need for privacy extends to various scenarios, such as venture capitalists being copy-traded or competitive traders being front-run by rivals. SilentSwap is now developing a business-to-business SDK to address these privacy concerns.
Juan Mari pointed out the lack of protocols for transfer agents in the tokenization of real-world assets. He stressed the need for a transfer agent with robust data privacy layers, especially when dealing with regulatory bodies like the SEC and FCA. The absence of such a solution presents a significant opportunity for innovation in the blockchain space.
The conversation then shifted to the role of confidential computing in governance and regulatory compliance. The panelists discussed how confidential computing could enable secure voting and other governance applications while maintaining privacy. They acknowledged the challenges governments face in balancing privacy with regulatory requirements, such as anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) processes. The panelists emphasized the importance of educating regulators about the benefits of blockchain technology and the potential for confidential computing to enhance security and privacy.
Anndy Lian raised the issue of privacy in the context of meme projects, questioning its importance in such communities. The panelists agreed that privacy remains crucial, even in meme projects, as it allows developers and traders to maintain anonymity and protect their identities. They shared anecdotes of individuals who have faced challenges due to a lack of privacy, underscoring the need for solutions that enable users to control their data and identities.
In discussing the future of blockchain, the panelists expressed optimism about its potential to transform industries such as trade finance. They highlighted the inefficiencies in traditional trade finance processes, which involve extensive paperwork and reliance on third parties. Blockchain technology, with its ability to facilitate secure and transparent transactions, could streamline these processes and reduce friction. The panelists envisioned a future where blockchain underpins global trade finance, enabling more efficient and secure transactions.
The panel concluded with a discussion on emerging use cases for decentralized applications (dApps) that offer significant value for commercial adoption. They identified trade finance, real-world asset tokenization, and privacy-preserving advertising as areas ripe for innovation. The panelists also highlighted the potential for confidential computing to extend beyond web 3.0, enabling web 2.0 applications to incorporate privacy-preserving features.
