Bitcoin has dominated headlines, but the future of financial transactions could very well be delivered via blockchain technology
Over the past year, it’s been next to impossible to avoid a conversation or news story on bitcoin. It went from a relatively arcane subject to possibly the most discussed topic within financial markets across both Wall Street and Main Street. (It certainly didn’t hurt that 2017 bitcoin returns were over 1,300%1). Now, after about a year of (perhaps) irrational bitcoin exuberance (and the 2018 reversal of more than half its gains from last year1), many are looking at the underlying technology as the true game-changer. While it is unlikely that bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies will soon upend how we all transact, I believe that blockchain has the potential to reshape the global economy as we know it.
Blockchain — defined
Many people confuse cryptocurrencies with blockchain. In reality, the two terms are related but cannot be used interchangeably. As an example, blockchain is to cryptocurrency as the internet is to email. Cryptocurrencies are just one example of how blockchain can be used, just as the internet allows for more than email.
In its simplest definition, blockchain is merely a decentralized, distributed digital system that records transactions in a secure, verifiable and permanent manner. When thinking about the application of this technology more broadly, industries that place an importance on transacting with efficiency and certainty could benefit. Given the vast number of financial transactions conducted every day (more than 1.5 billion2) across the world economy, it becomes clear how impactful blockchain could be — consider these potential benefits:
- Lower costs. Third-party intermediaries typically act as central hubs and are trusted to be the broker of assets or information. Once these third parties are removed, direct interaction between the two remaining parties is possible, likely leading to cost savings.
- Enhanced risk mitigation. Blockchain’s distributed network and transparency reduces the threat of fraud, hacking and data manipulation. With no information being siloed, the likelihood of errors or intentional changes is minimized.
- Increased efficiency. Transactions can be overly complex, with each participant keeping their own separate records (manual, paper intensive, etc.). By using a single, trusted system, transactions can be completed more quickly and efficiently.
Bringing down the house
One example of where blockchain technology could dramatically enhance a common transaction (one that many people can relate to), is buying a home. The process is slow, tedious, laden with mounds of duplicative paperwork and seemingly fragmented. While fraud is unlikely, its effects could be devastating given the large amounts of money involved.
Operating on a single platform that all parties could trust and verify could make the home-buying process much more streamlined, efficient and safer — after all, it’s not just the buyer and seller who are involved, but also banks, local governments, insurers, agents, inspectors, appraisers and title companies. Each of these players has a distinct role and each requires their own verification. It’s possible that introducing blockchain into the home-buying process could eliminate some of the steps, or at the very least, make them radically more efficient. In addition, the decentralized structure of blockchain reduces the possibility of fraud because information is spread across a network. With no central administrator there is no single point of attack for hackers. Also, once agreed to by the network, transactions in the chain cannot be deleted or changed.
Gaining investment exposure to blockchain
As one of the largest holdings within Invesco QQQ, Microsoft is positioning itself to be a provider of blockchain solutions for its clients (9.50% of the fund as of June 30, 2018). Nasdaq, the index provider for Invesco QQQ, is using blockchain to enhance its own exchange as well as other exchanges that implement Nasdaq software. When seeking to identify where blockchain could potentially increase efficiency, some common processes immediately come to mind. These include anytime assets are transferred in some form (physical, monetary or digital), the managing of cross-organizational workflows and anywhere there is a need for verification or audit. As such, blockchain has the potential to impact retail, industrial supply chains, insurance, capital markets, health care and the government.
Investors wishing to increase their exposure to companies implementing blockchain solutions may wish to consider Invesco QQQ, an exchange-traded fund that tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index and includes many of the world’s largest technology companies.
Recently, I participated in a webcast for financial professionals about this important topic. To learn more, visit “Blockchain: What it is & implications for investors.”
1 Source: Businessinsider.com, the bitcoin closing price on Dec. 31, 2016 was $958.24 and at 6 p.m. on Dec.31, 2017 it was $14,129. At the close on July 16, 2018 it was $6,728.
2 Source: Capgemini and BNP Paribas, World Payments Report 2017
John Q. Frank, CFA
QQQ Equity Product Strategist
John Frank is the QQQ Equity Product Strategist representing Invesco exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In this role, Mr. Frank works on researching, developing product-specific strategies and creating thought leadership to position and promote the Invesco QQQ.
Prior to joining Invesco, Mr. Frank was an Assistant Portfolio Manager at RS Core Capital, a multi-asset class investment firm. In this role, his primary responsibilities included research, risk management and asset allocation with a focus on the equity and hedge portfolios. Before RS Core Capital, he spent six years at J.P. Morgan Asset Management advising institutional investors on asset/liability management, asset allocation and pension regulation and worked across the defined benefit, defined contribution, endowment and foundation segments. He began his career at General Electric in a leadership development program where he was placed within the GE Energy division.
Mr. Frank earned a BSE degree in industrial & operations engineering from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and an MBA with Honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in analytic finance, econometrics, and statistics. He is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Chicago as well as the Beta Gamma Sigma Society.
Important information
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Bitcoin is a digital currency (also called cryptocurrency) that is not backed by any country’s central bank or government. Bitcoins can be traded for goods or services with vendors who accept Bitcoins as payment.
Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies (such as bitcoin) that use cryptography for security and are not controlled by a central authority, such as a central bank.
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Bitcoin are considered a highly speculative investment due to their lack of guaranteed value and limited track record. Because of their digital nature, they pose risk from hackers, malware, fraud, and operational glitches. Bitcoin are not legal tender and are operated by a decentralized authority, unlike government-issued currencies. Bitcoin exchanges and Bitcoin accounts are not backed or insured by any type of federal or government program or bank.
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The game-changing potential of blockchain technology by Invesco
