The technology that drives the shadowy cryptocurrency bitcoin is drawing interest from the established banking industry, which sees a potential to revolutionize the sector. Although bitcoin and related virtual currencies are limited to a small set of transactions and are often associated with the underground economy, the so-called blockchain technology is gaining currency in the financial world. A blockchain is essentially a shared, encrypted "ledger" that cannot be manipulated, offering promise for secure transactions that allow anyone to get an accurate accounting of money, property or other assets.
The use of blockchain began in 2009 with the introduction of bitcoin and other virtual currencies that are generated by complex chains of interactions among a huge network of computers around the planet, and are not backed by any government or central bank, unlike traditional currencies. The blockchain offers potential to the traditional finance sector due to its ease of transaction with verification from any point on the platform.
The Linux Foundation recently announced a new collaborative "Open Ledger" project to advance blockchain technology, teaming with tech firms such as IBM and Intel, stock exchanges and major banks including Wells Fargo and Mitsubishi UFJ.
Blockchain technology could lower the cost for many kinds of consumer cash transfers that now are handled by companies like Western Union and MoneyGram.
The banking industry could save $15 billion to $20 billion in transaction costs for international payments by using the technology, according to Banco Santander, which is working on its own virtual currency. A consortium of global banks including Morgan Stanley, HSBC, UBS, Credit Suisse, Barclays, Societe Generale and Commerzbank are working with the finance tech startup R3 to use blockchain technology for a wide range of applications. Others moving forward include Bank of America, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, which is working on its own virtual currency that could cut out intermediaries for settlements between financial institutions.
The technology could help facilitate instantaneous, secure financial transfers which now sometimes can take days when moving internationally, according to blockchain backers. The use of a cryptographic currency such as the one being developed by Goldman Sachs facilitates rapid, secure and confirmed transactions via network, thereby eliminating the need for a third party.
Another advantage is that transactions could be made without revealing identities and other information -- which could be important for institutions trying to keep personal data secure from hackers. But a number of issues need to be resolved before virtual currencies and blockchain technology become mainstream. The anonymity of the transactions is something that concerns regulators seeking to crack down on money laundering, and financing of criminal or terrorist activity. New York state, for example, is pressing to require the identification of those engaging in financial transactions. Nonetheless, many see blockchain technology as the wave of the future.
