This isn't hyperbole. You need to understand why digital assets are here to stay. And the reason is simple: The underlying technology, called blockchain, offers massive benefits that current methods of commerce do not provide, including:

Decentralization. There is no single point of potential failure, no single location or target to harm, and no single individual or entity — government, corporate or terrorist — that can threaten the network, either maliciously or through incompetence.
Transparency. Everyone with an internet connection can see everything on the network. This democratization of data is both revolutionary and radically resistant to collusion. Thanks to instant traceability, provenance is assured, and supply chain weaknesses are easily identified.
Immutability. Once placed on the network and verified, the data is permanent. It cannot be changed, duplicated or deleted.
Limitless. We can append to existing records, providing new information — such as the fact that the deed of a house has a new owner.
Trustless. All data is authenticated, eliminating the need for participants to rely on trust, which can be fleeting.
Security. Information is stored across millions of computers worldwide, rather than a single server, making it difficult for hackers to view or access data. Privacy can be maintained by anonymizing personal data and adding permissions to access information.
Speed. Current methods of commerce are expensive, time-consuming, and subject to human error, leading to legal costs. Blockchain lets transactions be completed faster and more efficiently, at lower cost.
Automation. "Smart contracts" allow transactions to be processed without human intervention, accelerating payments.

These benefits translate into thousands of commercial uses. Here are just a few:

Instant Insights /

Why advisors and sponsors need to understand digital assets

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