Blockchain

1. Blockchain: Deep Dive and Business Opportunities
Sharath Kondapalli & Vinod Mehra @Smartmind: 04 Oct 2017
Smartmind Webinar Series

2. Introduction of Speakers
∙Vinod Mehra ∙Sharath Kondapalli
• Partner Smartmind
• Co-Founder, Director@Vicisoft Technologies
• Over two decades of experience in
Technology & Business with 11 years in GCC
• Partner Smartmind
• Director and Founder @ Neev Consultancy
• President SmartLife – NGO
• Over 25 years of experience in IT Sales,
Marketing & Leadership

3. What is Smartmind
 A network of technology
professionals.
 In the GCC region in senior
positions in the industry for
decades.
 Deep awareness of the cultural
&business environment and
has a wide array of contacts
across the region.
Smartmind Credo
 Focused on Innovation
technologies
 Evangelize the technologies in
the marketplace by being the
thought leaders
 Identify and work with select
core technology vendors
 Leverage the power of
networking
Smartmind Engagement Model
 Offer retainer based engagement
options for providing Market
Intelligence, Advisory, Channel
engagement & lead generation
 Provide specific opportunities for
marketing & promotion through
focused events & webinars
 Offer revenue-share based
engagements for closures and
project facilitation
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Smartmind - Overview

4. Blockchain Background
 Some interesting trivia
 How Blockchain Works
 Typical Use Cases of Blockchain
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Blockchain Business Opportunity
 Key Business Value Drivers
 Local Market Opportunities (GCC)
 Local Market Landscape
Current Webinar Agenda
Trends and references
 SmartMind View
 Links for further reference
 Agenda for next Smartmind Webinar

5. USD 23,000,000
That’s a serious amount of money, is n’t it?
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6. 23,000,000$
Is what your investment would be worth now
For an investment of just AED100
in Bitcoins in 2009
That’s a whole convoy of buses we missed 
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7. This is much more than a paradigm shift ! More like a tectonic shift!!!
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Apr 2011:
1 BTC=1$
Dec 2013:
1 BTC=$650-800$
Sep 2016
1 BTC = $630
2009: 5000 bit coins
For $27 or AED 100
Apr 2014:
1 BTC=$340-$430
Dec 2012:
1 BTC=13$
June 2013:
1 BTC=100$
Aug 2017
1 BTC=$4,600
2015
1 BTC=$300-
500
Jan 2017:
1 BTC=$800-$1150
Bitcoin Value History in comparison to US$: Source Wikipedia

8. Blockchain
Is the underlying
technology behind Bitcoin
with multiple disruptive
and transformative use
cases!!!
The curious case of Satoshi
Nakamoto
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9. Blockchain – How it works?:Underlying Principles
Distributed Database
Each party on a
blockchain has access
to the entire database
and its complete
history. No single party
controls the data or the
information.
Decentralization of data
storage and governance
as opposed to
Centralization
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Peer to Peer
Communication
Direct communication of
data between peers
with each node storing
& forwarding data
No central node
brokering or controlling
the data transfer
Transparency with
Pseudonymity
Transaction and its
associated value visible
to all users with access.
Each node/user has a
unique address for
identification.
Users have choice to
determine whether to
remain anonymous or
provide proof of identity
Record Irreversibility
Once record is
transmitted and
accounts updated, not
reversible as there is a
linked ‘chain’ of blocks.
Advanced algorithms
used to ensure
permanency,
chronological order
and availability
Computational Logic
Ledger of transactions
fully digital, supporting
tying of blockchain
transactions to
computational logic.
Algorithms and rules
can be set up to
automatically trigger
specific transactions
between specific nodes
Blockchain technology is also referred to as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

10. Want big impact?
Use big image.
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Blockchain – How it works?: An infographic
Source: Financial Times

11. Sample Use Cases for user of Blockchain
BFSI related Use Cases Public Sector Use Cases Other Use Cases
Payment Settlements
(RTGS/Interbank
Payments/Remittances)
Birth & Death
Registries/Certificates
KYC Documents for individuals
Insurance Claims processing;
Trade Finance; Loan Syndication
Company Registrations/Licenses
Supply chain Cargo tracking
(flowers example for smart
contracts)
P2P Lending; Crowd Funding Property Registrations/Transfers Patient Health Records
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12. Business Opportunities

13. Business Value Drivers with Blockchain
Blockchain characteristic Business Value Driver Sample Use Cases
Distributed Ledgers: No central
node; decentralization
Disintermediation saving up huge
transaction costs
Banking: Direct settlements
without VISA/MASTER/SWIFT
Can support more complex value
networks than normal
Reduction in transaction costs
and other sources of friction in
business networks
Large retailers can carry much
larger number of vendors.
Walmart Vs Amazon Vs eBay
Smart Contracts
Reduction in business operation
complexity
Several government services
could be delivered at less cost
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14. Opportunities in UAE: Dubai Blockchain Strategy
Industry
Creation
Government
Efficiency
International
Leadership
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The three pillars of Dubai Blockchain Strategy
Paperless
digital
layer for
Visa
Apps, Bill
Payments
, License
renewals
Pre-
approved
visa,
security
clearance
Driver
licenses
& car
rentals for
travellers
Environment for private
opportunities: real estate,
fintech, banking, healthcare

15.  World Blockchain Summit 2017 in Dubai: Oct 24-25 2017
 Ripple, a San Francisco based Blockchain Technology company
focused on Banking Sector enters Saudi Arabia
 Blockchain Challenge competition from Smart Dubai Office (SDO)
 The Global Blockchain Council established by Dubai Museum of the
Future Foundation
 Bahrain based ABC Bank joined R3 consortium; Bahrain announced
intent to be pioneer in the region with crypto based digital currencies
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Blockchain: Other key developments in GCC

16. IBM Blockchain
Strong inroads into Government in
the whole region. Recently
announced a Blockchain initiative
with Dubai Customs, Dubai Trade,
advancing Dubai’s government
Blockchain strategy. As part of the
initiative, IBM is also working with
leading businesses including
Emirates NBD, du, Aramex, and
Banco Santander.
Consensys
Seems like a decent Blockchain
technology based service provider.
Has presence in US, Europe and
Dubai!!! Part of the Future
Accelerators program from Dubai
Holdings
Block Gemini
A Dubai based Blockchain focused
Products and Services company
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Multiple Startups
Bit Oasis, Loyyal etc,
Market Landscape and potential opportunities

17.  Blockchain is expected to be a ‘generational disruptive force’
with potential to touch economic, social and political spheres!!!
 If your application is nearing end-of-life, consider rearchitecting
based on Blockchain technology concepts
 The Blockchain wave could completely disrupt auditing industry
with software replacing auditors!!!
 Borderless nations; participative democracy in place of
representative democracy become a possibility
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Blockchain: The SmartMind View

18. 1. Don Tapscott: A thought leader and author of several books on Technology &
Business. Co-Authored Blockchain Revolution with his son Alex Tapscott. Check
www.dontapscott.com
2. R3: An enterprise software firm working with leading Banks and regulators of the world
in building a blockchain based platform. www.r3.com
3. History of Blockchain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y3fWXA6d5k
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Blockchain: Resources for further information

19. For information, contact
∙ Sharath Kondapalli sharath.k@smartmind.ae +971 50 9441468
∙ Vinod Mehra vinod.m@smartmind.ae +971 50 6343120
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