Premier Launch: Blockchain & DLT in Trade – Where do we stand?

Where: Virtual

When: 5th November, 2020

Following the launch of TFG / WTO / ICC’s publication “Blockchain & DLT in trade: A reality check” in November 2019 at the WTO Global Blockchain Forum, this updated research study provides an overview and updated periodic table.

A natural year’s worth of progression has been both accelerated and in some areas shunted by the forces of the Covid-19 pandemic, the widespread and long-lasting implications of which still remain unknown.

At this virtual event, premiered online, you’ll hear an outline of the main projects, categorised into Supply Chain Finance, Trade Finance, Know Your Customer (KYC), Insurance, DLT Digitazation of Trade Documents, Shipping & Logistics / Supply Chain, Other Initiatives and Marketplaces. 

The authors will also be showcasing 19 standardization initiatives, split by sector or process, general trade, private sector-led and regional / national initiatives, as well as the international standards bodies.

The launch will also showcase the results of a supplementary survey, analysing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on trade digitisation.

Conference Highlights

What will be covered

• Introduction
• Overview – what’s changed
• Periodic Table of DLT Projects
• Standardization initiatives
• Covid Pandemic: Impact of DLT projects in trade
• Appendix of projects

Blockchain & DLT for trade – Where do we stand?

No doubt, the world looks a little different today than it did at the end of 2019 when we first published the Periodic Table of DLT in Trade. A natural years’ worth of progression has been both accelerated and in some areas shunted by the forces of the Covid-19 pandemic, the widespread and long-lasting implications of which still remain unknown. 

Nevertheless, with the unwavering arrow of time guiding our forward progression, we wanted to unveil a new and updated report on the landscape surrounding the use of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in international trade. The following pages will reexamine the projects we introduced in the first edition, determine which have progressed and which have fallen off course. We will also be introducing several new initiatives that were not included in the previous edition. Overall, we have found that the industry has made steady progress towards trade digitalization, with the average project moving from a maturity of 2.3 out of 5, to 3.3.  

It is important to note that this publication is merely a representation of the industry as we know it today. There are likely more projects that we are not aware of or do not have enough information on to include here. We invite anyone with knowledge on projects like these to reach out to us. We look forward to hearing about new and innovative solutions to the issues plaguing the industry.   

As always, we would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide information in one form or another as well as those who play an active role in shaping the future of international trade digitalization.

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