Industry Highlight

In this episode of the StartToBlockchain podcast, I sat down with Diego Borgo, Web3 Executive Advisor, to break down how these global brands are moving beyond hype-driven experiments to real-world applications like tokenized loyalty, digital product passports, and AI-powered blockchain solutions.

Did you know that according to PwC, blockchain technology is expected to add $1.76 trillion to the global economy by 2030? That’s why understanding its real-world applications is more important than ever.

When Reliance Jio brought India online, it wasn’t just a technological shift - it reshaped the nation’s digital landscape. By democratizing access to affordable internet, Jio connected millions and boosted India’s GDP growth. Now, Jio is embarking on its next transformative journey: blockchain, partnering with Polygon Labs to integrate blockchain technology into its ecosystem, focusing on enabling faster transactions and improved scalability.

The internet has revolutionized the way we live, work, and connect. But it has also created a centralized system where information, power, and opportunity are controlled by a few. Web3 promises to change this—but for many, its complexity remains a barrier.

In 2024, the Philippines ranked among the top five recipients of remittances among low- and middle-Income countries, with Filipino workers sending home an estimated $40 billion to support their families. This remarkable figure underscores the critical role remittances play in the country's economy but also highlights a significant challenge.

The future of blockchain and crypto? It’s closer than you think. By 2025, the transformation of blockchain, AI, and digital commerce will be nothing short of revolutionary. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has highlighted some fascinating trends, and let me tell you, these are the kind of ideas that push boundaries.

For ages, the ticketing world has been stuck with a laundry list of problems - phony tickets, bloated resale prices, missed chances to connect with loyal fans. Blockchain technology is changing the script. Instead of paper stubs that end up in a drawer (or the trash), blockchain-powered tickets are turning live events into richer experiences that build trust, loyalty, and community.

Loyalty. It’s a word that’s tossed around often. Brands talk about it, measure it, and try to buy it. But when was the last time a loyalty program made you feel something? For decades, loyalty has been about transactions—earn points, get perks, move on. But what if it could be more? What if loyalty didn’t just reward you, but connected you to something bigger?

FIFA is gearing up to launch FIFA Rivals, a blockchain-powered game developed with Mythical Games, while EA Sports has doubled down on its independence with EA Sports FC. Both are chasing the future of football gaming, but their strategies couldn’t be more different.

Mastercard and J.P. Morgan have unveiled a major collaboration to redefine cross-border payments. By integrating Mastercard’s Multi-Token Network (MTN) with J.P. Morgan’s Kinexys platform, the partnership leverages blockchain to solve decades-old inefficiencies in international settlements.

People don't study history enough. A great thing you can ask your ChatGPT is, 'Tell me the history of the credit card.' These credit cards were super not accepted in 1964. People said, 'That's my money,' and resisted the government having access to their information. People need to realize: technology is undefeated - Gary Vee

With $5 trillion traded daily, FX settlement efficiency is crucial. JPMorgan’s use of its private blockchain, Kinexys, for USD-EUR settlements marks a shift toward faster, cost-effective transactions—but are private blockchains truly ideal for global solutions?

As digital transformation continues to shape our world, we are witnessing a landmark moment in the financial sector. Stripe's recent acquisition of Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure business, for $1.1 billion is not just a transaction—it's a declaration of intent.