It’s no secret that the blockchain space is growing at breakneck speed. The first few months of 2018 saw more ICOs than the entirety of 2017, showing that this industry is experiencing a big growth spurt.
This growth isn’t undeserved, either. Blockchain has a wide range of use cases, and lots of potential and variety when it comes to real-world application. We’re starting to see a shift in blockchain’s image, from a speculative activity to a technology that can have a real impact on the way we do things.
It’s an exciting time, for sure, as the industry shifts from concept to reality. Let’s check out some of the more interesting and promising blockchain projects out there right now.
Shopin
Shopin is a project that aims to transform the way we do retail. Many retail companies and store owners are missing out on sales and conversions because they’re unable to understand and connect with their customer base.
They’re losing out to giants like Amazon, who are able to track customers across a range of different products, brands, and price points. This means they lack reliable data on their customers, the result being impersonal interactions and inaccurate marketing.
Shopin aims to help both sides of the equation by allowing customers to consensually share data with retailers. This includes information about products they like, their buying habits, and their shopping history, all within the app.
Retailers get a more 3-D view of their customers and are able to personally make suggestions, offer better marketing, and communicate more accurately and effectively. It’s all private and secure, and customers are rewarded with tokens for sharing data while they enjoy a more pleasant shopping experience.
Endor
There’s a huge amount of data in the world today, and a lot of it is incredibly valuable to businesses. If used properly, it can predict all kinds of things about industries, people, other companies, and much more.
The ability to make accurate predictions is worth a lot of money. But analyzing data to make these predictions isn’t easy. Accessing data science PhDs is difficult, and can be extremely expensive.It’s possible for giant corporations, but ordinary businesses are locked out of this valuable market.
That’s what Endor’s platform is changing. They want to make it easier for businesses to make predictions and enjoy the rewards.Powered by MIT’s Social Physics technology, the platform allows users to ask questions in plain language. The platform then automates an accurate prediction based on their request.
This way, normal companies without any data science experience can reap the rewards of accurate predictions and harness the power of data for themselves.
Sentinel Protocol
Cyber crime is a big and growing problem in today’s world. Cyber security spending is forecast to hit $96 billion this year, as threats develop and intensify across the world.
There’s a lot at risk — huge breaches and attacks are all too common and can bankrupt businesses and destroy individuals’ lives.
One area where cyber crime is a growing concern is the crypto space. In decentralized spaces, users are responsible for their security and may have no legal recourse if they fall victim to a crime. Instances of cryptocurrency theft have shown that sometimes, the only option is to accept your loss and move on.
Sentinel Protocol is tackling this by forming a crowdsourced threat intelligence database on the blockchain. They want one platform for sharing information about threats and cybercrime, and provide a network of support to investigate and deal with crimes in the crypto space.
They’ll help secure crypto assets, fight against theft, and work with experts to provide the best advice and most up-to-date i
nformation. The platform rewards those who help and provide intelligence, from white-hat hackers to security organizations.
Cool Cousin
Travel is something millions of us enjoy, but it can be tough to organize. The online space is cluttered with misleading and unhelpful information and advice, driven by the centralized travel industry. The result is a ton of biased and unreliable information which can lead to underwhelming and disappointing trips.
Ideally, we’d all have a friend or cousin living on the ground at every new place we visit, ready to help us find the best places to stay, the most fun activities, and provide real and honest advice. Most of us aren’t that lucky, but Cool Cousin wants to fill that role in travelers’ lives. They’re a decentralized travel agency, and aim to put users into contact with locals on the ground who can help them with personalized recommendations, advice, point them in the direction of cool current events, and much more.
Locals are rewarded in tokens for helping out, which provides an incentive to help out and also promotes a sense of community between the residents of a place and tourists.
DreamTeam
The esports market is huge, and with a 40% annual growth rate, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. However, despite its size and prominence, it still has several problems to deal with. These include fraud and non-payment of prize money when competitions are won, a fragmented market with no single point of entry, and a lack of business support and expertise for gamers.
DreamTeam is changing that by building an infrastructure for the esports industry, one which supports secure payment and helps construct an inclusive network for everyone involved. It’s a community for people in esports, which helps the various groups involved organize and be more successful.
