TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Blockchain is expanding beyond cryptocurrency into shared infrastructure for payments, asset tokenization, and supply‑chain tracking. By providing a synchronized, tamper‑evident ledger, it lets multiple firms coordinate without a single controlling database. In cross‑border payments, stablecoins can settle transactions in seconds, and Visa reported a stablecoin settlement volume exceeding a $20 billion annualized run rate in September 2026, more than 15 times its year‑on‑year level, alongside over 160 stablecoin‑linked card programs worldwide. Tokenization on Ethereum now backs roughly $16.6 billion in real‑world assets and $159.9 billion in stablecoins, enabling fractional ownership and programmable settlement. Permissioned blockchains such as IBM Food Trust allow food‑supply participants to share traceability data, improving origin verification and contamination response. Smart contracts automate payments, collateral, and insurance, while zero‑knowledge proofs can confirm credentials without exposing underlying data, reinforcing blockchain’s role wherever multiple parties need coordinated, verifiable records without a single data custodian.