Make no mistake, the Bitcoin blockchain is still a work in progress. There is a lot going on behind the scenes that we don’t yet know about Bitcoin and its digital currency counterpart, Ethereum. But one thing we do know for sure is that the digital currency will continue to be the go-to decentralized virtual storage and payment system for everyone from financial institutions to digital content providers. That’s why this week our friends at Digital Currency Group (DCG) launched an entire category of digital currency apps based on the concepts of smart contracts – decentralized software applications where users can execute financial transactions via computer programs instead of human beings. That’s right, instead of trusting banks and card companies to manage your credit card balance or issue your personal loan, you can now buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly through these smart contract-based digital platforms. And finally, because technology is changing so fast, most of these digital currencies have also come up with ways to revolutionize current financial systems in the process. Let’s take a look at 10 of our favorite smart contract-based cryptocurrency apps:
Utah’s Paysafe Credit Card App
This app allows users to get cash back on online purchases with a credit/debit card. It’s famous for allowing businesses to process online sales with full credit/debit cards without the need for on-site retailers to handle the payments.
Zimbabwean Dollar-Based Digital Currency Exchange
This exchange uses the money supply of Zimbabwe to its advantage. It’s what’s known as a “cyber money exchange.” The exchange monitors the market and offers a wide range of digital currency options to its customers.
India’s Ethereum-Based Super Bank Account
This is another popular choice among Indians looking to trade digital currency for physical currency. It also comes with a cash back on a variety of purchases, as well as a cash-to-value exchange that lets users exchange money instantly for goods and services like medical devices, furniture, and industrial machines.
Japan’s Mainstream Blockchain-Based Payments System
This payment system, developed by Japan’s financial technology giant, Coincheck, is still a work in progress. But what it does offer is basic functionality such as sending and receiving payments with ease. And, best of all, the payments are made on demand, not at a predetermined time or in a predetermined amount.
China’s Alibaba-Based decentralized Internet of Things (DIoT) System
This is yet another impressive piece of technology from China’s online payments giant, Alipay. And like most of its contemporaries, Alipay is built on a foundation of smart contracts. But unlike other online payment companies, Alipay does not issue paper checks or money orders. Instead, it issues digital payments through the blockchain-based system.
Smart Contracts as the New Financial Architecture
This is the future of financial architecture. It’s a new concept that has yet to be explored, but one that could revolutionize current financial systems. It’s the concept of making financial transactions “smart.” Basically, the idea is to make it so that each financial transaction is associated with an automated smart contract.
Conclusion
The digital currency world has changed a lot in the year since the start of the financial crisis. While traditional financial systems are still struggling to come to grips with the new realities of financial management, digital platforms are helping to provide a model for centralization and removal of barriers to financial inclusion. They also help to provide transparent and traceable financial data that can be used to assess the quality of financial products and service delivery. Beyond this, the advent of blockchain technology and smart contract technology have created a new and exciting chapter in the history of the digital currency industry. It continues to evolve and adapts to meet the changing needs and expectations of its users.