🔥 MUST READ🔥 Too Many Blockchains Make Interoperability A Nightmare Our blockchain future is proving more challenging to implement than many first thought, and interoperability is a key problem. Interoperability is the ability of blockchains to communicate with one another and exchange data so that an asset on blockchain X can be transferred to blockchain Y. The solution proposed by Sinapore's MAS is the interlinked network model (INM ,) which allows the exchange of digital assets and currencies across network borders. Each blockchain is a network with its own rules for internally verifying information and connecting via cross-network protocols. That sounds good, but it is easier said than done. Cracking interoperability is key. Without it, the inability to transfer assets between chains creates "liquidity fragmentation." 👉TAKEAWAYS INTEROPERABILITY REQUIREMENTS 🔹 Flexible compliance: With global reach being a key benefit of tokenization, blockchain interoperability must be flexible enough to support diverse regulatory regimes. 🔹 Flexible security: Cross-network systems must be transparent for visibility into potential code faults, flexible to allow application-layer security policies that mitigate risk, and designed to enable those policies to be effective, should faults occur. 🔹 Privacy: Public blockchains sacrifice privacy for a decentralized verification model. INMs must be flexible enough to integrate systems that keep some transaction data private. 🔹 Risk Assessment: INMs involve increased complexity and a lengthened list of components that must be given appropriate due diligence prior to being fully utilized by financial institutions. 🔹 Transparency and Monitoring: Lack of transparency in some cross-network systems has recently emerged as a potential vector for money laundering. 🔹 Scalability: INMs face dual scaling challenges of emerging technology and the potential for explosive growth in transaction volume and the number of connected networks. 👊STRAIGHT TALK👊 Blockchain interoperability isn't a new problem and the crypto industry's solution was to build bridges, which were promptly hacked with billions of dollars in losses. Banks watched this theft and focused on private blockchains to ensure better security. Private chains don't solve the interoperability problem and can create even more liquidity fragmentation. This is why the goal of connecting decentralized or private blockchains remains a problem worthy of solving. ✍️Do you think banks want liquidity fragmentation to force more clients onto their blockchain? ♻️Reposters, you are the best! Thanks so much for sharing! ---------------------- 💥 My name is Rich, I’m not an AI I write every word! Comments? 🔺 #Fintech, #AI and #Tech at the speed of #Asia and #China. 🔺Onalytica No.4 Global Fintech Influencer with two best-sellers. Want to see more? 🔝 Follow me. 🚀 Click on “view my blog” 🔗 for more!
While the problem of blockchain interoperability is real, it shouldn't be a No Go for banks. After all, fragmentation due to lack of harmonisation of regulation and standards is known in banking even in areas that are mature. Blockchain is infrastructure and the road map to adoption will inevitably include fragmentation. Tech for secure, standardised and harmonised APIs will adress the issues and will help our industry move towards Open Finance. It is a long road but that is the direction of travel
Can't see why interoperability is an issue for blockchains. Liquidity is important in DeFi scenarios but DeFi is just one use case and we also have distinct traditional exchanges. I need trust in a Blockchain and I would never want my Bitcoins to move over to the Ethereum chain. The single one and only USP of a Blockchain is trust in it's consensus mechanism and operation. A Blockchain with interoperability is maybe a not necessary Blockchain - technically speaking. Edit: To clarify this - a blockchain for assets is a necessity, I just can't see why finance can't agree upon just one. That's the final thought of the blockchain, one chain operated by all participants.
That is why China has two national blockchain platforms -one for government and one for business.
Thanks for explaining it so well! It’s such an important issue, Interoperability is such a big challenge in the blockchain world. Do you think we’re getting any closer to solving the liquidity fragmentation issue? Richard Turrin
The situation is clear. Lots of non-interoperable, and expensive, solutions. We have been shortlisted for an NGI TrustChain award that should deliver a tested an interoperability protocol. Yes, it does depend on standard APIs, plus unique lattice technology. NGI - The Next Generation Internet Convex Foundation
Interoperability challenges persist; regulatory flexibility mandatory.
Interoperability challenges meticulously analyzed. Liquidity fragmentation risk evident.
A good question raised in the report: How can financial institutions embrace digital assets without sacrificing the decentralisation and efficiency that blockchain tech is supposed to bring? Not an easy answer! Great share.
Excellent commentary on this critical issue.
Chief Evangelist @ Giesecke+Devrient | Digital Currency, Economics
2moSadly, there is a lot of misleading marketing out there regarding interoperability between blockchains. Unless you specifically design systems based on standardised APIs, you will face the same issues with connecting blockchains as with connecting traditional environments. In other words, blockchains by themselves do not magically make interoperability easier. All of these are surmountable problems! But they need to be taken into account when architecting solutions.