Thematic Intelligence: Blockchain

When blockchain entered the corporate arena, it was one of the most hyped technologies ever. This initial enthusiasm proved to be a double-edged sword, as early adoption was driven by novelty rather than strategic value, leading to misaligned expectations and objectives and a lack of consideration for its appropriateness in specific use cases or industries.

With the hype around blockchain subsiding, adoption is quietly increasing, focusing on practical benefits and efficiency gains rather than technological novelty. This shift from complete overhauls to narrower but clearer industry-specific applications, often developed in-house, reflects a maturing landscape. The realization that blockchain’s fit may not be universal, coupled with the importance of having a strong digital infrastructure in place, will continue to drive the trend toward meaningful implementation.

Key Highlights

Despite the subsiding hype, blockchain innovation continues. The sector is awash with developments like rising competition among smart contract blockchains, the rebranding of blockchain into Web3, the emergence of soulbound tokens, and the ever-vibrant world of cryptocurrencies. These trends highlight that while enterprise adoption advances steadily, the public blockchain space remains dynamic.

If cryptocurrencies were blockchain’s first killer use case, then the tokenization of real-world assets is the second. Most major financial firms launched asset tokenization initiatives in the past two years, citing their market potential. Converting various assets into tradable digital tokens lowers entry barriers by enabling fractional ownership and enhances global participation through increased liquidity and faster settlements. Its impact is particularly notable in making traditionally illiquid assets like real estate and fine art more accessible. This has broad implications for how wealth is distributed and how the economy functions.

Scope

This report provides an overview of the blockchain theme.

It identifies the key trends impacting the growth of the theme over the next 12 to 24 months, split into three categories: technology trends, macroeconomic trends, and regulatory trends.

It contains a comprehensive industry analysis, including global market size and growth forecasts for blockchain, details of M&A deals driven by the blockchain theme, and analysis of the business benefits of blockchain.

The detailed value chain comprises four layers: the infrastructure layer, the software layer, the application layer, and the services layer. Leading and challenging vendors are identified across each of these layers.

Reasons to Buy

The adoption of blockchain has lagged behind that of other emerging technologies. The reason is that few understand blockchain. This report addresses that issue, providing a detailed, yet easy-to-follow overview of the technology that highlights its key characteristics and describes how blockchain works.

Our comprehensive value chain includes details of the leading players in areas like blockchain services, helping companies decide which vendors they should partner with on blockchain implementation projects.