We might be past explaining what blockchain technology is and into contextualizing it, localizing its impacts for industries and communities.
Here’s a good refresher on the open ledger technology, though, from Technical.ly Brooklyn in 2015:
The potential benefits seem to be many, depending on whom you ask: it can lend transparency to financial transactions, it can lower the barrier to entry for innovators, it can cut out middlemen, it can’t be controlled by any one entity, and it can do it all in a way that does not bear resemblance to previous models.
Back here in 2018 the question remains: What’s happening in Philly’s tech community relating to blockchain?
For a quick-look glimpse at Philly’s blockchain community, here’s a list of resources that those interested in the technology can reach out to:
1. Local blockchain meetups:
From bitcoin to Ethereum to ICOs, there are meetups for all interests:
- Philadelphia Cryptocurrency Investing Fund
- Philadelphia Ethereum Meetup
- Crypto-Venture: Growing Bitcoin in the new gold rush!
- Bitcoin & Other Blockchain for Beginners
- BitcoinPHL
- Philly ICO Professionals
2. Bitcoin Philadelphia
A website focusing on resources, information and news from the Bitcoin world.
3. Local Bitcoins
An online exchange that lets users purchase Bitcoins from locals in the Philadelphia area.
4. Angel.co’s blockchain job postings
Currently, only two jobs are posted up there. Might we see an uptick in 2018?
5. Current.si
A Drexel University–based blockchain startup, makers of a decentralized video sharing platform.
6. Amino
The Center City blockchain startup — and No. 1 on our 2018 realLIST — is focused on bringing transparency to online advertising payment processing.
7. QuickBlocks
A startup looking to provide access data from Ethereum addresses or smart contracts.
8. Verif-y
Based out of the Philadelphia Media Network’s Project Liberty incubator, its software platform enables a secure digital verification process through the blockchain.
9. Factur-y
We met this company, makers of a blockchain-powered credit transaction network, at the Ben Franklin Technology Partners and Village Capital fintech accelerator last year.
10. Pepper Hamilton
The Philly-based law firm has been getting in touch with the blockchain space, representing tech companies through the Initial Coin Offering (ICO) process.
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Penn professor Kevin Werbach, Titan Ventures CEO Andrew Bull and ConsenSys Rutgers Campus Engagement Lead Piers Duffell contributed to this list.
Technical.ly’s Editorial Calendar explores a different topic each month. The January 2018 topic is blockchain.
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