Blockchain, defined as a "single version of the truth" made possible by an immutable and secure time-stamped ledger -- copies of which are held by multiple parties -- is likely to play a role in such long-established sectors as financial services[1], healthcare, government[2], and others.
There is also a possible role for blockchain in a newer segment of business: the so-called sharing economy. This fast-growing business model has been defined as a peer-to-peer activity of acquiring, providing, or sharing access to goods and services. In many cases it's enabled by community-based online platforms.
Also: The blockchain explained for non-engineers[3]
Prominent examples of companies that are delivering services in the sharing economy include Airbnb, a provider of short-stay accommodations that uses a platform connecting people who have spare rooms, apartments, and homes with lodgers and tourists; and Uber, a transportation service that enables customers to access a mobile app to find nearby drivers who use their own vehicles rather than a managed fleet.
Blockchain and sharing economy -- the basics
Whether blockchain will ever play a meaningful role in the sharing economy is up for debate. Some skeptics say it's all hype and blockchain's role could be minimal at best. But proponents say there is a natural fit between blockchain and the sharing economy services.
The Blockchain Council[4], a group of blockchain experts and enthusiasts who support research and development of the technology, has noted that businesses such as Uber and Airbnb depend on their