Many companies and businesses facilitate various solutions for other businesses. Due to the increase in online users, several solutions are available for users to transact with online businesses.
Among these solutions, one that has become more relevant recently is blockchain. Many companies have adopted a blockchain-based business model.
What is the Blockchain-Based business model?
Before understanding what the blockchain-based business model is, it is crucial to explain blockchain technology. A blockchain is a time-stamped series of immutable records of data managed by a cluster of computers.
These computers do not relate to a single entity or company. However, it is a decentralized digital ledger to store data in the form of blocks. These blocks use cryptographic principles for security.
A blockchain-based business model is for companies that facilitate blockchain transactions. It is often a decentralized business model that allows peer-to-peer transactions while creating a trusted network.
Through the provision of blockchain currency, these companies offer decentralized, immutable, and transparent online payments.
One of the advantages of blockchain technology for customers is the security that comes with using it. Users can transact online without having to worry about an invasion of privacy or data from other sources.
As mentioned, it is possible through cryptography which secures the data ledgers. Similarly, most online businesses have adopted blockchain technology and accept crypto payments.
How does the Blockchain-Based business model work?
While the blockchain-based business model is prevalent in the blockchain technology industry, it has numerous variations. This model only provides a base for several other business models.
It is because blockchain technology has evolved substantially through time. Therefore, companies have developed customized blockchain-based business models for their needs.
Among the various blockchain-based business models, the ‘Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) business model is the most well-known. This business model allows companies to offer other businesses an ecosystem.
Through this ecosystem, these companies help manage the businesses’ blockchain systems. Similarly, it also allows companies to focus on their development cycle and eliminate the need for hardware.
Among the blockchain-based business models, some software products are also prevalent. Through these, blockchain-based companies can provide businesses with a way to adopt blockchain solutions.
Similarly, these companies help those businesses integrate the technology within their systems. Providing these software products to clients can be substantially profitable for companies.
Another well-known adoption of the blockchain-based business model is from peer-to-peer powered companies. These help consumers interact with each other directly.
There are various ways that companies monetize this model. These companies may provide several blockchain-based solutions to users with easy to use interfaces.
Lastly, some companies also provide blockchain professional services. These companies usually cater to startups to help them adopt blockchain technology.
They have expertise in blockchain development, which is their main product offered to clients. Among these services, there are further classifications that companies can provide.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Blockchain-Based business model?
There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to the blockchain-based business model. Among those, some of the most critical ones are below.
Advantages
The blockchain-based business model uses blockchain technology, which is futuristic. While technology has achieved a lot of success in the past, it has great potential to be even better.
Therefore, companies using this business model have bright prospects. These companies are not only profitable now but have a sustainable business model in the future as well.
The blockchain-based business model also helps companies enter a market with a higher number of clients. The number of customers that want to adopt blockchain technology is increasing with time.
Therefore, these companies can benefit from a higher number of clients and increase their revenues and profitability.
Disadvantages
Several countries around the world have opposed the use of blockchain technology. It is because of its highly-secured nature.
Some countries have also banned currencies based on blockchain technology. Therefore, blockchain-based companies can have to suffer due to these restrictions in the future.
Similarly, many businesses still use traditional products and services instead of those that use blockchain technology. Therefore, the blockchain-based business model can have a limited number of current customers.
If these customers use feasible alternatives, it can face any companies using the blockchain-based business model with problems.
Examples
Gemini, Circle, Coinbase, Chronicle, Voatz, etc., are examples of companies using the blockchain-based business model. These companies use various strategies within the blockchain-based business model to generate sales and profits.
Some well-established names in the tech industry, such as NVIDIA, Square, IBM, Mastercard, and Amazon have also adopted blockchain technology.
Conclusion
The blockchain-based business model is for companies that provide products or services related to blockchain technology.
While it is well-known among businesses, the blockchain business can be significantly impactful in the future. There are several variations of the blockchain-based business model that companies may utilize.
