Roundtable Lunch: Blockchain

ABOUT THE MEETING TOPIC
Blockchain is a database structure that uses wide distribution as a method of resisting tampering and data corruption. It was brought to the general consciousness as the security and ledger tool for Bitcoin, the virtual currency. And while blockchain for virtual currencies is interesting enough in itself, blockchain has many uses outside of currency. The blocks are batches of timestamped data, such as transactions, and the chain is the hashed link in each block to the prior block. Each block validates and confirms the data in the blocks preceding it, and the entire chain is copied and stored in many places. This eliminated the need for a centralized "official" database.

According to Deloitte, "A billion dollars in venture capital has flowed to more than 120 blockchain-related startups, with half that amount invested in the last 12 months."

Cloak and Dagger? Blockchain was invented by Satoshi Nakamoto, however, this person does not exist. Over the years, many people have claimed to be Satoshi, or been accused of the same. Many geeks want to celebrate Satoshi, just as many governments want to track him down. Who knows, maybe Satoshi will be at our meeting.

Blockchain 2.0 improves the functionality, and can automate some if/then transactions through mini applets stored in the blocks. This enables "smart contracts" that can pay out automatically upon certain trigger events. In our Telecom Council meeting on blockchain we'll discuss the technology, mining, and its uses in distributed databases in telecom and in other cloud services.

ABOUT ROUNDTABLE MEETINGS
Telecom Council Roundtable Meetings collect 50+ decision makers  monthly to examine and discuss advances, needs, technologies, trends, and policies that are affecting their businesses. In addition to an audience-driven discussion, these Roundtables provide ample networking time for the experts in the room, and often several demos of new technologies or startup companies.