Blockchain technology is going to be big, bigger than any of us can probably imagine in these early days, and all the hype leads to a public expectation of immediate gratification. Yet in spite of an almost unanimous consensus that the new tech will be beneficial, no large-scale usage has yet been successfully implemented.

Financial analysts compare the process to previous technological transitions, like when energy changed from fire to electricity and paper records to digital. Whenever a technological upgrade is required, everything has to be rewired, and it\'s the same with Blockchain. We understand that it\'s self-governing, that any transactions are both transparent and immutable. What is not yet fully understood is how these features may be commercialised.

For mainstream adoption of any new technology, it must have many leaders and innovators who are prepared to give it a go. Each sector of society and commerce must liaise with others in their industry to initiate, implement and manage projects. Someone will have to figure out who’s going to do what and to orchestrate procedures.

To make the tech commercially viable, institutions must then evaluate the key players in their targeted ecosystem and how the transition will be managed from experimental to commercial use. In 2018, some firms are beginning these processes and in a few years Blockchain will probably be as common as the internet.