Summary

First in this chapter, a few trends were discussed that are expected to continue as the technology progresses. We also explored some areas outside technology that will have to be addressed before the blockchain is accepted into society, such as its use in illegal activity. Some research topics were suggested that are being pursued by researchers and organizations around the world, and should be considered for personal research by any student or academic. Furthermore, convergence with other fields such as the IoT and AI were also explored. Finally, some predictions regarding the growth and adoption of blockchain technology were made. Most of these predictions are likely to come true within the next decade or so, while some may take longer.

Blockchain technology has the potential to change our lives, and the impact is already noticeable. This growth is evident in the form of successful PoC implementations and production deployments. Moreover, the number of enthusiasts and...