Perspective Article Open Access

Blockchain use cases revisited: Micro-lending solutions for retail banking and financial inclusion

Abstract

While blockchain technology is commonly considered potentially disruptive in various regards, there is a lack of understanding where and how blockchain technology is effectively applicable and where it has remarkable practical effects (Risius & Spohrer, 2017). Against this background, we present and discuss a case study at length on the impact of this technology in the concrete setting of small short-term loans in retail banking. We propose to banks a robust and scalable blockchain technology with proof of stake and limited energy consumption used to streamline their processes, resulting in lower transaction and administration costs. This is made possible by smart contracts. Thereby, we facilitate small scale lending at high frequencies and short-term duration as well as an easier and more efficient way to connect small borrowers and lenders.

 Dr. Christian Hugo Hoffmann