• "I want to be buried in Hudson County so that I can remain active in politics," remarked late NJ governor Brendan Byrne (via Shutterstock).
    "I want to be buried in Hudson County so that I can remain active in politics," remarked late NJ governor Brendan Byrne (via Shutterstock).
    Technology,  United States

    Blockchain technology to tackle another American election

    After a successful test in West Virginia, blockchain-based voting moves to Denver, and beyond politics to shareholder meetings

    March 7, 2019 /

    Eighteen years after the Florida hanging chads debacle cast the legitimacy of an American president into doubt, the voting technology introduced to fix those problems remains so vulnerable to hacking that the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in September urged a return to paper ballots and an end to Internet voting. That’s a problem blockchain developers think they can fix.

    Read More
  • world map
    (Image via Shutterstock)
    Asia & Australia,  Europe,  Regulation

    As the US dithers on regulating cryptocurrencies, other regions move forward

    Support for blockchain technology is stronger both in the US and abroad

    December 21, 2018 /

    Cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiasts were excited about the ​announcement​ this week that President Donald Trump plans to name Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, a longtime supporter of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, as his interim White House chief of staff before the end of the year. As a congressman, Mulvaney was a co-founder of the ​Congressional Blockchain Caucus​. When it comes to actually embracing cryptocurrencies, the U.S. has been generally skeptical. As a recent opinion piece in the ​Harvard Business Review​ by law firm Jones Day blockchain initiative leaders Stephen J. Obie and Mark W. Rasmussen noted: ​“Without clear regulations, cryptocurrency innovation in the United States is being stifled.…

    Read More
  • West Virginia's capitol building
    West Virginia's capitol building (via Shutterstock)
    United States

    The United States just held its first blockchain-enabled elections

    West Virginia lays claim to the most technologically savvy voting process held in America

    May 14, 2018 /

    In the wake of its federal primary elections last week, West Virginia now bears the distinction of having hosted the country’s first blockchain-enabled voting process. If you’re just tuning in, this was a relatively lightweight application of blockchain voting technology. This technologically-enabled voting process was limited to eligible UOCAVA voters (“Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act”) and their families in two West Virginia counties: Harrison and Monongalia. That said, the ability to vote using a mobile app had some serious appeal for those who were eligible. It was facilitated by Boston-based technology company Voatz, and a company spokesperson filled us in on how it all went. “One particular overseas voter…

    Read More
  • West Virginia's capitol building
    West Virginia's capitol building (via Shutterstock)
    United States

    America’s first blockchain voting system is here, and it’s military-only

    The Mountain State leans in to distributed ledger technology for voting.

    March 29, 2018 /

    This is the beginning of the end of the notorious “hanging chad.” West Virginia isn’t about to be mistaken as a Silicon Valley-style tech hub, but the state has announced a blockchain-enabled voting system to be used in this year’s federal election. It’s the first of its kind in the United States, and for now, it’s only available to active-duty military and their eligible dependents. Service members can currently vote via mail, fax, or email wherever they’re stationed. As the government’s pilot program brings blockchain-enabled voting to military personnel registered to vote in Harrison County or Monongalia County, those constituents can now vote from their Android or iOS device with…

    Read More