在比爾?克林頓的第一個總統(tǒng)任期內(nèi),第104屆美國國會經(jīng)過漫長的努力,全面修訂了已有60多年歷史的電信法。雖然該法案對電話、電視和廣播服務(wù)產(chǎn)生了巨大影響,但1996年電信法最大的成果莫過于推動了互聯(lián)網(wǎng)的蓬勃發(fā)展。
時至今日,美國在經(jīng)歷了一個世紀(jì)以來最大的公共衛(wèi)生危機(jī)后開始重啟經(jīng)濟(jì),政府將有機(jī)會為另一項新興技術(shù)采取類似的行動:區(qū)塊鏈。和互聯(lián)網(wǎng)一樣,區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)將再次顛覆游戲規(guī)則。

?
公共衛(wèi)生事件讓許多基于區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的產(chǎn)品在開發(fā)和執(zhí)行的途中被迫按下暫停鍵,但在全面重啟經(jīng)濟(jì)之際,企業(yè)將獲得擁抱這項技術(shù)力量的絕佳機(jī)會。實現(xiàn)區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的現(xiàn)實應(yīng)用不再只是開發(fā)人員的小眾興趣,如今它已經(jīng)在為各行各業(yè)提供安全的交易,從農(nóng)業(yè)到土地管理,再到移動投票,這一技術(shù)將讓世界各地的人們從中受益。
盡管相關(guān)項目的發(fā)展勢頭有所回升,但許多公司卻發(fā)現(xiàn)自己再次陷入灰色地帶——政府的政策范圍不明晰,有時要靠通過事后執(zhí)法才能厘清。所有利益相關(guān)者(包括政府機(jī)構(gòu))之間的合作也將是未來采用區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)時重要的一環(huán)。
當(dāng)各大行業(yè)和經(jīng)濟(jì)正在復(fù)蘇時,區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)有望成為新常態(tài)的重要驅(qū)動力,但前提是必須理清政府的監(jiān)管職責(zé)。隨著越來越多的公司和機(jī)構(gòu)開始探索區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)應(yīng)用帶來的獨特好處,制定保護(hù)消費者的明確政策與建立合作框架將是政府未來幾個月內(nèi)最重要的任務(wù)之一。
在開發(fā)基于區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的產(chǎn)品時,政府需要明確自身定位,不應(yīng)多加干預(yù),這一點十分重要。立法者在制定政策指導(dǎo)區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)發(fā)展時,首要關(guān)注點應(yīng)該是確保行業(yè)內(nèi)的所有企業(yè)都采取負(fù)責(zé)任的行為,能夠公平地獲得客戶和資源。
在Medici Ventures,我們投資的那些機(jī)構(gòu)會利用區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)來解決因為疫情而加劇的現(xiàn)實問題。例如,GrainChain旨在保障整個農(nóng)業(yè)供應(yīng)鏈的信任度,確保最弱勢的農(nóng)民群體獲得報酬;Evernym可以幫助個人和公司管理身份認(rèn)證;Voatz則讓人們能夠安全、放心地行使投票權(quán)。
除了上述公司,其他開發(fā)區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的公司都應(yīng)該在公平的競爭環(huán)境中運營,而不應(yīng)該受到監(jiān)管失衡的影響,被任何集團(tuán)或機(jī)構(gòu)霸占上風(fēng)?;蛟S最重要的是,政府需要牢牢記住,消費者通常比監(jiān)管機(jī)構(gòu)更有權(quán)決定想支持什么企業(yè)——這一點在互聯(lián)網(wǎng)發(fā)展早期已經(jīng)非常清楚。
合作將是未來成功的關(guān)鍵。公司需要在沒有繁瑣監(jiān)管的環(huán)境中自由地開發(fā)區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù),尤其是想盡力擺脫疫情帶來的經(jīng)濟(jì)陰影的當(dāng)下。
如同互聯(lián)網(wǎng)早期發(fā)展階段,這種自由可以催生出一系列具有創(chuàng)造性的產(chǎn)品和解決方案。區(qū)塊鏈創(chuàng)業(yè)者幾乎才觸及區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)力量的皮毛而已,政府需要讓這種創(chuàng)新持續(xù)發(fā)展下去。
美國政府迅速采取行動同樣至關(guān)重要。中國正在號召金融機(jī)構(gòu)支持區(qū)塊鏈發(fā)展,如果我們不能迎頭趕上或超過中國,可能會給美國帶來很大問題。區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的壓倒性優(yōu)勢已經(jīng)初現(xiàn)成果——例如,利用該技術(shù),可以毫不費力地轉(zhuǎn)移數(shù)字化資產(chǎn)。如果美國無法占據(jù)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)地位,就有可能進(jìn)一步陷入潛在的經(jīng)濟(jì)衰退,失去全球技術(shù)創(chuàng)新中心的地位。
全世界都在推動發(fā)展基于區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的應(yīng)用,后疫情時代的經(jīng)濟(jì)更是創(chuàng)造了擁抱新技術(shù)的完美環(huán)境。美國若稍不留神,很可能就會失去成為區(qū)塊鏈領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者的機(jī)會。
區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)蘊含著不可思議的潛力。該技術(shù)將在自由的環(huán)境中得到最好的發(fā)展,不能被非必要且含糊不清的條條框框所束縛。通過理清和限制政府的作用,我們可以賦予企業(yè)建立新常態(tài)的力量,同時也為消費者帶去投資和使用區(qū)塊鏈新產(chǎn)品的信心。(財富中文網(wǎng))
喬納森?約翰遜是Overstock.com的首席執(zhí)行官和Medici Ventures公司總裁。
譯者:Emily
在比爾?克林頓的第一個總統(tǒng)任期內(nèi),第104屆美國國會經(jīng)過漫長的努力,全面修訂了已有60多年歷史的電信法。雖然該法案對電話、電視和廣播服務(wù)產(chǎn)生了巨大影響,但1996年電信法最大的成果莫過于推動了互聯(lián)網(wǎng)的蓬勃發(fā)展。
時至今日,美國在經(jīng)歷了一個世紀(jì)以來最大的公共衛(wèi)生危機(jī)后開始重啟經(jīng)濟(jì),政府將有機(jī)會為另一項新興技術(shù)采取類似的行動:區(qū)塊鏈。和互聯(lián)網(wǎng)一樣,區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)將再次顛覆游戲規(guī)則。
公共衛(wèi)生事件讓許多基于區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的產(chǎn)品在開發(fā)和執(zhí)行的途中被迫按下暫停鍵,但在全面重啟經(jīng)濟(jì)之際,企業(yè)將獲得擁抱這項技術(shù)力量的絕佳機(jī)會。實現(xiàn)區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的現(xiàn)實應(yīng)用不再只是開發(fā)人員的小眾興趣,如今它已經(jīng)在為各行各業(yè)提供安全的交易,從農(nóng)業(yè)到土地管理,再到移動投票,這一技術(shù)將讓世界各地的人們從中受益。
盡管相關(guān)項目的發(fā)展勢頭有所回升,但許多公司卻發(fā)現(xiàn)自己再次陷入灰色地帶——政府的政策范圍不明晰,有時要靠通過事后執(zhí)法才能厘清。所有利益相關(guān)者(包括政府機(jī)構(gòu))之間的合作也將是未來采用區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)時重要的一環(huán)。
當(dāng)各大行業(yè)和經(jīng)濟(jì)正在復(fù)蘇時,區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)有望成為新常態(tài)的重要驅(qū)動力,但前提是必須理清政府的監(jiān)管職責(zé)。隨著越來越多的公司和機(jī)構(gòu)開始探索區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)應(yīng)用帶來的獨特好處,制定保護(hù)消費者的明確政策與建立合作框架將是政府未來幾個月內(nèi)最重要的任務(wù)之一。
在開發(fā)基于區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的產(chǎn)品時,政府需要明確自身定位,不應(yīng)多加干預(yù),這一點十分重要。立法者在制定政策指導(dǎo)區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)發(fā)展時,首要關(guān)注點應(yīng)該是確保行業(yè)內(nèi)的所有企業(yè)都采取負(fù)責(zé)任的行為,能夠公平地獲得客戶和資源。
在Medici Ventures,我們投資的那些機(jī)構(gòu)會利用區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)來解決因為疫情而加劇的現(xiàn)實問題。例如,GrainChain旨在保障整個農(nóng)業(yè)供應(yīng)鏈的信任度,確保最弱勢的農(nóng)民群體獲得報酬;Evernym可以幫助個人和公司管理身份認(rèn)證;Voatz則讓人們能夠安全、放心地行使投票權(quán)。
除了上述公司,其他開發(fā)區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的公司都應(yīng)該在公平的競爭環(huán)境中運營,而不應(yīng)該受到監(jiān)管失衡的影響,被任何集團(tuán)或機(jī)構(gòu)霸占上風(fēng)?;蛟S最重要的是,政府需要牢牢記住,消費者通常比監(jiān)管機(jī)構(gòu)更有權(quán)決定想支持什么企業(yè)——這一點在互聯(lián)網(wǎng)發(fā)展早期已經(jīng)非常清楚。
合作將是未來成功的關(guān)鍵。公司需要在沒有繁瑣監(jiān)管的環(huán)境中自由地開發(fā)區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù),尤其是想盡力擺脫疫情帶來的經(jīng)濟(jì)陰影的當(dāng)下。
如同互聯(lián)網(wǎng)早期發(fā)展階段,這種自由可以催生出一系列具有創(chuàng)造性的產(chǎn)品和解決方案。區(qū)塊鏈創(chuàng)業(yè)者幾乎才觸及區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)力量的皮毛而已,政府需要讓這種創(chuàng)新持續(xù)發(fā)展下去。
美國政府迅速采取行動同樣至關(guān)重要。中國正在號召金融機(jī)構(gòu)支持區(qū)塊鏈發(fā)展,如果我們不能迎頭趕上或超過中國,可能會給美國帶來很大問題。區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的壓倒性優(yōu)勢已經(jīng)初現(xiàn)成果——例如,利用該技術(shù),可以毫不費力地轉(zhuǎn)移數(shù)字化資產(chǎn)。如果美國無法占據(jù)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)地位,就有可能進(jìn)一步陷入潛在的經(jīng)濟(jì)衰退,失去全球技術(shù)創(chuàng)新中心的地位。
全世界都在推動發(fā)展基于區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)的應(yīng)用,后疫情時代的經(jīng)濟(jì)更是創(chuàng)造了擁抱新技術(shù)的完美環(huán)境。美國若稍不留神,很可能就會失去成為區(qū)塊鏈領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者的機(jī)會。
區(qū)塊鏈技術(shù)蘊含著不可思議的潛力。該技術(shù)將在自由的環(huán)境中得到最好的發(fā)展,不能被非必要且含糊不清的條條框框所束縛。通過理清和限制政府的作用,我們可以賦予企業(yè)建立新常態(tài)的力量,同時也為消費者帶去投資和使用區(qū)塊鏈新產(chǎn)品的信心。(財富中文網(wǎng))
喬納森?約翰遜是Overstock.com的首席執(zhí)行官和Medici Ventures公司總裁。
譯者:Emily
During Bill Clinton’s first term as President, the 104th U.S. Congress undertook a long-needed effort to overhaul telecommunications laws that had been on the books for over 60 years. Although the bill had a significant impact on phone, television, and radio services, the biggest outcome of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was nothing less than the blossoming of the Internet.
Now, as the country begins reopening the economy following the largest public health panic in a century, the U.S. government has a chance to take similar actions on another emerging technology: blockchain. Like the Internet, blockchain technology will change the game again.
The COVID-19 pandemic paused the development and implementation of many products built using blockchain technology, but the great restarting is the perfect opportunity for companies to embrace the power of the technology. Far from being just a niche interest for developers, real-world applications built with blockchain already provide secure transactions that benefit people everywhere, from agriculture to land management to mobile voting.
However, as the momentum around these projects picks back up, many companies will find themselves once again in gray areas where government reach is ill-defined and sometimes clarified only through after-the-fact enforcement. Collaboration between all stakeholders—including government agencies—is essential to the future adoption of blockchain technology.
Blockchain technology can be a vital driver of the new normal as industries and economies recover from the pandemic, but the government’s role in regulating blockchain technology must be understood. Creating clear policies that protect consumers and building a framework for cooperation are some of the government’s most vital tasks in the coming months as more companies and other organizations explore the unique benefits that applications using blockchain technology will bring.
It’s important for the government to take a hands-off and clarifying role in the development of products built using blockchain technology. As legislators create policies to help guide developing blockchain technology, their primary concern should be ensuring that all businesses in the industry behave responsibly and have fair access to customers and resources.
At Medici Ventures, we invest in organizations that are using blockchain technology to solve real-world problems exacerbated by the pandemic. GrainChain, for example, secures trust across the entire agricultural supply chain, ensuring that the most vulnerable people—the farmers—are paid. Evernym helps everyone from individuals to companies control their identities. Voatz helps people exercise their right to vote in a safe and secure way.
These companies—and all others developing blockchain technology—should be able to operate on a fair and equal playing field, without giving any group or organization an upper hand thanks to unbalanced regulations. Perhaps most important of all, the government should remember that consumers are generally in a better position than regulators to determine what businesses they want to support—a point that was made perfectly clear in the early development of the Internet.
Cooperation will be key to success in the future. Companies need the freedom to develop blockchain technology without onerous oversight, especially as they seek to escape the economic shadow brought on by the pandemic.
As it did in the early days of the Internet, this freedom will lead to creative products and solutions. Blockchain entrepreneurs have barely scratched the surface of the power of blockchain technology. The government needs to let the innovation continue.
It is also crucial that the U.S. government moves quickly. China is urging its financial institutions to support blockchain, which could prove very problematic for the U.S. if we do not match or exceed China’s efforts. The overwhelming benefits of blockchain technology—being able to transfer digitized assets without friction, for example—are already coming to fruition. Without taking a position of leadership, the U.S. risks both slipping further into a potential economic recession and losing its position as the global hub for technological innovation.
The world is moving forward with developing blockchain-based applications, and the post-pandemic economy is a perfect environment in which to embrace new technology. If the U.S. is not careful, we will lose the opportunity to be a blockchain leader.
Blockchain technology has incredible potential. It will grow best in a free environment, unfettered from needless and unclear regulations. By understanding and limiting the government’s role, we can give companies the power to establish a new normal while offering consumers the confidence to invest in and use new blockchain-based products.
Jonathan Johnson is CEO of Overstock.com and president of Medici Ventures.