Next Stage Applications

With the launching of JPM Coin in the early days of 2019, there was a renewed discussion and debate around both the future of blockchain and cryptocurrencies at large as well as the implications that such a launch means for existing options and companies already operating within the broader space. Even with Jamie Dimon, the CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase, publicly disparaging cryptocurrencies like bitcoin at every turn, his firm has aggressively invested in building out both an enterprise blockchain (Onyx) and the forementioned JPM Coin for commercial transactions. There was an abundant amount of discussion and analysis in the space following the announcement of the new token as well as the blockchain it operates on, but regardless of specifics that have been discussed, it does appear that there are a few core themes and topics that are driving this and other conversations (Fig. 16.1).