Between fervent cryptocurrency pushers, concerns about its energy cost and rumors of scams, it’s safe to say blockchain has a bit of a PR problem.
And that’s unfortunate, because there are a ton of startups out there putting distributed, immutable and freely accessible ledgers to all sorts of genuinely interesting and constructive uses. Here, we look at two Seattle-based startups using blockchain technology for all the right reasons.
Using blockchain for: Pushing back on greenwashing in the coffee industry
Details: Yave’s technology traces coffee from source farms throughout Asia, Africa and South and Central America, using a distributed ledger so consumers can know where their coffee comes from — and see how much the grower makes on each bag. The ledger gives coffee a digital ID, which users follow to see contracts and quality certifications for every bag.
Using blockchain for: Putting users in control of their digital identities
Details: LifeID’s open-source blockchain technology makes sensitive online activities safer. The company’s public identity protocol allows users to choose exactly how much information they’d like when verifying their income to qualify for a loan or transferring money, preempting nogoodniks who seek to violate privacy and sell personal data. LifeID’s technology is designed to operate on any smart contract-based blockchain.
