Leading European Companies Select IBM Blockchain

IBM announced work underway with leading European companies to continue to innovate with blockchain, progressing projects from proof of concept to production environments.

The attributes of blockchain technology are ideally suited to large networks of disparate partners. The hallmark of IBM's blockchain business has been the ability to convene broad groups of network participants to embrace a collaborative platform approach to blockchain adoption. With more than 500 blockchain projects globally, IBM is engaged across all industries, where European projects in particular are on the rise, where, according to IDC, "blockchain spending in Europe is now growing faster than anywhere else.

"From large enterprises to start-ups, across multiple industries, businesses across Europe are selecting IBM Blockchain," said Andrew Darley, IBM Blockchain Platform Leader, Europe. "Clients are attracted by the production-readiness of the IBM Blockchain Platform, allowing them to run highly secure networks in any environment of their choosing, on premise, via IBM Cloud, or an increasing number of other industry cloud providers.

European clients are continuing to work with IBM to drive blockchain innovation in their industries. Telefónica and IBM are collaborating in the development of a proof of concept (PoC) based on IBM blockchain technology to help solve the management of international mobile phone call traffic. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan and IBM are developing a Digital Identification System based on Hyperledger Fabric to verify the reliability of the documents related to both individuals and legal entities for use with banks, credit providers and similar organizations.

Finnish retail cooperative S-Group is testing their Pike-perch radar solution as part of the retail group's strategy to improve customer experience. PKO Bank Polski has implemented a blockchain-based "durable medium" platform built together with KIR (Polish automated clearing house) in partnership with IBM and Accenture, to help the bank achieve compliance with the European Union Payment Services Directive related to customer communication.

The Central Securities Depository of Poland has implemented their eVoting solution, designed to encourage greater retail shareholder participation in company Annual General Meetings (AGM), and ensure transparency to regulators on the history of AGM agendas, and voting results. Startup software developer Comgo.io is digitizing the entire donation and spend process for Non-Governmental Organizations.