Our Co-Founder & COO, Sukhi Jutla, was recently listed as one the Top 10 most influential individuals in blockchain by TurgenSec along with:
You can find the list with more details here.
Our Co-Founder and COO, Sukhi Jutla, has recently joined the Women in Fintech Global Initiative as a mentor.
Run by the Department for International Trade, the Women in FinTech Global Initiative:
Along with Sukhi, other women have become mentors:
Get more information here.
Our Co-Founder & COO, Sukhi Jutla, has just been nominated for the Entrepreneur of the Year award by Women in IT Awards series.
The Women in IT Awards series aims to tackle this issue and redress the gender imbalance, by showcasing the achievements of women in the sector and identifying new role models.
Sukhi reacted to the news: “It is wonderful to be shortlisted in such prestigious awards that showcase the best talents and endeavours women are making in the IT and technology field. Congratulations to all those shortlisted and it is my sincere hope that these awards continue to inspire even more women into this field.”
Organised by business technology site Information Age, the awards were launched as a platform to celebrate women in technology. Since its launch, in 2015, the Women in IT Awards have showcased women in technology in London, New York, Ireland and Silicon Valley. This year the awards series will expand to celebrate women in technology in Singapore, Berlin and Toronto for the first time.
This growing awards series acts as a flagship and high-profile platform to support the industry in its mission to move the dial on gender.
Nominated along Sukhi in the Entrepreneur of the Year category:
You can find the full list of nominees here.
The Fintech Week is a 6-day FinTech focused event held in Hamburg (4-9 November). It is a celebration of all things FinTech and helps to showcase and promote FinTech ventures in Germany.
This year, the Fintech Week collaborated with the UK to strengthen Germany and London ties in the FinTech space.
As a result, the Depart of International Trade in the UK Government hand-picked MarketOrders.net to attend and present at FinForward, which is a 2-day conference part of the Fintech Week. The mission was to showcase Fintech capabilities and to foster collaboration and new opportunities.
Our COO and Co-founder, Sukhi Jutla, attended the FinForward event and presented on 2 panels.
The first panel discussed how Fintechs could embrace greater diversity. This was an insightful event where it was clear to see that this topic is very much at the forefront of the FinTech community. They understand that to build the tech of tomorrow we need to include everyone. Tech is inclusive and it’s important to celebrate all diversity in this field.
The second panel was about blockchain and the rise of Security Token Offerings (STO). Sukhi shared her views on how blockchain and STOs are increasing internalisation of the financial markets and shared how MarketOrders.net plans to disrupt the supply chain with the use of this new innovative technology.
Sukhi commented: ‘’It was a fantastic conference and we thank the Department of International Trade for this great opportunity. It is clear to see how progress is made when collaborations work well and it was great to see how Fintechs are thriving not only in London but in Germany too.’’
From commodity money to the birth of fiat currency and the now worldwide popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin, money, as we know, is not done evolving or surprising us. But are these changes beneficial or disrupting something that already works? We’ll find out.
Origins of trade
Trade originated in prehistoric times. Prehistoric people bartered goods and services from each other when modern money was never even thought of.
Peter Watson dates the history of long-distance commerce from circa 150,000 years ago.
Trade is believed to have taken place throughout much of recorded human history, but not as we know it today. Commodity money, which are objects with a fundamental value like rare seashells, whale’s teeth, and cattle, was the only the way people traded for many years. And we can imagine that it was an easy way as a cow has probably the same value in England as it has in any other country, unlike today’s currencies.
As the system of commodity money evolved in many instances it then became representative money. This first stage of currency metals was used to represent stored value by the Romans.
In the 16th century, Holland was the centre of free trade, imposing no exchange controls, and advocating the free movement of goods. Visionary? You tell me!
The Great Depression was a major economic collapse that ran from 1929 to the late 1930s. There was a great setback in trade and other economic indicators during this period.
The lack of free trade was considered by many as a principal cause of the depression causing stagnation and inflation. Only during World War II, the recession ended in the United States. Also, during the war, in 1944, 44 countries signed the Bretton Woods Agreement, intended to prevent national trade barriers, to avoid depressions. At that time, governments were moving slowly towards borderless trade, which will later on, be enabled by a certain blockchain technology…
Today, trade is merely a subset within a complex system of companies which try to maximize their profits by offering products and services to the market (which consists both of individuals and other companies) at the lowest production cost.
A system of international trade has helped to develop the world economy in combination with bilateral or multilateral agreements, to lower tariffs or to achieve free trade, has sometimes harmed third-world markets for local products.
Cryptocurrency, the Trade 2.0?
The evolution of trade has brought some amazing innovations and eased global commerce, but also left behind developing and unbanked countries, until… 2008, the invention of Bitcoin and its innovative manner of using blockchain technology to enable peer to peer transactions.
What does that exactly mean for developing countries?
It means the world!
They can now transact globally whenever they want, however they want, setting up their own prices, cutting off the middlemen, all of this just by using a mobile phone.
No need for a computer; no need for a bank; no need for an intermediary; instant, borderless transactions. How wonderful?
Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology have already started revolutionising the way people transact and have opened many doors to third-world markets.
Nowadays, businesses can already buy and sell online (B2B & B2C), using cryptocurrencies on marketplaces like ModulTrade, Forra, and Shopify.
Have a look at this map to find out what shops accept cryptocurrencies around the world!
MarketOrders, disrupting the outdated processes of the gold & diamond industry
At MarketOrders, we understand that cryptocurrencies put the power right back in the hands of small and developing businesses, which is why we’ve decided to use blockchain technology within our platform.
Our marketplace enables small retailers to get the products they need faster, cheaper, directly from international manufacturers. By cutting off the middlemen, both parties, retailers and manufacturers, win, by selling and buying at the right price.
Our CEO Ram says, ‘Our retail customers and suppliers face unnecessary delays in receiving their products as the supply chain is held up with complicated paperwork and international payments taking weeks to settle. We intend to use the power of blockchain to digitise the documentation to process the products and get them shipped faster internationally while allowing our customers to use the MarketOrders native token as a way to settle payments in a matter of minutes rather than days or weeks.’
And that’s not all; blockchain technology brings transparency to an outdated supply chain system and ensure the provenance of the products and their legitimacy.
The future is now, and we’re seizing it.
Learn more about MarketOrders here.
Sources:
photo credit: https://pixabay.com/en/woman-working-business-woman-laptop-690036/
Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are the latest innovation in technology. There is a clear excitement about the opportunities blockchain presents and it is nearing a pivotal moment in history. And while this brand-new field is still heavily dominated by men, women are quickly closing in and making big names for themselves.
In fact, the blockchain space is the ideal place for women who want to make a big impact and shape the future of what we call as the advent of ‘the internet of value.’
Since the premise of blockchain is about democratising and giving all participants an equal and transparent playing field, this lends itself as the perfect place for women to make a real and lasting impact on this infant industry.
Blockchain no doubt is here to stay, and even traditional industries reluctant to change such as banking and insurance, are waking up to the fact that they need to pay attention to the changes blockchain can bring about.
While almost every tech sector is heavily dominated by men, women now have an opportunity to enter this dynamic industry and actively contribute to and shape the future of this technology.
It’s important that women are a part of this movement so they too can shape the next era of change.
The lack of women in blockchain has nothing to do with lack of skill but lack of awareness about the technology and lack of a clear path into the emerging industries related to blockchain. It is important to encourage women to become active in the cryptocurrency space and lead by example.
The blockchain is not just the preserve of the finance industry which is heavily dominated by men. Blockchain can disrupt every industry known to humankind, including those traditionally dominated by women such as education, healthcare, social and other non-government sectors, which is all the more reason for them to get involved.
With the potential use cases of blockchain-based products being particularly vast, so are opportunities for women. Many professionals in the industry hold various roles. Although a technical skill-sets are most in demand, women in blockchain can take up various other roles – such as academic, commercial, regulatory, and public relations.
The great news is that there is an increasing number of women entering the blockchain space. Already, women are making big waves in blockchain, and leading by example. We must shine a light on their achievements because it can only help to bring more women into this field and show support and encouragement to those already breaking boundaries. Here are some of the notable women in blockchain:
• Toni Lane Casserly, CEO of CoinTelegraph: Toni is co-founder of one the biggest online publications for cryptocurrency
• Galia Benartzi, co-founder and business development of Bancor. Galia is a co-founder for Bancor, a digital token platform, which is one of the most successful initial coin offerings so far.
• Fereshteh Forough, founder and CEO at Code to Inspire: Born as an Afghan refugee in Iran, Fereshteh went on to found Code to Inspire, an after-school program that teaches girls in Afghanistan how to code and aims to decrease the gender gap in computer science fields in Afghanistan.
photo credit: https://pixabay.com/en/adult-woman-people-technology-3373639/
As a female tech-founder working in the blockchain space, I’m often asked how I came into the blockchain space and the answer is simple: I followed my curiosity.
I spent over a decade working in finance and banking where I worked closely with the technology teams. During conversations, I would sometimes hear the word blockchain bandied around which piqued my interest. Fuelled by my curiosity I started to look into this field but only actively jumped in a year ago when I decided I wanted to become a vocal part of this rising industry.
I realized that the absence of female mentors can create a barrier to entry but this should be seen as an opportunity for future female leaders. Many women are unfamiliar with blockchain technology and obtaining technical knowledge about the technology can serve as a challenge, especially when the information is varied and scattered across the internet.
And the only way you can participate and make a difference is to get involved. Here are my tips for getting more involved in blockchain, if you are a beginner.
Being based in London, I am part of multiple ‘Women in Blockchain’ groups where we meet on a monthly basis and share our learning on the latest topics and trends in the blockchain space. Sometimes we invite mentors and speakers to share their experiences to learn from.
There are hundreds of conferences happening globally on blockchain. Spend the day immersing yourself in learning about blockchain, talking to the exhibitors and other attendees. See where your curiosity is piqued and where you would like to learn more.
If you’re looking for a new opportunity, join a start-up in the blockchain space. This is the best way to get hands-on learning about this technology. You don’t have to be a tech expert but you can still help to build and shape products when you understand the basics of how blockchain works.
Similar to attending meet-ups attending workshops on this topic will help to give you deeper insights into how this industry works and to network with other members of the industry.
I believe we can all learn from each other so don’t hesitate to reach out to other women working in blockchain and ask for their help. It’s important that women support other women onto the blockchain ladder especially when just starting out. If you are already a working in this space, think about mentoring other women or speak at events to raise the profile of women working in blockchain.
We can collectively help to create an atmosphere and environment which encourages more women to consider careers and opportunities in blockchain in the following ways:
This is an industry where anyone with a great idea can disrupt. The possibilities for women are endless and I’m looking forward to seeing the amazing things women do to supercharge this emerging industry.
About the author:
Sukhi Jutla is an IBM Blockchain Foundation Developer and in April 2018 made global headlines when she became the World’s First #1 Bestselling ‘Blockchain’ Author.
There have been many stories in the press lately about how the high street is dead. But is this really true? Will the high street die…or is it just time for them to embrace blockchain?
We at MarketOrders are always keen to bring fresh ideas and new approaches to our customers, the retailers. We help them to keep up to date with the latest technology and help them to embrace the digital world.
We know from our vast experience that the use of technology in brick-and-mortar shops is vital to help drive deeper customer engagement and emotional connections with local retailers and customers. This, in turn, will elevate the customer experience and create an incentive for shopping offline and driving purchase intent.
At MarketOrders, we believe the future of retail sits at the intersection of e-commerce and brick and mortar. We call this the converging platform and this is what MarketOrders is doing.
The reason why the giants of e-commerce such as Alibaba, Amazon and eBay are flourishing today is that they embraced technology and its potential from the very beginning.
This is critical. Tech cannot be an afterthought or a side dish. Retailers must embrace technology and have a digital strategy present from the very starts.
The rise of cryptocurrency
As blockchain tech turns 10 years old, it’s becoming a household word among the millennial generation. While the cryptocurrency market is establishing itself in the world of speculative trading, it has not yet been widely accepted as a viable transaction method for goods and services.
Undoubtedly, one of the most common questions people ask is, “How can I use my cryptocurrency aside from trading on an exchange?” Marketorders will bring a practical solution for customers to utilize cryptocurrency to buy, sell and reward in exchange for products and services, within the ecosystem of the platform.
Cryptocurrency is inspiring entrepreneurs to create startups, millennial generations to have ownership and association with their own currency of choices that they are craving and desire to make better choices in pursuit of their life quest.
Marketorders converging platform and its MOT Token [cryptocurrency] can be the lifeline the offline retailers need to transform. MOT will create the ability to transact with an opportunity to experience a smart retail phenomenon in the future of a cashless society. And we are still only at the very beginning in terms of seeing what blockchain technology can accomplish.
MOTokens [cryptocurrency] envisions and working towards a future where ultimately MOT, the native currency, will be the cryptocurrency of choice for millennials to spend, earn and transact in the digital world.
Our fresh and new strategic platform and approach will pave the way for offline retailers to engage with millennial generations in an experiential economy.
This will give millennials a direct say to how their community spends and supports the local retail scene.
To align the transformation of brick and mortar of the future and millennial thinkers in entering a new market free of centralization and rich with intelligence and innovation. The cryptocurrency may be just what is needed to enter the smart retail space.
Written by CEO & Founder, Ram Krishnna Rao
While the volatility is positive for speculative investors, it is also causing more hesitancy on the part of consumers to use it as a reliable fiat currency alternative. Unfortunately, the cryptocurrency craze has attracted too many ICO startups whose intentions are focused solely on watching their valuation being pushed to the pinnacle by the speculators. Often, there is no other utility outside of their cryptocurrency merely being a way to inflate their bank accounts.
MarketOrders solves the problem and challenges faced by offline retailers in dealing with millennial generations of consumers by creating a tech marketplace for them. Millenials are Smartphone driven and attention deficit and need to be able to access information on demand and on their mobiles.
photo credit: https://pixabay.com/en/office-meeting-business-partners-336368/
How is MarketOrders solving this challenges?
MarketOrders is bringing a Converging platform for offline retailers to future proof it by embracing new technologies using blockchain technology- NOT the least of which is the advent of cryptocurrency.
Blockchain invented a trust-less decentralized currency, owned and transacted by entire communities and movements. This could not be accomplished with traditional [fiat] currency in the circulation.
photo credit: https://pixabay.com/en/block-chain-shaking-hands-handshake-3468276/
For the first time in the modern history, communities can be served by currencies of choice without geographical boundaries, language, race, and religion restriction.
Despite a multifold of possibilities this new technology presents, it is critical that MarketOrders focuses initially on embracing this digital era and the millennial uprising that is causing disruption to offline retailers [brick and mortar].
This trend is being driven by a desire to tap into the rise of the experiential economy.
This experience became the blueprint for every brick and mortar shops. Digitization brings so much of convenience but customers are still looking for surprises and spontaneity in their shopping experience, which can only be achieved with a physical environment.
This actually creates positive tension between convenience and smart shopping with the experiential element to it and bring realization to an entire retail industry that in today’s digital and fast-moving technology world, only remain constant is the change.
Therefore, retailers are under pressure to move quickly to implement technology into their business. Retailers are constantly seeking technologies to both bolster customer experience and increase efficiency. To execute this vision of online and in-store experiences powered by technology, retailers need to leverage the critical skill sets of both business leaders and infrastructure and operations professionals, which can be very expensive for small retailers.
Written by CEO & Founder, Ram Krishnna Rao
