Latest news with #emergingtechnology

Finextra
4 days ago
- Business
- Finextra
Proof group launches block exporer for the Canton Network
Proof Group, a leading digital asset and emerging technology investment firm and one of the most active participants in the Canton ecosystem, is proud to announce the launch of the first-ever block explorer for the Canton Network. 0 This new tool provides unprecedented transparency into the network's transactions, participants, and overall activity- marking a milestone for the ecosystem and a significant step toward broader accessibility and engagement. The Canton Block Explorer enables developers, participants, and the broader blockchain community to view previously unavailable, real-time information about the network. For the first time, users can explore Canton Coin balances, validator connections, token transfers, governance proposals, and more- all through a user-friendly, open-access interface. 'This is the first time anyone can publicly see activity taking place on the Canton Network,' said Chris Matturri, Head of Infrastructure at Proof Group. 'Previously, all of this information was gated and privy only to participants in the ecosystem. Now, we're making it available to the world- demonstrating the real activity, value, and community forming within Canton.' "One of the core values of the Canton Network is to foster innovation across all of its participants. By showing the work being done, the progress we're making, and the firms involved, we're building trust and engagement. This block explorer is a direct reflection of that—making the network's activity and growth visible to foster a collaborative ecosystem," said Eric Saraniecki, Head of Network Strategy at Digital Asset. Key Features of the Explorer: • Balance Histories: real-time updates on the volume of Canton Coin on the Network. • Network Status: Monitor validator connections and performance. • Actor Profiles: Insight into the types of participants on-chain. • Live Feed: View up-to-the-moment network activity. • Burn Mechanism (Coming soon): Live view of how many tokens are being burned for economic activity on-chain. • Transfers & Tokenomics (Coming soon): Track token flows and asset movements. • Governance & Proposals (Coming soon): Insights into current and proposed network decisions are being made, and who's involved. • Apps & Subscriptions (Coming soon): See how apps are being utilized across the network. The explorer sets a new standard for transparency in private blockchain environments. Built with proprietary technology, it allows both advanced users and newcomers to gain insights similar to public tools like Etherscan, but tailored for the unique structure and privacy-preserving nature of the Canton Network. The initial launch is just the beginning. Future updates will include a dedicated Applications Layer, enabling deeper visibility into app-specific activity within the network. This includes enhanced insights into deployments, user interactions, and other critical metrics for decentralized finance and enterprise use cases.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How To Diversify Your Portfolio With Real Estate and Emerging Tech
If you've heard one piece of investing advice, it's that you need to diversify your portfolio. It sounds good, but as you nod your head, you might wonder how exactly you can go further than the healthy mix of asset classes, sectors and even geographic regions you already have in place. Learn More: Check Out: However, every smart investor — whether you've been swimming in the sea of stocks for a while now or just started dipping your toe in — knows that you've got to regularly review your portfolio to determine when and how to change things up. Adding real estate investments, as well as companies that produce emerging technology, can provide new opportunities for growth while helping manage risk over time. While these industries may be new to you, it's easier to get started investing in them than you might think — especially if you follow a few simple tips. One of the core benefits of adding real estate to your portfolio is the fact that real estate doesn't always trend with the stock market — meaning that even if there's volatility on Wall Street, that doesn't mean it'll hit your investments on Main Street. In addition, property values generally tend to increase over time due to factors like inflation, demand and limited land supply. You also enjoy great flexibility in how you approach real estate investing: You have the option of buying a property, or multiple properties, so you can rent them out to other people, either as long-term rentals or short-term vacation stays through platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo. Even if being a landlord seems overwhelming to you, you can outsource the day-to-day management to a property manager. If your rental income covers those costs, you could still walk away with a solid profit. Explore More: That said, if you don't want to take on the responsibilities of direct, hands-on property ownership — or don't have the capital to do it — you might consider a real estate investment trust (REIT). A REIT is a publicly traded company that owns or finances income-producing real estate, such as shopping centers, apartment complexes or office buildings. You can buy shares in a REIT just like you would a stock through any brokerage account. The perks of investing in a REIT? It's highly liquid and requires a low minimum investment. It also pays dividends regularly, typically on a quarterly basis. That said, because REITs trade like stocks, you do have less control over the underlying assets and may experience market volatility. There's a whole world of emerging technologies out there, from AI to blockchain to green energy, and they're attractive investments not only because they reflect the direction of the future, but also because they allow you to put your money into areas that excite and inspire you. If you're excited about the potential of artificial intelligence, you can invest directly in AI-focused companies like Nvidia, Microsoft or other firms partnered with OpenAI. You can also explore AI-specific ETFs and mutual funds that provide broader exposure. If blockchain or crypto sparks your interest, you can invest in cryptocurrencies directly or in blockchain-related stocks, such as Coinbase. There are also blockchain ETFs and other investment vehicles focused on building infrastructure, scalability and security in the decentralized ecosystem. Environmentalists who want to invest in green energy have their pick of renewable energy stocks and green bonds, which finance eco-friendly initiatives. You can also consider ETFs and mutual funds centered around environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. When you're assembling your real estate portfolio, you can further diversify by property type — residential, commercial, industrial or even vacation rentals. Likewise, with emerging tech, spreading your investments across different sub-sectors like AI, biotech, clean energy and blockchain can help reduce risk while boosting potential returns. To put it simply: Real estate can provide recurring income, through tenant rent or REIT dividends, while also helping to hedge against inflation. Emerging tech, on the other hand, may offer a little more sizzle in terms of growth potential, though it tends to be more volatile and may not produce consistent short-term cash flow. As always, your best strategy is to regularly review your portfolio and make sure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. Diversification isn't just about owning many different investments — it's about owning the right mix to support your financial future. More From GOBankingRates 4 Things You Should Do When Your Salary Hits $100K If a Financial Advisor Doesn't Ask These 5 Questions in Your Consult, Keep Shopping 5 Steps to Take if You Want To Create Generational Wealth Robert Kiyosaki: 5 Money Habits of People Who Retire Early This article originally appeared on How To Diversify Your Portfolio With Real Estate and Emerging Tech Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How To Diversify Your Portfolio With Real Estate and Emerging Tech
If you've heard one piece of investing advice, it's that you need to diversify your portfolio. It sounds good, but as you nod your head, you might wonder how exactly you can go further than the healthy mix of asset classes, sectors and even geographic regions you already have in place. Learn More: Check Out: However, every smart investor — whether you've been swimming in the sea of stocks for a while now or just started dipping your toe in — knows that you've got to regularly review your portfolio to determine when and how to change things up. Adding real estate investments, as well as companies that produce emerging technology, can provide new opportunities for growth while helping manage risk over time. While these industries may be new to you, it's easier to get started investing in them than you might think — especially if you follow a few simple tips. One of the core benefits of adding real estate to your portfolio is the fact that real estate doesn't always trend with the stock market — meaning that even if there's volatility on Wall Street, that doesn't mean it'll hit your investments on Main Street. In addition, property values generally tend to increase over time due to factors like inflation, demand and limited land supply. You also enjoy great flexibility in how you approach real estate investing: You have the option of buying a property, or multiple properties, so you can rent them out to other people, either as long-term rentals or short-term vacation stays through platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo. Even if being a landlord seems overwhelming to you, you can outsource the day-to-day management to a property manager. If your rental income covers those costs, you could still walk away with a solid profit. Explore More: That said, if you don't want to take on the responsibilities of direct, hands-on property ownership — or don't have the capital to do it — you might consider a real estate investment trust (REIT). A REIT is a publicly traded company that owns or finances income-producing real estate, such as shopping centers, apartment complexes or office buildings. You can buy shares in a REIT just like you would a stock through any brokerage account. The perks of investing in a REIT? It's highly liquid and requires a low minimum investment. It also pays dividends regularly, typically on a quarterly basis. That said, because REITs trade like stocks, you do have less control over the underlying assets and may experience market volatility. There's a whole world of emerging technologies out there, from AI to blockchain to green energy, and they're attractive investments not only because they reflect the direction of the future, but also because they allow you to put your money into areas that excite and inspire you. If you're excited about the potential of artificial intelligence, you can invest directly in AI-focused companies like Nvidia, Microsoft or other firms partnered with OpenAI. You can also explore AI-specific ETFs and mutual funds that provide broader exposure. If blockchain or crypto sparks your interest, you can invest in cryptocurrencies directly or in blockchain-related stocks, such as Coinbase. There are also blockchain ETFs and other investment vehicles focused on building infrastructure, scalability and security in the decentralized ecosystem. Environmentalists who want to invest in green energy have their pick of renewable energy stocks and green bonds, which finance eco-friendly initiatives. You can also consider ETFs and mutual funds centered around environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. When you're assembling your real estate portfolio, you can further diversify by property type — residential, commercial, industrial or even vacation rentals. Likewise, with emerging tech, spreading your investments across different sub-sectors like AI, biotech, clean energy and blockchain can help reduce risk while boosting potential returns. To put it simply: Real estate can provide recurring income, through tenant rent or REIT dividends, while also helping to hedge against inflation. Emerging tech, on the other hand, may offer a little more sizzle in terms of growth potential, though it tends to be more volatile and may not produce consistent short-term cash flow. As always, your best strategy is to regularly review your portfolio and make sure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. Diversification isn't just about owning many different investments — it's about owning the right mix to support your financial future. More From GOBankingRates 4 Things You Should Do When Your Salary Hits $100K If a Financial Advisor Doesn't Ask These 5 Questions in Your Consult, Keep Shopping 5 Steps to Take if You Want To Create Generational Wealth Robert Kiyosaki: 5 Money Habits of People Who Retire Early This article originally appeared on How To Diversify Your Portfolio With Real Estate and Emerging Tech Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Coin Geek
09-05-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
Food industry progress stifled by outdated tech: report
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... New research has raised alarm over the slow pace of emerging technology adoption in the food industry compared to other key sectors. According to the research by TraceGains, the global food and beverage sector is facing dire risks of falling behind in the digitization trend, given its reliance on outdated technologies. The research surveyed 165 executives in the food industry, with analysts highlighting an underwhelming appetite for next-gen tech. TraceGains' report says 69% of firms are dependent on manual systems for their operational process. Over a third of firms lean on fax and spreadsheets for day-to-day operations compared to their peers in other industries with similar market capitalizations. 'The clock is ticking for food and beverage brands plagued by outdated ERP software and slow-moving consulting models that no longer serve the needs of today's market,' said Paul Bradley, Senior Director of Product Marketing. Analysts at TraceGains note that legacy workflows in the food and beverage industry have remained unchanged for nearly three decades. The report notes that the slow pace of change causes companies to risk breaching regulatory compliance rules, negatively affecting productivity and efficiency. 82% of respondents are on increasing their investment in improving their internal processes with emerging technologies. The surveyed executives say improving internal production and efficiency is a key driver in integrating emerging technologies into their operations, while others are eyeing the cost benefits. However, the research notes that 60% of firms in the sector remain in the implementation phase. The research highlights the challenge of steep implementation costs and the complexities associated with emerging technologies. The lowest-hanging fruit for firms in the food industry keen to embrace digitization appears to be artificial intelligence (AI) systems for automation. On the other hand, some companies are adopting blockchain technology for its immutability and transparency perks for supply chain use cases. Rising use cases for emerging technologies A few pioneers, including countries, are exploring blockchain in the food and beverages sector. In the supply chain sector, firms are leaning on Web3 solutions to protect consumers from fake products, allowing consumers to track provenance. In Vietnam and Malaysia, companies are turning to blockchain to authenticate halal certificates. A handful of firms have launched non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to explore novel solutions to interact and engage with consumers. Digital payments are changing the landscape for law firms Meanwhile, a new report from U.K.-based legal technology company Legl has highlighted a growing trend among law firms and clients embracing digital payment solutions. Legl says clients are opting for digital payment solutions in droves, ditching the use of cash and bank transfers. Per the report, 66% of clients retaining the services of a lawyer are turning to online payment methods to settle their legal bills, a big jump since 2020. Dubbed the 2025 UK Midsize Law Firm Priorities Report, Legl's analyst says only 1 in 5 law firm clients rely on cash payments for legal services. Less than 20% of clients prefer bank transfers to settle bills, with cheques also recording a steep decline. Credit card usage is holding its own with a 46% dominance, but could see its market share reduce in the coming years. Legl notes that credit cards may lose their place to digital wallets, open banking, embedded payments, and other emerging payment trends in the coming years. Legl is pioneering its embedded payment functionalities following a partnership with Adyen to streamline payment for legal services. 'Using a portal, like the one Legl provides, is more secure and gives clients more peace of mind when sharing this kind of information,' said Burnett and Reid practice manager Helen Strachan. While clients enjoy the perks of digitization in payments, the report identifies a string of benefits for law firms. By moving away from traditional bank transfers, law firms are recovering scores of man-hours while shortening payment times for legal services. 'Clients started using payment links almost immediately, and our finance team found that many clients now pay more quickly than they would have otherwise,' said Julia Taylor, director of client services at Debenhams Ottaway. 'In fact, we've saved 60-70 hours across 600+ payments.' The report notes that digital payments will allow firms to access real-time analytics and data. There is a consensus that payments are likely to be settled earlier if invoices are submitted at the start of the week, a trend observed using digital payment systems. Finally, the integration of AI and blockchain-based functionalities is expected to help law firms achieve regulatory compliance. Digital payments are gathering significant steam Digital payments are set to record high growth in the coming years. According to a report, the vertical will process payment volumes exceeding $3.8 trillion in 2025, a significant leap from previous years. The research tips stablecoins and digital assets to make up a significant slice of the volume, with the U.S. said to lead the market. However, the Asia Pacific will challenge America's dominance with a strong push led by Hong Kong and Singapore. Watch | Tech of Tomorrow: Diving into the impact of tech in shaping the future title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">