The convergence of industrial blockchain and digital finance is not just a possibility—it's an inevitability. This was the central theme delivered by Li Lin, founder of Huobi Group, during the "Infinite Future – 2020 Blockchain Age of Exploration" industry summit, marking the company’s seventh anniversary.
As one of the most influential voices in the blockchain space, Li Lin reflected on the evolution of the industry over the past seven years. What began as a niche technology centered around Bitcoin has evolved into a multifaceted ecosystem encompassing Ethereum, stablecoins, enterprise-grade blockchain applications, and global financial initiatives like Libra (now Diem). Each year has brought new innovations, reinforcing the idea that blockchain is more than just a financial tool—it's a foundational shift in how value is created, stored, and transferred.
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The Evolution from Blockchain 1.0 to 2.0
Li Lin emphasized that the blockchain journey has progressed through distinct phases. The initial phase—often referred to as Blockchain 1.0—was primarily about decentralized currency, with Bitcoin leading the charge as digital gold. However, the introduction of smart contracts through Ethereum marked the beginning of Blockchain 2.0, enabling programmable transactions and decentralized applications (dApps).
This evolution opened the door for broader use cases beyond peer-to-peer payments. Stablecoins emerged as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto, offering price stability while retaining the benefits of blockchain speed and transparency. Meanwhile, projects focused on industrial blockchain began gaining traction, applying distributed ledger technology (DLT) to supply chain management, healthcare records, and digital identity verification.
“Every year brings new breakthroughs,” Li Lin noted. “From pure currency experiments to real-world enterprise integration, we’re witnessing a maturation of the ecosystem.”
Regulatory Challenges in a Global Landscape
Despite rapid innovation, Li Lin acknowledged that regulatory uncertainty remains one of the biggest hurdles for widespread adoption. Much like the early days of the internet, blockchain technology operates across borders, creating tension with national laws and oversight mechanisms.
“Just as the internet enabled both unprecedented connectivity and misuse, blockchain faces similar scrutiny,” Li Lin explained. “Some countries embrace it with open arms; others impose strict controls. This fragmented regulatory environment mirrors what we saw during the dot-com era.”
He stressed that responsible development must go hand-in-hand with compliance. The goal isn’t to evade regulation but to work within evolving frameworks to build trustworthy systems that serve both individuals and institutions.
The Inevitable Fusion: Industrial Blockchain Meets Digital Finance
Looking ahead, Li Lin asserted that the next major leap will come from the deep integration of industrial blockchain and digital finance. While some blockchain applications—such as digital identity or notarization—don’t involve digital assets per se, they form critical trust infrastructure.
“The future society will run on industrial blockchain infrastructure,” Li Lin said. “This includes not only traditional digital assets like cryptocurrencies but also new forms such as tokenized real estate, carbon credits, or intellectual property rights.”
When combined with financial services, this infrastructure enables seamless value exchange across industries. For example:
- A manufacturer can tokenize equipment and use it as collateral for decentralized loans.
- A farmer in a developing country can prove land ownership via blockchain and access microcredit.
- Supply chain data verified on-chain can unlock instant trade financing.
This synergy creates what many call the "Value Internet"—a global network where data, ownership, and money flow transparently and securely.
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Don Tapscott on Blockchain’s Untapped Potential
Don Tapscott, widely recognized as the "father of the digital economy," also spoke at the summit. He echoed Li Lin’s optimism while highlighting key challenges.
One major obstacle, according to Tapscott, is the lack of standardized protocols. Without common technical and governance standards, interoperability between different blockchains remains limited. This fragmentation slows down enterprise adoption and confuses regulators.
Tapscott also addressed the persistent stigma linking blockchain to illicit activities. “It’s true that early adopters sometimes include bad actors,” he said. “But so did the internet in its infancy. What people fail to see is that blockchain actually makes crime easier to trace and prosecute due to its immutable ledger.”
He believes blockchain should be celebrated for enhancing accountability—not feared because of isolated misuse.
“Blockchain enables verifiable transactions,” Tapscott explained. “It transforms how businesses collaborate—allowing shared ledgers for logistics, joint ventures without intermediaries, and transparent tracking of everything from funds to physical goods.”
Building a New Paradigm Together
Both speakers agreed that no single company or country can drive this transformation alone. Collaboration among developers, enterprises, regulators, and academics is essential to establish a robust, inclusive digital economy.
Tapscott called for a collective effort to “build a new paradigm”—one where trust is encoded into systems rather than relying on centralized authorities.
This vision aligns closely with ongoing efforts in decentralized finance (DeFi), central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and tokenization of real-world assets—all pointing toward a future where finance and industry operate on shared, transparent networks.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is industrial blockchain?
A: Industrial blockchain refers to the application of distributed ledger technology in non-financial sectors such as supply chain management, healthcare, logistics, and government services. It focuses on improving transparency, traceability, and operational efficiency.
Q: How does digital finance differ from traditional finance?
A: Digital finance leverages technology—especially blockchain—to enable faster, cheaper, and more accessible financial services. It includes cryptocurrencies, DeFi platforms, mobile payments, and programmable money that can automate transactions based on predefined conditions.
Q: Why is regulatory clarity important for blockchain adoption?
A: Clear regulations help businesses innovate safely within legal boundaries. They protect consumers, prevent fraud, and encourage institutional investment—all crucial for mainstream adoption.
Q: Can blockchain really reduce financial crime?
A: Yes. Unlike cash or anonymous transactions, blockchain records are permanent and auditable. While pseudonymous, transactions can often be traced back to real identities through forensic analysis, making illicit activity riskier and less attractive.
Q: What role do stablecoins play in digital finance?
A: Stablecoins bridge traditional fiat currencies with blockchain systems. By maintaining a stable value (usually pegged to USD or other assets), they enable reliable pricing, remittances, lending, and trading within crypto ecosystems.
Q: Is the fusion of industrial blockchain and finance already happening?
A: Yes. Examples include tokenized commodities trading, supply-chain-backed lending, and asset-backed securities issued on blockchain platforms. These integrations are growing rapidly across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Core Keywords: industrial blockchain, digital finance, blockchain convergence, digital assets, decentralized finance (DeFi), value internet, tokenization, regulatory compliance