The new Blockchain Research Institute will conduct research into 30 specific projects across 8 sectors and industries.

Basing its activities in Toronto, the new institute is funded by a range of companies and governments. The specific aim of the global team is to explore blockchain use cases, opportunities and implementation challenges in commercial environments ranging from financial services to energy and resources.

Set up by Don and Alex Tapscott, other founding members include such luminaries as IBM, Accenture, NASDAQ, Pepsico and the Province of Ontario.

The Institute has also partnered with a number of affiliate organisations such as Hyperledger and the Chamber of Digital Commerce.

Ross Mauri, general manager of z Systems at IBM, said: “Blockchain has the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges – from streamlining trade, to establishing trust in transactions, to tracing provenance for food safety.

“By working with top experts from around the world, we’ll be able to take full advantage of blockchain’s inherent strengths – an openly governed, collaborative approach – to make global business more efficient and transparent for consumers.”

Interested in hearing leading global brands discuss subjects like this in person? Find out more at the Blockchain Expo World Series, Global, Europe and North America.