Blockchain and Development: Good or Bad?
Published: 2024-02-28 14:55:49

Blockchain seems to do pretty well at developing things - just look at the entire crypto ecosystem that runs on blockchain technology. And that technology is something brands are using more and more, along with crypto. Over 15,000 brands worldwide accept bitcoin, and if you Google “[what is the price of bitcoin today](https://www.binance.com/en-GB/price/bitcoin)?”, you'll see it's performing well
. 
But do you think blockchain will be the next best thing for development? Let's explore.

##Blockchains Evolution 

Blockchains evolution has been rapid. And it's only really in the last few years that it's happened. Before that, people simply wouldn't trust it. But it would seem that lately, and finally, adoption is growing. Blockchain started when bitcoin did - but it's far from what it used to be. Now, there are literally thousands of blocks on the blockchain.

And it's expected that there's going to be many thousands more added in the next few years. Do you think this is good or bad? We think it's good. There are [so many benefits and perks](https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/feature/Top-10-benefits-of-blockchain-technology-for-business) to decentralized applications and developing using blockchain technology:

● Trust
● Decentralized structure
● Speed
● Visibility and traceability
● Individual control of data

Blockchain's Potential in Development

Blockchain's allure lies in its promise to foster transparency, efficiency, and trust in development projects. By creating immutable ledgers and eliminating intermediaries, blockchain can streamline processes, reduce fraud, and enhance accountability. In sectors like aid distribution, land registration, and education, blockchain can be a game-changer, ensuring that resources reach their intended destinations without leakage or corruption.

However, the technology's nascent state means that its integration into development is still an experiment. Recent statistics aren't out, but at the end of 2022, one study found the number of people using DeFi applications had jumped from 91,000 to almost five million. And considering we're in the early stages of development and adoption. Still, there are some projects with technical, financial, or societal hurdles. 

It's just not that easy.

##Blockchain's Role in Inclusive Development

People are talking about blockchain and inclusive development, and it makes sense. By providing an open, decentralized platform that everyone can access (almost always for free), blockchain technology empowers developers worldwide. They can contribute, engage with, and learn from the global tech community. And the technology is incredible. 

With the rapid pace of its development, there's a lot of potential to earn good money. The blockchain technology industry was valued at $17.57 billion in 2023, with a prediction to reach $469.49 billion by the end of 2030. Those numbers speak for themselves, don't they?

What do we love about it? This technology democratizes the development process. It allows developers from any background to participate in building, innovating, and deploying blockchain-based applications. It's a game-changer for developers in underserved regions.

However, harnessing blockchain's full potential for inclusive development means addressing the digital skills gap. You can't just jump on it and do what you want, obviously. But we do think it's easier and better to use.

##Blockchain's Risks and Rewards

Blockchain technology has risks and rewards. So does 'normal' technology.

Its capacity to ensure transparency and enhance security is revolutionary. There's simply nothing like it. Using it for developing applications is some of the best technology to use if you know how to use it. We suppose one of the risks at the minute is not everyone is using it. It's more common for businesses and investors to use it. The selling pool is limited. 

You could say blockchain's strengths are also its weaknesses. The environmental impact of energy-intensive consensus mechanisms, like mining Bitcoin, is crazy. It's not always efficient to be part of the blockchain network and use it. 

And people love to rave about the immutability of blockchain. Yes, it's beneficial for security. But there are risks and challenges. If incorrect or fraudulent data gets onto the ledger, it can cause endless issues - especially for security, validity, and trustworthiness.

The issue is that regulatory and legal frameworks can't keep up. There are still many legal uncertainties and compliance challenges with blockchain technology - some developers struggle to navigate it.

##Blockchain's Always Evolving

The way blockchain technology is evolving is mindblowing - and it's thanks to the fact it's no longer an outcast. People are interested in its potential and developing it. It's the same with crypto. Spot Bitcoin EFTs changed everything by merging centralized financial systems with decentralized ones. The same is happening with blockchain. Decentralized technology is helping centralized businesses.

Still, the one thing that's likely to change blockchain technology in 2024, and perhaps not in a positive way, is regulation changes. Some argue it'll enhance blockchain by making it more secure, while others think it'll restrict developments.

It'll be interesting to see how blockchain develops in 2024 and whether more people will use it. According to statistics, 27% of developers globally are either learning about or working on blockchain projects. 28% of developers globally are interested in blockchain applications. We'd say the future of blockchain technology and development is bright. 

So, do you think using blockchain for development is good? Open source definitely has its perks and risks - but we do think it's good. But what's everyone talking about at the minute? Artificial intelligence for development. But that's a conversation for another article.