> That is exactly the opposite of what most software vendors and similar want. They want more control over the assets they release, not less. Maybe? The abilit

> That is exactly the opposite of what most software vendors and similar want. They want more control over the assets they release, not less. Maybe? The ability for something like this didn't exist before, maybe an entrepreneur will come up with something new and valuable around the licensing use-case. I also don't know if such a blanket statement about "most software vendors" can be asserted. > If the asset is financial in nature, this is basically illegal. KYC and AML laws still apply, even to crypto, as do other related securities law. Major companies like Coinbase and Circle are not violating any laws. They have lawyers, licenses, and so on. Just because something is regulated, doesn't mean an entrepreneur can't invent a new and innovative product - they just comply with the laws and regulations. > If the asset is physical, you have to solve the issue of making the blockchain match reality. I know you said there's a ton of work being done in that space, but I have yet to see a lot of solutions. Time will tell, I agree. > Given the rate of bugs in "smart" contracts, that is not an appealing pitch. Active area of research and development, such as formally verified computation. I would bet that technologists are more likely to solve this issue than not. > I also find that the people angriest at the middlemen often know the least about why the middlemen exist. Hint: they often provide a service to match their fees. Sure, but if the same service can be provided at drastically reduced cost, then it's a win, and blockchain may be able to do this. Middlemen exist for reasons, but that doesn't mean they can't be disrupted. > It's also a fantastic way to lose your shirt. Investing in anything is risky, let alone seed-stage startups on unproven technology, but luckily there is an industry that funds such risky endeavors. > You basically said "anything could happen". If your prediction is basically "anything", why bother prognosticating? You are making the bear-case for crypto and blockchain, while I am an optimist making the bull-case. I'm basically saying that a huge amount of potential is there, and writing it all off as worthless or barely useful at best in October 2018 is very premature.