{"id":142986,"date":"2018-11-28T04:35:51","date_gmt":"2018-11-28T09:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=142986"},"modified":"2018-11-28T04:39:07","modified_gmt":"2018-11-28T09:39:07","slug":"ictp-033-emerging-opportunities-cryptocurrencies-digital-currencies-blockchain-technology-caribbean-gabriel-abed-bitt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2018\/11\/ictp-033-emerging-opportunities-cryptocurrencies-digital-currencies-blockchain-technology-caribbean-gabriel-abed-bitt\/","title":{"rendered":"ICTP 033: Emerging opportunities in cryptocurrencies, digital currencies and blockchain technology in the Caribbean, with Gabriel Abed of Bitt"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cryptocurrencies, digital currencies and blockchain technology have gained considerable prominence in the last two to three years, and many countries across the Caribbean region have been actively exploring how they can capitalise on the opportunities such technologies afford. Gabriel Abed, one of the co-Founders of fintech firm, Bitt, and a leading voice in the digital currency evolution in the Caribbean, helps us to understand how those technologies can help the Caribbean leapfrog to become digital leaders, and how the ordinary consumer, as well as tech entrepreneurs, should approach that space.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/iframe><\/p>\nThis episode is also available in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast\/id1373550291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple iTunes<\/a>\u00a0and on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast?refid=stpr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stitcher<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\nOver the past year or so, a week has not gone by when cryptocurrencies, digital currencies or blockchain technology was not in the news. Whether it was the high market value of Bitcoin, or its drastic and swift decline, or countries across the world, including right here in Caribbean, actively exploring issuing their own digital currency, or eagerly looking for ways to secure first-mover advantage in the blockchain space, these technologies have sparked the curiosity not only of techies and business people, but also the Ordinary Joe, who is wondering how he can also jump on that bandwagon.<\/p>\nHere in the Caribbean, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bitt<\/a>, a financial technology company, headquartered in Barbados, that offers a digital currency exchange and mobile money services, first began to gain regional\/mainstream attention in around 2016, when it launched its mobile money wallet, following the earlier establishment of its digital currency exchange. Since then, the company has broadened and deepened its service offerings, but more importantly, it has cemented some strategic relationships with Caribbean central banks, such as in Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, Cura\u00e7ao and Sint Maarten, to support those institutions in evaluating whether to issue their own digital currencies and\/or in implementing pilot programmes that use blockchain technology.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_142988\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142988\" data-attachment-id=\"142988\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2018\/11\/ictp-033-emerging-opportunities-cryptocurrencies-digital-currencies-blockchain-technology-caribbean-gabriel-abed-bitt\/gabriel-abed-bitt\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Gabriel-Abed-Bitt.jpg?fit=400%2C400&ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,400\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}\" data-image-title=\"Gabriel Abed (Bitt)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"Gabriel Abed<\/p>\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Gabriel-Abed-Bitt.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Gabriel-Abed-Bitt.jpg?fit=400%2C400&ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-142988\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Gabriel-Abed-Bitt.jpg?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Gabriel-Abed-Bitt.jpg?w=400&ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Gabriel-Abed-Bitt.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Gabriel-Abed-Bitt.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/>Gabriel Abed<\/p><\/div>\nIt was thus a privilege to speak with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/gabrielabed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gabriel Abed<\/a>, one of the Founders of Bitt Inc. who is recognised as a leading Caribbean authority on digital currencies, mathematics-based protocols and blockchain technology. He is also internationally-acknowledged as a pioneer in the digital currency evolution, having led the movement of central bank-issued cryptocurrencies, plus discussions on the subject of blockchain technology at organisations including, the Caribbean Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the United Nations, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.<\/p>\nSo, in chatting with Gabriel, we covered cryptocurrencies, digital currencies and blockchain technology \u2013 all of which are interconnected and are being actively explored in the Caribbean region. Also, in light of Gabriel\u2019s depth and breadth of knowledge and experience, and on behalf of you, our audience, we sought his advice on how the Average Joe and entrepreneurs can capitalise on the opportunities that are emerging. Topics covered during the interview were:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Key trends currently occurring in the digital currency\/cryptocurrency space<\/li>\n<li>Whether cryptocurrencies are experiencing a bubble<\/li>\n<li>What might be spurring the interest of Caribbean countries in blockchain and cryptocurrencies, and even the plans to issue their own digital currency<\/li>\n<li>What Bitt is about, and what drove Gabriel and his fellow co-Founder, Oliver Gale, to set up the company<\/li>\n<li>Whether there was a time when Gabriel\u2019s confidence in his idea was shaken, and if so, how he managed to keep the faith<\/li>\n<li>Whether Gabriel and his team had to pivot Bitt, and how the business concept\/model evolved from what was initially envisaged<\/li>\n<li>Where Gabriel sees Bitt in the next 2\u20143 years<\/li>\n<li>In light of the ambivalence, volatility, etc., that has been experienced in the cryptocurrency space, Gabriel\u2019s advice on how consumers and\/or vendors could trust their money on platforms, such as Bitt<\/li>\n<li>Gabriel\u2019s advice give to a new, entrepreneurs who might be eager to develop digital payments, e-commerce, crypto-currency investment, blockchain-based products or services<\/li>\n<li>Gabriel\u2019s thoughts on the requirements for countries to have a vibrant and effective digital payments and crypto-currency environment that is investor-sensitive and yet, protective of the consumer.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nWe would love to hear your thoughts!<\/p>\nDo leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ICTPulse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/ict-pulse-consulting-limited\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a> pages, or via Twitter, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ICTPulse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@ICTPulse<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<h3>Select links<\/h3>\nBelow are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/gabrielabed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gabriel Abed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bitt<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Article, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jamaicaobserver.com\/business\/Much-more-than-a-Bitt_80514\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Much more than a Bitt<\/a> <\/em><\/li>\n<li>Article, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eccb-centralbank.org\/news\/view\/eccb-to-embark-on-blockchain-pilot-initiative-with-bitt-inc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ECCB to Embark on Blockchain Pilot Initiative With Bitt Inc.<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li>Article, <a href=\"https:\/\/blocktribune.com\/cryptocurrency-firm-bitt-signs-mou-with-another-caribbean-central-bank\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cryptocurrency Firm Bitt Signs MOU With Another Caribbean Central Bank<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li>Article, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/dantedisparte\/2018\/09\/28\/crypto-caribbean-the-worlds-most-idyllic-blockchain-sandbox\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Crypto-Caribbean: The World’s Most Idyllic Blockchain Sandbox\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li>Article, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coinspeaker.com\/the-central-bank-of-the-bahamas-to-introduce-a-digital-currency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Central Bank of The Bahamas to Introduce a Digital Currency<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li>Article, <a href=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/news\/bahamas-central-bank-to-launch-pilot-digital-currency\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bahamas Central Bank to Launch Pilot Digital Currency<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Article, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coindesk.com\/bermudas-blockchain-strategy-goes-beyond-just-winning-new-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bermuda\u2019s Blockchain Strategy Goes Beyond Just Winning New Business<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Article, <a href=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/news\/bermuda-to-create-new-class-of-bank-for-serving-fintech-and-blockchain-companies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bermuda to Create New Class of Bank for Serving Fintech and Blockchain Companies<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nImage credits:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/torange.biz\/fx\/digital-money-background-173379\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">torange.biz<\/a>;\u00a0 Bitt<\/em><\/p>\nMusic credit: Ray Holman<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cryptocurrencies, digital currencies and blockchain technology have gained considerable prominence in the last two to three years, and many countries across the Caribbean region have been actively exploring how they […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":142992,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[355],"tags":[283,336,71,332,324,305,357,15],"class_list":["post-142986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-bitcoin","tag-blockchain","tag-businesses","tag-cryptocurrency","tag-digital-currencies","tag-digital-economy","tag-interviews","tag-trends","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Digital-money-USD-dollar-background-torange.biz_.jpg?fit=1024%2C601&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-Bce","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142986"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143022,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142986\/revisions\/143022"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/142992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}