Core Insights - Blockchain technology has transcended the financial sector, impacting areas such as law, management, supply chain, and public governance, promising a new paradigm of trust through decentralized consensus [1] - The proliferation of blockchain-related projects has led to a conceptual and value confusion, challenging scholars to discern genuine academic value amidst the noise [1] - A systematic understanding of the technology's essence is essential for identifying worthwhile academic directions in blockchain research [1] Group 1: Academic Resources - "Research on Chinese Strategies for Developing Blockchain Payment Systems" focuses on China's strategic development of blockchain payment systems, providing a theoretical framework based on three major economic theories: the "trilemma theory," "free currency theory," and "transaction cost theory" [2][5] - "International Handbook of Blockchain Law" offers an in-depth analysis of blockchain technology principles, regulatory policies, smart contracts, data privacy, capital markets, and crypto-assets, serving as a crucial reference for legal practitioners and scholars [2][7] - "Convergence of Blockchain, Internet of Everything, and Federated Learning for Security" explores the integration of blockchain with IoE and federated learning to enhance digital ecosystem security, emphasizing its importance in modern digital environments [2][10] Group 2: Practical Guides - "Blockchain Technology for the Engineering and Service Sectors" serves as a guide for leveraging blockchain technology to drive cross-industry innovation and efficiency, discussing current challenges and future prospects [2][12] - "Hands-On Blockchain for Python Developers" is a practical guide for Python developers, detailing how to build decentralized applications using Python and related frameworks, covering essential topics like smart contracts and secure content storage [2][15]

Core Insights - Ant International is leveraging AI and blockchain technology to expand into global corporate cash management, processing funds amounting to $1.1 trillion annually [1][2] - The company’s AI model can predict foreign exchange demand with 90% accuracy, while its blockchain system enables cross-border payments to be completed in 30 seconds, reducing costs from tens of dollars to a few cents and decreasing capital occupation by 60% [1][4] Business Model - Ant International's revenue model is based on sharing a percentage of the savings generated for clients, with current annual revenue nearing $3 billion [2][6] - The company has transitioned approximately 35% of its cash management operations to its self-built blockchain system, completing 300,000 transactions last year [2][5] Technology and Innovation - The core technology of Ant International includes an AI algorithm that predicts corporate currency needs by analyzing various data points, including shipping rates, weather forecasts, and market fluctuations [3][4] - The updated big data model set to launch in 2024 will enhance predictive capabilities, allowing for hourly-level forecasts and better handling of transaction surges [3] Competitive Landscape - Ant International's blockchain payment system bypasses traditional banking networks, significantly lowering transaction costs compared to the SWIFT system, which typically charges $10 to $50 per transaction [4][5] - Major banks, including HSBC and Standard Chartered, have signed on to connect with Ant's blockchain system, indicating strong institutional interest [2][5] Market Dynamics - As cross-border transactions continue to grow, competitors like Amazon and JPMorgan are also developing similar AI capabilities and blockchain payment systems [7]