Bitcoin, Blockchain Go Bigtime: A Look Back at Crypto Currencies & Distributed Ledgers in 2015

There is no topic with a more meteoric rise in 2015 than digital currency and the technology that backs it. "Bitcoin" (the crypto currency) and "blockchain" (the distributed ledger) went from being two words rarely uttered at financial technology conferences to being on the tip of seemingly everyone's tongue. 

It wasn't just those on the outskirts of the industry, such as fintechs and small firms looking for a new and unique way to get an edge. Major players, including most of the big banks, now have some type of project or innovation lab that includes a focus on distributed ledgers and, specifically, blockchain technology.

There is still a lot to be decided about the future of digital currency, but it seems one thing is at least clear: Bitcoin and blockchain are no longer strictly mutually inclusive. Dipping one's toe in the blockchain waters doesn't necessarily mean you're required to get involved in bitcoin as well. This holds especially true for those more established firms, who feel there still is a bit of a dark cloud surrounding bitcoin and its checkered past.

As you'll see below, the two topics provided us plenty of content. We've compiled some of the best material over the past year, but to take a look into our full catalogue, simply click on the blockchain or bitcoin tags here.

Deep Dive into Digital Currencies

It seems only right that we start things off with the two features we published on bitcoin and blockchain this year, both written by Tim Bourgaize Murray. The first looks at how those in the swaps industry are looking at building platforms for trading and hedging digital currencies. The second looks at what the potential future is for blockchain.

Bitcoin Comes of Age as New Technology Questions Follow

Off the Chain: The Blockchain Battle

Big Players Getting on Board

One of the big reasons why digital currency seems to be such a hot topic throughout the industry is because of the amount of respected firms that have shown a willingness to get involved. It seemed every week there was another announcement from an exchange or bank showing interest in bitcoin or blockchain via partnerships or innovation labs.

NYSE Invest in Bitcoin Wallet and Platform

IBM Interested in Blockchain Technology, According to Report

UBS to Launch Blockchain Lab

First Bitcoin-Based Security Authorized on Nasdaq Stockholm

Bitcoin Tech Firm Circle Financial Gets $50 Million Boost from Goldman Sachs

Nasdaq OMX Adopts Blockchain for Private Markets

NYSE Offers Exchange-Calculated Bitcoin Index, with More to Come

With Order, CFTC Officially Deems Bitcoin a Regulated Commodity

Symbiont Issues First Smart Securities on Bitcoin Blockchain (BST version)

The Case For, and Against, Digital Currencies

Those in the industry have also been happy to offer their opinion on the pros and cons of getting involved in crypto-currencies.

While Blockchain Inches Closer, Final Capital Markets Leap Remains a Mystery, Panelists Say

US Secret Service Agent Critical of Digital Currency (BST version)

Downshire Manager Supports Blockchain Technology in Settlement Process (BST version)

Blockchain Specialist Symbiont Targets Diverse ‘Smart Securities' Applications (BST version) 

Everyone has an Opinion, Including Us!

It's only natural that our own team infused some of their personal opinion into the ongoing debate around digital currencies. As you'll see, the aforementioned Murray and US editor Anthony Malakian both gave their two cents multiple times on the topic.

A Curious Moment for Currencies, Old and New

Regulators Mandating Cyber-Related Technologies? Pump the Breaks

Bitcoin Continues to Grow in the Capital Markets - Couples with a Healthy Dose of Wariness

Blockchain, Meet M15?

Divorcing Bitcoin from Blockchain

A Heady Debate at the Intersection of Bitcoin and Blockchain