WSJ Picks Five Blockchain Firms in Their List of Tech Companies to Watch this Year

The Wall Street Journal has made a list of 25 technology firms to watch this year. It features a total of five different blockchain companies, as well those dedicated to researching cyber security and artificial intelligence.

In case you didn’t realise, NewsBTC is all about Bitcoin and blockchain. For that reason, we’re only going to discuss the WSJ picks that relate to those sectors. You can find the full list of the companies over at the Wall Street Journal’s website though.

#2

Blockstream Corp.

The WSJ’s highest ranked blockchain or cryptocurrency firm was Blockstream Corp. This Montreal start-up was founded in 2014 by a team including Dr. Adam Back, Matt Corallo, and Alexander Fowler. It currently employees a total of 50 staff.

Blockstream Corp. are currently working on the Bitcoin network, trying to develop technology to facilitate micropayments. They’re also looking to create a cryptocurrency data feed with the Intercontinental Exchange.

#6

R3

A company that we recently reported about here at NewsBTC also made the WSJ list. R3 are their number six pick. Last week, there were rumours circulating that they were operating at a loss. However, the company itself deny these reports.

R3 are developing a blockchain-based platform dedicated to facilitating secure transactions between companies and financial institutions. They’re based in New York and were founded in 2015.

#11

Digital Asset Holdings LLC

Another blockchain company that has clearly impressed the staff at the Wall Street Journal is Digital Asset Holdings LLC. Like R3, this New York-based firm has been working on making transactions between financial institutions quick and secure. They’re also working closely with Australia’s biggest stock exchange to revamp their back end.

#12

Brave Software Inc.

Brave were founded in 2015 by Brian Bondy and Brendan Eich. The company currently employs 60 staff and is based in San Francisco.

Brave successfully launched their own privacy-focused browser package last year. They’ve also been working on next generation online advertising solutions with their BAT token. Also exciting is their recent partnership with Dow Jones.

#13

Abra

Abra was founded in 2014 by Bill Barhydt and James D. Robinson. Their California-based company currently employs a 50-strong staff. Abra’s official name is actually Plutus Financial Inc.

Abra have developed a mobile application to help users invest in 25 different digital assets and 50 fiat currencies. The wallet service they provide allows users to track prices and exchange their various currencies.

The last time we reported on the Wall Street Journal in connection with the blockchain space was for altogether less positive reasons. Last month, they declared that a massive 271 initial coin offerings (ICOs) exhibited some form of red flag indicating that some form of fraud was occurring. These warning signs included guaranteed risk-free services, insanely high percentage returns, and celebrity endorsements.

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