The Future of Blockchain: A Decisively Digital Conversation with Philipp Sandner

Philipp Sandner is a prominent voice in blockchain innovation. As head of the FSBC, his expertise spans blockchain technology, crypto-assets, the programmable digital euro, tokenization, and digital identity. In this Decisively Digital Conversation, we discuss the evolution of blockchain from its Bitcoin origins to the transformative potential of smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi), and beyond.

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Alexander Loth: What is your mission as head of the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center?

Philipp Sandner:
Our mission at FSBC is to drive blockchain adoption across industries, governments, and academia. The focus is on educating the next generation of innovators—our students—while supporting decision-makers in corporations and policymakers. Blockchain has proven its potential to reshape global systems, from supply chains to financial services, offering unprecedented transparency, efficiency, and security.

One of the most exciting developments is the European Union’s proactive approach to blockchain. Initiatives like the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) aim to build a robust foundation for trusted digital services. It’s inspiring to see young professionals and students eager to embrace this technology, laying the groundwork for its integration into industries and governments.

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Alexander Loth: Since its inception in 2008 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin has ignited global interest in blockchain. What lessons can we draw from the operation of this revolutionary blockchain?

Philipp Sandner:
Bitcoin’s most remarkable achievement is its resilience and trustless architecture. Over 15 years, it has grown from a 10-page whitepaper to a $1 trillion market capitalization at its peak, supported by thousands of independent nodes worldwide.

The beauty of Bitcoin lies in its simplicity—a decentralized ledger that ensures transparency, security, and immutability. The first-mover advantage remains a critical factor, much like Facebook’s dominance in social media. Even with competing cryptocurrencies and technologies, Bitcoin’s network effect has solidified its position as „digital gold.“

In 2024, we see increased integration of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies into mainstream financial ecosystems. The growing acceptance of Bitcoin ETFs and institutional adoption further demonstrates its staying power. However, challenges like energy consumption and scalability remain focal points for innovation.

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Alexander Loth: Energy consumption has been a significant critique of Bitcoin. How is the blockchain industry addressing this?

Philipp Sandner:
Bitcoin’s energy usage has sparked intense debates, but the narrative is evolving. Approximately 70% of Bitcoin mining is now powered by renewable energy, making it a driver for sustainable energy solutions. Innovations in energy markets—such as utilizing stranded renewable energy in remote locations—are reshaping the conversation.

Moreover, alternative consensus mechanisms like Proof of Stake (PoS), prominently adopted by Ethereum during its transition in 2022, have demonstrated that blockchain networks can operate with significantly reduced energy consumption. While Bitcoin remains on Proof of Work (PoW) for its security and decentralization, newer blockchains are pushing the envelope toward energy efficiency.

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Alexander Loth: Privacy concerns persist regarding public blockchains. How can these issues be addressed?

Philipp Sandner:
The transparency of public blockchains is both a strength and a challenge. Projects like Monero and Zcash focus on privacy-enhanced transactions, offering lessons for mainstream networks. Additionally, zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technologies have matured significantly, enabling verification without revealing underlying data.

In the context of regulated industries, privacy-focused layer-two solutions are emerging to meet compliance requirements. For instance, zkEVM-based rollups on Ethereum provide scalability and privacy, while central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) incorporate privacy safeguards for selective data disclosure.

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Alexander Loth: In an era dominated by misinformation and deepfakes, how can blockchain technology safeguard the authenticity of digital content?

Philipp Sandner:
Blockchain is set to become the „digital notary of the 21st century“—a guardian of truth in an age of uncertainty. Its immutable and transparent ledger allows us to timestamp and verify the origin of digital content, ensuring that information remains tamper-proof and traceable.

This has profound implications for journalism, social media, and intellectual property. Imagine a world where news articles and videos come with cryptographic signatures that verify their source, or where diplomas and certificates are instantly authenticated on-chain. Projects like The News Provenance Project and NFT-based content verification platforms are already proving that blockchain can protect creators, consumers, and institutions alike from manipulation and fraud.

While challenges around scalability and regulation persist, one thing is clear—blockchain doesn’t just store data; it preserves trust. And in today’s information economy, trust is everything.

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Alexander Loth: Smart contracts promise to revolutionize industries. How do you see them shaping the future?

Philipp Sandner:
Smart contracts are already disrupting industries by automating processes, reducing costs, and eliminating intermediaries. DeFi has been a game-changer, unlocking decentralized lending, borrowing, and trading protocols. For instance, Uniswap and Aave have demonstrated how financial services can operate autonomously and transparently.

Beyond finance, supply chain management, insurance, and healthcare are adopting smart contracts for seamless operations. Imagine a world where crop insurance automatically pays farmers after satellite data confirms a drought. These use cases are no longer hypothetical—they’re being piloted globally.

In 2024, the rise of enterprise blockchains like Hyperledger Fabric and permissioned Ethereum networks is bridging the gap between public blockchain innovation and corporate adoption.

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Alexander Loth: Financial inclusion is a key benefit of blockchain. How has progress been made in reaching unbanked populations?

Philipp Sandner:
Blockchain-based solutions have significantly expanded access to financial services. Stablecoins like USDC and the rise of mobile wallets have enabled individuals in underbanked regions to transact securely without traditional banking infrastructure. Initiatives like Stellar and Celo focus explicitly on financial inclusion, empowering communities to store, send, and receive funds with just a smartphone.

The intersection of blockchain and remittances is particularly impactful. In 2024, the cost of cross-border transactions through blockchain is a fraction of traditional methods, ensuring that more value reaches families instead of being absorbed by intermediaries.

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Alexander Loth: What advice would you offer to companies exploring blockchain technology?

Philipp Sandner:
Start with education and small-scale pilots. Blockchain’s complexity demands a thorough understanding, which can be challenging for senior management. Hands-on experimentation—like tokenizing assets or integrating blockchain for supply chain tracking—provides practical insights.

Organizations should also embrace partnerships. Consortia such as the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance and the Linux Foundation’s Hyperledger project allow companies to learn from peers and collaborate on industry standards.

Finally, treat blockchain as a long-term strategic investment rather than a quick fix. Its potential to transform infrastructure and create new business models is immense but requires commitment and vision.

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Alexander Loth: As we look to the future, what excites you most about blockchain and decentralized technologies?

Philipp Sandner:
The convergence of blockchain, AI, and IoT holds incredible potential. Blockchain ensures data integrity, IoT devices generate real-time data, and AI analyzes it for actionable insights. Together, they can transform industries—from predictive healthcare powered by secure patient data to autonomous vehicles sharing real-time updates on blockchain.

I’m particularly excited about decentralized identity systems. With advancements in Web3, individuals can own and control their digital identities, reducing reliance on centralized platforms. Projects like Microsoft’s Entra Verified ID are pioneering this space, enabling secure and privacy-preserving identity verification.

The next decade will likely see blockchain evolve into a foundational layer of our digital society, much like the internet did 30 years ago.

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Alexander Loth: Finally, what is the best advice you have ever received?

Philipp Sandner:
A great source of advice comes from Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In. Some key takeaways that resonate with me are:

1. Sit at the Table: Don’t shy away from opportunities; put yourself forward.
2. Address Gender Stereotypes: If you need to negotiate, clarify why you’re doing so but don’t fail to stand up for yourself.
3. Make Your Partner a Real Partner: Successful careers often involve a supportive home environment.
4. Offer What the Employer Needs: Align your strengths with what the organization truly values.
5. Time Is Scarce: You can’t do it all; life is about trade-offs and prioritizing what matters most.

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Conclusion on Blockchain’s Future

Blockchain technology has come a long way since the Bitcoin whitepaper of 2008. In just over a decade, it has expanded into a multitude of use cases—from finance and healthcare to identity management and beyond. Prof. Dr. Philipp Sandner emphasizes both the enormous potential of blockchain and the practical challenges to be overcome, including energy consumption, privacy, and regulatory considerations. Whether by speeding up cross-border transactions, facilitating financial inclusion, or transforming how we handle personal data, blockchain and smart contracts offer new horizons for innovation and societal impact. The blockchain future is just beginning.

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BibTeX (Download)

@online{sandner_blockchain_2024,
title = {The Future of Blockchain: A Decisively Digital Conversation with Philipp Sandner},
author = {Sandner, Philipp and Loth, Alexander},
editor = {alexloth.com},
url = {https://alexloth.com/the-future-of-blockchain-a-decisively-digital-conversation-with-philipp-sandner/},
year  = {2024},
date = {2024-01-14},
urldate = {2024-01-14},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {online}
}