Fieldfisher corporate partner Tim Bird shares three predictions for tech deal-making in 2019.The first prediction is that while blockchain will continue to mature in 2019, much of the attention previously fixed on this sector is likely to shift to the underlying infrastructure that enables cryptocurrency exchange.
The second prediction is that social media platforms will continue to move into fintech territory. For example, Facebook has grown its blockchain capability and confirmed rumors that it intends to launch its own cryptocurrency. However, Mr. Bird predicts that it will be a bumpy year ahead for the social media sector in general as global privacy policies and customer usage continue to move away from text-based sharing and content generation to more video and image-based experiences.
And the final prediction is that as demand for batteries is increasing due to mobile phones, electric cars, etc. and the amount of electricity needed to power blockchain technologies, a novel development could be the deeper integration of renewable energy into blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies in order to reduce the carbon footprint of these sectors.
