Any real-world applications of cryptocurrency or blockchain in general?

[headingnorth]

That exists right now? I don't mean in theory, but in proven applications that exists now on a significant scale.

There is no shortage of hype around the technology but so far I haven't seen any significant, real-world applications. It has been close to 10 years since blockchain technology was created but so far there doesn't seem to be much to show for it afaik, beyond its reputation as a questionable speculative device (ie: high-tech form of gambling).

But I would love to be wrong.

[dlhylton]

Of course, there is real-world use. XRP is one currency that has great real-world use. XRP solves the problem of cross-border payments. Today banks have to keep things such as nostro accounts overseas in order to have money already in the country it is doing business in. XRP eradicates this, because the speed of its transaction is so fast. So banks can do away with nostro and vostro accounts and just use the XRP digital currency. This saves a lot of money, because the money sitting in the nostro accounts are subject to price fluctuations due to inflation. XRP allows banks to use XRP and convert to any country's fiat within seconds, saving itself from inflationary costs. So, yes, there are real-world applications for cryptocurrency and especially for blockchain.

[headingnorth]

That's interesting, but for most people not something to get really excited about if you're not in the banking industry.