Blockchain technologies : the perception of the Maltese financial industry

Abstract

Blockchain is one of the latest advances in the technological world; it is being said that for any currently existing business there is a new and improved version using blockchain. Blockchain has none the less made its way into the financial industry, with potential opportunities and threats arsing for all the financial institutions.

Blockchain technologies adoption and implementation is being encouraged by the local government. Thus, the research sets out to achieve an understanding on the perceptions held by the Maltese Financial Industry on the use of Blockchain technologies within the financial industry, specifically the Maltese one. The aim of this study was to obtain an understanding of how such an innovative, potentially disruptive technology is perceived by the individuals who, in the near future, will be experiencing the transition.

This research made use of a mixed approach analysis. A quantitative approach was taken to analyse the Likert scale questions response. This resulted in showing that although their perception is an uninformed one due to their low level of knowledge, they perceive it as being an exciting new technology which will bring multiple beneficial advances. However, showing signs of reluctance to investigate adoption and cautiousness considering the risk involved. They finally strongly believe that regulation will affect the future of blockchain technologies and its adoption by the financial industry. The qualitative approach of analysing an open-ended question using thematic analysis, further strongly supported these findings.

The above suggests that the local financial industry will first need to witness a functioning real-life example for their perception to be adjusted into one which has a deeper understanding and greater belief in the technology and its uses in finance. Consequently, this perception might end up resulting in a re-active approach to the adoption of blockchain technologies by local financial organisations, rather than a pro-active one, although the local government is working pro-actively to encourage blockchain technologies development.