A Blockchain-powered Guide to Mobile World Congress 2019

The world’s largest mobile trade fair, the Mobile World Congress (MWC), gets underway this Monday in Barcelona, Spain. And it looks like blockchain and cryptocurrency enthusiasts will have plenty to look forward to – with companies from Asia, Europe and the United States all hoping to wow visitors with their offerings.

South Korean journalist Kim Seong-ik – en route to Barcelona from Seoul – told Cryptonews.com, “It looks like there’s going to be more than just phones on display in Barcelona. People were just talking vaguely about blockchain in Barcelona last year, but many of the South Korean companies going to MWC 2019 will actually have blockchain solutions on display this time around. That’s quite possibly the case for several international companies, too, from what I’m hearing.”

News1 reports that South Korean companies in particular are hoping to make a strong showing. LG will showcase a blockchain-powered payment service at a 5G mobile communication exhibition booth.

And SK, one of the country’s largest telecoms companies, says it will be showcasing a mobile blockchain-powered ID verification solution in conjunction with Germany’s Deutsche Telekom. News1 says MWC attendees will be able to try out using digital, blockchain-powered ID cards at both companies’ booths, collecting tokens and exchanging them for prizes.

Per Chosun Biz, Samsung will also be publicly displaying its new Galaxy Fold and Galaxy S10 smartphones – of particular interest to the crypto-community due to the fact that Galaxy S10 features cryptocurrency wallet functions.

‘Samsung Blockchain Wallet’ On Samsung Galaxy S10:

A number of South Korean fintech startups will also be hoping to impress international audiences, with a blockchain-based remittance service provider and a blockchain-powered medical data platform also on show.

Crypto-lawyers will also be out in force in Barcelona, with a special session devoted to legality issues surrounding initial coin offerings (ICOs) and their alternatives, such as security token offerings (STOs).

Other companies hoping to make strong blockchain-related showings include IBM – likely to be keen to promote its latest Food Trust blockchain initiative – as well as America’s McKinsey & Company, who will talk about possible blockchain applications in the logistics industry. Japan’s Softbank – a keen blockchain and cryptocurrency player – will present a session on AI and blockchain technology.

Officials from Huawei and BMW are also expected to speak about blockchain-related matters.