Gartner: Blockchain technology has reached the peak of public opinion

Blockchain has reached peak sentiment, says Gartner . That’s the key finding of a new report released this week that suggests the emerging technology is still in its development stages and that users and the public have “overestimated” the benefits it will bring . Internet of Things (IoT) platforms that connect homes to smart robots are also in this category. It may not sound positive, but Gartner’s report also says blockchain will become a “transformational technology” in a variety of industries , and predicts that such a transition could happen in the next 5 to 10 years. “As a precursor to the rise of the programmable economy, blockchain technology has the potential to fundamentally change the way economies interact, which should raise a series of critical questions from society, government and business, because clear answers are not yet available,” the report reads. Gartner estimates that less than 1% of the population uses blockchain , and predicts that blockchain technology will grow fastest in manufacturing, government, healthcare and education. Gartner specifically discusses Bitcoin, calling it “the only proven blockchain.” Finally, the report offers a warning, suggesting that companies that want to invest in blockchain technology take some time to understand blockchain governance issues.