OPINION | The Case of Regulated Blockchain Infrastructure

The financial sector is undergoing a pivotal transformation. While digital financial services have revolutionized accessibility and convenience, they have also introduced challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, inefficiencies in cross-border transactions, fraud risks, and high costs that still limit affordability for many.

A groundbreaking whitepaper, Regulated Blockchain: Infrastructure for Regulated DeFi – Foundation for a Golden Age in Finance, authored by fintech visionary Obi Emetarom, the Co-Founder and CEO of the Nigerian blockchain fintech, Zone, presents a transformative framework to address these pressing issues. This innovative approach lays the groundwork for a Regulated Internet of Value – a blockchain-powered financial ecosystem that seamlessly integrates innovation with compliance.

The Challenges in Traditional and Decentralized Finance

Traditional finance (TradFi) remains burdened by high costs, cumbersome processes, and complex regulatory requirements. According to the World Bank, global remittance fees averaged 6.2% in 2023 – more than double the 3% target set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – making transactions prohibitively expensive for millions worldwide.

Meanwhile, decentralized finance (DeFi), driven by cryptocurrencies, has struggled with adoption, oversight, and trust. In 2023 alone, crypto-related hacks and fraud accounted for over $1.8 billion in losses, according to Chainalysis. In 2024, that figure rose to over $2.2 billion.

This underscores the urgent need for a more secure and regulated financial infrastructure.

The Missing Link: Regulated Blockchain Infrastructure

The whitepaper argues that regulated blockchain infrastructure is the key to bridging these gaps, providing a secure, efficient, and transparent foundation that combines the best of both traditional finance and decentralized innovation.

Regulated blockchain enables the democratization of financial services innovation while embedding clear rules set by financial regulators. Unlike cryptocurrencies that operate outside government oversight, regulated blockchain allows banks, fintech companies, and payment providers to harness blockchain technology for faster, cheaper, and safer transactions – all while ensuring regulatory compliance and transparency.

By integrating real-time oversight and automated compliance directly into blockchain technology, financial institutions can enhance trust, prevent fraud, and enable seamless financial transactions. This transformative approach allows individuals and businesses to spend, save, and invest more efficiently, while banks and regulators benefit from improved oversight and risk mitigation.

A Call to Action for Global Finance

According to Obi Emetarom, the paper’s author and CEO & Co-Founder of Zone:

“This whitepaper is a call to action for policymakers, financial institutions, and innovators.

The world cannot afford to operate on outdated financial models. Regulated blockchain infrastructure offers a clear path toward a future where financial services are secure, inclusive, and universally impactful.

This is not just about improving efficiency – it’s about reshaping global finance to work for everyone, everywhere.”

The whitepaper outlines how regulated blockchain infrastructure can drive economic growth, maximize financial inclusion, and enhance regulatory efficiency.

• For central banks and regulators, it provides a framework for seamless oversight and risk management while fostering innovation
• For fintech firms, it offers a structured pathway to adopting blockchain technology without facing regulatory roadblocks
• For investors and global financial institutions, it establishes a transparent and secure environment that enhances capital allocation and investment opportunities

The Future: A Regulated Internet of Value

The increasing adoption of blockchain-based financial solutions is evident in the rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), which are now being piloted in over 130 countries, according to the Atlantic Council.

Regulated blockchain infrastructure builds upon this momentum, integrating programmable compliance, self-custody of assets, and automated financial products to redefine how value is exchanged, stored, and managed globally.

Obi Emetarom envisions multiple regulated blockchains interconnecting to form a regulated internet of value, a decentralized yet compliant network that powers the fully digital and automated economy of the future.

Shaping the Future of Finance

As technological advancements continue to accelerate, the time to rethink the foundation of the global financial system is now. Policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and technology leaders must collaborate to create a financial ecosystem that is efficient, inclusive, and resilient.

The Regulated Blockchain whitepaper provides a strategic roadmap for achieving this vision – laying the groundwork for a financial sector that is secure, accessible, and built to serve everyone, everywhere.