Paul Inouye

Blockchain has evolved from the early days of Bitcoin into a foundational technology reshaping finance, ownership, and the architecture of the internet. This evolution is powering the rise of Web3—a vision of a decentralized, user-owned internet—through the emergence of decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and advanced smart contracts. Understanding how these components interact reveals why blockchain is no longer just a financial experiment but a catalyst for the next phase of digital transformation . Blockchain's Path from Currency to Programmable Infrastructure Bitcoin introduced the world to decentralized, trustless transactions without intermediaries, setting the groundwork for a transparent, immutable ledger system. While revolutionary, Bitcoin’s purpose remained narrow: a secure digital currency. The creation of Ethereum in 2015 expanded blockchain’s potential by introducing smart contracts, enabling developers to write programmable agreements that autom...

Investment banking plays a vital role in the financial markets , offering crucial services to companies, governments, and investors. The activities of investment banks encompass a range of financial services designed to facilitate capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and investment management. These services are designed to help businesses achieve strategic goals and maximize their economic potential. Capital Raising and Underwriting One of the primary functions of investment banks is capital raising. Companies and governments often require significant funds for expansion, projects, or debt refinancing. Investment banks assist by helping them raise capital through the issuance of stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments. This process is known as underwriting. In underwriting, the investment bank helps price and sell these securities to investors, ensuring that the offering is successful. The investment bank assumes the risk of underwriting by agreeing to purchase the entire ...