Obi Emetarom, a blockchain expert and the Chief Executive Officer of Zone, proposed the adoption of a regulated blockchain to address the challenges facing the country’s financial services sector. He articulated this proposal in a whitepaper titled “Regulated Blockchain: Infrastructure for regulated DeFi, Foundation for a Golden Age in Finance.”
Emetarom asserted that a regulated blockchain could address current financial services challenges, including regulatory uncertainty, inefficiencies in cross-border transactions, fraud risks, and high costs of services. He described regulated blockchain as a novel approach to blockchain technology designed to make financial services more accessible while ensuring compliance with regulatory rules.
He distinguished regulated blockchain from cryptocurrencies, which operate outside government control, by stating that it allows banks, fintech firms, and payment providers to use blockchain for faster, cheaper, and safer transactions under regulatory oversight. He explained that this system combines the speed and security of blockchain with real-time monitoring to prevent fraud, ensure trust, and automate compliance. He suggested that for individuals and businesses, this would mean easier access to financial services like spending, saving, and investing. For banks, it would enable more efficient service delivery, while regulators would gain better tools to prevent illegal activities.
Addressing Current Financial Challenges
The whitepaper highlighted that traditional finance (TradFi) remains burdened by high costs, cumbersome processes, and regulatory complexity. Citing a World Bank report, it noted that global remittance fees averaged 6.2% in 2023, significantly exceeding the 3% target set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus making transactions expensive for millions worldwide.
Conversely, crypto-based decentralized finance (DeFi) has struggled with trust, adoption, and oversight. The whitepaper referenced Chainalysis data, indicating that crypto-related hacks and fraud accounted for over $1.8 billion in losses in 2023 alone, underscoring the need for a more secure and regulated approach. The whitepaper argued that Regulated Blockchain Infrastructure provides the missing link, offering a secure, efficient, and transparent foundation that combines the best aspects of both traditional and decentralized finance.
It was conveyed that by embedding regulatory protocols directly into blockchain technology, financial institutions, fintech companies, and regulators can unlock frictionless financial services, automated compliance, and unprecedented levels of transparency. Emetarom issued a call to action for policymakers, financial institutions, and innovators, stating that the world could not afford to operate on outdated financial models. He asserted that Regulated Blockchain Infrastructure offers a clear path toward a future where financial services are secure, inclusive, and universally impactful. He emphasized that this initiative is not just about improving efficiency but about reshaping global finance to work for everyone, everywhere.
The Vision for Future Finance
The whitepaper outlined how Regulated Blockchain Infrastructure can accelerate economic growth, maximize financial inclusion, and improve regulatory efficiency. For central banks and regulators, it provides a framework for seamless oversight and risk mitigation while supporting innovation. For fintech firms, it presents a structured pathway for adopting blockchain technology without regulatory friction.
Emetarom observed that the rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), now being piloted in over 130 countries according to the Atlantic Council, signals growing institutional adoption of blockchain-based financial solutions. He suggested that Regulated Blockchain builds on this momentum by integrating programmable compliance, self-custody of assets, and automated financial products to redefine how value is exchanged, stored, and managed globally.
He envisioned a future where multiple Regulated Blockchains interconnect to form a “Regulated Internet of Value,” powering a fully digital and automated global economy.
