Contour platform and its applicability in trade finance activities of commercial banks

Abstract

The fourth technological revolution recorded the significance of blockchain technology for its providing users with a transparent, easily accessible and verified data system, eliminating unnecessary costs, maintaining the integrity, efficiency as well as enhancing the level of trust and security. Contour is a typical blockchain platform applied for trade finance business of banking industry. Formed and went live as a Beta network in January 2020, then official launched into live production in October 2020, Contour becomes the world’s first, decentralized, open-to-all trade finance network. Contour is still in its infancy, that means the scope of Contour’s application may not be fully explored. The objective of this paper is to clarify the concept of Contour , analyze its operations, discuss some application cases in the banking industry, point out the benefits, outline the challenges of joining Contour.