The Penetration of Trust and the Reconstruction of Assets: A Deconstruction and Comparative Analysis of Block Chain-Based Accounts Receivable Financing Platform Models

Abstract

This paper aims to carry out a systematic study on the application of blockchain technology in the field of Accounts Receivable Financing (ARF). The report first peels apart the main pain points of the traditional ARF model (factoring) from the aspect of information asymmetry, transmission of credit and confirmation of rights. Then the report does a thorough analysis on how blockchain technology (especially the characteristics of unchangeable nature, smart contracts, and asset digitization) theoretically solves these pain points, emphasizing the elaboration on the realization path of "penetration of credit". The core of this report is the in-depth study and comparison of four important cases of significance, namely, the "Dual-Chain Connect" of Ant Group, "Yi Enterprise Chain" (YQLink) of Ping An OneConnect, WeBank (based on FISCO BCOS), and "Jing Bao Bei" of JD Technology. Through the comparison of these cases in terms of their business models, technical architecture and risk control mechanism, this report summarizes three mainstream realization mode: "central enterprise-led", "fintech platform-led", and "(digital) bank-led", and reveals their basic difference regarding "source of credit". Finally, the study talks about the common problems confronting the field, such as data silo, interoperability and regulatory uncertainty, and gives its optimistic outlook regarding its future trends of integration into Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and evolution towards Decentralized Finance (DeFi).