This article is written with the presumption that STEEM is one of the leading blockchains.  I conclude this based upon the transaction time, zero transaction costs, and the ability to scale up.  To me, these components will keep STEEM towards the head of the class in technical capabilities .  

@acidyo wrote a couple articles yesterday that really nailed it.  

The first contained a video of Ashton Kutcher on Ellen's show.  It showed him transmitting her $4M worth of Ripple.  @acidyo mentioned how this was a brilliant marketing ploy for Ripple.  It was.  It also framed some of the benefits of cryptocurrency and blockchain.

https://steemit.com/ripple/@acidyo/ripple-probably-did-one-of-the-best-advertisements-in-crypto-history-just-now

The second article dealt with @steemhunt using the STEEM blockchain as a way to raise funds.  This idea is totally revolutionary.  @steemhunt is exchanging their soon-to-be SMT created token for delegation of SP.  Therefore, we are going to see them "fund" their project through the use of SP on the STEEM blockchain.  Absolutely, brilliant.

This process can be duplicated by other Smart Media Tokens as a means of funding.  Hence, STEEM is no longer just a social media blockchain.  There are so many other purposes being generated by the creativity of those who are on here.  We will see more of it in the future.

https://steemit.com/smt/@acidyo/some-thoughts-about-smt-s

We saw an update from the development team the other day that mentioned a lot of technical details that went over the heads of most of us.  That said, it further affirmed the team's commitment to scaling up.

I know they get hammered on here a lot but I really think they are following the proper course of action.  Everyone wants shiny new buttons and different layouts.   That is what users think about.  Developers look at things completely the opposite.  That stuff means little to them.  Instead, they are looking under the hood to see what is going on.

There is no point in having the best looking car in the mechanic's shop.

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmX9a6iEbVWNoswYNpewWpuZ5pQvAHxZhEjoUFKsmTSG94/image.png)

We see the issues ETH and BTC are having with scaling.  STEEM is poised to become a huge part of the blockchain world.  For this reason, having the ability to handle the traffic is crucial.  As much as this drives the user base nuts, it is the right move.  The major growth on the STEEM blockchain is not going to come from the marketers; it will be the developers.  It is the applications that are built upon this blockchain that will garner the masses.

Blockchain is one of the technologies that is central to many other disruptions.  It is in this way that it is a springboard for other advancements.  AI, for example, is going to have an handshake agreement with blockchain.  AI will be used on blockchain while the later will be what allows AI to act as a "corporation".  The same is true with 3D printing, renewable energy, and the Internet of Things.  Each technology is either enhanced or can advance further due to blockchain.

This is why you see companies such as IBM investing so heavily in this technology.  They realize how many industries it impacts.

STEEM is a specialized blockchain.  This is one of the advantages it has.  Anyone who builds something on here gets a suite of capabilities not provided anywhere else.  I believe this is one of the main advantages that SMTs will have over ERC20.  

We are just beginning to see the applications that can be built using the content/reward system.  The creators on here already moved past the simply reward content creators with STEEM.  It is now a funding mechanism.  Not only are we going to see enterprises use this to raise money, we most certainly will see non-profits get into the act.

Instead of taking $4M from Ripple, on STEEM Ellen could create a SMT for her foundation.  The Ellen token would be paired with STEEM while also being used for fundraising purposes.  Her site could have different projects that are funded with the Ellen token using upvotes.  All transactions could take place using the Ellen with other donations being used to buy the token.  Other rewards and incentives could be created using the currency for efforts that forward the overall mission.

<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP7sHzwMeiEGEMMzngg9o7KwjJj97FAnhLmR8eqoBK1tj/image.png)</center>


Content can also be a product or a service.  A hotel room could be consider content.  Rewards could be given not based upon chain or individual hotel but each room.  A booking company could develop a token to reward each room.  Guest vote with their tokens which could be used to negotiate splits or pricing on the rooms.  Hence, the hotels could provide incentive by offering tokens for staying in rooms that do not rent as well.  

Something similar could be done with Uber or Lyft.

My point is there are an amazing amount of possibilities to what can be created on here.  Blockchain is a ledger meaning that it provides the built in accounting system that businesses depend upon.  Cryptocurrency offers the ability to incentivize individuals for whatever behavior is taken.  Together, they have the means for creating new business models.  

There are few industries that cannot be altered by this.  

Even a project like Kiva would fare well on STEEM.  Instead of microloans being given, those who need funding simply post what they need and the proceeds from the upvotes could be the funding.  This could even be tied geographically so that vendors accept the token to eliminate having to exchange it.

With the efforts being made to scale this blockchain can scale, it ensures that STEEM is in position to be one of the leading blockchains going forward.  The fact there are no direct transaction fees means microtransactions can be handled.  This opens up more of the world.

And this,my friends, is why I am so bullish on STEEM.

If you found this article informative, please give it an upvote and resteem.

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