Welcome to Blockchain Trends, your guide to the revolutionary world of blockchain technology beyond the hype of cryptocurrencies. Intrigued by the potential of connecting the digital and physical worlds? Dive into our latest exploration of Blockchain IoT scaling challenges, and discover the innovative solutions paving the way from small-scale pilots to truly impactful, decentralized systems. What hurdles stand in the way, and how can we overcome them? Let's unlock the future, together.

From Pilot Projects to Full-Scale Deployment: Scaling Blockchain & IoT Solutions

Introduction: Bridging the Gap - Blockchain and IoT Integration Challenges

The Promise of Blockchain and IoT Synergies

The convergence of Blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) presents a transformative paradigm, promising enhanced security, transparency, and efficiency across diverse sectors. IoT devices, projected to reach over 25 billion globally by 2025, generate vast amounts of data, often requiring secure and auditable management. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized and immutable ledger system, offers a compelling solution to address these data management challenges.

By integrating blockchain, IoT networks can achieve improved data integrity, provenance tracking, and secure communication between devices. This synergy unlocks potential for applications ranging from supply chain management and healthcare to smart cities and industrial automation, creating ecosystems where trust and transparency are paramount. The combination of these technologies aims to move beyond centralized, vulnerable systems to more resilient, distributed architectures, fostering innovation and new business models.

Identifying Key Blockchain IoT Scaling Challenges in Real-World Deployments

Despite the compelling benefits, realizing the full potential of Blockchain and IoT integration faces significant scaling challenges. While pilot projects often demonstrate feasibility, transitioning to full-scale deployments introduces complexities related to data volume, transaction throughput, interoperability, security, and energy consumption. For instance, a smart city initiative deploying thousands of IoT sensors for environmental monitoring and traffic management will generate massive datasets requiring real-time processing and secure storage on a blockchain.

Traditional blockchain architectures, designed for financial transactions, may struggle to handle the velocity and scale of IoT data. Furthermore, ensuring seamless communication and data exchange between diverse IoT devices and various blockchain platforms presents interoperability hurdles. Addressing these Blockchain IoT scaling challenges is crucial to move beyond proof-of-concept stages and unlock the widespread adoption of these integrated solutions across industries.

Understanding the Hurdles: Technical and Logistical Barriers to Blockchain IoT Scaling

Data Volume and Throughput Limitations in Decentralized IoT Networks

One of the primary hurdles in scaling Blockchain IoT solutions is managing the sheer volume of data generated by IoT devices. A single industrial sensor in a manufacturing plant can generate kilobytes of data per second, and when multiplied by thousands of sensors across a factory or a supply chain, the data volume becomes immense. Decentralized blockchain networks, especially those employing proof-of-work consensus mechanisms, often have limited transaction throughput compared to centralized databases.

For example, Bitcoin's network can process approximately 7 transactions per second (TPS), while Ethereum, even with improvements, historically hovered around 15-20 TPS. These figures are insufficient for many IoT applications that require near real-time data logging and processing. Consider a scenario with millions of smart meters in a city sending energy consumption data every few minutes – the transaction load would quickly overwhelm blockchains with low throughput, leading to network congestion and delays in data recording.

Interoperability Issues Between Different Blockchain and IoT Platforms

The fragmented landscape of both blockchain and IoT technologies creates significant interoperability challenges for scaling integrated solutions. Numerous blockchain platforms exist, each with its own protocols, data structures, and consensus mechanisms (e.g., Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric, Corda). Similarly, the IoT ecosystem encompasses a vast array of devices, communication protocols (e.g., MQTT, CoAP, Zigbee), and data formats. Integrating a blockchain solution with an IoT deployment often requires bridging these disparate systems, which can be complex and resource-intensive.

For instance, a supply chain solution might involve sensors from different manufacturers communicating via various protocols and needing to record data on a specific enterprise blockchain platform. Achieving seamless data exchange and platform compatibility across this heterogeneous environment is critical for scalability. Without standardized protocols and interoperability frameworks, scaling Blockchain IoT solutions becomes a complex web of custom integrations, hindering widespread adoption and increasing development costs.

Security Vulnerabilities and Risk Mitigation Strategies for Scaled Blockchain IoT Solutions

While blockchain is inherently secure, integrating it with IoT introduces new attack vectors and security vulnerabilities that must be addressed for scaled deployments. IoT devices, often resource-constrained and deployed in less secure environments, can be susceptible to physical tampering, malware infections, and network attacks.

If a compromised IoT device is integrated into a blockchain network, it could potentially inject malicious data or disrupt the system's integrity. Furthermore, the increased complexity of scaled Blockchain IoT solutions, involving numerous devices, smart contracts, and network nodes, expands the attack surface for cybercriminals.

Mitigation strategies include robust device authentication and authorization mechanisms, secure firmware updates, end-to-end encryption of data in transit and at rest, and regular security audits of smart contracts and network infrastructure. For example, in a smart agriculture deployment, securing sensors in remote fields from physical tampering and ensuring the integrity of data transmitted to the blockchain are paramount for maintaining the reliability of the entire system.

Addressing Energy Consumption and Resource Constraints in IoT Devices Connected to Blockchains

Energy consumption and resource limitations pose significant challenges when connecting IoT devices, particularly those battery-powered or operating in remote locations, to blockchain networks. Traditional blockchain consensus mechanisms like proof-of-work (PoW) are notoriously energy-intensive, making them unsuitable for resource-constrained IoT devices. While proof-of-stake (PoS) and other more energy-efficient consensus mechanisms exist, even these can impose computational overhead on low-power devices.

Moreover, storing blockchain data directly on resource-limited IoT devices is often impractical due to storage constraints and processing power. Strategies to address these limitations include employing lightweight consensus algorithms specifically designed for IoT environments, utilizing edge computing to process data locally and reduce on-chain transactions, and optimizing communication protocols to minimize energy consumption. For example, in environmental monitoring with remote sensors, devices must operate for extended periods on limited battery power, necessitating energy-efficient blockchain integration strategies to ensure long-term viability and scalability.

Overcoming the Obstacles: Strategies for Successful Blockchain IoT Scaling

Layer-2 Scaling Solutions for Blockchain-Enabled IoT: State Channels and Sidechains

Layer-2 scaling solutions offer promising avenues for enhancing the scalability of Blockchain IoT applications without fundamentally altering the underlying blockchain protocol. State channels and sidechains are two prominent Layer-2 approaches. State channels enable off-chain transactions between participants who lock up a portion of their assets on the main blockchain. These participants can then conduct numerous transactions off-chain, only settling the final state on the main chain.

This significantly reduces the load on the main blockchain, increasing throughput. For IoT, state channels can be used for frequent, low-value transactions between devices, such as micro-payments for data or services. Sidechains, on the other hand, are separate blockchains that run parallel to the main chain and are linked to it via a two-way peg.

They can have their own consensus mechanisms and transaction processing rules, optimized for specific IoT use cases. For instance, a sidechain could be designed for high-throughput data logging from industrial sensors, periodically anchoring its state to the main blockchain for security and immutability. Utilizing Layer-2 solutions like state channels and sidechains allows Blockchain IoT deployments to handle higher transaction volumes and reduce latency, essential for scaling to larger networks.

Sharding Techniques for Improving Scalability in Distributed IoT Ledgers

Sharding, a database partitioning technique, can be adapted to blockchain to improve scalability in distributed IoT ledgers. In a sharded blockchain, the network is divided into smaller groups called shards, each responsible for processing only a subset of transactions and maintaining a portion of the blockchain state. This parallel processing significantly increases the overall transaction throughput of the network.

For IoT applications with geographically dispersed devices, sharding can be particularly effective by assigning shards to specific regions or device groups. For example, in a smart city deployment, different shards could manage IoT devices in different districts, reducing network congestion and improving responsiveness.

Implementing sharding in blockchain networks is complex, requiring sophisticated mechanisms to ensure cross-shard communication and data consistency. However, ongoing research and development in sharding techniques hold significant potential for addressing the scalability challenges of large-scale Blockchain IoT deployments, enabling networks to handle millions of IoT devices and their associated data streams.

Optimized Consensus Mechanisms for Low-Power IoT Devices

Traditional consensus mechanisms like Proof-of-Work (PoW) are energy-intensive and computationally demanding, making them unsuitable for resource-constrained IoT devices. Optimized consensus mechanisms are crucial for enabling blockchain integration with low-power IoT devices in a scalable and sustainable manner. Proof-of-Stake (PoS) is a more energy-efficient alternative to PoW, where validators are selected based on the number of tokens they hold and are willing to "stake."

However, even PoS might be too resource-intensive for extremely low-power devices. Lightweight consensus algorithms specifically designed for IoT environments are emerging, such as Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS), Proof-of-Authority (PoA), and Proof-of-Elapsed-Time (PoET).

These mechanisms often reduce computational overhead and energy consumption by relying on a smaller set of validators or leveraging trusted execution environments. For instance, PoA, where validators are pre-selected trusted entities, can be highly efficient in permissioned blockchain networks suitable for industrial IoT applications, enabling low-power devices to participate in the blockchain network without excessive energy drain.

Edge Computing for Data Processing and Reduced On-Chain Transactions in Blockchain IoT

Edge computing, which involves processing data closer to the source where it is generated (i.e., at the "edge" of the network), offers a powerful strategy for scaling Blockchain IoT solutions. By deploying edge computing infrastructure near IoT devices, a significant portion of data processing, filtering, and aggregation can be performed locally, reducing the volume of data that needs to be transmitted to and processed on the blockchain.

This approach not only alleviates network congestion and reduces transaction costs on the blockchain but also improves latency and responsiveness for IoT applications. For example, in a smart factory, edge devices can process sensor data in real-time to detect anomalies or trigger immediate actions, only recording aggregated or exception data on the blockchain for auditability and long-term storage.

Edge computing can also enhance data privacy and security by processing sensitive data locally and minimizing the exposure of raw data on the blockchain. Integrating edge computing with blockchain enables more efficient and scalable Blockchain IoT deployments, particularly for applications generating high volumes of data or requiring real-time processing.

Real-World Examples: Case Studies of Scalable Blockchain IoT Deployments

Case Study 1: Pharmaceutical Supply Chain - Scaling Blockchain IoT for Temperature-Sensitive Drug Traceability

The pharmaceutical industry faces significant challenges in ensuring the integrity and traceability of temperature-sensitive drugs throughout the supply chain. Temperature excursions can compromise drug efficacy and safety, leading to significant financial losses and patient risks. Blockchain-enabled IoT solutions offer a robust approach to address this by combining temperature sensors with blockchain's immutable ledger.

For example, pharmaceutical giant Merck partnered with several technology providers to pilot a blockchain-based supply chain solution for drug traceability. This system utilized IoT sensors to continuously monitor temperature and other environmental conditions of drug shipments. This data was securely recorded on a permissioned blockchain network, providing real-time visibility and tamper-proof records of the drug's journey from manufacturing to point-of-sale.

While initial pilots focused on specific drug types and routes, the scalability of this approach is being explored for broader deployment across Merck's global supply chain. Challenges include integrating with existing legacy systems, managing data from diverse sensor types, and ensuring interoperability across different stakeholders in the pharmaceutical supply chain. However, the potential benefits in terms of improved drug safety, reduced counterfeiting, and enhanced supply chain efficiency are driving the industry towards scaled Blockchain IoT adoption.

Case Study 2: Smart Grid Management - Demonstrating Scalability in Energy Distribution and Monitoring

Smart grids, aimed at modernizing energy distribution and improving efficiency, are increasingly leveraging IoT devices for real-time monitoring and control. Integrating blockchain with smart grid IoT infrastructure can enhance security, transparency, and decentralization in energy management. For instance, the Brooklyn Microgrid project in New York City demonstrated a peer-to-peer energy trading platform using blockchain.

This project utilized smart meters (IoT devices) to measure energy consumption and production from solar panels in residential buildings. Transactions for buying and selling excess solar energy within the microgrid were recorded on a blockchain, enabling transparent and automated energy trading. While the Brooklyn Microgrid was a localized pilot, the underlying technology has the potential to scale to larger energy grids.

Scaling blockchain for smart grid management involves handling massive data streams from millions of smart meters, ensuring real-time transaction processing, and addressing security concerns in critical infrastructure. Companies like Power Ledger are actively developing blockchain-based platforms for energy trading and grid management, focusing on scalability and interoperability to support wider adoption in the energy sector.

Analyzing the Success Factors and Lessons Learned from these Deployments

Analyzing successful Blockchain IoT deployments reveals key success factors and valuable lessons learned for future scaling efforts. One crucial factor is starting with well-defined use cases and clearly articulated business problems. Pilot projects should focus on specific, measurable goals to demonstrate the value proposition of Blockchain IoT integration.

Interoperability is another critical success factor. Solutions that prioritize open standards and platform compatibility are more likely to scale and integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure. Furthermore, a phased approach to deployment, starting with smaller pilot programs and gradually expanding scope, allows for iterative learning and adaptation.

Security must be embedded from the design phase, with robust security measures implemented at the device, network, and blockchain levels. Finally, collaboration across stakeholders, including technology providers, industry experts, and regulatory bodies, is essential for navigating the complexities of scaling Blockchain IoT solutions and fostering wider adoption. Lessons learned from early deployments emphasize the importance of careful planning, iterative development, and a focus on addressing specific industry needs to achieve successful and scalable Blockchain IoT implementations.

Addressing Security Concerns in Scaled Blockchain IoT Ecosystems

Implementing Robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) for IoT Devices

In scaled Blockchain IoT ecosystems, robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) is paramount for securing a vast network of interconnected devices. IAM ensures that only authorized devices and users can access and interact with the blockchain network and sensitive data. This involves implementing strong device authentication mechanisms, such as digital certificates or hardware-based security modules, to verify the identity of each IoT device joining the network.

Authorization policies define granular access control, specifying what actions each device or user is permitted to perform. For example, in an industrial automation setting, only authorized sensors should be allowed to write data to the blockchain, while specific users might have read-only access for monitoring purposes.

Scalable IAM solutions for Blockchain IoT need to handle a potentially massive number of devices, support dynamic device enrollment and revocation, and integrate seamlessly with the blockchain platform. Blockchain itself can enhance IAM by providing an immutable audit trail of access events and policy changes, further strengthening security and accountability in large-scale deployments.

Secure Data Transmission and Encryption Strategies for Blockchain IoT Networks

Securing data in transit and at rest is critical in scaled Blockchain IoT networks to protect sensitive information from eavesdropping and unauthorized access. End-to-end encryption should be implemented for data transmission between IoT devices and the blockchain network, using protocols like TLS/SSL or DTLS for resource-constrained devices. This ensures that data is encrypted from the point of origin to its destination, preventing interception and tampering during transit. For data at rest, encryption should be applied to data stored on IoT devices, edge computing nodes, and blockchain nodes. Homomorphic encryption, while still in development for widespread use, offers a promising future technique that allows computations to be performed on encrypted data without decryption, enhancing data privacy and security in Blockchain IoT applications. Selecting appropriate encryption algorithms and key management strategies is crucial, considering the resource constraints of some IoT devices and the performance requirements of real-time data processing in scaled deployments.

Smart Contract Security Audits and Best Practices for Scaled Deployments

Smart contracts are the core logic governing interactions and data processing within Blockchain IoT ecosystems. However, vulnerabilities in smart contracts can lead to significant security risks, including data breaches, financial losses, and system disruptions, especially in scaled deployments with complex smart contract logic. Rigorous security audits by independent experts are essential before deploying smart contracts in production, particularly for large-scale Blockchain IoT applications. Audits should identify potential vulnerabilities such as reentrancy attacks, integer overflows, and access control flaws.

Best practices for secure smart contract development include following secure coding guidelines, using formal verification methods to mathematically prove contract correctness, and implementing robust error handling and input validation. Regular updates and patching of smart contracts are also necessary to address newly discovered vulnerabilities. Ensuring the security of smart contracts is paramount for building trust and confidence in scaled Blockchain IoT solutions and preventing potentially catastrophic security breaches.

Threat Modeling and Risk Assessment for Large-Scale Blockchain IoT Implementations

As Blockchain IoT deployments scale, the complexity of the system and the potential attack surface increase significantly. Comprehensive threat modeling and risk assessment are crucial for proactively identifying and mitigating security risks in large-scale implementations. Threat modeling involves systematically analyzing the system architecture, identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities, and assessing the likelihood and impact of these threats.

This process should consider various attack vectors, including device compromise, network attacks, data breaches, and smart contract vulnerabilities. Risk assessment evaluates the potential business impact of identified threats, prioritizing mitigation efforts based on risk severity. For example, a high-risk threat might be the compromise of a critical industrial control system sensor, potentially leading to production downtime or safety hazards.

Based on the risk assessment, appropriate security controls can be implemented, such as intrusion detection systems, firewalls, and incident response plans. Regular threat modeling and risk assessment exercises should be conducted throughout the lifecycle of a scaled Blockchain IoT system to adapt to evolving threats and ensure ongoing security.

Future Trends: The Evolving Landscape of Scalable Blockchain and IoT Solutions

The Role of 5G and Edge Computing in Enabling Scalable Blockchain IoT

The convergence of 5G networks and edge computing is poised to significantly accelerate the scalability and performance of Blockchain IoT solutions. 5G's high bandwidth, low latency, and massive device connectivity capabilities are ideally suited for supporting the data-intensive nature of many IoT applications and facilitating seamless communication in large-scale deployments. Edge computing, as discussed earlier, complements 5G by processing data closer to the source, reducing network traffic and latency.

The combination of 5G and edge computing enables real-time data processing, faster transaction speeds, and improved responsiveness for Blockchain IoT applications. For example, in autonomous vehicle fleets, 5G connectivity can facilitate rapid data exchange between vehicles and edge computing infrastructure, while blockchain can provide a secure and auditable record of vehicle data and interactions. The synergistic effect of 5G and edge computing will be a key enabler for realizing the full potential of scalable Blockchain IoT across various industries.

Advancements in Blockchain Technology for IoT Applications

Ongoing advancements in blockchain technology are directly addressing the scalability and efficiency challenges for IoT applications. New consensus mechanisms, such as Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)-based consensus, offer higher throughput and lower latency compared to traditional blockchain consensus. Interoperability solutions, like blockchain bridges and cross-chain protocols, are improving the ability to connect different blockchain platforms, facilitating data exchange and collaboration across heterogeneous IoT ecosystems.

Privacy-enhancing technologies, such as zero-knowledge proofs and secure multi-party computation, are being integrated into blockchain to address data privacy concerns in IoT applications, allowing for secure data sharing and analysis without revealing sensitive information. Furthermore, the development of blockchain platforms specifically optimized for IoT, with features like lightweight clients and energy-efficient consensus, is paving the way for more scalable and resource-friendly Blockchain IoT deployments. These technological advancements are continuously expanding the capabilities and applicability of blockchain in the IoT domain.

The Impact of Regulatory Frameworks on Blockchain IoT Adoption and Scaling

Regulatory frameworks are increasingly shaping the landscape of Blockchain IoT adoption and scaling. Regulations related to data privacy (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), cybersecurity, and industry-specific compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA for healthcare) are influencing the design and deployment of Blockchain IoT solutions. For example, GDPR's data minimization and purpose limitation principles necessitate careful consideration of what data is stored on the blockchain and how it is used in IoT applications.

Cybersecurity regulations are driving the adoption of robust security measures in Blockchain IoT systems to protect against cyber threats. Industry-specific regulations, such as those in the pharmaceutical and food industries, are promoting the use of blockchain for supply chain traceability and transparency. Clear and consistent regulatory frameworks are crucial for fostering trust and encouraging wider adoption of Blockchain IoT technologies.

However, overly restrictive or fragmented regulations could also hinder innovation and slow down the scaling of these solutions. Finding the right balance between regulation and innovation is essential for realizing the societal and economic benefits of Blockchain IoT.

The Future of Decentralized IoT and the Metaverse

The future of decentralized IoT is intertwined with the emerging metaverse concept, envisioning a more immersive and interconnected digital world. Blockchain can play a crucial role in building a decentralized and trusted infrastructure for the metaverse, including decentralized identity management for virtual avatars and digital assets, secure and transparent marketplaces for virtual goods and services, and decentralized governance mechanisms for virtual worlds.

IoT devices can act as physical interfaces to the metaverse, bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms. For example, wearable sensors can track biometric data and translate physical movements into actions within the metaverse, while smart home devices can be controlled and monitored through virtual interfaces.

Blockchain-enabled decentralized IoT can contribute to a more open, interoperable, and user-centric metaverse, empowering individuals and communities within virtual environments. As the metaverse evolves, the integration of decentralized IoT and blockchain will likely become increasingly important for creating a truly immersive and interconnected digital future.

Conclusion: Realizing the Full Potential of Blockchain and IoT Through Strategic Scaling

Key Takeaways for Successfully Scaling Blockchain IoT Solutions

Successfully scaling Blockchain IoT solutions requires a multifaceted approach that addresses technical, logistical, and security challenges. Key takeaways include: prioritizing interoperability and open standards to facilitate seamless integration; adopting Layer-2 scaling solutions and edge computing to enhance performance and reduce blockchain load; implementing robust security measures at every layer of the system, from devices to smart contracts; choosing optimized consensus mechanisms and energy-efficient technologies for resource-constrained IoT devices; and conducting thorough threat modeling and risk assessment for large-scale deployments. A phased approach to deployment, starting with pilot projects and iterating based on lessons learned, is crucial.

Collaboration across stakeholders and a clear understanding of regulatory requirements are also essential for navigating the complexities of scaling Blockchain IoT. By strategically addressing these key aspects, organizations can overcome scaling hurdles and unlock the transformative potential of Blockchain and IoT integration.

The Future of Scalable, Secure, and Efficient Blockchain IoT Networks

The future of Blockchain IoT networks hinges on achieving scalability, security, and efficiency in tandem. Ongoing technological advancements in blockchain, 5G, edge computing, and IoT devices are paving the way for more scalable and performant solutions. Focus on interoperability and standardization will drive wider adoption and seamless integration across diverse ecosystems.

Emphasis on security best practices and proactive risk mitigation is paramount for building trust and ensuring the resilience of large-scale Blockchain IoT deployments. As these technologies mature and converge, we can expect to see increasingly sophisticated and impactful Blockchain IoT applications across industries, transforming how we interact with the physical and digital worlds and realizing the full potential of this powerful technology combination for a more connected, secure, and efficient future.

Final Reflection: Embracing the Scalable Future of Blockchain IoT

The journey from promising pilot projects to impactful, full-scale deployments of Blockchain and IoT solutions is fraught with challenges, yet the potential rewards are transformative. The convergence of these technologies promises unprecedented levels of transparency, security, and efficiency across industries, but realizing this vision requires a concerted effort to overcome the inherent complexities of scaling. The insights shared in this article highlight the critical need for strategic planning, robust infrastructure, and a collaborative ecosystem to navigate the "Blockchain IoT scaling challenges" that lie ahead.

The impact of successfully scaling Blockchain IoT solutions extends far beyond mere technological advancement. It touches upon fundamental aspects of trust, data ownership, and the very fabric of our interconnected world. Witnessing the evolution of these technologies from theoretical concepts to practical applications has been both inspiring and humbling, reinforcing the belief that innovation, when guided by ethical considerations, can truly reshape society for the better. The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed. - William Gibson. This quote resonates deeply, reminding us that the benefits of Blockchain IoT must be accessible and equitable to all.

As we stand on the cusp of a new era, let us not shy away from the "Blockchain IoT scaling challenges" that confront us. Instead, let us embrace them as opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration. Consider how you can contribute to building a more secure, transparent, and efficient future powered by the synergy of Blockchain and IoT. Reflect on the lessons learned from pilot projects, and let them inform your approach to scaling these transformative technologies. The future is not something that happens to us; it is something we create, together.

Scale Your Blockchain & IoT Vision!

Thank you for exploring the journey from pilot projects to full-scale deployments with us. We hope you've gained valuable insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Now, it's time to turn that knowledge into action.

Ready to take the next step? Here's how you can start scaling your blockchain and IoT initiatives:

• Assess your current pilot project using our downloadable scaling readiness checklist. This tool will help you evaluate infrastructure, security, and interoperability to identify areas for improvement.
• Research organizations actively deploying blockchain and IoT solutions in your industry. Document their key strategies and explore potential ways to adapt their approaches to your own projects.
• Share this article with colleagues or on your professional network to spark a conversation about overcoming barriers to wider blockchain and IoT adoption.

What is one concrete step you'll take this week to bring your blockchain or IoT project closer to full deployment?