Zone: Infrastructure foundation for regulated decentralised finance

The future of finance is on the brink of a major transformation, with the emergence of regulated decentralized finance (DeFi) powered by blockchain technology. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Obi Emetarom, the Co-founder and CEO of Zone, shared his insights on how regulated blockchain is set to become the cornerstone of the new financial era. Emetarom emphasized the importance of on-chain records representing money in the bank, smart contracts serving as financial products, and AI agents acting as account managers for customers. This innovative approach aims to ensure that all financial instruments and services are compliant, secure, and subject to regulatory oversight. The white paper presented by Zone highlights the pivotal role of infrastructure in regulated DeFi applications, merging technology, regulatory standards, and trust from traditional finance to create a seamless and safe environment for users. The white paper proposes a revolutionary concept where financial operations are entirely digital and automated, with regulations being embedded programmatically into the blockchain. This departure from traditional regulatory practices aims to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency in the financial ecosystem. By leveraging the inherent features of blockchain such as programmability, immutability, and transparency, the regulated DeFi infrastructure can reshape the way regulations are enforced and compliance is ensured. One of the key use cases highlighted in the white paper is the transformation of payments, both in wholesale and retail sectors. With wholesale payments, regulated blockchains can facilitate real-time settlements between financial institutions, even across borders. This seamless process ensures compliance with various regulations such as anti-money laundering (AML) and exchange control rules, while reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Retail payments are also set to undergo a significant shift, with digital payments using central bank digital currencies and regulated crypto assets becoming mainstream alongside traditional forms of payment. Moreover, the white paper delves into the regulatory landscape of the crypto and blockchain market, particularly focusing on the programmability and immutability of blockchains. By setting rules as programs and ensuring transparency of operations, regulators can actively monitor activities on the blockchain in real-time, making informed decisions and fine-tuning regulations accordingly. This proactive approach to regulation eliminates loopholes and ensures that operators comply with standards, reducing the risk of unethical practices and ensuring the protection of end-users. As the financial world stands at a crossroads, embracing the potential of regulated decentralized finance could revolutionize the industry, offering a secure, efficient, and transparent alternative to traditional financial systems. Zone's vision for the future of finance entails a harmonious integration of technology, regulation, and trust, paving the way for a golden age of finance where innovation meets compliance.