Hi there,

We’ve got some range today covering retail tech, blockchain, and more below.

But first, here’s my convo with my 5-year-old son this AM. Help appreciated.

Son: What does famous mean?

Me: Someone or something known by a lot of people.

Son: Ok. So like wheels are famous? 

Me: Huh?

Son: Everyone knows what a wheel is.

Me: Please eat your breakfast.

Anyone got a good way to explain “famous” to a 5-year-old? LMK.  

Into the ether

Ethereum’s market cap now tops $291B, up from $712M in early January 2017.

Read about the open-source blockchain’s resurgence and how it's being used across lending, trading, games, and more here.

More blockchain goodness below.

Shop ‘til you drop

The past year changed the grocery store trip forever.  

From text-based customer service to refill services, we look at what the grocery store trip will look like in the next 2 years.

Block(chain) party
 

In talking with our clients who are looking to use the blockchain, the key impediment to adoption is the sheer amount of noise in the ecosystem. 

Basically, it’s a challenge of separating the players from the pretenders. 

But there is a solution now. Last summer, we acquired Blockdata and it's relaunched today with rich profiles on notable blockchain vendors to help enterprises understand the most promising players across a number of categories.  

Here are a few of the just-launched profiles:

• Blockdaemon — Blockchain infrastructure and nodes provider

• BitGo — Institutional digital asset custody, trading, and finance

• Dusk Network — Open-source blockchain for tokenizing financial assets

• Gilded — Helping companies become bankless by automating crypto payments and accounting

• RIDDLE&CODE — Token management platform for managing the full lifecycle of digital assets

• LTO Network — Hybrid blockchain for securing, verifying, and exchanging business-critical information

If you are building blockchain solutions for the enterprise (or know someone who is), you can claim or create your profile here.

If you haven’t already, sign up for Blockdata's blockchain-focused newsletter as the team shines a light on the players making enterprise blockchain a reality.

On a roll
 

From May 13-14, over 400 people will virtually gather to join us for our first CB Insights Tech Market: Digitizing P&C Insurance.
 

In addition to an impressive line-up of speakers that includes 25 CEOs/co-founders plus an MD at Google and the president of AXA XL, we’ll be:

• Sharing a ton of data related to the insurance market and the top trends to watch

• Providing various opportunities to network, including a concierge matchmaking program between buyers and sellers plus small group roundtables

• Facilitating workshops and roundtables discussing tech adoption and deployment strategies

Take $75 off this week only. Register here with code 75.

We’re all ears

As communication channels multiply, it’s becoming harder for brands and retailers to engage with customers where they are. 

We analyze communication platform-as-a-service (CPaaS) vendors facilitating omnichannel communication in this client-only ESP Vendor Assessment Matrix.

Fierce Healthcare. Heather Landi (@HeatherLandi) reports on global healthcare funding trends using the CB Insights State Of Healthcare Q1’21 report.

Bloomberg. Matthew Leising (@mattleising) covers blockchain co Digital Asset’s Series D and cites CB Insights data.

Healthcare Dive. Rebecca Pifer (@RebeccaMPifer) digs into the CB Insights State Of Healthcare report.

P.S. Join us May 5 at 2 pm EDT for a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s AI 100 winners. Register here.

Rewind. Google Earth now includes a time-lapse feature, enabling users to see Earth’s changes over the past 37 years.

CNBC 

In a bind. Corsets are all the rage, fueled by Regency-era hit TV show Bridgerton and “party fever.”

WSJ

Disturbance in the force. Disney’s patent for a retractable lightsaber has received renewed interest after a device was spotted at a press event. 

The Verge 

Just in time. FIFA may implement tech that automates offsides calls for the 2022 World Cup, potentially shaving 70 seconds off per decision.

ESPN 

K-pop and fries. McDonald’s has collaborated with Korean boy band BTS to launch a new “signature” meal.
Fast Company