In What Industries Can Smart Contracts Have the Most Impact on Intermediaries?

Smart contracts have the greatest potential impact in the financial sector, specifically in areas like derivatives and options trading. They can automate escrow, settlement, and clearing processes, significantly reducing the need for traditional brokers and central counterparties.

This automation lowers transaction costs and speeds up execution. Decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, built on smart contracts, are already disrupting lending and asset management.

The core impact is in any industry requiring trust, verification, and multi-party agreement.