Every now and then a technology appears that is so intriguing that it spikes fantasies of what it is, does and all the things it might make possible: Examples are the Internet, GSM mobile telephony, or social media. And no doubt, Blockchain is such a technology, too: Oh, the hype and oh, the claims of all that it will do, and oh, the fears of all it will replace: Agencies, banks, currencies, jobs, “everything!” While the fantasies run wild with every up and down of cryptocurrency prices, these are just one use of Blockchain technology. I observe something completely different: Away from the noise and hype, Blockchain has matured into a solid IT technology that is used to solve previously unsolvable problems and produces increasingly novel applications. And the Blockchain startup scene is alive and kicking. Here are two use cases of Blockchains that exemplify this: SyraCoin, citizens crowd-fund city services in exchange for tokens. By City of Syracuse, NY and VITE.org. Citizens of Syracuse, NY, can now donate money to help out other citizens …