Software development firm 3Pillar Global specializes in crafting digital products that generate revenue across financial services, media, entertainment, health, and data sectors. The company has been
Software development firm 3Pillar Global specializes in crafting digital products that generate revenue across financial services, media, entertainment, health, and data sectors. The company has been developing blockchain solutions for various clients. Last year's DEVCON1 conference featured Adi Chikara, an engineer within 3Pillar's Advanced Technology Group, presenting methodologies for building blockchain strategies—an encounter that sparked our broader interest in the organization's work. Since then, 3Pillar has continued contributing thought leadership through webinars and media appearances, including discussions on platforms like Take3. We recently reached out to Michael Lisse, who leads financial services client relationships, and Adi Chikara to understand what drew them to distributed systems, what obstacles they've encountered, and their perspective on industry-wide standardization needs.
The company's exploration of blockchain emerged organically from its innovation pipeline. "Our Advanced Technology Group and 3Pillar Labs monitor nascent technologies," Lisse explained. "Blockchain became relevant to us once sidechains emerged as viable implementations." The firm established 3Pillar Labs back in 2012 to serve as an internal innovation hub, investigating how cutting-edge technologies like blockchain could reshape industries and create new opportunities for their customer base. A recently redesigned 3Pillar Labs website now showcases their current explorations and research output.
At DEVCON1, Chikara introduced a "Blockchain canvas"—essentially a validation framework. "It's not a silver bullet," Lisse noted. "The canvas offers a methodology to determine whether blockchain actually solves a given problem and helps organizations rank competing ideas." Chikara expanded: "You apply traditional business model thinking, then layer on assessment of blockchain-specific advantages."
This framework guides client selection. "We prioritize projects where blockchain touches multiple business components while maintaining minimal integration points with existing infrastructure and demonstrating clear economic benefits," Lisse stated. This approach reduces financial risk for clients exploring blockchain investments. Demand signals have shifted noticeably. "Awareness and interest have grown substantially," Lisse said. "Yet most organizations haven't yet figured out which use cases justify blockchain implementation or how to execute effectively."
Regarding blockchain's longer-term trajectory, Lisse offered measured optimism: "Like any emerging technology, we'll see expanded adoption and more blockchain-based offerings entering the market. Concrete business value should become evident over several years. A powerful indicator: all 42 participants in the R3 Consortium are dedicating serious resources to this space. Given how the internet reshaped global trade and labor dynamics, we anticipate similar transformations in financial infrastructure." He added a crucial insight about network effects: "A blockchain only functions as well as its participants allow. If three of the five largest banks launched a blockchain network today, the remaining two would eventually have no choice but joining under terms the pioneers established—effectively ceding control. Those three would essentially write the future rulebook." Early movers thus position themselves as standard-setters within their ecosystems.
Regarding their platform selection, 3Pillar opted for Ethereum. "It's actively evolving and represents the strongest implementation of smart contract functionality available, addressing shortcomings in competing systems," Lisse explained. "For our current clients' particular requirements, Ethereum delivers the best fit." Chikara nuanced this: "The ecosystem is shifting rapidly and technology selection depends entirely on specific use cases. Ethereum isn't universal, but it balances capability and practicality effectively. The surrounding toolkit—including Mist, alethzero, Ether.Camp IDE, and BlockApps deployment systems—makes it particularly suitable for commercial applications, especially following Homestead's availability."
The subject of standardization surfaces regularly in blockchain conversations, with figures like Manu Sporney from W3C and Edan Yago from Epiphyte advocating for formalized development standards. "Standardization remains essential for blockchain's success and enterprise adoption," Chikara acknowledged. "However, we must balance this against stifling innovation. The standardization effort involves diverse participants with different visions. I find the W3C model appealing, though blockchain may not yet be ready for such a formal consortium structure."
