Blockchain is no longer a futuristic promise. It has become a vital tool for building digital bridges that foster innovation and development across Latin America and the Caribbean. In a region with increasingly interconnected ecosystems and a pressing need for secure, transparent, and scalable solutions, one network has emerged as a regional benchmark: LACNet, the world’s largest permissioned public blockchain infrastructure.
Launched three years ago by RedCLARA and the Internet Address Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACNIC), in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank’s innovation lab, BID Lab, LACNet has enabled more than 100 real-world solutions in 23 countries, positively impacting over 9 million people. Areas such as education, digital identity, government transparency, and financial inclusion are some areas seeing tangible benefits.
According to Luis Eliécer Cadenas, Executive Director of RedCLARA, LACNet’s work over the past three years has been crucial, particularly in building capacity around blockchain use for the common good. "Beyond infrastructure and platforms, the value proposition has been strengthened. This effort has opened new pathways for developing solutions that generate positive impact across the region," he noted.
In the agricultural sector, AgroWeb3, an initiative by BID Lab and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), uses blockchain and Web3 technologies to connect smallholder farmers with global markets, improving their access to business opportunities and supporting climate change adaptation. Another standout case is Ward, a Colombian app that revolutionizes the way digital evidence is collected and securely stored in cases of violence or crime. The tool discreetly records evidence, leaving no trace on the device, and certifies it on blockchain, ensuring it cannot be altered or deleted. This gives victims verifiable and protected evidence, increasing their chances of accessing justice.
These examples reflect the broad impact of LACNet, the blockchain infrastructure behind the LACChain Ecosystem projects, which enables key sectors to adopt blockchain solutions. Since its inception, LACNet’s model has allowed governments, universities, and companies to develop secure, transparent, and inclusive blockchain-based applications. Its multi-purpose, permissioned public network offers a real and compliant environment for running decentralized applications.
A reliable digital highway
In just three years, LACNet has become a cornerstone in the Latin America and the Caribbean digital transformation, providing reliable technological infrastructure and enabling the development of innovative solutions.
Blockchain is characterized by its security, traceability, transparency, and sustainability. Information is stored in a decentralized manner across interconnected nodes, ensuring that if one fails, the others continue functioning, preventing data loss. Its validation system prevents unauthorized changes, any attempt to alter data is rejected by other nodes holding identical copies. As for transparency, information is visible to authorized users without revealing identities. For instance, a wallet code allows transaction tracking, but not identification of the user.
Mariana Kotik, Chief Commercial Officer at LACNet, highlights the enormous potential of blockchain, hough it is often confined to specific uses. While initially associated mainly with cryptocurrencies, today its applications span multiple areas with social and environmental impact. “Digital identity management, diploma and credential certification, transparency, immutability, and cost efficiency are just some of the many benefits this technology provides,” she emphasizes.
"We think about LACNet as a bridge between regions. Many use cases require interoperability with countries in the European Union or the United States. To make that possible, we need technological infrastructure aligned with international standards. LACNet offers a secure, regulation-compliant environment that enables traditional Web 2.0 entities to take their first steps into blockchain and Web3,"Kotik adds.
She notes that one of the main challenges in scaling blockchain’s impact in the region is overcoming misconceptions and fears, while raising awareness of its benefits. A recent innovation is the implementation of a post-quantum resistant solution, developed in collaboration with other partners, which adds a critical layer of protection against potential future threats from quantum computing.
"Quantum computers could jeopardize the security of many systems, including blockchain. It’s not a matter of if, but when,” says Kotik. "That is why at LACNet, we have developed a solution to shield our network from such threats. We also help projects obtain certifications that demonstrate their trustworthiness to both investors and users," Kotik notes.
The CCO of LACNet adds that "the key to the mass adoption of blockchain lies in traditional sectors, perceiving it as a familiar and approachable technology capable of solving their challenges. In that sense, our focus on building a strong and collaborative ecosystem is fundamental for its growth and consolidation."
A strategyc alliance
As a relatively new technology, blockchain requires learning spaces where users can understand its fundamentals and practical applications. RedCLARA has been a strategic partner in promoting digital inclusion and facilitating the adoption of advanced technologies across the region.
"The vision of BID Lab and LACChain to create a robust ecosystem is something we at RedCLARA deeply value. Therefore, RedCLARA is committed to supporting, strengthening, and promoting this effort, recognizing its potential to achieve the important goals ahead," says Cadenas.
"Together with RedCLARA, we promote blockchain adoption in universities and National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), as well as in professional development and learning initiative,—through working groups and hackathons—equipping the next generation of professionals with the tools needed to succeed in the industry. Additionally, solutions such as the Diploma Project and digital identity systems are expanding opportunities in educational environments, an effort we will continue to drive forward together," Kotik emphasizes.
As part of this alliance, efforts are also being made to promote the use of blockchain by creating a secure space to test, validate and refine key technological solutions to accelerate the adoption of innovations. The BELLA II project, implemented by RedCLARA and co-funded by the European Union (EU), is developing the creation of a testbed based on the LACNet Pro-Testnet network.
The platform enables researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses to develop and test applications in areas such as digital identity, smart contracts and supply chain traceability in a secure environment that meets international standards. Beyond technical experimentation, the testbed also strengthens digital skills, fosters innovation and builds specialized talent across the region, creating new opportunities for inclusive economic growth.
"Our goal with this testbed is to make blockchain technology more accessible, enabling more actors to explore its potential and build solutions tailored to regional challenges," says Carlos González, RedCLARA Service Manager.
He adds that the LACNet–RedCLARA collaboration has already yielded concrete results over the past three years, accelerating blockchain adoption in the region. "This alliance has opened new opportunities in digital identity, information traceability, and transparency in administrative processes," he says.
For example, the Diploma Project, developed through this alliance, has revolutionized digital certification in Latin America, ensuring authenticity, transparency, and accessibility of academic credentials. The model connects universities, NRENs, and tech providers to enable secure and efficient issuance and verification of digital diplomas. Graduates receive verifiable digital credentials and universities can validate their authenticity in seconds, without intermediaries, reducing the risk of fraud and streamlining recruitment and international academic recognition processes.
Unstoppable momentum
The achievements of the past three years continue to inspire the expansion of blockchain adoption across Latin America and the Caribbean. In the near future, LACNet is leading key initiatives related to carbon credits, including a hackathon scheduled to showcase the winning project in November. "This is a project we are strongly investing in this year. These initiatives are open to the public, and RedCLARA is helping us extend their reach," explains Kotik.
“Blockchain has the potential to increase transparency in environmental initiatives, such as carbon credit traceability, improving the effectiveness of climate response strategies,” adds González.
Looking ahead, LACNet and RedCLARA will continue to strengthen the region’s blockchain infrastructure, advancing strategic partnerships that enable adoption in priority sectors such as education, public administration, and business.
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