When Blythe Masters, a former top JPMorgan Chase executive and one of the most prominent financiers on Wall Street, was appointed chief executive of blockchain company Digital Asset Holdings in 2015, many saw it as a sign that the technology — for building secure transaction networks — would upend financial services. However, progress in integrating blockchain into finance has been slow, mainly due to regulatory hurdles and the importance of liquidity in established markets. Blockchain's key advantage is its transparency and resistance to hacking. The use of blockchain is growing in functions adjacent to trading and cash markets, like trade settlement and processing. Companies like Chainlink are developing software to bridge blockchains and external data sources. Citigroup and JPMorgan are also pursuing blockchain projects. Blockchain's potential in finance remains, but progress takes time.