Blockchain is being touted as the next great technological disruptor, with financial firms investing heavily and cyber-libertarians hoping it’ll enable decentralised transactions and P2P commerce. But can it break into everyday usage, or will it become just another buzzword from the world of tech?

Be it for a new pair of jeans, gig tickets or the gas bill, Aussies are flashing their digital wallets. New research from PayPal has found that three-quarters of them are ditching desktops in favour of paying through their phones, with the average shopper spending $330 via their mobiles each month.

In the wake of the steepest drop in trust in recent history, established business, media, and government institutions are being eyed with suspicion. Canvas8 spoke with Rachel Botsman, author ofWho Can You Trust?, to understand who holds sway in the midst of a global trust implosion.

Blockchain, the digital scaffolding behind cryptocurrency bitcoin, has hit critical mass and is being taken seriously by major conglomerates and governments alike. Canvas8 spoke to technology strategist Paul Armstrong to understand how it might make an impact beyond the financial world.