JD.com places blockchain bet on Nuggets

Blockchain e-commerce payments and ID platform, Nuggets, is joining JD.com’s AI Catapult Accelerator (AICA). 

The Chinese online retailer has been increasing its involvement in blockchain over the last 12 months, through both internal operations and external partnerships. In 2017, its logistics arm became the first Chinese member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), alongside the likes of FedEx. Uri Ferruccio, Director of Strategy and Investment for JD’s AI Platform and Research Division, comments: “We are excited to have Nuggets join the AI Catapult accelerator. Its application of blockchain technology for simple, secure payments and ID is an example of the type of innovation that will be at the forefront of change in e-commerce.”

The British venture is joined in the AICA by the private wealth management platform Bankorus, decentralised database provider Bluzelle, the blockchain and cryptocurrency-enabled marketplace Canya, digital product tracking brand Devery.io, and Pin Protocol, a decentralised reputation system.