The global head of blockchain for financial services and digital services of IBM, Jesse Lund, is no longer with the company, a spokesperson for IBM confirmed. Coin Desk reported that the company had confirmed the departure, with the additional statement that IBM's policy was not to divulge the specifics of why Lund left, or when it happened.
Lund was later contacted via LinkedIn and proceeded to answer inquiries about his departure. He was in high spirits, confirmed his departure with IBM, and said that this did not reflect his views. The former banker, whose plan it was to bring cryptocurrency to the forefront of the enterprise world, said that he still felt positive that payment innovation using blockchain was still the logical path to go on.
Jesse Lund's vision, when he was still with IBM, was to make cryptocurrency more "mainstream" as well as to see how stablecoins could work as central bank currency in the digital world. He was involved in IBM's World Wire payment network, spearheading it, and had also invited six banks worldwide to invest in the technology.
It might not be the right time for Jesse Lund's departure with projects left and right happening for IBM. For one, IBM is apparently researching the use of technology that's found in self-driving cars. For what? They think that these can power new technology, such as a patient monitor for seniors or those with in-home health monitoring needs.
According to Business Insider, IBM has partnered with UK-based Cera Care, a startup that helps elderly patients link up with caregivers. The partnership aims to introduce the product into about a dozen patient homes, or at least, those who really need the health monitoring system. The elderly homes and those who receive the units will be part of a six-month-long pilot phase which starts in June.
While this is only a temporary set-up, IBM and Cera Care's long-term goal is to introduce this technology to improve the home care set-up. The technology's potential is to create a streamlined care delivery system, thereby off-setting the shrinking numbers of caregivers. That being said, the initial edition of the technology may cost upwards from $1000 and more.
Jesse Lund's departure will no doubt have an effect on IBM's business. He was part of the executive committee of ledger technology firm R3. He also helped created various business partnerships, including overseeing Wells Fargo's interests on the Corda platform of the company. But business is business and IBM will see to that, even without Lund.
